Cutting A Tank Shorter?

[Bosco83]

Is it possible or safe to get a glass or acrylic tank and cut it shorter? I was thinking about getting a 75 or 90 gallon acrylic tank and cutting down to 17".

 

[TJL]

Hey Brian, yes you sure can and is what I did for my sump. Check out my plumbing build below in signature. I cut it down from 20" to 17" and reglued top back on without much of a problem.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I feel the need to add, that because Todd can pull this off and many people I know including myself have succeeded; that it isn't often a big mistake with a destroyed tank or injuries as a result. If you are not a hard core DIYer, look for other options.

 

[Peppie]

It is very simple to do with with an acrylic tank. Acrylic can be cut with typical woodworking tools.
Glass however is much more of a challenge. It can be cut with a diamond wheel on a right angle grinder, running water to keep the heat down, and a very steady hand.

 

[Bosco83]

Thanks for quick replies everyone! Todd I'll have to check out your sump setup again when I come over. I was thinking I could do a 40 breeder sump, but I would really like to utilize the extra space in my stand and go as large as possible.

 

[colin779]

When i was building acrylic tanks we shortened quite a few actually for people. It's really simple if you have a table saw that will give you the required height, just make sure the tank is against the gate, not the piece you are cutting. You will still need two people. Another method is building a jig and simply using a router with a cutoff bit..

 

[sedrostyle]

I personally knowing how to cut glass for windows, would probably never try to cut a glass tank if it were assembled... cutting a single pane of glass on a table is hard enough.
I would try to find a acrylic one and use a table saw or another type of saw like colin and others have stated.
would be so much easier.
good luck

 

[Bosco83]

I was pretty much decided on acrylic they are easy to find cheap and a lot easier to work with. I would really like 1/2" thick acrylic sump without any bracing over the top for full access but I know that would be super expensive.

 

[TJL]

We can run it through my tablesaw if you want, faster and safer than most means

Cheers, Todd

 

[Bosco83]

I'll probably take you up on that!

 

[sedrostyle]

I was pretty much decided on acrylic they are easy to find cheap and a lot easier to work with. I would really like 1/2" thick acrylic sump without any bracing over the top for full access but I know that would be super expensive.

Just cut the bracing out when you take off the top portion.
or did you mean a 1/5 inch acrylic tank would be spendy

 

[Bosco83]

I just meant thick enough acrylic to where it wouldn't need to have bracing I know that would be a lot more than I would want to spend though when I have other options.

I'm not in a huge hurry it's just something I would like to do my current sump is 42x15x18 It's a little too tall and I would like it a little wider.