Petco 20gal long/$20 tank salvaged for lid glass

CWO4GUNNER

USN/USCG 1974-2004 Weps
The 20 gal long has just about the right size panels for lids on a host of tank sizes, provided you glue new lid guides into the center brace to size these panels so they can fit anything from 210 to 50 gallon tanks. Here are some pics of the basic procedure and end result. You'll notice the use of a feeler gauge to cut between the tight (almost no gap) side panels once you have a razor cut started into the ends. Because these tanks use trim that serve as jig-frames they are very ridged and cutting the corners really helps, followed by a heat gun to soften makes peeling them off easy. Without the frame you have a rimless tank or needed glass panel lids normally costing more than twice as much as the tank so it well worth it to me, last pic shows a side to side sliding lid configuration and the new guide glued onto the center brace. 8^D
Cutting tank Frame.JPGHeatPeel Frame.JPGRimlessTank or salvage glass.JPGCutting Panels.JPGAquaLidsSlide.JPG

Cutting tank Frame.JPG HeatPeel Frame.JPG RimlessTank or salvage glass.JPG Cutting Panels.JPG AquaLidsSlide.JPG
 
Sorry for the late response. Your right it will wear you out if you don.t use this procedure. 1. use the drummel tool to cut the corners and heat gun to soften and easy remove frame. 2. Find a a gap to stick the razor into (usually the end panel) then use a thinner feeler gauge to easily cut while the blade holds the gap. 3. After 1 end panel is removed the rest are a breeze. It took me a while to figure out this easy method which takes about 30 minutes vs days with just a razor.
 
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