cutting tank

mike31154 · #1 12-08-2014, 03:08 PM

Thickness of the glass will determine whether it's feasible or not I reckon. Also need to confirm that the sides you wish to cut are not tempered. I've been contemplating giving this a go as well. I wouldn't risk it with a larger display tank, but my current 77 gal Hagen display will probably become a sump or 'fuge when I finally upgrade to a larger set up. Something shorter than 24" is what I'd prefer & the 77 gallon will be a good candidate since I know it's not tempered & it's getting a few scratches on it after many years duty as a display. I have a small wet tile saw & think that if I take it slow & have a few spare blades on hand, should be able to pull it off. Will be awkward & heavy, but worth a try. If it breaks no biggy. If it works, I have a great sump. The new display will probably be a custom build though.

Masonjames · #2 12-08-2014, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Thickness of the glass will determine whether it's feasible or not I reckon. Also need to confirm that the sides you wish to cut are not tempered. I've been contemplating giving this a go as well. I wouldn't risk it with a larger display tank, but my current 77 gal Hagen display will probably become a sump or 'fuge when I finally upgrade to a larger set up. Something shorter than 24" is what I'd prefer & the 77 gallon will be a good candidate since I know it's not tempered & it's getting a few scratches on it after many years duty as a display. I have a small wet tile saw & think that if I take it slow & have a few spare blades on hand, should be able to pull it off. Will be awkward & heavy, but worth a try. If it breaks no biggy. If it works, I have a great sump. The new display will probably be a custom build though.

Score it first if your going to attempt to cut it in this manner. Risky venture! Good luck : )

mike31154 · #3 12-09-2014, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masonjames

Score it first if your going to attempt to cut it in this manner. Risky venture! Good luck : )

The way things are going at the moment, it will be quite a while until I'm ready for the planned upgrade, so won't be any cutting in the near future. I like to keep tabs on threads like this to see what folks' experiences with cutting tanks/glass are. The old 77 will have to do as a display until I finish all the renos on my even older house.....

I assume scoring the glass will minimize the chance of the thing shattering as I push it along into the blade? What do I score it with, a glass cutter? I've never been any good at that!

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #4 12-09-2014, 03:06 AM

When professional glass cutters do it, they score and snap a flat piece of glass. They would probably never even attempt to cut an aquarium that is still intact.

mike31154 · #5 12-09-2014, 03:29 AM

Well, I'm not a professional (glass cutter that is) & am not dealing with a flat piece of glass. Neither is the OP. Maybe in a year or so, I'll give it a go & report back. In the meantime it would be great if someone that's actually tried this would chime in.

Masonjames · #6 12-09-2014, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Well, I'm not a professional (glass cutter that is) & am not dealing with a flat piece of glass. Neither is the OP. Maybe in a year or so, I'll give it a go & report back. In the meantime it would be great if someone that's actually tried this would chime in.

I have cut down three tanks for use in sump, ato and frag tank. I did however use a simple glass cutter, snap into tank pane by pane after cutting silicone out to cut height.

Cutting with a wet saw will most certainly cut glass. However by hand on a four foot long pane you will probably get 75-90% of the way through then it will most likely break. Why I suggested scoring it prior. An initial score may keep a break controlled. It may not. But for a sump to reuse a tank you already have, sure give it a shot if you want. I can't promise you won't break it, and a good chance you will but it's your tank, have fun with it if you want. Even a grinder with a dry diamond blade can cut a tank in half. Just play safe. I'm sure I don't need to tell you glass is sharp.

Masonjames · #7 12-09-2014, 04:13 AM

Just don't try it on a tank you don't want to loose. OP!