RobTop
New member
Sound like a magic trick?
I had a 55 gal that was a fine tank, but too tall for the space I had for it. With 7 tanks already running and another 7 to set up this one was not going to fit. So I tried selling it a couple times, but it just sat around. Then I got an idea...cut it down.
I bought a 7' diamond saw blade, much like a tile saw blade and put it on my circular saw. Placed a guide on the tank, some oil and away I went. Here are some pics and details.
1-I used a circular saw that I picked up 10+ yrs ago for $5, not my good one. I did this as I knew I would be using a LOT of oil and didn't want to ruin a good saw. Also I used oil instead of water, that whole power thing.
2-I clamped a board to the tank as a guide, wasn't going free hand.
3-I used an oil pump to apply the oil. This is something the wife had, but if you need one get it at a store that sells kitchen stuff. It is a bottle you pump the top of to build pressure and sprays the oil. IF you lightly pump it a stream of oil comes out. Pumped too much and it mists the oil. I wanted a direct stream for better controll.
4-This is VERY messy oil everywere, do it in a place that is easy to clean...outside, I didn't and had a big mess to clean.
5-Does it need to be said, GO SLOW.
6, I put a lot of thought into the cut order. 1st I did the long sides, then short. I felt that if the short sides were cut 1st it would be difficult to turn and keep stable. So I cut both long sides, and then 1 short side. At this point I had a problem. I needed to flip the tank around and only had 1 short side of glass holding it together. I knew if it wasn't flipped perfectly it would crack the last side. So I took a scrap of acrylic, taped it in between the two cut pieces of the short side (see pic) this helpped stablize this tank and allow me to flip it with out twisting the uncut panel and cracking it.
7- After you have cut your tank in half get your dremel out with a grinding bit and go over the cut glass. This will smooth out any sharp edges.
8-Tell those who though you were crazy Naa Naa Naa Naa Naa.
I had a 55 gal that was a fine tank, but too tall for the space I had for it. With 7 tanks already running and another 7 to set up this one was not going to fit. So I tried selling it a couple times, but it just sat around. Then I got an idea...cut it down.
I bought a 7' diamond saw blade, much like a tile saw blade and put it on my circular saw. Placed a guide on the tank, some oil and away I went. Here are some pics and details.
1-I used a circular saw that I picked up 10+ yrs ago for $5, not my good one. I did this as I knew I would be using a LOT of oil and didn't want to ruin a good saw. Also I used oil instead of water, that whole power thing.
2-I clamped a board to the tank as a guide, wasn't going free hand.
3-I used an oil pump to apply the oil. This is something the wife had, but if you need one get it at a store that sells kitchen stuff. It is a bottle you pump the top of to build pressure and sprays the oil. IF you lightly pump it a stream of oil comes out. Pumped too much and it mists the oil. I wanted a direct stream for better controll.
4-This is VERY messy oil everywere, do it in a place that is easy to clean...outside, I didn't and had a big mess to clean.
5-Does it need to be said, GO SLOW.
6, I put a lot of thought into the cut order. 1st I did the long sides, then short. I felt that if the short sides were cut 1st it would be difficult to turn and keep stable. So I cut both long sides, and then 1 short side. At this point I had a problem. I needed to flip the tank around and only had 1 short side of glass holding it together. I knew if it wasn't flipped perfectly it would crack the last side. So I took a scrap of acrylic, taped it in between the two cut pieces of the short side (see pic) this helpped stablize this tank and allow me to flip it with out twisting the uncut panel and cracking it.
7- After you have cut your tank in half get your dremel out with a grinding bit and go over the cut glass. This will smooth out any sharp edges.
8-Tell those who though you were crazy Naa Naa Naa Naa Naa.
