PDA

View Full Version : How much silicone between the glass panes when building a tank?


Reefbox
09/12/2009, 10:35 AM
I'm putting together a tank but I'm not certain how much room to allow for silicone between the glass panes.


Thanks

uncleof6
09/12/2009, 11:12 AM
1mm to 1/16" (better comparison: .0394" - .0625") use a professional grade silly cone, and good luck.

Jim

SirusX1721
09/13/2009, 12:18 PM
+1

what thickness of glass are you using?

Reefbox
09/13/2009, 12:59 PM
I'm going to be using 3/8" starphire glass. Rimless cube. 20"x20"x 20 or similar

What is te best way to apply the silicone? The glass will all be cnc machined and if i can assemble it, hopefully it will turn out decent.

Any tricks on assembling?

Thanks

SirusX1721
09/13/2009, 04:12 PM
I dry fitted mine and held it together using painters tape. Make sure you have a big enough area to be able to lay the sides out flat. The tape is used as a guide. I then applied a line of silicone along the bottom and sides of the back pane. Next a line along the bottom of a side pane. Those two were then flipped into place and taped. The other side you would repeat. The front glass I did last, but just the same as I did the back glass.
I also made some 90degree blocks from an old 1x8 to help support the sides. Just in-case the tape failed.

SirusX1721
09/13/2009, 04:13 PM
Also, are you going to go flat bottom or raised?

Plan>B
09/13/2009, 07:36 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15689939#post15689939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
1mm to 1/16" (better comparison: .0394" - .0625") use a professional grade silly cone, and good luck.

Jim

+1 to what I have read. Use some old credit cards as spacers.

Joshsmit56001
10/07/2010, 06:29 AM
+1 to what I have read. Use some old credit cards as spacers.

Could someone explain this in more detail? Do you take out the credit cards before the silicone dries or after? Just curious as to do this because no silicone will be in the area if the card is left in place.

jeff@zina.com
10/07/2010, 07:40 AM
The spacers are only inserted slightly into the gap, not all the way through. Sewing needles work well as you can pull them out, not sure credit cards would be as easy but I've never tried them. The real issue is the outside looks if you're doing a frameless tank and you may need to pull the spacer and provide a slight fill.

Jeff

Joshsmit56001
10/07/2010, 07:46 AM
Got ya, sounds good!