Replacing a cracked pane of glass?

[Flowerhorn916]

Has anyone ever replaced a cracked pane of glass on a tank and what kind of glass is it that I need to buy?

Any tips?

[RustyNut]

Well a lot depends on the Tank glass you have already... Most tanks use Tempered glass for the sides and bottom. Check the thickness of the glass. Older tanks used plate glass which is usually about double the thickness as tempered.

If the pane is the bottom pane, you will need to cut the tank apart and reseal the entire tank. If it is either "long" length of glass the same is true, although you will only have to remove that side and the frame.

If it is an end piece, you may be able to patch it, or if you prefer replace it depending on the size of the crack, and its severity.

Buying precut and finished tempered glass is not cheap. If your tank is small you may be better off replacing the tank with a used one. If the tank is large (Over 55g) then you will need to locate a glass dealer and inquire about custom cutting the glass to your exact dimensions. I've completely cut apart and resealed a few tanks before so once you get all your info together, I'll post any tips I have about the resealing process.

On the whole, most used bare tanks can be purchased for roughly $1 per gallon! So it is something to look into rather than replacement on most any tank 55g or smaller. Custom cutting Tempered glass can cost $30-50 for the glass and the cut depending on thickness....

[Flowerhorn916]

Well it is a custom tank around 30gal I really like it since it in my room very nice the dimentions are 30x11x17 it is 1/8" glass and its an older tank. Do you think it would be tempered glass? Anyhow I need a 11x17 panel how much do you think that would run?

[RustyNut]

If its 1/8" glass it is definitely tempered! Well made tanks in this size range normally use 3/16" glass so its not a top-line tank to begin with.

The dimensions you gave are smaller than a 29g (30x12x18) so its not 30g just FYI....

The glass won't cost that much, but custom cutting it and the silicone plus your time would be better spent on getting yourself a plain old 29g (say from Wal*mart or Petsmart) since you would get a new (and Warranted) tank. Even paying $1 a gallon for a used tank would only run about $30....and you can check garage sales come spring for even better deals!....

Your probably looking at $25 for the glass & cutting plus silicone.... for about $20 more you can have a new tank... its up to you. (Prices in your area may vary as I am near a glass manufacturer!)