glass suppliers - successes

[fish4me]

Where is everyone having success finding the glass for plywood enclosures? I have begun getting some qoutes from the net and locally and they are all over the place. The spread is like $150 between different vendors.

Also, what types of things must be considered for it to be properly cut and prepared.........

ie buffing, seaming, polishing.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Don't worry about the edges. They are going to be out of view when you are done.

'Low e' or 'low iron' glass is going to be clearer than regular glass. The iron ions in glass give it that greenish tint. Name brands such as Star-Clear are low iron glass. Of course you can save money if the glass is low iron without being a name brand.

 

[loogielv]

is low iron glass really noticeable? i cant justify the additional price for low iron when all the professional glass tanks are just glass...well for the most part.

 

[amehel0]

not unless u get to 1/2" or 3/4". i guess the main thing is delivery.

 

[loogielv]

not unless u get to 1/2" or 3/4". i guess the main thing is delivery.

what do you mean delivery? delivery from the company for low iron is better?

 

[Knowdafish]

What size piece and thickness you looking for?

 

[fish4me]

I am searching for a piece that is 3/8".
I have received qoutes on plate glass from several local companies ranging from $85-220.
I have also received a qoute from glasscages.com for around $85 but the delivery is an extra $40.
Just curious if people who had built these custom tanks had found a certain type of glass to be both effective and cost efficient.
Didn't know whether I could skimp and have the edges not finished or whether that would present danger when installing. Didn't know whether there were certain methods of finishing that were cheaper but still sufficient.
Don't have a lot of knowledge when it comes to different glass types as you can tell.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I'm not up for writing a dissertation, but just get what is cheapest. It is pointless to worry about 'glass types' that you don't want to pay for. If you can't get past ground edges, then get ground edges. You've already figured out your size and thickness, so you already have the hard part done.

 

[loogielv]

yah i agree. the only part bout non ground edges that i would be concerned with is fish injury later. But i'd gob up enough silicone on the edges that it would probably cover the whole thing anyway. install w/ gloves.