Dude, don't listen to these people, u can totally make your own glass. My friend's cousin made his 180gal from scratch with just some sand from his yard and a propane torch. Only cost him 8 bucks. Everyone's just jealous because they aren't as ambitious as you.
Where does one obtain glass from?
- Thread starter jvin85
- Start date
There's plenty of online websites for places in toronto. But they all specialize in windows and mirrors. Hence they have higher prices for glass, it's kind of silly. They're also limited in set sickness. Most I've contacted are 6mm or 10mm. For a 90G+ I am considering making I figure minimum 8mm... I was thinking 10mm is too thick... I'm not very experienced with DIY but everything I've read specifies 8mm is ideal between safe and clarity. (obviously starfire is the best).
Also, why should I purchase glass from a random company that doesn't even produce their own glass. If all those companies buy from the same place I find it hard to reason purchasing glass for anything then close to wholesale. (obviously they have to make a profit, but DIY is for savings).
(I'm also thinking of possibly just making custom aquariums in general as a hobby and selling them for cost or just above cost for fun.. not a business/huge profit). Petstore prices are just so bloody expensive. Second hand stuff, can be hit or miss.
Also, why should I purchase glass from a random company that doesn't even produce their own glass. If all those companies buy from the same place I find it hard to reason purchasing glass for anything then close to wholesale. (obviously they have to make a profit, but DIY is for savings).
(I'm also thinking of possibly just making custom aquariums in general as a hobby and selling them for cost or just above cost for fun.. not a business/huge profit). Petstore prices are just so bloody expensive. Second hand stuff, can be hit or miss.
1986com;4671008; said:
I'm looking into the possibility. It certainly would be a fun project. I've seen people make glass at home before, Artisans and such from european countries. If you could technically make the sides, and then just order a tempered bottom part. I think it would be a fun project.
This whole float glass being produced by 2-3 major factories distributed to all the smaller companies that then crank up the price I think is a bit ridiculous. Mostly because how could anyone claim to have superior quality products when it's the same as the next joe shmoe.
I hear you but I used to sell windows. There may be glass available that isn't FLOAT glass, but float glass requires a huge investment in equipment to make. Keep in mind that the factory down the road from me makes 6 different brands of dishwasher on the same machinery. Perhaps the difference is price has something to do with the level of quality control or raw material involved? I saw video of float glass production and some guy isn't making it with a torch.
Jim
Jim
gomlin;4672616; said:
I just assumed that all LFS aquariums are float glass since it seems to be the most prevalent type of glass. I'm not sure what or how those Oceanic round glassed aquarium products are made from (unless they're acrylic).
I looked into the machinery hoping there's a small business model or small hobby model... there ain't...
I got the idea from a friend who bought himself a small print press + embroider machine and now does his own emroidery/print as a side gig/hobby.
I know it's probably a bit crazy to think about DIY glass production
, I was just curious if it was possible for a reasonable cost... it's becoming more and more clear that it's not. (Going to keep looking around for info though... just in case lol).I call bull for two reasons. 1. A torch could not make it or keep it hot enough. 2. Sand is not the only ingredient in glass as I said before. Even if you succeeded in making glass the quality would be extremely poor and the glass wouldn't be uniformly level or clear.
Younglin;4673018; said:
lol
, there's no way that guy is serious, because that would obviously cost $10 bucks to do.All joking a side, I think he was just messing for jokes hoping to get the OP (me in this case) to try and blowtorch sand in my backyard
.