Custom glass cutting

[pik01]

Hi all, I have a 10g for my near-future brigs and they need 2-3 inches above the waterline for laying their eggs. Currently I have the water filled to the top and I don't really want to lose any more volume by lowering it (with everything else in the tank there's only 8 gallons of water). So I'm considering making a 3" tall spacer between my light hood and the tank. I'd like your input on this though:

-What should I use: Glass? Acrylic? Plexiglass?
-How thick should it be?
-It doesn't have to be clear, in fact I'd probably prefer having at least the front painted to black out the lights (what kind of paint should I use?). Probably the sides, too.
-I already have a tube of silicone, I'm assuming that's okay to use for binding the pieces?
-Is there any special preparation I need to do before I can assemble the pieces? (sanding, priming, idk)
-Finally, does anyone happen to know a place in Orange County where I can get scrap glass and custom glass cutting? I'm in the 92707 area.

Thanks!
Pik

[ghengis]

To be quite honest, unless you were able to do a real tidy job of joining the new pieces on, I'd think it'd look pretty ordinary... Can you afford to have all new glass cut? It's not really that hard to put a tank together, and you'd end up with a smooth, seamless look. Just measure up the panels on your 10g and add 3" height all 'round.

Just my 2c.

[pik01]

I already have a group of RCS running around in there and I'd prefer not to redo all the scaping

[DAVIDFBT]

First, you would have to take the rim off, and that is extremely difficult to do if the tank is filled, because it may crack and spill water all over your floor. (I tried to de-rim a 2.5 gallon tank and ended up with a crack running down the front of the glass) Better to just get a bigger tank and transfer your shrimp to that tank.

[pik01]

Can't I just have it as a removable piece? It can rest on the inner lip of the rim.

[DAVIDFBT]

You could, but I think it would be pretty hard for the snails to get up and around the rim, which is why I suggested to remove it, but it is already in use.

[pik01]

You could, but I think it would be pretty hard for the snails to get up and around the rim, which is why I suggested to remove it, but it is already in use.

I see what youre saying but I'm just trying to work with what I got, you know? Besides, if I upgrade now, there's no telling where it'll end >.> That's a slippery slope.

[DAVIDFBT]

Good luck then! I would also paint all sides black on the outside so the light doesn't bleed out into the room and making it look weird. Just my opinion.

[pik01]

thanks, looks like i'll just have to wing it

[fishorama]

Maybe you could try a piece of glass, slate or whatever that goes all the way to the inside tank bottom & stcks out the top back, maybe 15 inches tall x 6 or 8 wide. I don't know if the snails would use it or would have trouble finding their way back into the water, seem a bit risky. Or if that's enough room for egg laying.

[The Zigman]

You could make something out of glass, that would be easy enough, you could silicone it to th elip on the top of the tank and fill the tank up to the spacer.

You would also have to modify whatever light or hood/canopy you have to fit on top of the spacer...

[wataugachicken]

hmm. mine would just lay their eggs on the inside of the lid or top, and there's enough humidity to keep the eggs viable. the bigger problem was the snails getting out altogether. make sure they can't escape.