Repair or go plywood?

[biguebs]

Hi all, I need some input/opinion on my situation.

The bottom pane of my 180 glass tank cracked and started leaking last week, luckily I got the fish out before it exploded. Now, I need to figure out what to do for my guys, who are currently trapped in a 55 gal (not really trapped yet, 3 fish all under 6").

Should I try and find a piece of glass and replace the bottom, or build a plywood tank and use one of the panes of glass as the front viewing window? Which would be more cost effective and less risky in terms of success?

 

[$INI$T3R]

Im not sure what the purchase price for glass is in your area, But i would image it would be cheaper to go with the repair. Just call around and see what the local glass companies are charging for a exact L x W and same thickness 1/4" or 1/2" tempered glass. Then when you go to lowes or the DEPOT look for the silicone and add that up and see what the price is. Before you go to lowes or the depot, check out what size tank you wanna build then take all the measurments in with you and price the wood,glue,screws,fiber glass cloth, and resin. Add that together and then find out what you want to seal it in and how much that will cost. I think for a simple (dont get me wrong i have only re-sealed a tank) re-seal it will cost much less.

Now if you wanna go bigger... Then BUILD!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[biguebs]

Ok, I have been looking and google searching most of the morning. I think I'm going to replace the glass. I just need plate glass right? I have seen some mixed reaction on tempered glass, is there an advantage to be gained there?

 

[biguebs]

nothin? bump

 

[rustyspurs]

id be careful buddy as most places use tempered glass for the bottom pane in their tanks, with plate glass for the rest. from what ive read it needs the extra strength.

 

[horrifier]

it would definately be cheaper to replace the glass. and i agree with rustyspurs, from what i have found most glass tanks have a tempered bottom bc its stronger

 

[biguebs]

Ok, thanks. That's what I was wondering. The broken bottom in there now had one crack run the whole width rather than breaking into a million pieces, so I thought it was plate glass (maybe that was the problem). So I need to go tempered? Can anyone say with absolute certainty that I should go this route?

 

[biguebs]

alright I have found enough evidence to go ahead with tempered glass. thanks for the input all

 

[The1and only]

Older tanks do not have tempered bottoms. The rule of thumb for builders out here is anything 18" or wider gets tempered glass, less width it gets plate.