Follow us on...
Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook
Register
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

removing siliconed glass from drain hole

This is a discussion on removing siliconed glass from drain hole within the DIY Area forums, part of the Aquarium Related Chat category; I have a tank that has been drilled on the bottom but has been siliconed up with a peice of ...

  1. #1
    jkam is offline Forum Resident
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Surrey/Burnaby
    Posts
    644

    Default removing siliconed glass from drain hole

    I have a tank that has been drilled on the bottom but has been siliconed up with a peice of glass. Now I want to open up that hole and start building a drain pipe to a sump.

    I tried using some metal wire to slide underneath and seperate the glass but the wire keeps snapping. Anyone have any other methods to seperating the glass?

    I want to avoid any chemicals if possible for obvious reasons.

  2. #2
    SeaHorse_Fanatic's Avatar
    SeaHorse_Fanatic is offline Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    South Burnaby
    Posts
    2,050

    Default

    I usually use a box cutter or razor blade for cutting into silicone.

  3. #3
    Mech Eng is offline Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Coquitlam
    Posts
    50

    Default

    +1 on the blade.

    If the silicon is just on the outside of the piece of glass this will work best. If its under the glass as well, once you have cut the silicon around the glass you mat be able to carefully pry it up.

    The other way is to drill the piece of glass instead of removing it.
    House for sale, all tanks gone for now
    110g SW still available
    Once I've moved I'll figure out where and how many new tanks will be coming....

  4. #4
    jkam is offline Forum Resident
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Surrey/Burnaby
    Posts
    644

    Default

    can't cut around it because it has silicone underneath it as well. I'll try prying but I tried that last time and the glass broke. Several times haha. I'm trying to avoid broken glass if possible.

  5. #5
    SeaHorse_Fanatic's Avatar
    SeaHorse_Fanatic is offline Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    South Burnaby
    Posts
    2,050

    Default

    If necessary, I have diamond drill bits to drill glass.

  6. #6
    jkam is offline Forum Resident
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Surrey/Burnaby
    Posts
    644

    Default

    hm.. If I decide to drill I might as well get a new tank while I'm at it. My tank right now is pretty beat up.

  7. #7
    darb's Avatar
    darb is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    North Burnaby
    Posts
    327

    Default

    how about sharpening the end of a narrow putty knife and tapping it under with a hammer.
    Know thy puffer, before you bring it home

    Looking for African puffers:
    Tetraodon schoutedeni - Spotted Congo Puffer
    Tetraodon duboisi - Dubois/Reticulated Puffer

    "Wise Men Speak Because They Have Something To Say,
    Fools Speak Because They Have To Say Something" - Plato

  8. #8
    jkam is offline Forum Resident
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Surrey/Burnaby
    Posts
    644

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by darb View Post
    how about sharpening the end of a narrow putty knife and tapping it under with a hammer.
    the piece of glass is about 5"x5" so that's not possible. Using a hammer to pry it would also cause the glass to break.

    I think I might just buy a new tank and drill it myself.. less of a hassle and then I can drill the hole on the back of the tank too. This is sounding more and more appealing haha.

  9. #9
    jkam is offline Forum Resident
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Surrey/Burnaby
    Posts
    644

    Default

    anymore solutions before I attempt to pry off the glass this week?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Langley
    Posts
    90

    Default

    2 way I know to do it...

    1. use a solvent like "silicone, wax, and tar remover" (you can get it at any auto paint supply)... it's used to clean cars before they are painted. then wash it really good... also make sure not it get it on the rest of the silicone.

    2. I had to remove a piece like this once. it was siliconed in to a bung hole in a plastic fish tote ( 4x4 foot watertight crate used for shipping fish) I had to break the patch and pry and cut the shards out.

    A little tap with a hammer and nail should break the glass patch and leave the tank undamaged

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Vancouver Website Hosting Vancouver Website Design