Tank cutting?

Norboo · 01/19/2006, 04:16 PM

tank i would like to use as a sump is little tall.

1. Can I cut it? If so, how?

2. How do I remove the top frame?

kamla · 01/19/2006, 04:19 PM

is it a glass tank or arylic..

Norboo · 01/19/2006, 04:23 PM

Oh sorry. Acrylic would be easy to cut, however, the tank I want to cut is glass.

Fast Fred · 01/19/2006, 05:23 PM

Just my .02cents, but it sounds to me like it would be cheaper and better in the end to just build one yourself from acrylic sheet.

Russian123 · 01/19/2006, 07:52 PM

check out the DYI forum they probobly know what to do

Norboo · 01/20/2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fast Fred
Just my .02cents, but it sounds to me like it would be cheaper and better in the end to just build one yourself from acrylic sheet.

Gee...why didn't I think of that Freddy?

Acrylic sheet is about $160 for .375. Each precise cut is $10 and I don't know what they will charge for all ends to be 45 degree, weld on etc...it adds up fast.

I saw a tank that will work best for my corner bow tank for $149. Just need to cut it down few inches...if I knew how.

jgoodrich71 · 01/20/2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

[i]
Gee...why didn't I think of that Freddy?

Acrylic sheet is about $160 for .375. Each precise cut is $10 and I don't know what they will charge for all ends to be 45 degree, weld on etc...it adds up fast.

I saw a tank that will work best for my corner bow tank for $149. Just need to cut it down few inches...if I knew how.

I don't know where you are getting those prices, but that is expensive for acrylic. How big is the sump going to be?

No need to make special 45 degree cuts just to make a sump. I don't know if you can cut down a tank that is already made, without disassembling it. It would be easier to just order a glass tank in the dimessions you need.

Fast Fred · 01/20/2006, 08:20 AM

1/4" sheet acrylic near me is about $60. for enough to make a 30g sump. Glue is $6. When you're putting baffles in it, you don't need much thickness for the outside walls and bottom. No need for precision cuts. a straight edge and a razor knife are all you need. Sounds REALLY cost effective if you ask me.

FishhyRen · 01/20/2006, 08:34 AM

You could always use an aquarium and cut a bulkhead out of the aquarium you are going to use for a sump...

I cut a bulkhead out of the side of a 55gal tank for my sump and then used 1/4 acrylic for baffles and polycarbonate/lexane glue/silicone.

Here's a couple pics (from when I was setting up my tank):

Now if you're talking about shortening the tank.... I'd say you're much better off going acrylic.

Norboo · 01/20/2006, 10:17 AM

I thought about many possibilities and this way comes out to be the cheapest. I have a 54 gallon corner bow tank. Stand will only fit triangle or corner bow tanks. The sump I am trying to cut is 44 gallon corner that is little high for me to work once in the stand.

To build a sump out of acrylic, I have to build it triangular and would need to cut 45 and 46.35 degree angles or bend a long sheet (78") and have one joint.

Norboo · 01/20/2006, 10:20 AM

Stand is 31" tall and give me about 29" of clearance. Tank is 26" tall. If I cut it down to 20" to 22", I would have enough room to maneuver.

FishhyRen · 01/20/2006, 10:48 AM

too risky cutting the sheets and not just a hole...
What's plan B?

javajaws · 01/20/2006, 12:06 PM

I suppose you could always use a glass cutter and have a go at it. Or you could try to use a dremel and try to cut it down. Once you break it though your "cheaper" option is all of a sudden not so cheaper. Is it worth the risk?

Norboo · 01/20/2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishhyRen
too risky cutting the sheets and not just a hole...
What's plan B?

Plan B? *sigh* Return the tank and take apart the stand and rebuild it wider to fit a 29 gallon or build the stand taller which will make it look ridiculously out of proportion.

A friend at the glass shop told me he might be able to cut it with diamond saw blade but no guarantees.

FishhyRen · 01/20/2006, 01:24 PM

Taller won't look out of porportion....
Especially if you put a canopy on it.

I've seen many tall corner tanks (my tank's not a corner but the stand is 40" tall).

It sounds tall, but it's great not having to bend over to look at it!

Norboo · 01/24/2006, 08:08 PM

it's finally done! Sump is cut down to size without any complications. Took pictures and notes along the way.

I will post notes and pictures once I am finished with everything including DIY stand.

FishhyRen · 01/25/2006, 07:24 AM

Did you cut it youself? Can't wait to see pictures-
Glad you didn't have any complications!

