Anyone ever replace glass on a large aquarium?

C

clayt101

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May 4, 2001
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana
www.waterhyacinths.com
My 125 gallon aquarium is in storage. I was moving some furniture and chipped the front glass. Although the chip does not go all the way through, I plan on replacing the front piece. Will glass places do this, or should I try an LFS?
Thanks.
 
I don't know how glass replacement would be successful for very long. After removing the broken panel (no mean task), you have to remove absolutely every bit of old silicone, too. New silicone will not stick to old silicone.

I'm finishing up a boat project, and removing old silicone from a smooth gelcoat surface was a complete cast iron b_tch of a job. Removing silicone from the stern bracket of the engine was a complete PITA. Silicones made for below-the-waterline sealing are tenacious as anything (unless applied over old silicone...then they come off easier then you want them to). I don't see how you could get it all off of the edges of the remaining glass.

Your options: you may want to pay an LFS to do the work (if they will and will guarantee the work) or trade the tank in for a new one.

I'm not optimistic about replacing only a single pane on a tank that big. Water damage from a leak could easily exceed the savings achieved on that repair.

v/r, N-A
 
Yeah, I don't know what I am going to do. The aquarium is brand new, never used. I bought it in Houston and am now in Baton Rouge, LA. Right now, I am asking LFS if they work with anyone in particular in fixing aquariums. Odds are that I will have to bring it to an LFS in New Orleans as the ones in BR really suck.
 
You can decrease the effort of removing old silicone with denatured alcohol or laquer thinner and single edged razor blades. Laquer thinner will leave a residue, however, and will have to be cleaned further with denatured alcohol. Vinegar might work to remove the residue from laquer thinner as well, but I've never tried that. You can even buy the 'holders' for single edged razor blades that turns them into a scraper, and makes the job even easier. It's very important to make sure you remove all the old adhesive before applying the new between the perpendicular glass surfaces as any remaining adhesive will prevent a uniform & consistent bond.
 
I had to replace a 30"x96" piece of glass on my 300 gallon. It really was not that bad of a job. I removed all the silicone with a razor blade then made sure all the surfaces were clean with ribbing alcohol. I placed the tank in its side. I then layed a bead of silicone on the tanks edges. I just layed the piece of glass right on top and let it cure for a week. Once the silicone was dry, i turned the tank upright and completely sealed the inside of the tank. The tank has ben up and running with no leaks for about 3 years now. As long as all your surfaces are clean of the old silicone i think you will be fine. Good luck
 
i would just try to fill that hole and use the other side as the front
 
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