Glass covers for 210 tank being cut at Lowes for $15

CWO4GUNNER

CWO4GUNNER

USN/USCG 1974-2004 Weps
Apr 18, 2009
4,270
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Bullhead AZ
cwo4gunnerguscgretired.blogspot.com
My CL 210 tank may have cost only $120 but I am having to DIY everything else including the 1/4 inch thick glass covers. I called Lowes first to verify that the glass guy was in today and could cut me three pieces. Two pieces 10"1/8X35" and one piece 22"1/8X35". I had to buy a standard panel of 35"X35"X1/4" for $15 and the cutting is free. Not bad for such large tank covers, from now on I think Ill get all my covers cut at Lowes LOL.

Ill post a pic of how they fit after I get back.
 
I didn't know that Lowes sold glass. For $15, it's a steal!
 
I like lowes for stand building as well, I buy the lumber and they cut it too. It saves alot of time and mess having them doing it, and more time for fit and finishing at home. And if they fubar a cut, you dont have to buy it.
 
I liked the lumber better when cutting was free, but the $.25 per cut or whatever they charge now still isn't terrible. I'm curious to see the glass and how you put it together since I've got a couple I need to repair (the seams between them broke, but glass is fine).
 
Oh wow, I need glass covers for all my tanks. I've been using sections of different sized window panes, but a nice, neat glass top in one piece would be awesome!
 
Well I called ahead of time thinking the glass guy would be able to save me time and money so I diden't have to waste time. It turned out that after asking him twice on the phone if his glass was 1/4 inch thick he said yes but in person though 1.4mm was the same as 1/4" "oh sorry that is the thickest glass we carry". So while I was in the neighborhood I also stopped by Home Depot, turns out they don't cut glass or Plexiglas at all but sell pre-cut panels and again nothing thicker then 3/32 in glass. Although HD did have per-cut panels 36"X12" which were almost the exact size I needed, the glass was so thin it staged when held on its side.

Sad that I may have to pay $100 plus $30 shipping for a Perfecto glass canopy which is nothing more then four 30"X11" glass panels, I started brain-storming for a solution. Then suddenly it hit me as I remembered the dimensions of the 20 gallon tank I purchased at PetSmart on sale for $20 I was going to use as a sump tank. The glass panels on the 20 tank are 12"X30"X1/4" thick. This means that one tank has three 12"X30" glass panels (2-sides and 1-bottom) and two 12"X12" ends, just what I need. With the 3/4" center-brace so huge on this tank the span between the center-brace and trim is only 28", this leave 2" to spare plenty of footing for the disassembled 30"X12" PetSmart aquarium. I can even use the left over tank frame on the disassembled 20 gallon as guides for the 30" cover panels glued to the center brace. Instead of the conventional 1 plastic guide glued on the center of the center-brace with 4 sets of evenly spaced cover panels, I will make and glue 2 guides on the center brace spaced 22" apart. This will work fine but will also make the glass lids about 1/3 lighter in weight.

Ill have to pick up another 20 gallon for a sump tank at Petco tomorrow where they are still having a $1 a gallon sale, but unlike the PetSmart 20 tanks which are 30LX12H perfect for the canopy glass I need, Petco 20 tanks are 20LX20H the wrong size for my canopy panels but actually better suited as a sump becasue it is taller. Time to started on disassembling a perfectly new $20 twenty gallon tank for my $20 glass canopy lol. Will post pics later
 
slapnutz said:
Are there no glass shops in your area gunner?
Click to expand...
About 4 glass shops, but all want $60 minimum for 1 custom cut glass. I only use them for an actual wall panel. If I have my own glass they charge $20 a cut which is the cheapest I have found unless I want to drive 600 miles round trip to the nearest big city then I could probably get the glass and each panel cut for $20 X 4 that still $100. Besides this is an opportunity to not only save money but learn somthing new, I have never disassembled a tank with an injected mold frame, looks like I will have to brake out the hot knife.
 
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