Glass cutting - Tank Building

[Bradlowes]

Oright guys,

basically wouldnt mind an upgrade... not for the fact im bored of it or anything like that.. just want a halide and my clowns would definately appreciate some more space. Dont want anymore stock .. just wanting a bit more room for them to chill!

Anyway... im holding out on a guy whos giving away some glass from a Betta 1500 - so i was thinking of making a tank from it... - a 2.5x2.5x2.5 as at the minute i have a 24g nano D&D so if all goes well that'll be up for sale too...

considering sumping it as well. even a small sump will be good just to have it out the way with a custom built cupboard at the bottom...

at the moment though, reading thoroughly through cutting glass techniques and things like that... i know its not going to be the nicest thing in the world as its going to be a first time try! - but its free and its all learning i suppose :)

The only thing im worried about is that is 12mm glass and im just thinking will a small glass cutter work on it? (just the handheald ones) ... and also how do i attempt to polish the edges off even if they dont look polished but atleast they wont cut ! - any advice would be brill...


brad

[Tangman]

Hi Brad you will struggle to cut 12 mm glass with a ordinary cutter as its thick and can go off line when cutting. I would suggest taking it to a glass merchant and ask them to cut it for you. As for polishing the edges you need a proper machine or you can rub the sharp edge off with some emery paper so its not sharp. Twiggy

[Bradlowes]

Thanks mate, do you have any more tips on the polishing side? ... just want to make it less sharp so im able to build.

[r60sgr]

For taking sharp edges off use a honing stone and make sure always wet when rubbing (tap water is fine). You should get a honing stone form a tool sales shop, not sure about B&Q, never seen them there. That will only remove rough edges and flaking glass and may take a while depending how hard the glass is. If you want to polish it is definitely a machine, cause it needs plenty of lubrication and very high speed polishing stones. Impossible by hand! Stewart

[reefergeek]

ah never knew you use honing stones for glass, Got a fair few of them for the engine cylinder hone

[r60sgr]

As long as they're smooth stones the rough ones will just keep chipping edges away.

[Macca]

why not give fit filtration a call, you might get a pleasant surprise on cost for a top end tank.

[Bradlowes]

might give it a shot see what they say anyway just for a price range, i got it marked up in acrylic "glass look" and came to £95.00 which ididnt think was bad at all... that was a 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 10mm acrylic all polished etc and ready... but not sure what it will be like.

[Tangman]

Hi Brad my acrylic tank is in 15mm and its 30 inch deep so i would not trust 10mm for a 30 inch deep one. Twiggy PS who did you get the price from PM me if you like