View Full Version : How to seperate aquarium panes?
fastforward
03-05-2007, 11:49 PM
I'm currently in the middle of tearing down and completely reseasling a 125 gal tank I just picked up. I've got all the beads out of the corners and the trim is off and now I'm at the fun part. Here's the problem:
1) Fishing line doesn't work, it snaps
2) Guitar strings don't work, too thick. Can't even get high E started.
I can get a really really thin razor blade in there but from the outside I can only get it about 1/4" in and from the inside I can't even get 1/8". Problem is it's 1/2" glass...
So, I'm completely out of ideas here. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
What test fishing line are you using? You may have to get a higher test (strength) line to get it to work without snapping...
fastforward
03-06-2007, 2:33 AM
What test fishing line are you using? You may have to get a higher test (strength) line to get it to work without snapping...
I'm using 12 lb. test. It's not that it's snapping really. The problem is that it's getting cut by small chip areas in or around the seams.
*sigh* this thing is driving me nuts. To think that if I'd just left it alone it "might" have been fine. Better safe than sorry owns me :(
Have you tried using a hair dryer to heat up the sealant, then trying to use a razor blade? It might help if it was softer.......
J double R
03-06-2007, 11:08 AM
what are you going to use for the re-joining of the panes before you seal it with silicone?
beviking
03-06-2007, 12:31 PM
It's 1/2" glass...what are you afraid of? Push that razor into the seem! Start at the top and work your way down. I'd take a side off first, then the other side, then the front and back. Just did this with a 30 gal tank and it was only 1/4" glass. The silicone will stretch a little.
Hope you're wearing safety glasses :)
Bill
Sploke
03-07-2007, 3:56 PM
Why are you completely tearing it apart? I've successfully resealed several tanks, and I've only gone as far as scraping out the beads in the corners and cleaning the glass really well. I leave the panes together and just run a new bead of silicone into the corners. Worked for me every time so far.
Shocker6966
03-07-2007, 9:08 PM
Why are you completely tearing it apart? I've successfully resealed several tanks, and I've only gone as far as scraping out the beads in the corners and cleaning the glass really well. I leave the panes together and just run a new bead of silicone into the corners. Worked for me every time so far.
I was wondering the same thing.
fastforward
03-08-2007, 4:05 AM
I was wondering the same thing.
The seams were just in really really bad shape. Tons of air bubbles, tons of voids, a good share of cloudy areas, etc.. In all honesty they might have been fine. This is my first glass tank so I really can't say. However, I'd rather spend that few extra hours to completely reseal the tank as opposed to the many more hours needed to clean up 125 gal of water from my office. Not to mention the inhabitants.
This project has spiraled badly out of control, though. Hmm, the silicone corner beads, though still pliable, look like crap and it's been drained for a while. Might as well reseal. Hmm, since I'm resealing I might as well seperate it all and completely reseal it. Hmm, since I've got it all apart I might as well get some cerium oxide and polish the glass. And that's the tank only end of what's been done in relation to this project. I don't even want to know where this is going next...
Btw, while I'm posting does anyone know if there would be any drawback to adding a center brace type piece of glass on each end of the tank? I'd like to add these pieces so my glass lids have a bit more of a lip to sit on. The outside lip on the top frame is only slightly better than worthless for this. Extra bracing is always nice too. Any reason not to do this?
Rbishop
03-08-2007, 5:22 AM
Other than reducing your access area for maintenance, I can't think of anything bad about adding the braces.
Shocker6966
03-09-2007, 3:27 PM
my All Glass 150 long came with a one piece top brace that has 2 cross braces breaking the top opening into 3.
Shagmaster
03-09-2007, 6:11 PM
Fishing line, just have to use the right stuff! Braided. Spiderwire and others like it. Low diamiter, high strenghth. heating it up with a hair dryer first is best.
try using some sort of solvent its 1am here so my brain isnt in work mode and cant think of what breaks down silicone. clean it up with caustic soda and rinse and rinse and rinse some more to be safe!