DIY glass top

[twong727]

I got a 48 inches glass top which came with my new used tank (55g) with a center brace, so I googled on how to cut glass and much practice later I have one complete 24 inches lid and one half broken one....


Petland Discounts and Petco are running $1 per gallon sale so I was thinking of stocking up while making the glass top myself to save money. I still have no idea how to buy cheap piece of glass though (hinges and back strips are easy to get of course).

Do any of you make your own glass lid?

[Tony]

Cutting glass is really easy once you get some practice and a large flat workspace.

Some of my lids are sort of Frankenstein'ed together with thinner sheets of window glass. The work, but tend to break quite easily if you are not careful or do not support a heavy light properly.

[joe_jaskot]

Unless you get the glass for free, by the time you buy the glass, hinges, and handles, you won't save much. If you cut your own glass, make sure you sand the edges so you don't cut yourself.

[twong727]

Unless you get the glass for free, by the time you buy the glass, hinges, and handles, you won't save much. If you cut your own glass, make sure you sand the edges so you don't cut yourself.

I agree and in fact I am planning to search my garage for glass....

[bassgenie]

Unless you get the glass for free, by the time you buy the glass, hinges, and handles, you won't save much. If you cut your own glass, make sure you sand the edges so you don't cut yourself.

+1 I went through this a while back. The Polypropylene hinge alone was almost 20 bucks. Every mistake costs money. And the money I saved was offset by the time I wasted running around and the mistakes made. for the 5 to 10 bucks more, Id rather just buy them

[CrabbyMatty]

+1 I went through this a while back. The Polypropylene hinge alone was almost 20 bucks. Every mistake costs money. And the money I saved was offset by the time I wasted running around and the mistakes made. for the 5 to 10 bucks more, Id rather just buy them

Come on Josh. What about that feeling of accomplishment? :becky:

[m1ke715m]

Come on Josh. What about that feeling of accomplishment? :becky:


josh when i come up i want a bagel with butter.. start churning now!!! lol :neener:

and i saw one member use sterelite plastic bins and cut them and use them as tops which was pretty cool... those containers arent too cheap either but im sure cheaper than glass

[bassgenie]

Come on Josh. What about that feeling of accomplishment? :becky:

I feel that every morning when I manage to get to work. Once I leave, Im a slacker. USDA Prime. :fencinga:

[cichfrk]

.... Petco are running $1 per gallon sale so I was thinking of stocking up while making the glass top myself to save money.... Is Petco having that sale now? They usually post them on their website but it doesn't say so when I checked it out. :coz:

[m1ke715m]

yes they have 10 gallons, 20 longs, and 40 breeders on sale.. and thats it.. only those sizes.. without the tops or lights for $1/gallon

[18fisher]

just a guick thought ,there is plenty of glass in the trash on str. i have found some and used it for tops look around when on road trips 18fisher

[twong727]

yes they have 10 gallons, 20 longs, and 40 breeders on sale.. and thats it.. only those sizes.. without the tops or lights for $1/gallon

Petland Discounts has standard tank on sale too, unfortunately I have to buy a bow front 46 gallon which is not on sale for my brother-in-law's birthday (I know he likes bow front...)

[twong727]

+1 I went through this a while back. The Polypropylene hinge alone was almost 20 bucks. Every mistake costs money. And the money I saved was offset by the time I wasted running around and the mistakes made. for the 5 to 10 bucks more, Id rather just buy them

I forgot to mention the other reason why I need to cut my glass, as I am not able to find the glass lid with 23 inches in length for my 55g Aqueon brand tank (all I found are 24 inches). I guess may be the used tank is an old model or I simply need to find the original plastic full hood which is outrageously expensive. Do anyone of you have similar problem when you buy used tanks?

[bassgenie]

Petland Discounts has standard tank on sale too, unfortunately I have to buy a bow front 46 gallon which is not on sale for my brother-in-law's birthday (I know he likes bow front...)

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/fuo/2649215556.html

http://longisland.craigslist.org/for/2646615917.html

[bassgenie]

I forgot to mention the other reason why I need to cut my glass, as I am not able to find the glass lid with 23 inches in length for my 55g Aqueon brand tank (all I found are 24 inches). I guess may be the used tank is an old model or I simply need to find the original plastic full hood which is outrageously expensive. Do anyone of you have similar problem when you buy used tanks?

