Cutting Glass to Brace a 125

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pelleeklund said:
Hey guys, the glass is about a quarter inch thick. Can't say I'm 100 percent sure it's not tempered. All I can vouch for is that I'm heavy and a tradesman so I can lay on a cut pretty hard. All things considered, I feel like it should be enough to break it. I'm not experienced with glass cutting though, just primed up with YouTube videos, and familiar with my abilities, yet the glass resists. I held up the glass to a LCD TV and didn't get lines so I assume it's cuttable. Can't say that doesn't mean I'm ignorant to what kind of glass it is, just heard that if it was tempered it would distort the LCD output. Like I said, I'm a wash with internet bullshat so an experienced glass cutter with knowledge of cutting aquarium glass could help me greatly.
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Did you score BOTH sides of the glass?
 
pelleeklund said:
Hey guys, the glass is about a quarter inch thick. Can't say I'm 100 percent sure it's not tempered. All I can vouch for is that I'm heavy and a tradesman so I can lay on a cut pretty hard. All things considered, I feel like it should be enough to break it. I'm not experienced with glass cutting though, just primed up with YouTube videos, and familiar with my abilities, yet the glass resists. I held up the glass to a LCD TV and didn't get lines so I assume it's cuttable. Can't say that doesn't mean I'm ignorant to what kind of glass it is, just heard that if it was tempered it would distort the LCD output. Like I said, I'm a wash with internet bullshat so an experienced glass cutter with knowledge of cutting aquarium glass could help me greatly.
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Im no expert but I have made about ten aquariums. I also cut glass a few times a week for my job.
Going by what you have told here I bileve you may be dealing will temperd glass. If you have scored as you say it should have snapped on the score line if nothing else the glass should have broke. I would be careful If it is temperd when it does break it will explode so please at least wear goggles or safety glasses and long sleves.
I could be wrong. But I would bet its temperd.
Can you sacrafice one piece? Then you would know for sure before you try to break this piece again.
 
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Thanks everyone, I'm getting the feeling it's tempered as well, I put it through a couple tests on both sides, including running a dremel disc along the surface of the score on both sides as well as an engraver I have. I probably got about a quarter of the way through it on both sides and it still didn't snap. Pretty sure it would explode if I gave it a good snap, but it's definitely not going quietly. Thanks for all the help too, really wish I would have figured this out before I dismantled the 55, but what are you going to do?
 
pelleeklund said:
Thanks everyone, I'm getting the feeling it's tempered as well, I put it through a couple tests on both sides, including running a dremel disc along the surface of the score on both sides as well as an engraver I have. I probably got about a quarter of the way through it on both sides and it still didn't snap. Pretty sure it would explode if I gave it a good snap, but it's definitely not going quietly. Thanks for all the help too, really wish I would have figured this out before I dismantled the 55, but what are you going to do?
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on some of the tanks only the bottom panel is tempered......


.....one thing that has always confused me is the larger tanks say "tempered glass, do not drill" yet isn't it always the larger tanks that are drilled for intakes and returns?
 
Anybody think the braces are necessary? I'm thinking about going without them and fabricating my own top and lights. Nothing that will hold the top together structurally, just help with the evaporation. I believe it's a 125 and I just resiliconed it, the member who sold it to me ran it without braces so im guessing it would work.

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I would at least put strips of glass (2 or 3 inches wide) across the ends and one in the middle. That would go a long way in adding strength and it would also give you something to lay the glass tops on.
 
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Totally agree with BIG -G in putting 2"or 3"on the ends and one in the middle. You should be just fine with that.
 
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