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

another excelleny DIY idea ! U DA MAN GUNNER !!!! :) hey gunner any next door neighbors moved away yet? you would be the handiest neighbor i wanna move next door to you lol
 
Thanks for the kind words my friend, Its probubly for the best you don't live near by as I already spend far too much time on my end of the hobby, I cant imagine how short my days would be admiring yours, I can only imagine what the variety of fancy chinchilla size goldies you have. :22_yikes:

Back on topic I wanted to remove all the one-piece mold/framing intact to use as guides and glides for my cover panels. FYI first I used the old style soldering gun with knife attachment I used to cut all the corners which popped as they are tight and act as framing not just decoration. Then I use the long blade Stanly razor ($3) to reach underneath and cut the silicone. This new plastic is very ridged and sticks almost as good as glass to silicone unlike the old tan style trim which was purely decorative. Finally if after cutting as much as you can the plastic is still stubborn use the heat gun as a last resort which will soften both the plastic and silicone enough to pull the plastic away without snapping. Both the heat gun and old style soldering gun are cheap long lasting tools you can pick up for about $10 at any tool fair. I have had mine for more then 20 years and cant tell you how many times have come in handy for removing old stickers or custom cutting plastic.

Now to dismantle the tank and get my panel covers, my next post.:grinyes:
Oop's! almost forgot the photo of the trim removal, coming up!
210trimremoval004.jpg
 
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Already did check, none sell or cut glass thicker then 3/32" which is ridiculously thin and weak, all except for framed windows and picture frames. I think its a business to business deal they have with glass shops who would go out of business. Although this tank glass is not 1/4" thick as I thought, it is the same thickness as glass covers used on sizes up to 80 gallons which is 3/16", the same thickness used on my twin 80 tank covers which are longer 36" and the same 3/16" thickness.

Don't worry Im good to go, all Ill need are the adhesive lift tabs I can order for a couple bucks from somewhere. Find that for me please, I need 3.
 
I was able to score some free windows being removed from a commercial building that was being demolished. Was all 3/8 plate glass.

I also had some file cabinet label holders that were clear plastic, I used them for lift handles in the past, attached them with some clear double sided VHB tape, not sure if I have any left. They were perfect handles though.
If you can get VHB tape from a hobby store, hobby lobby sells it, it works great for attaching anything to glass, or plastic. I use it to attach letter track to polycarbonate sign faces for reader board lettering. It is super sticky, and very durable. Its like double sided superglue on a roll.. and its clear. they also make it non-clear too, which is a lot cheaper. google it, 3M VHB tape.
 
Awesome, an all black one! I hate the kind that says "Marineland" on it - that's what I have. Seems cheesy to have an advertisement right there on your aquarium's lid.
 
Its to bad you guys dont live closer to me. I work for a glass wholesale company and you would be amazed at how much glass goes in the dumpster. Any thing smaller that 24" width is trash. So everyday we throw 24" x 144" strips of 1/4" clear into the trash.I cut all my glass with a robotic cutting table so i could easily cut you guys any sizes needed for super cheap. Louisville- Ky
 
Thanks Rod for the source, Im also going to need a couple spares.

**Whether we live near a huge city where used glass is readily available, work in a glass shop where glass can be had free, or in a resort community where resources are more scarce, we all have to do what we have to to make it work as close to zero cost as possible, at least I have.

Now then, in the 1st photo below I have assembled the pieces still dirty with only small pieces of the framing for display to show how I will use them as guides. This disassembled 20 tank glass is strong, and will work just like my 244 tank lids. Once cleaned up with full length glued in plastic guides, it will work safely and effectively.
210glasscovers001.jpg
The photo below shows the opposite end of the tank opening that will face the wall and where all the hose, pipe and wire runs must come in. The tank will be a room divider that will be viewable from both sides and have no background. Because of this a two pannel system will not work and so whet you see below are the disassembled 20 tank end panels which will be used to open from the end where additional guides will hold them in position allowing them to slide open and closed.
210glasscovers004.jpg
 
I use hardware store-cut 3/16" glass tops on almost all my tanks. I use little adhesive hooks made for showers and kitchens for handles, much cheaper than buying the all-glass adhesive handles they sell. I also don't bother using a hinge, i just put a handle on the front piece, and lift and slide it back on top of the back piece when I need to get into the tank.

The glass on top of a tank (at least on mine) never really bear any load, so I've never had issues with them breaking (except when I dropped one on the floor, oops).
 
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