[lifeoffaith]

I may be picking up a 90 gallon with a broken pane tomorrow. I am considering replacing the pane with plywood such as you would see in an all plywood tank, but wondering how feasible this would even be? I know that I'll have to re-seal the entire tank anyway, so I may just go get a piece of glass from the hardware store and do that instead. By the way, the top and bottom frame are fine, so the plywood would fit into that. Also, what is the easiest way to remove silicone?

 

[cmaxwell39]

I don't know how well the silicone would adhere to the epoxy coating on the plywood. You would also need plywood that is much thicker than the glass that is on the rest of the tank IMO. That might make it so that the top and bottom frames would no longer fit.

If it were me, I would either replace the broken pane with glass of the appropriate thickness, or not take the project on. While rebuilding a tank can be a fun and rewarding project, it can also be very time consuming.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.


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[lifeoffaith]

Time isn't a huge issue for me. I'm shutting down my 46 gallon currently as the livestock is sold, so working on a 90 gallon is no big deal. I just don't know how to remove all the old silicone and such, and then I have someone who would be able to show me how to silicone.

 

[jpa0741]

IMO sounds like a disaster waiting to happen

 

[weimers75]

A single pane of glass for a 90 gallon tank wouldn't be that much more expensive than epoxied plywood and you don't have to worry about the silicone adhering properly to the epoxy. I wouldn't take a chance and end up with 90 gallons of water on the floor one day, and losing all of your inhabitants.

 

[on the spot]

A single pane of glass for a 90 gallon tank wouldn't be that much more expensive than epoxied plywood...

A new 90 gallon tank wouldn't be much more than that either.

and it's done. Don't underestimate the value of your time - particularly in exchange for something so common and cheap.

 

[jpa0741]

A new 90 gallon tank wouldn't be much more than that either.

and it's done. Don't underestimate the value of your time - particularly in exchange for something so common and cheap.

Yep that's what I was thinking. Why even think about chancing it for that kind of money

 

[lifeoffaith]

Cheap is relative, when you don't really have any real money to spend right now and you're determining whether you'll ever be able to set up a larger tank. That being said, I decided to wait until I can afford a 90 or better. It might be a year before I can pull it off, but I guess I'll have to wait. I would likely still be buying used anyway.

 

[on the spot]

Cheap is relative, when you don't really have any real money to spend right now and you're determining whether you'll ever be able to set up a larger tank. That being said, I decided to wait until I can afford a 90 or better. It might be a year before I can pull it off, but I guess I'll have to wait. I would likely still be buying used anyway.

I can appreciate your circumstance.

It's almost always best to wait and save for the best solution rather than the quickest. It's no consolation now but I believe you have chosen wisely.

So does this mean that the 50 gallon is staying put?

 

[Oldschoolsalter]

Just my .02..
But, If you're "struggling" to come up with the money for a new 90...what about any other additional future upgrade costs?

Since additionally, you'll need more lighting..bigger skimmer perhaps?,..higher wattage heater,...more live sand....larger water changes & salt purchases....more additives ...blah blah blah....

Personally, I'd love to have a 120 or 180 vs my 85gal,....however, it's only reality that stops me.........:drag:

 

[reefpolice]

Sounds like the worst idea ever!