Windshield glass for gravel?

Vic · 04-19-2011, 11:33 PM

Ok, this probably sounds crazy but I thought it would be an interesting way to recycle! I've been looking on the web for ideas of substrates and have come across several sites that have recycled glass, including windshields, for use in aquariums. I'm wondering if I get some broken windshields and tumble them to remove any sharp edges if it would be safe? I've done several web searches and came up empty.

Any thoughts? It would be so much cheaper than buying the glass and having it shipped.

Thanks!
Vic

mec102778 · 04-19-2011, 11:39 PM

I could see maybe as a sub level to the substrate. But glass is generally very smooth allowing very little surface for the benificial bacteria to grow on. I wouldn't even if it is cheap and earth friendly.

phys · 04-20-2011, 04:09 AM

+1.. unless you could find a way to deeply scratch the surface of the glass.. that would add more.. but as mec said, only as a bottom layer or maybe a partial mix

jrman83 · 04-20-2011, 07:27 AM

Visually it would be cool, maybe. That would last about 4-6 weeks until all the "stuff" started infiltrating it. Then the whole visual aspect of it would sort of be moot. Fast forward to a year and it may not even look like glass anymore.

majerah1 · 04-20-2011, 10:36 AM

Well,Some keep fish in barebottom setups so in that sense its not much for the BB.I guess if you have a filter and some plants to help with the bioload it could work.Bet it would look really neat.

Vic · 04-20-2011, 01:11 PM

Hmmm, didn't think about the bacteria aspect. That's a good point.

I did wonder about the "stuff" getting in there and how difficult it would be to clean. Probably not a good idea to be changing every year. From what I understand bottom filters don't do much on the bigger tanks?

This is what I was looking at, but thinking it would be more of a light greenish color? Then I was going to have LEDs underneath.

IF the picture shows up here, if not it's in my gallery.

Thanks!
Vic

http://[img]http://www.aquariumf...ze=1[/img]

rtbob · 04-20-2011, 04:24 PM

Sure looks cool.

snail · 04-21-2011, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic

Hmmm, didn't think about the bacteria aspect. That's a good point.

I did wonder about the "stuff" getting in there and how difficult it would be to clean. Probably not a good idea to be changing every year. From what I understand bottom filters don't do much on the bigger tanks?

This is what I was looking at, but thinking it would be more of a light greenish color? Then I was going to have LEDs underneath.

IF the picture shows up here, if not it's in my gallery.

Thanks!
Vic

http://[img]http://www.aquariumf...ze=1[/img]

If you try it I'd suggest just a very thin layer, enough to cover the bottom of the tank. Then it will be easy to turn over with the gravel vac and stuff won't filter down inside it so much.

jrman83 · 04-21-2011, 04:06 AM

Looks like your fish will need sunglasses.

snail · 04-21-2011, 04:32 AM

lol, I thought there was a smiley of a fish with sunglasses but I can't find it

snail · 04-21-2011, 04:34 AM

It is a fair point though, I don't think you'd want to do more than a slight glow with the lights underneath or the fish might find it stressful.

GraphicGr8s · 05-25-2011, 10:54 AM

Windshield glass is laminated so it won't shatter into small pieces in an accident. How would you get the glass off the laminate?

Tempered glass just shatters into small pieces. Our front door at my shop just shattered a few years ago. No reason for it other than built up stresses in the glass but it broke into small, small pieces that reminded me of the old glass gravel we had back in the 70's/80's

WhiteGloveAquatics · 05-25-2011, 11:30 AM

You CAN use just tempered glass. Automotive is laminate as said before, also the chemicals on the glass, be it rain-x, wax,soap,windshield washer fluid all pose a residual caution.

We used to use glass marbles, old beer bottles, tempered glass ect. but never did us glass that was chemically cleaned.

Vic · 05-27-2011, 01:04 AM

I found out about the windshield glass, but the side windows are not laminate so I used them. I tumbled them in a rock tumbler, then I rinsed, and rinsed, and rinsed, then rinsed some more.

Decided not to do the entire bottom, just a river. It's not done yet but I am having other issues now... I have to move that 55g that is stocked and I just barely got my fish thru a nitrite spike (thought it was cycled before it was) And then I have to figure out how to get the 160g, established and stocked with lg tinfoil barbs (I think) home.....

it all started with a 20 cent goldfish......

GraphicGr8s · 05-27-2011, 08:09 AM

That river looks sweet!!! Nice idea.

RobertTheFish · 06-14-2011, 02:52 PM

SUPER COOL!!! Glad you found something that wasn't laminate.

I wonder if broken up beverage bottles would be safer than auto glass?

majerah1 · 06-14-2011, 05:41 PM

Looks wonderful!Still thinking of LEDs under it?

Vic · 06-14-2011, 08:43 PM

I like the auto glass because its tempered and breaks into small pieces. Not sure if one wud be any safer than the other as far as what's been on/in them, but the tempered definitely seems safer from getting cut with.

