What to do with a damaged 220g??

[Chris Harbaugh]

Is it possible to cut apart and reuse 1/2" glass from a aquarium and make a new aquarium out of a plywood bottom and back panel, and have glass on 3 sides??

 

[Tautog]

Plywood would rot, even if you soaked it in resin and fiberglass, just as they do building a boat.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to a 400 gal.
Go big, you'll be happy you did!

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

Plywood would rot, even if you soaked it in resin and fiberglass, just as they do building a boat.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to a 400 gal.
Go big, you'll be happy you did!

I'm just trying to figure out what I can do with a bad buy. I bought this tank and the damages were covered up to my untrained eye and I'm just trying to figure out the best way to use the glass I have now without this being a total loss on my end. That's all.

 

[JoshH]

There are a ton of people building plywood tanks, a few of them are members here. Try a Google search and you'd be amazed at what you can find.

 

[JoshH]

what kind of damage is on the tank?? If it's just a panel or two you can always have them professionally replaced.

 

[Tautog]

Is the glass broken? If it is above the water line, you can take a chance, key word chance, to fix with a 2- part expoxy if it's in a corner or near the bottom, I wouldn't take a chance. Remember, water is 8 lbs./ gallon. It would be a lot of weight and pressure on the weak spot.

 

[scottedontknow]

You can absolutely use it for a plywood tank. I'm not sure why anyone Is telling you otherwise. We built my buddy's tank out of plywood because of the exact same thing (125 panel blew out) as long as you do it correctly it can outlast glass and acrylic tanks. King of DiY does a great video series on it. I use it and it made everything so much easier

 

[scottedontknow]

what kind of damage is on the tank?? If it's just a panel or two you can always have them professionally replaced.

Lol no tank company will touch that job with a 10 foot pole. Replacing panels is all on you haha

 

[ThunderGoose]

Another option is to sell it to a herp keeper and, as Tautog said, upgrade.

 

[Patis55]

If its only the bottom broke just get another piece of glass that will fit the inside dimensions and silicone it to the old bottom glass.
Seen this done twice. Once on a back glass and once on a side glass. Never seemed to be a problem.

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

what kind of damage is on the tank?? If it's just a panel or two you can always have them professionally replaced.

well, all of the damage i am not sure of. the front panel (72"x 29") has been replaced, but it was a very poor job. the glass is cut unevenly, it is 1/8 " too high on the left as you look at the tank and 1/8" too low on the right. 1/3 of the top to the left has a uneven cut, almost beveled 45 degrees towards the inside if the tank then 45 degrees away from the tank. he cut the glass and didnt know what he was doing so he installed a brown trim around the top of the tank to cover it up. the back glass is covered with a vertical trim on the corners with side glass. this isnt supposed to be there. it is a add on. This is what the owner of my LFS told me when I picked up the tank from this guy and took it to him to have overflow box and return line holes drilled into the tank. there is one small crack halfway up the front glass on the right, chipped , that was pointed out buy my LFS, and then he pointed out where the entire tanks seams had been given a fresh coat of silicon. He explained to me what it looked like.. i just got hooked and im not passing it on as a fish tank. i listed it as a reptile tank, but i dont believe it will sell and just want to try and use it someway for the money spent.. trying to flip it to my advantage at least..

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

Another option is to sell it to a herp keeper and, as Tautog said, upgrade.

??? what is a herp keeper??

 

[rantipole]

??? what is a herp keeper??

Someone who keeps reptiles and/or amphibians (and arthropod keepers often get lumped in with the herpers). For a lot of reptiles and amphibians, it's not important that the tank can hold water.

Cheers,
rant

 

[Maddlesrain]

??? what is a herp keeper??

Herp as in reptiles/ amphibians I'm thinking(:

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

Herp as in reptiles/ amphibians I'm thinking:)

yes. thats exactly how i posted it. i put it on craiglist, verage sale and a local aquarium club here in Houston..

 

[JoshH]

Lol no tank company will touch that job with a 10 foot pole. Replacing panels is all on you haha

I know two local businesses here that would do It no problem. Not saying that it would be worth it cost wise but they would definitely do it.

 

[Chris Harbaugh]

I know two local businesses here that would do It no problem. Not saying that it would be worth it cost wise but they would definitely do it.

I thought about it last night, a local glass company, but I'm in there with you in that the added expense wouldn't be worth it.

 

[scottedontknow]

I know two local businesses here that would do It no problem. Not saying that it would be worth it cost wise but they would definitely do it.

dang man you're lucky! Or maybe it just my luck haha I asked everyone within 100 miles of me all said not a chance! So I resealed my 220 myself, turns out best choice I made cost me $30 in new silicone and some time to clean it up haha