need some advice/help please

[rsagen]

Hi,
I just signed up here today.
Dont have monster fish....but I have always had tanks.
Im trying to replace the end panel in a glass 40 gallon tank.
It has a black plastic frame. Top and bottom.
I have had new glass cut and have removed all of the silicone around the panel. I went around the seams extreamly well. I still can not get the glass to come out.
I think maybe the glass is siliconed to the bottom frame as well. On the outside of the bottom edge.
I can almost fit my exato blade part way in between the front of the glass and the bottom frame. But cant pry it away from it without putting a lot of stress on the glass.

The edges of the glass are still holding onto the other peices of glass pretty well even with the silicone removed
from all the areas I can get too.

I would be very gratefull for any help.

Im not sure how much pressure I dare use.....

Thanks,

Robin

 

[CHOMPERS]

During manufacture, before the inside silicone is put in the tank, the glass panels are either glued or siliconed together. You will need to run the blade between each panel. When you get two seams cut, you will be able to use the glass to flex the last seam to make the cut easier.


Also, you are going to need to remove the bottom frame. The hardest part is going to get a spot on the frame started, but once you do, it should "peel" off. Be careful with the peel action. The plastic is slightly flexible but won't take tons of abuse. The frame is held on with silicone most of the time. It has a tensile strength of 200 psi and a peel strength of only 27 psi. That is why you want to peel it.

 

[rsagen]

Thanks,
So I just pry the blade in between the glass seams?
Right now there is no give to the glass.
I tried to squeeze a very thin wire between them and wasnt able too. Does it go fairly easy or do you really need to force the blade into the seams?
I wont remove the frame unless I have too.
Im trying to replace the end peice of glass.
This tank was a snake tank when new. So the end glass only went up half way. I had new glass cut.

I found the tank for only 5.00 and am sick of the scratches on my acrylic tank. Just thought this would look better.
Thanks much for your help.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Getting the blade between the panes usually isn't an easy job. If they are held together with silicone, then the job will be easier. If they are held together with glue, then it is going to be really difficult. Glue seams are very thin so only the thinnest of blades will work. The old style of flat razor blades that very thin and will work well. Utility knife blades and Exacto blades are too thick but I have made them work. My fingers were raw for several days after that.

Btw, siliconed joints are soft and glued joints are very hard.

 

[rsagen]

Hi again....
Well, I'm learning.. LOL
I cut glass for a window factory for several years...But doing this is different too say the least.
I now figured out why the frames need to be removed...dah
Sometimes it takes me awhile.
I have the bottom frame off and will now remove the top. Then clean up the silicone all around the outside of tank.
Hopefully then I can cut the peice of glass away from the others.
I do have the old style razer blades. Hopefully it will go smooth.
I 'm wondering if I will need to reseal the entire tank now or just get by with doing the new peice of glass and down a few inches from the bottom corners where I removed some of the slicone. I read that it doesnt stick to itself.
Thank you so much for your help.
I think I may paint the frame now that its off.
This tank is for some fancy gold fish. Any advice on what color background goes good if you have a few all black fish? I also have black gravel.
It looked great with a heavily planted tank that I used to have.
Seems nice to know I have a tank to watch again....Very peacefull and relaxing.
Have a cool day. I'm glad for the interent to get help when needed.

Most people think I'm dumb for always doing stuff myself but I have more elbow grease then cash!

Robin