Glass Source? - Starting a 410g Plywood tank

M

masharp1126

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Finally sold our house and moving back to Allen. I've got a 12 ft wall in my den that backs up to a 12' by 20' work space in my garage. My plans are to wall in the work space, add A/C and dehumidification, and use it to house my in-wall tank.

I've been researching plywood tanks for a few months now and think I'm going to make the try. I've built smaller acrylic tanks and sumps before, and have done some woodworking on and off for most of my adult life, so I think I can do it. The tank will be 96" x 36" x 29". Finding the plywood, epoxy, and fiberglass is the easy part.

I need help finding a sheet of glass. The size will be 94" x 29" and I'm thinking 1/2" thick will be plenty. If you think differently, please let me know. The two or three I've seen on RC in that size range have used 1/2" thick.

Anyway, I've contacted a couple of places and have gotten prices from $339 for regular glass to $800 for low-lead glass. Anyone know of any good, cheap sources for glass this size. I'd like to get a few more quotes before deciding on one. If I can't find a cheaper price for the low-lead, do you think it's worth the extra money?
 
I have a friend I work with at the fire station that cuts glass for a glass company in either irving or grand prairie. I can ask him if they can do something like this and how much.
 
What are you going to keep in the tank? I think if you're going all out for a clam and SPS reef then maybe spring for the low-iron if you have the money to throw around. I myself wouldn't, even if I had the money. JMHO.

If I did my math right you are being quoted $17.84 per square foot for regular and $42.10 for low-iron. :shock:
That seems extremely high.
 
I would deffenitly go for the low lead glass
With all the time and labor you are going to put into your tank
And the rest of the setup an extra 500.00 up front would be well worth the price for the best glass,
You could save money in a trade off
If you made your sump out of plywood
You could make your own skimmer,
There are some good threads on RC using the mity mite pump or the dart pump
As a needle wheel for a skimmer for large tanks look up spaz on RC
As far as price
Check with Addison glass
When I did some research last year, I was quoted over 1000.00 locally
So 800.00 may not be so bad
I found a place out of Covington La
Low lead -½ 96 x 30 $639.85 ¾ 96 x 36 $1093.03
Shipping was 85 to 100
Ken

Here are a few threads for you to read

My diy 4500 gph! Eheim pump
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=915992&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
My new skimmer Dart needlewheel
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=918194
Would you do this to a new pump?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=834399
Tiny Might skimmer rockin'
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=896819

Tank
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=686757

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=674932&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=716410&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=616830&perpage=25&pagenumber=1


Glass
http://www.fnzas.org.nz/articles/technical/glassthickness
 
Thanks for the threads Pony. I'll check them out. BTW, how long you lived in Howe? I graduated from there in 1982 and have family still there. My family's last names are Sharp and McDole.

I did get another quote from Inwood Glass & Mirror. $343 for regular glass and $609 for starfire. Considerably cheaper than my 1st quote for low-lead glass.
 
My wife has lived in Howe since 85 ,me just since 2000
Our kids have gone to school here, we still have one in high school
My son played on the BB team that played for the state champion ship games
Final 4 teams
We live on Maple Street
Grant & Howerton
Ken
 
What a small world, I remember watching your son play. I went with my dad to several of their games. They had a great team.
 
Both my son, Justin and Collin are now at UNT in Denton
BB will be starting real soon
You guys should come up to Denton
No need to worry about finding a seat
The place is 80% empty
But a good time is had by all
Ken
 
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