"Restoring" a stainless steel framed aquarium

7 months later and no replies! :jaw-dropping: :)

So I need this tank now and never got around to finishing it. The glass from Lowes is only 1/8" & I don't think that is thick enough. Having a hard time finding someone locally that will do this kind of glass job (small pieces cut to size) but if I do find someone what thickness should I be asking for?

If I find someone to do this I want to try the glass on the bottom with the slate on top of it so it will look original. I am thinking I will need an extra thick piece under there for strength OR since it is just for sealing purposes could I get away with using the 1/8" piece? I know what the answer will be but I have to try! :D

I now have 2-50gs, 29g, 10g & a 5.5g (maybe smaller) in this retro style!!! I just wish I had some place to set them up! :nilly:
 
I have room for them.....
 
I bet you do! :) I'll probably hold on to these till I buy my own house and these will be the main decor, I just need to find a big one like Mgamers!
 
If your replacing the panels be careful to make note of and maintain the gap size between the steel frame and glass which you will notice is somewhat thick for an important reason. Steel and glass expand and contract to temperature changes at significantly different rates during events like filling, transporting from air conditioned spaces to outside temperature differences.

If the minimum gap size is not maintained with the new caulking to allow for these changes, the steel will crack the glass under pressure because the steel will not give like plastic trim.

PS, Simply lovely looking tanks when finished, congrats.
 
Good insight there CWO4GUNNER! Thanks, I will keep this in mind!
 
Any update on the restoration project? Trying to do same with a 5g Metaframe ValueLine tank I just got.
 
Sorry to say no updates. Any glass thicker than 1/8" seems to be hard to find and expensive. I am thinking about restoring the 10g (1 broken pane) just to finally get ONE of these tanks fixed!

Here is another one my metalframed threads. LINKY

What is the problem with your tank? Leaks, broken lane, just want to reseal it?
 
Do you, or has anyone, considered sealing slate to glass with whatever works regardless of toxicity, and then coming back a resealing over it with silicone? Then, there wouldn't be any structural requirements on the silicone, just more or less waterproofing.

I've got a 10g slate bottom to restore, that's why I ask.


Edit: Well, I still think it might be a good idea, but it may be a moo point(you know, like a cow's opinion, it doesn't matter) for me. I just filled my tank up(hadn't done that) and so far it's holding. I read that with these tanks, if you fill them up with warm water and let them sit overnight, often times they'll reseal themselves. Like I said, so far it's holding water, but I've got warm water in there anyway and I'll let it sit until tomorrow.
 
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Interesting idea there jmhart. My only thought would be once the silicone in no longer attached to the surrounding slate (where it overlaps the toxic stuff) the water would then be in contact with the toxic stuff.

The warm water idea is why I asked what airangel was trying to do. My tank's black goo was too crumbly to try that with though, I think it needs to be at least decent for the warm water trick to work.

And if warm water did not work I would try going over all the edges with a heat gun or similar just hot enough to slightly soften the goo to reseal it. Hopefully your tank holds and you won't need to do another further except stock it! :D
 
http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa29/airangel59/Metaframe%20Tank%20Project/?albumview=slideshow

This is why I want to re-do the 5g Metaframe Value Line. I've got to find a glass store, planning to get 5 panes. Will sand down and set the slate bottom back in over the new glass bottom...that's the game plan at any rate.

Today I just picked up a 20g high, glass bottomed, no brand name. Have to clean it and see if it holds water. Right now I either need to remove 2 rubber feet on it or find 2 more (never saw feet on these tanks).
 
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