suggestions needed for installing mosaic panels in my tank

[euglossa]

I made this mosaic of 1 cm glass tiles, set in silicone on glass panels for my 75 gallon fancy goldfish tank. There are three panels across the back and three on the bottom.

I've been planning to silicone the backdrop panels to the glass of the aquarium and just lay the floor panels in place, but then it occured to me, what if the tank breaks or leaks or, I don't know, I decide to get a bigger tank and want to expand it. Or I want to take them out for a really good scrub if the algae gets bad.

Does anyone have any suggestions for fixing the glass panels to the tank in a way that would be secure, yet removeable?

I just have to finish cleaning the glass on the tank and set the panels and it will be ready to fill and move my two goldies.

[ChiaJesus]

I don't have any suggestions for you but wow! That is an extremely unique decorating idea. Very nice!

[Blueiz]

This is a toughy because it has to be able to hold the weight of the mosaic. I dont think you are going to be able to get away with not attaching it, at least the back part, semi permanantly to the tank. Silicone would be a very good option because as least you could scrape it off if you wanted to remove the mosaic from the tank and put something else in.,.,

You coiuld go the suction cup route, but I dont think that is going to give you the results you desire.

[cam191919]

does it need to be attached, can it just rest on the ground? maybe some kind of clamp to hold it from the top

that looks awesome tho

[ghengis]

Go to your hardware store and find some capping section suitable for use on fibre-cement board. This is a "U" section, which should come in a range of sizes up to around 10-or-12mm (or maybe even larger). Stand the panels in place against the rear wall and set the capping in place, capturing both the tank glass an the mosaic panels. I reckon this'd hold pretty good, and when you want to remove the panels, simply lift off the U-section to release them.

Great work, btw. Those must have taken ALOT of work to complete. Well done.

[euglossa]

[quote=ghengis;1713008]Go to your hardware store and find some capping section suitable for use on fibre-cement board. This is a "U" section, which should come in a range of sizes up to around 10-or-12mm (or maybe even larger). Stand the panels in place against the rear wall and set the capping in place, capturing both the tank glass an the mosaic panels. I reckon this'd hold pretty good, and when you want to remove the panels, simply lift off the U-section to release them.

How would this work around the plastic frame at the top of the tank?

What about this... I wandered the aisles of the home center and came up with this idea; I'll make a sort of molding out of narrow strips of fairly thick plexiglass, making a picture frame type molding. Long enough and flexible enough to fit it in place, but tight enough to prevent the glass panels from tipping away from the back. I can probably even glue tiles to the plexiglass to disguise the piece.

I like the clip idea too, if I can just find or create some clips the right size and shape.

thanks

[ghengis]

How would this work around the plastic frame at the top of the tank?


NOW you tell me!!:silly:

OK, I guess that won't work... Not sure just how you want this to look in the end, but (going on your "clip" idea) why not use a few bulldog clips? Like this:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/777ace/clip.jpg

...might work.