01/19/2006, 04:16 PM	#1
Norboo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 368	Tank cutting? tank i would like to use as a sump is little tall. 1. Can I cut it? If so, how? 2. How do I remove the top frame? __________________ I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

01/19/2006, 04:23 PM	#3
Norboo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 368	Oh sorry. Acrylic would be easy to cut, however, the tank I want to cut is glass. __________________ I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

01/19/2006, 05:23 PM	#4
Fast Fred Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northfield, NJ 08225 Posts: 1,170	Just my .02cents, but it sounds to me like it would be cheaper and better in the end to just build one yourself from acrylic sheet. __________________ Ya know, for a clown fish, you're not very funny! Member of the New Jersey Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 125g Reef Ready AGA /55g Top Fin Tank for a sump/refugium/ LifeReef Skimmer/ Changing over to SPS only

01/19/2006, 07:52 PM	#5
Russian123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas Posts: 299	check out the DYI forum they probobly know what to do __________________ POUR DOWN SENTA!!

01/20/2006, 08:20 AM	#8
Fast Fred Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northfield, NJ 08225 Posts: 1,170	1/4" sheet acrylic near me is about $60. for enough to make a 30g sump. Glue is $6. When you're putting baffles in it, you don't need much thickness for the outside walls and bottom. No need for precision cuts. a straight edge and a razor knife are all you need. Sounds REALLY cost effective if you ask me. __________________ Ya know, for a clown fish, you're not very funny! Member of the New Jersey Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 125g Reef Ready AGA /55g Top Fin Tank for a sump/refugium/ LifeReef Skimmer/ Changing over to SPS only

01/19/2006, 04:19 PM	#2
kamla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 489	is it a glass tank or arylic..

01/20/2006, 08:34 AM	#9
FishhyRen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jax, FLA Posts: 797	You could always use an aquarium and cut a bulkhead out of the aquarium you are going to use for a sump... I cut a bulkhead out of the side of a 55gal tank for my sump and then used 1/4 acrylic for baffles and polycarbonate/lexane glue/silicone. Here's a couple pics (from when I was setting up my tank): Now if you're talking about shortening the tank.... I'd say you're much better off going acrylic. __________________ -FishhyRen 125Gal Allglass RR 600W MH lights 470+W VHOs Beckett Mod Skimmer AmpMaster 3000 Pump Current Tank Info: 125Gal AGA 55Gal sump/refugium, 1070W lighting, AM3000 return, 6100Stream

01/20/2006, 10:17 AM	#10
Norboo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 368	I thought about many possibilities and this way comes out to be the cheapest. I have a 54 gallon corner bow tank. Stand will only fit triangle or corner bow tanks. The sump I am trying to cut is 44 gallon corner that is little high for me to work once in the stand. To build a sump out of acrylic, I have to build it triangular and would need to cut 45 and 46.35 degree angles or bend a long sheet (78") and have one joint. __________________ I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

01/20/2006, 10:20 AM	#11
Norboo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 368	Stand is 31" tall and give me about 29" of clearance. Tank is 26" tall. If I cut it down to 20" to 22", I would have enough room to maneuver. __________________ I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

01/20/2006, 10:48 AM	#12
FishhyRen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jax, FLA Posts: 797	too risky cutting the sheets and not just a hole... What's plan B? __________________ -FishhyRen 125Gal Allglass RR 600W MH lights 470+W VHOs Beckett Mod Skimmer AmpMaster 3000 Pump Current Tank Info: 125Gal AGA 55Gal sump/refugium, 1070W lighting, AM3000 return, 6100Stream

01/20/2006, 12:06 PM	#13
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	I suppose you could always use a glass cutter and have a go at it. Or you could try to use a dremel and try to cut it down. Once you break it though your "cheaper" option is all of a sudden not so cheaper. Is it worth the risk? __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

01/20/2006, 01:24 PM	#15
FishhyRen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jax, FLA Posts: 797	Taller won't look out of porportion.... Especially if you put a canopy on it. I've seen many tall corner tanks (my tank's not a corner but the stand is 40" tall). It sounds tall, but it's great not having to bend over to look at it! __________________ -FishhyRen 125Gal Allglass RR 600W MH lights 470+W VHOs Beckett Mod Skimmer AmpMaster 3000 Pump Current Tank Info: 125Gal AGA 55Gal sump/refugium, 1070W lighting, AM3000 return, 6100Stream

01/24/2006, 08:08 PM	#16
Norboo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 368	it's finally done! Sump is cut down to size without any complications. Took pictures and notes along the way. I will post notes and pictures once I am finished with everything including DIY stand. __________________ I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

01/25/2006, 07:24 AM	#17
FishhyRen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jax, FLA Posts: 797	Did you cut it youself? Can't wait to see pictures- Glad you didn't have any complications! __________________ -FishhyRen 125Gal Allglass RR 600W MH lights 470+W VHOs Beckett Mod Skimmer AmpMaster 3000 Pump Current Tank Info: 125Gal AGA 55Gal sump/refugium, 1070W lighting, AM3000 return, 6100Stream