Grinding Glass 10/3/07
To the WWMedia Crew
I am in the process of cutting the top of the overflow division glass, in order to get a lower water level in a marine tank. For that I am using with success, a diamond particle rotating tool and small Dremel motor. I notice that some of the white powder mixed with water that results from that work splits into the water clouding it not in a great degree. The tank is a 125 G, filled with salt water and live rocks. No fishes or corals at this moment.
Is that glass powder noxious to the future livestock ? Should I change all the water tank ?
<Ironic, but I'm thinking of doing the same thing. My glass overflow is a bit too high to allow full flow of the pump.
Since glass is made from sand, limestone, dolomite, and soda ash, I really don't see how these elements can be harmful in the system. If this were asbestos, that would be a different story. I'm interested as to what tool you are using (brand, model number, etc.). I'm sure there are other readers, along with myself, who may benefit by this information. Do send along.>
Tanks in advance for your help.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Best regards
Flavio <<The glass bits are indeed problematical... Are physically damaging. Must be excluded. RMF>>

Big cracks in
Hello,
<I say a greeting>
    I found a 55g the other day, needless to say one of the short side panels has multiple cracks running the length of the pane.
I think my options on fixing it are removing and replacing the whole pane. I'm not sure that siliconing a pane on either side of the broken pane will be effective or safe. Am I correct in my thinking?
<Not worth trying... best to cut out old one, replace entirely>
    I would rather not tear the tank down, clean and rebuild it as the cost of a piece of plate glass would be close to what I can buy a used non cracked tank for.
<Bingo! If cost is the only or primary consideration, I would buy a new tank, make the old one into a non-aquarium... perhaps a terrestrial planted paludarium...>
Now that I have dragged this into the basement though, I would like to do something with it.
I am wondering if 55's are made with plate glass or tempered glass?
<Almost all with plate>
If it is plate, I think I can cut it for lids for some other tanks, use the good panes for a plywood tank, or cut the panes and put them back together as a smaller tank.
    I do have some experience cutting single and double strength glass from the hardware store. I've never done anything that big though.
Thanks for any advice.
Peace,
-Z-
<I would get some help... have a glass shop cut the glass for you if you have any concerns... or lack a cutting table big enough... Bob Fenner>