Where to get glass??

[erndog1001]

Hey everybody. I'm getting ready to build a large tank. I'm interested in talking to anybody in the area who has done the same. Specifically I'd like to know where you got your glass and what kind you used?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

how large is large?

 

[erndog1001]

Well I haven't settled on the exact size yet But 6' X 4' X 24"-30"+ is ballpark. Bottom is going to be plywood so I only need side pieces and nothing has to be drilled either

 

[SkiFletch]

Though I know many folks have used it with success, having a plywood bottom would probably give me nightmares . That's just me though.

Food for thought. When your tank gets much deeper than 24" lighting becomes significantly less effective, needing higher-powered lights to penetrate that far. It also gets significantly harder to clean or reach the bottom of the tank, even if you're like me with really long arms. The reach thing is even more magnified with a longer and wider footprint. Also the deeper you go, the thicker the glass you'll need, saltwater weight adds up fast. I'd vote for 24" deep if it were my tank.

Where are you located? Buf? Roch? Syr? Other?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

6' X 4' X 24"

Huh, those are the exact dimensions of my DIY'd tank. :lol: It is plywood with a front glass viewing panel and smaller panels on two other sides. I got the glass at Geddes Glass and Metal in Syracuse. It's half inch glass with minimal edge finishing. Depending on the structure of your tank you may want a cleaner edge than I did, which increases cost.

I would suggest calling around your closest city. I saw pretty huge variations in price when I shopped. The place I bought it from ended up getting around $270 or so iirc (it's been a few years) but there were other places that wanted like $600 - $700 for the same exact thing.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

The reach thing is even more magnified with a longer and wider footprint.

Yup. I can't touch parts of the bottom of my tank without taking off my shirt and getting my armpits wet. And thats WITH tongs.

 

[erndog1001]

"Huh, those are the exact dimensions of my DIY'd tank. :lol: It is plywood with a front glass viewing panel and smaller panels on two other sides. I got the glass at Geddes Glass and Metal in Syracuse. It's half inch glass with minimal edge finishing. Depending on the structure of your tank you may want a cleaner edge than I did, which increases cost."

Sweet I'm in Syracuse!! I'll look them up And you're right.The places I've called are quoting big bucks too. Which i kind of expected given the size. Thanks for the response!!

I messed this up the first part is suppose to be quoted lol

 

[erndog1001]

Thanks for all the great responses! I really appreciate the input.
1. Plywood base is no problem. I'm going to seal it using a product called "Pond Armor" There's a great video on You Tube from a guy who built a similar sized tank.
2. I've been experimenting with how far I can reach and still get to middle bottom of the tank without to much hassle. I hope that made sense. It depends as much on height from the floor as height of the side of the tank. So my refugium ( a 70 gal) is going to have to be separate. By that I mean not underneath.
3. Ok the light thing is something I'm going to have to give some more thought to.
4. I'm going to use a method called "Euro Bracing" for the sides so 1/2" glass is good.
5. Its going in the basement Nuff said lol


So I just spent the past few days cleaning, rearranging and painting the basement. Now I have to sell a couple more woodworking tools I have to A. make room B. raise some cash To be cont'd.....

 

[erndog1001]

Ok so here's the latest:
I'm going to make a long story as short as possible.
Solvay Glass $1200 +
Eastwood Glass $1000 +
Geddes Glass I stopped by one day bc they are only a mile from my house. He talked a good story but he won't even return my calls now.
So I turned to craigslist and after many hours of searching and about 100+ e-mails/phone calls. I'm pretty sure I have found what I need.
The cost is going to be about $350-$400 Plus the gas and time for road trip to Buffalo lol
More to come....

 

[NirvanaFan]

I've heard of people using a shop in Honeoye (south of Rochester). I think it was called Skill Glass.

 

[erndog1001]

Thanks I'll keep them in mind in case thinngs don't go as planned

 

[jpjr]

On you way to Buffalo, call Gary(I believe) @Flower City Glass in Rochester. Not sure on pricing, but my boss swears by them.. He's used them for years on tons of glass "stuff"