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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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05-01-2007, 10:02 AM
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#1
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 1,629
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supportingout bottom pane of glass
Ok, so here is a quick synopsis of what I am trying to do. I am setting up a 29 gallon reef. I want it to apper very clean, with no plumbing hanging out the back and so forth. so, I am going to drill the bottom. I have purchased an All-glass brand, which does not have a tempered bottom.
I know that extra precautions should be taken when drilling the bottom of a tank, but I am not sure if I am missing anything. Is there anything particular that I should/should not do?
Also, my main question. I figure, the best way to avoid a crack in the bottom after drilling is to make sre the entire pane is flat against some sort of support. However, the plastic trim holds the glass about 1/4" off the stand. I would really like to have some sort of support against the entire pane of glass so that the glass itself is not supporting the weight of the sand, rock, and water. Is there a good way to do that? I have seen people use foam insulation, but like I said, I want to keep it clean looking, and I don't want to see the foam.
Any help would be great. If this is unclear, I will try and get pics at lunch.
Jason
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__________________
29 gallon, 150 watt DE PFO mini pedant, 2 x 24 watt HO t-5, 2 x tunze 6025's, mag 7 run thru SCWD 40lbs rock
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05-01-2007, 10:54 AM
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#2
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spaceman spiff
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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I actually feel that having the glass off the bottom of the stand is preferable to trying to support the entire bottom pane of glass. Though probably more of a concern on larger tanks, the glass is much less suseptible to point loads when in the trim (I've seen trimless tanks spring leaks, which is never entertaining). And even if you had 100lbs of LR/LS and a full 29 gallons in the tank (which is impossible), you're still under 1 pound/square inch of pressure on the bottom piece of glass, which I feel is well outside of the cause for concern.
Never drilled a tank, so I'm not sure about that. Good luck!!
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05-01-2007, 11:04 AM
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#3
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 1,629
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well, I am only conserned because I am drillingthe bottom. So with however much weight is in there on a pane of glass with at least one (probably two) holes in it concerns me. especially since it is just supported at the very edges
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29 gallon, 150 watt DE PFO mini pedant, 2 x 24 watt HO t-5, 2 x tunze 6025's, mag 7 run thru SCWD 40lbs rock
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05-01-2007, 02:46 PM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 1,629
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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29 gallon, 150 watt DE PFO mini pedant, 2 x 24 watt HO t-5, 2 x tunze 6025's, mag 7 run thru SCWD 40lbs rock
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05-01-2007, 03:17 PM
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#5
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Polar Bear
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Downey, CA (Los Angeles)
Posts: 270
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Just cut a piece of plywood and place it under the tank.
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05-01-2007, 09:50 PM
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#6
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,131
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FWIW all the AGA tanks with overflows(reef ready) are bottom drilled and still supported on the plastic frame. Acrylic tanks do need the support over the whoile bottom tho
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Cowboy is a verb, not a noun
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05-01-2007, 09:55 PM
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#7
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MIO
Just cut a piece of plywood and place it under the tank.
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you would need it to be the exact thickness as the under tank space, if it doesn't touch it does no good, and if it's just a hair to thick it will put stress on the edges.
The mfgr has this figured out, don't try to second guess them 
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Cowboy is a verb, not a noun
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05-01-2007, 09:56 PM
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#8
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: alpharetta, GA
Posts: 2,555
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id say the tank will be fine but if you must strafoam ( spelling ) is the best. the pink kind that they sell at homedepot comes in diffrent sizes
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05-01-2007, 10:01 PM
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#9
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spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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I still agree with Doug, you'll be fine without supporting the bottom.
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05-01-2007, 10:04 PM
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#10
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denham Springs, LA
Posts: 18,733
Reviews: 21
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I have to agree with Doug all the way here, Arcylic needs the support and glass will do fine on the trim,
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 Vince aka VINNIE 
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05-01-2007, 10:08 PM
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#11
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Talkingreef Live Co-Host
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: The Frag Farm
Posts: 760
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i agree with Doug, crvz, and VWD ... acrylic needs support, glass will be ok without it.
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 Bobby
Tank Size(s): 125gal. SPS reef, 55gal. softy reef, and 116 gallon frag system.
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06-03-2007, 02:44 PM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: California
Posts: 24
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I know I'm late to the thread, but I drilled a 29g bottom. I first removed the bottom glass from the tank with a razor blade and replaced it with a 1/2" sheet of acrylic that I predrilled earlier. No problems, No worries.
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06-03-2007, 02:49 PM
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#13
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Shark
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 2,694
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N0cash
I know I'm late to the thread, but I drilled a 29g bottom. I first removed the bottom glass from the tank with a razor blade and replaced it with a 1/2" sheet of acrylic that I predrilled earlier. No problems, No worries.
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silicone and acrylic really dont mix. if thats how u have it attached i might re think the no worries part.
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