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Imported with permission from https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsacrabthing. If you use Facebook I encourage you to join the group!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Lauren N on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 10:47pm
Removing bottom from glass tanks/aquariums:
Supplies Needed:
1. Tank (these instructions are meant for tank sizes of 29g or smaller)
2. Drop cloth, plastic sheet, newspapers or heavy-duty garbage bags to cover floor of work
area
3. Newspaper
4. Hammer
5. Pliers
6. Razor blade/box cutter
7. Protective goggles
8. Work gloves
9. Aquarium Silicone (optional)
Instructions:
1. Choose a safe work space--I recommend doing this outside if possible, a garage or work
shed are other options. Ensure there is plenty of room on the ground to be able to easily
move around the tank as you work. To make clean up of broken glass safe and easy, place a
heavy-duty garbage bag, several layers of newspaper, a drop cloth, or plastic sheet on the
ground underneath the tank.
2. Place tank upside down on the area described above.
3. Put on protective goggles and thick work gloves, being sure to keep them on from this
point forward until completely finished removing glass.
4. Take the razor blade and slide it in between the rim and the silicone which is attached
to the glass, making sure to work it in as far as possible. You don't want to be cutting
through the silicone itself, but actually sliding the razor right against the plastic to
completely seperate the silicone from it. Work your way around all 4 sides of the tank this
way, including the corners.
5. Put several sheets of newspaper over the glass bottom (which is now facing up) to help
contain pieces of broken glass and prevent shards and small pieces from flying out.
6. Using the hammer, begin knocking out the bottom pane of glass, which has been covered
with newspaper, using firm and carefully placed hits with the hammer. I like to start in the
middle and then move out towards the sides. Re-position and/or replace the layers of
newspaper as needed so that it's always covering the area of glass you're using the hammer
on.
7. Depending on the tank, as well as the individual doing the work, all the glass may be
removed after 5 or 6 good whacks with the hammer. Sometimes you'll end up with most of the
glass removed except for some pieces still stuck around the edges where there's still some
silicone managing to hold them in place. If this happens, go back over those areas with the
razor blade until they're loose enough to pull out using either the pliers or your gloved
hands.
8. Now that all the bottom glass has been removed from the tank, move it over to the side,
making sure not to pick it up by grabbing the plastic rim on top since that could possibly
cause it to come loose. Fold or roll up the plastic, newspaper, or whatever you placed under
the tank and safely dispose of the broken glass. Inspect the surrounding area for any stray
pieces of glass that may have been missed before.
9. Check the bottom rim to see if it's still firmly attached around all sides. If it seems
a little loose or if you just want to take extra precautions, aquarium silicone can be
applied around the inside to create a stronger seal with the 4 side walls to the rim. If you
do include this step remember that you have to let the silicone cure for at least 48 hours
before it's safe to use with the hermit crabs.
10. Yay! The tank is now ready to be used as a topper!