Glass salvage for aquariums?

[Druu]

I'm not sure on the thickness of the glass, but most windows aren't that thick, so I assumed that it wouldn't hold the weight of the water when full. This is why I was thinking about cutting it- but that no longer seems like a viable option since it's likely tempered. I was afraid of that, but thanks for letting me know so I didn't end up sweeping the garage. Is window glass also tempered?

 

[Danyal]

hahaha, yea window glass varies, in my old woodshop we were cutting up windows to use for different projects and the instructor started to try to cut one that was tempered, it exploded.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I'm not sure on the thickness of the glass, but most windows aren't that thick, so I assumed that it wouldn't hold the weight of the water when full. This is why I was thinking about cutting it- but that no longer seems like a viable option since it's likely tempered. I was afraid of that, but thanks for letting me know so I didn't end up sweeping the garage. Is window glass also tempered?

Don't give up so easy. At least try. After all, the glass was free. Normally you can't just haul it to the curb (too big for most pick ups). If it is tempered, having it shatter will actually be a service to you.

Lay one of them on a tarp and snap off a corner with pliers. If it is tempered, the whole thing will shatter. If it isn't, you will have just messed up a corner.

 

[CHOMPERS]

this is bad advice dude i used to work in a glass factory the glass is not hung on anything the machine has rollers witch the glass just lies flat on it not only that glass is the most solid liquid eg if that door is 20 years on and started as a 10mm piece it might only be 7 mill at the top and and 12 at the bottom i wouldnt use old glass period

I am surprised that the glass factory was perpetuating the glass myths. Glass is not a liquid. Creep in glass will not occur in 20 years. It will not even be measureable in 200 years. It will take 12,000 years to see the effects that are seen in old houses and cathederals. That glass is from the days prior to plate glass. What causes the thickness at the bottom and thinness at the top is because the glass is from when all glass was blown by hand. The far end of the glass bubble is thinner than what is at the rod. You would never install a window with the thin edge down for obvious reasons. You would always install the thick side down.

 

[basslover34]

Don't give up so easy. At least try. After all, the glass was free. Normally you can't just haul it to the curb (too big for most pick ups). If it is tempered, having it shatter will actually be a service to you.

Lay one of them on a tarp and snap off a corner with pliers. If it is tempered, the whole thing will shatter. If it isn't, you will have just messed up a corner.

EXACTLY what I was thinking... Hell I picked up a couple a few weeks ago as well... just trying to clear out some space for the "tank that I want to build" before I try the door glass... they are older doors (I know of them being out of the house for at least 8 years... and they would have been in service in the house for at least 20 years I think... so it's a safe bet that they are not tempered as it's been almost 30 years since they were made.

 

[johnny roastbeef]

I am surprised that the glass factory was perpetuating the glass myths. Glass is not a liquid. Creep in glass will not occur in 20 years. It will not even be measureable in 200 years. It will take 12,000 years to see the effects that are seen in old houses and cathederals. That glass is from the days prior to plate glass. What causes the thickness at the bottom and thinness at the top is because the glass is from when all glass was blown by hand. The far end of the glass bubble is thinner than what is at the rod. You would never install a window with the thin edge down for obvious reasons. You would always install the thick side down.

+1

 

[Potts050]

this is bad advice dude i used to work in a glass factory the glass is not hung on anything the machine has rollers witch the glass just lies flat on it not only that glass is the most solid liquid eg if that door is 20 years on and started as a 10mm piece it might only be 7 mill at the top and and 12 at the bottom i wouldnt use old glass period

This is good advice

 

[johnptc]

most tempered glass is marked in one corner........

 

[Druu]

Don't give up so easy. At least try. After all, the glass was free. Normally you can't just haul it to the curb (too big for most pick ups). If it is tempered, having it shatter will actually be a service to you.

Lay one of them on a tarp and snap off a corner with pliers. If it is tempered, the whole thing will shatter. If it isn't, you will have just messed up a corner.

I'll get on it next time then. Those went off craigslist pretty quickly. Perhaps we'll hear stories of a tank built of doors by another MFK in the area.

 

[CHOMPERS]

This is good advice

NOOoooo...Potts, say it ain't so!!!