Attaching sliding doors to a 55gal turned on its side?

[scalesandtales]

How could I do that? I was thinking use liquid nails to adhere wood around the edge. But then since there would be no where to put lights I was thinking somehow get the top piece of glass off and replace it with wood and attaching built in lights. Could I melt the silicone somehow so I can remove the glass? ideas? opinions? It has more floor space turned on its side

 

[GoFast]

yes, with a little bit of heat, a utility knife, and a little bit of persistence you can take a piece of glass off. I am actually working on the same thing

 

[scalesandtales]

Your doing what i'm doing? Let me know how it goes

 

[GoFast]

OK, I successfully separated the glass yesterday for the tank. Ready for the trick???

the trick is to apply this to all corners that will be separated and let it soak in for about 10 minutes. I recommend doing only one corner/seam at a time so that you could angle the tank enough to make sure it puddles in the desired corner/seam and really penetrates. After all corners and seams have had a good soaking take a metal putty knife and SLOWLY get it all the way through the seam. You want to work your way from top to bottom. Once you can get the putty knife through the seam at the top, leave it there and grab your utility knife. SLOWLY, and I must emphasize again, SLOWLY work the razor all the way down the seam. let the blade do the work!!! If it is still very very difficult to get through, more googone and soaking time. Do all three sides and viola. all done.

hope this helps.



P.S. SLOWLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Sounds like a great idea !! I was wondering though, seeing as the 55 gal is only 12" deep, were you planning on building a canopy top or putting screening on top? You don't have a whole lot of height to work with.

Dawn

 

[GoFast]

Kind of yes. I personally am building it to hide the lighting and fixtures. So, on top of the tank, there will be an 8" wooden "topper" of sorts that will hide everything and give me additional height. Also, it will give me more of that furniture look, I hope, instead of the fish tank in the living room look. There will also be sliding glass doors too. I am going to be working on the topper sometime throughout the day and will post it up. in the near future.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Sounds great...can't wait to see the finished project...

Dawn

 

[scalesandtales]

How can I attach the doors?

 

[GoFast]

How can I attach the doors?

i am using sliding doors and just using some door track.

here is a link where you can get some.

http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sliding-Door-Track-Guides/dp/B000CSK398

 

[scalesandtales]

I mean how do you attatch it to the glass?

 

[GoFast]

silicone caulk

 

[scalesandtales]

Ohh ok. Thanks

 

[GoFast]

you got it!

 

[ReptileNewbie]

Just read your posts about converting your 55-gal aquariums. I also have a 55-gal. aquarium. Have done the fish thing for over 20 years. I have not been successful where I am living now - water is too hard and ended up buying RO2 water by the gallon. Decided to give up for now, too much work in maintaining an aquarium right now, so I am planning my first venture in reptiles with a beardie this summer.

Want to know if I am following you right - You are going to put the sliding glass doors on the "original" open top of the aquar. that is now going to be one of the sides? And the "new" top where you are removing the glass will have a screen and then the wooden topper?

I also hate to see wiring, etc. My late husband was a fanatic about hiding wires and tubes in our aquariums. I guess it rubbed off! He was very good at hiding things. I hope to do him proud with this project - although he would be shocked that I will now be into lizards! :shock:

Rosanne

 

[scalesandtales]

Yup that is exactly what me and GoFast are doing. He sounds like he knows what he is doing lol I'm a little more spastic and unsure.