Where to find this part?

[Firewithin]

I've been (very slowly) constructing a 125 gallon aquarium into a vivarium. Between work, training, and classes, it's taken me forever to get to each part. I'm now in the water-testing stage!

I've overcome a couple challenges as I've worked on this beaten old tank, the first of which happened to be finding *something* thin and sharp enough remove the silicone between the glass panels. The back panel was split and needed to come off. I want sliding doors installed for easy access, thus the reason for just removing the whole panel instead of patching it and covering it with a foam based background. After a couple weeks of trial and research, I found that strips of measuring tape was the only way to accomplish what I needed. Razor blades were just too thick to fit between the glass pieces. Measuring tape did the trick, so I had to (sadly) butcher an older unit and cut it into strips so that I could very carefully saw my way between the glass. It worked. Pictures will be posted below.

Then came replacing the glass piece. I was just going to recycle the piece I had. After removing the bad part, I was left with about 9 inches of glass still intact for a water-tight 9-inch depth...but the glass was so badly scratched, I ended up sawing off the whole panel and replacing it with a fresh 9-inch strip from my local glass shop. All the remaining old silicone was removed with a standard razor blade. That also included removing the rotted old frame from top and bottom.

I replaced the frames with new halves purchased online from Over the Edge. They were very helpful and the frames were a perfect fit. The bottom frame was installed while resealing the tank and adding the new 9-inch glass panel. It then sat for 3 weeks before I had time to get out there and fill it with water. It will sit for a week before I can get to draining it so we'll see how well my first sealing job was...

Now...the problem that I've been unable to solve...those blasted doors. I've exhausted the internet for a Do It Yourself piece, or ideas, or replicated replacement parts to no avail. I need a piece similar to Tetrafauna's 'deluxe vivarium' vented sliding door tracks that cap onto the rim of the bottom-half glass panel. It's 5/8 inch thick glass on my panel, and I want the doors to be as thin as possible (1/8 inch preferable). I fear the idea of just siliconing a strip of track on top of the rim because there would be nothing really holding that piece securely in place other than silicone - and lets face it...silicone does wear out and that's still weight and motion bearing down on it when I have to open those doors.

So...any creative ideas here???

Here are some updated pics:

Before any work was done


Silicone removal



New panel and bottom frame added. Water test we started today!


Thoughts and ideas appreciated. I've been slowly collecting material for this build. I have a rough idea of how I want it set up, even though its a slow process with such limited free time. I have also been brainstorming filtration and waterfall aspects, but my main concern and frustration is figuring out the sliding door track problem.

[Mentat]

Wow, you've put a lot of work into that tank . Think that even if you get the track system Tetra uses, it won't fit the tank due to the bottom glass thickness. There are many glass track systems available; but are designed for 1/4 in. glass for cabinet doors, etc.

Are there any plastic shops in your area (sign manufacturing, etc.)? Maybe they could custom build a track system if you provide measures and pictures of the Tetra system. Good luck !

[deranged chipmunk]

Just trying to wrap my head around what you're a asking about. You're looking for a track for the top? Or the bottom of the doors?? Or both?

[Firewithin]

I had to laugh at my typo. the Glass is 3/8" thick, not 5/8". Bill, here is a clip I found online of what I'm talking about. It's the bottom track that haunts me in my sleep. I do not own this photo - just borrowed for an example:


Carlos, the closest I could find was a shop two hours from me in Tallahassee, but I'm still waiting on a reply back from them. I also sent them this image.

[kueluck]

1/4 inch door track | Sliding Door Track Kits | Sliding Door Track & Hardware | Complete Cabinet Hardware not sure if this would help you, but you might be able to take this, super glue or silicone two pieces together bottom to bottom. You just wouldn't have the ventilation.

[deranged chipmunk]

I was researching this stuff a while back for a build I have in my head and I saw a few things at www.rockler.con that may work.

How do you plan on supporting the top track?

[Firewithin]

I plan on supporting the top of the doors with a normal track siliconed within the new frame. It won't be doing much more than holding the glass in place, where as the bottom track would be taking the full weight and force of them. Sorry for the delayed reply. Overtime is great on the wallet but I've had hardly enough time to crawl my way back into bed before having to fall out of it 5 hours later to pull another open-to-close shift. At least I get to somewhat sleep in tomorrow before class and training. Ugh.