I actually dont buy New Anymore. Cash Talks in a Recession and lots of Used Tanks pop up on Craiglist Daily. Last new tank I bought cost me what 2 bigger used tanks would cost. The deals are there, you just have to work for it, and keep some green in your pocket for Fish.:typing:

[dsap92]

I forgot to mention the other reason why I need to cut my glass, as I am not able to find the glass lid with 23 inches in length for my 55g Aqueon brand tank (all I found are 24 inches). I guess may be the used tank is an old model or I simply need to find the original plastic full hood which is outrageously expensive. Do anyone of you have similar problem when you buy used tanks?

I have had issues with older tanks finding glass tops. Last time I bought a marineland set of tops for my 120 which I do not know the brand of and just had the glass store trim it down for $ 10.00.

[twong727]

I actually dont buy New Anymore. Cash Talks in a Recession and lots of Used Tanks pop up on Craiglist Daily. Last new tank I bought cost me what 2 bigger used tanks would cost. The deals are there, you just have to work for it, and keep some green in your pocket for Fish.:typing:

I agree and I have bought from CL many times (latest one happened Sunday when I found a 10g wood cabinet with working light and air pump for $20).

But for birthday gift it just doesn't sound right to buy used.....

[bassgenie]

Well thats a 500 dollar setup then just for the tank stand and versa top at a LFS. Sometimes petland had combo setups tho and you should be able to get him whathe needs to get moving for around 6ish if they have a combo setup available.

The second one was an "Oceanic" brand of tanks, which is higher end than an Aqueon/all glass that uses a diffrent type of thicker glass. (Starfire Glass) Not the Mercedes of tanks, but maybe the Lexus. Would you mind a used Lexus?

[twong727]

I have had issues with older tanks finding glass tops. Last time I bought a marineland set of tops for my 120 which I do not know the brand of and just had the glass store trim it down for $ 10.00.

That is a great idea by getting help from glass store!

[twong727]

Well thats a 500 dollar setup then

I know, that's why I did not buy the wood stand and save $300...only tank and custom bow front top...

[bassgenie]

I know, that's why I did not buy the wood stand and save $300...only tank and custom bow front top...

Thats an awesome tank. Hes going to love it. Not too big, but still big enough to do a nice Mbuna Colony.

Warning: Use of 46 Bowfronts may lead to the use 92 corner Bowfronts!:neener:

[twong727]

Thats an awesome tank. Hes going to love it. Not too big, but still big enough to do a nice Mbuna Colony.

Warning: Use of 46 Bowfronts may lead to the use 92 corner Bowfronts!:neener:

My brother in law is currently using 16 gallon bow front, I will give him a 46g, so 92g or 155g (I thought there is one bow front like that right?) is definitely a possibility.

In fact the 16g has a 6 inches Nimbochromis Livingstoni with 5-7 other Mbuna(3" plus) in it, not a very pleasant environment.....

[bassgenie]

That 46 isnt big enough for Livingstonii. But very nice for Mbuna.

[twong727]

That 46 isnt big enough for Livingstonii. But very nice for Mbuna.

The Livingstoni was originally from me. I got a 125g at home just for haps so I am ready for return.

[m1ke715m]

the 150 bowfront is a truely impressive tank.. john bovi (bovsbaitboxes) and carlos (clos) both have one.. very nice tank. now that i think of it they both have holy rock setups in them that i was extremely jealous of. john has the biggest show piece of holey rock ive ever seen.. after hearing josh (bassgenie) rave on and on about bowfronts i finally got my hands on a 16 gallon bow.. lol i have fry in it but i can def see why people like them.. the concave shape of the glass acts as a magnifying glass and you can see everything alot bigger and easier.. def nice tanks:becky:

[bassgenie]

[QUOTE=m1ke715m;72626]the 150 bowfront is a truely impressive tank..

Thats the retirement tank 155 bow in the middle with twin 92 corner Mbuna Reefs on either side...I better get some Solar Panels for the Cabin.