Well, as some of you know, my 29 pride and joy busted a seam friday night. Bummer. After working on pulling the tank apart, not even worth it to try and reseal it, not sure I trust the glass too much either. Several issues, 1: it chips FAR too easily. 2: Its scratched everywhere. 3: some sort of chemical got on the back and ruined the back panel, forced to hide it some how. As of right now, I declare the 29g at the end of its life, and will probably be put out to the trash as soon as I figure something out.
So far my options as it stands for a replacement.
1: New 29g from Petsmart for $70. Cheapest solution, but its got a frame.
2: Order a new frameless from Glasscages. Not sure I like the idea because I've heard both good and bad, about the same cost for building myself, without the work, I would also have to drive a good 2+ hrs just to pick it up.
3: Order a 29 from someone else, and probably looking for far far too much for it.
4: Build the tank myself with glass, spend about $100+supplies I already have, $100 for the glass. Pros here that it will be rimless and new. Bad thing is that I would wind up building it myself, which could be susceptable to leaks. I'm fairly confident I could build it myself, with little to no help. I could also design it according to my specs.
5: Build the tank myself using acrylic. Probably easier and maybe cheaper, clearer too...... but I have a 5g hex that scratches FAR FAR too easily, I don't like this option.
6: Go larger, like a 30x18x18 tank, rather nice dimensions if you ask me. Problem here is that I would need a second filter, new stand and hood. And chances are that would be expensive, as 3/8" glass would be required.
7: Cheapest option would be to reassemble the 29g and pray that the glass holds. Don't like this option, but would do it if I have to.
Right now I like Option 4. This would give me the flexibility to add my own design into the mix (like overflow box with the filter intake and heater hidden inside). Only issue is that it would run $120 +/- to build completely. I already have a tube of GE I and the gun and tape, so I'm set for supplies. But I'm not sure on something here. Glass thickness. Current 29g uses 1/4", but its framed, I want to go frameless. The general tone with others is that for a frameless tank you need to go thicker, but thicker is 3/8 at like 3 times the cost. Um...... wouldn't a 6"x12.5" brace siliconed to the top provide BETTER protection that a flimsy, brittle plastic frame? without the 3x time cost margin. Anyone willing to back me up on that? Or does anyone have a spare 29g in the upstate SC region they would be willing to sell, thats in decent shape.
So far my options as it stands for a replacement.
1: New 29g from Petsmart for $70. Cheapest solution, but its got a frame.
2: Order a new frameless from Glasscages. Not sure I like the idea because I've heard both good and bad, about the same cost for building myself, without the work, I would also have to drive a good 2+ hrs just to pick it up.
3: Order a 29 from someone else, and probably looking for far far too much for it.
4: Build the tank myself with glass, spend about $100+supplies I already have, $100 for the glass. Pros here that it will be rimless and new. Bad thing is that I would wind up building it myself, which could be susceptable to leaks. I'm fairly confident I could build it myself, with little to no help. I could also design it according to my specs.
5: Build the tank myself using acrylic. Probably easier and maybe cheaper, clearer too...... but I have a 5g hex that scratches FAR FAR too easily, I don't like this option.
6: Go larger, like a 30x18x18 tank, rather nice dimensions if you ask me. Problem here is that I would need a second filter, new stand and hood. And chances are that would be expensive, as 3/8" glass would be required.
7: Cheapest option would be to reassemble the 29g and pray that the glass holds. Don't like this option, but would do it if I have to.
Right now I like Option 4. This would give me the flexibility to add my own design into the mix (like overflow box with the filter intake and heater hidden inside). Only issue is that it would run $120 +/- to build completely. I already have a tube of GE I and the gun and tape, so I'm set for supplies. But I'm not sure on something here. Glass thickness. Current 29g uses 1/4", but its framed, I want to go frameless. The general tone with others is that for a frameless tank you need to go thicker, but thicker is 3/8 at like 3 times the cost. Um...... wouldn't a 6"x12.5" brace siliconed to the top provide BETTER protection that a flimsy, brittle plastic frame? without the 3x time cost margin. Anyone willing to back me up on that? Or does anyone have a spare 29g in the upstate SC region they would be willing to sell, thats in decent shape.
bummer. So I'm gonna try and have my cake and eat it too. Soooooooo, this means I am rebuilding the 29 and still feel like I'm getting a newer tank.