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Unread 05/19/2018, 07:23 AM   #1
Shawn O
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cutting down a tank question

I have a non-tempered 55 gallon tank and was just thinking about trying to cut it down to 14" high without disassembling it. Score the glass (inside and out) all the way around> heat score line with low flame> hit with ice cold wet sponge along score line> sand top edge and replace the top trim. Has anyone ever tried to cut down a tank in this way before?


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"55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes"
2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback.

Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.
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Unread 05/19/2018, 07:28 AM   #2
Djbeasley05
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawn O View Post
I have a non-tempered 55 gallon tank and was just thinking about trying to cut it down to 14" high without disassembling it. Score the glass (inside and out) all the way around> heat score line with low flame> hit with ice cold wet sponge along score line> sand top edge and replace the top trim. Has anyone ever tried to cut down a tank in this way before?


Do not try to score both sides. You only need to score one. Kind of risky doing it without disassembling the tank first.


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Unread 05/19/2018, 07:55 AM   #3
Shawn O
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It's a spare tank I drilled to convert to a reef tank. Currently looking for a drilled 75 in my area instead. If I can find a drilled or non-tempered 75, I'll try cutting it down, it would make a good sump.


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"55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes"
2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback.

Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.

Last edited by Shawn O; 05/19/2018 at 08:10 AM.
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Unread 05/19/2018, 08:07 AM   #4
Djbeasley05
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I would just score and pop like cutting regular glass. Make sure you cut the silicone from the corners and in between the panels of glass before you pop it.


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Unread 05/19/2018, 08:16 AM   #5
Shawn O
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I'm glad you suggested that, I was thinking I should wait until after popping it. That way I wouldn't ruin the structural seal of the silicone.


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"55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes"
2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback.

Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.
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Unread 07/15/2018, 08:29 AM   #6
Steve175
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Why decrease the sump volume? Volume=stability and provides a buffer for [inevitable] neglect. If you can fit it, the use it. $0.02.


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Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill
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Unread 07/15/2018, 05:01 PM   #7
rc1626
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I had thoughts of cutting down a 75 once. Never wound up doing it. My thought was to use a circular saw with a diamond blade. Tape and mark line around tank and have someone run water on the blade and glass from a garden hose as you cut. I cut a couple pieces of granite this way.

I've cut sheet glass with my tile saw on a few occasions as well.

Just can't get water in the saw.


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Unread 07/15/2018, 07:44 PM   #8
Kmack0415
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If you end up getting it done please post pics, though about doing the same with a Craigslist find for a shallow frag tank but wasn't sure of how to go about cutting the long front and rear. I used my wet saw to make my sump baffles and it worked great but need to find a way to do the longer cuts.


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Unread 07/16/2018, 10:15 AM   #9
dickwhitehead
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I've been contemplating the same. I do not have room for a 30/40 breeder as a sump due to the width of my stand. However, cutting down a 55 to a 16" height would work wonderfully.

Is the best thought to disassemble the whole tank, cut the front, back, and sides to the proper height, then reassemble?


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Unread 07/17/2018, 09:09 PM   #10
saveafish
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Easy way take it apart and take the panes to a glass shop and have them do it. Than ree-seal it up. It will be done easy and be re-sealed for a long time to come. They don't charge much. My local glass company did one for me and charged 15$ for all 4 panes.


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Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it.

Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.
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