Big cracks in
Hello,
<I say a greeting>
    I found a 55g the other day, needless to say one of the short side panels has multiple cracks running the length of the pane.
I think my options on fixing it are removing and replacing the whole pane. I'm not sure that siliconing a pane on either side of the broken pane will be effective or safe. Am I correct in my thinking?
<Not worth trying... best to cut out old one, replace entirely>
    I would rather not tear the tank down, clean and rebuild it as the cost of a piece of plate glass would be close to what I can buy a used non cracked tank for.
<Bingo! If cost is the only or primary consideration, I would buy a new tank, make the old one into a non-aquarium... perhaps a terrestrial planted paludarium...>
Now that I have dragged this into the basement though, I would like to do something with it.
I am wondering if 55's are made with plate glass or tempered glass?
<Almost all with plate>
If it is plate, I think I can cut it for lids for some other tanks, use the good panes for a plywood tank, or cut the panes and put them back together as a smaller tank.
    I do have some experience cutting single and double strength glass from the hardware store. I've never done anything that big though.
Thanks for any advice.
Peace,
-Z-
<I would get some help... have a glass shop cut the glass for you if you have any concerns... or lack a cutting table big enough... Bob Fenner>