Let me know off if u try any other glass.

Vic

Vic · 06-14-2011, 08:45 PM

I like the auto glass because its tempered and breaks into small pieces. Not sure if one wud be any safer than the other as far as what's been on/in them, but the tempered definitely seems safer from getting cut with.

Let me know off if u try any other glass.

Vic

Vic · 06-14-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majerah1

Looks wonderful!Still thinking of LEDs under it?

Thanks. Yes I want to try a rope light. Unfortunately I had to tear that tank down to move it. But I think it will be easier to do the lights that way.

04-19-2011, 11:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vic Vic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 45 Name: Vicky Langdon My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Windshield glass for gravel? Ok, this probably sounds crazy but I thought it would be an interesting way to recycle! I've been looking on the web for ideas of substrates and have come across several sites that have recycled glass, including windshields, for use in aquariums. I'm wondering if I get some broken windshields and tumble them to remove any sharp edges if it would be safe? I've done several web searches and came up empty. Any thoughts? It would be so much cheaper than buying the glass and having it shipped. Thanks! Vic __________________ It all started with a 20 cent goldfish.....

04-19-2011, 11:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
mec102778 ADV TankSeperationAnxity mec102778's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,442 Name: Mike Location: Lorton, VA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 536 Times Said "Thanks" 246 Times Was Thanked 299 Times in 281 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? I could see maybe as a sub level to the substrate. But glass is generally very smooth allowing very little surface for the benificial bacteria to grow on. I wouldn't even if it is cheap and earth friendly. __________________ 100G->African Cichlids:Kribensis-2,Bumblebee-2,Red Zebra-2,Elec. Yel. Labi.-2, Acei-2, Elec. Blu. Johanni-2,Peacocks-2 / Community: Australian Rainbow-3,Turquoise Rainbow-4,Dalmatian Mollies-2,white molly-1,Dojo Loaches-1/Cleaners:Chinese Algea Eaters-5/Murderers: Dinosaur Bichir-1And lots of other tanks,2-Gourims,6-Rams,1-Arrowanna,6-FW Flounder,1-Farlowella CF, 1-Spiney Eel

04-20-2011, 04:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
phys phys's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,107 Name: superbosco Location: Sugarhouse area My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 241 Times Said "Thanks" 16 Times Was Thanked 311 Times in 301 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? +1.. unless you could find a way to deeply scratch the surface of the glass.. that would add more.. but as mec said, only as a bottom layer or maybe a partial mix

04-20-2011, 07:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Visually it would be cool, maybe. That would last about 4-6 weeks until all the "stuff" started infiltrating it. Then the whole visual aspect of it would sort of be moot. Fast forward to a year and it may not even look like glass anymore.

04-20-2011, 10:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
majerah1 Wild betta tamer majerah1's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4,296 Name: Beverly D Fincannon Location: Easley,SC My location Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,736 Times Said "Thanks" 547 Times Was Thanked 1,128 Times in 1,013 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Well,Some keep fish in barebottom setups so in that sense its not much for the BB.I guess if you have a filter and some plants to help with the bioload it could work.Bet it would look really neat. __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

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04-20-2011, 01:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vic Vic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 45 Name: Vicky Langdon My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Hmmm, didn't think about the bacteria aspect. That's a good point. I did wonder about the "stuff" getting in there and how difficult it would be to clean. Probably not a good idea to be changing every year. From what I understand bottom filters don't do much on the bigger tanks? This is what I was looking at, but thinking it would be more of a light greenish color? Then I was going to have LEDs underneath. IF the picture shows up here, if not it's in my gallery. Thanks! Vic http://[img]http://www.aquariumf...ze=1[/img] __________________ It all started with a 20 cent goldfish.....

04-20-2011, 04:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
rtbob rtbob's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 665 Name: rtbob Location: Austin, TX Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 230 Times Said "Thanks" 77 Times Was Thanked 188 Times in 155 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Sure looks cool. __________________ Do fish get thirsty? How to fishless cycle your aquarium http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/fis...cle-15036.html Information on API FW test kit http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/api-...ion-15347.html

04-21-2011, 04:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Looks like your fish will need sunglasses.

04-21-2011, 04:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
snail snail's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,646 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,935 Times Said "Thanks" 361 Times Was Thanked 634 Times in 591 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? lol, I thought there was a smiley of a fish with sunglasses but I can't find it

04-21-2011, 04:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
snail snail's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,646 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,935 Times Said "Thanks" 361 Times Was Thanked 634 Times in 591 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? It is a fair point though, I don't think you'd want to do more than a slight glow with the lights underneath or the fish might find it stressful.

05-25-2011, 10:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
GraphicGr8s Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 28 Name: George Location: Land O Lakes, FL Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Windshield glass is laminated so it won't shatter into small pieces in an accident. How would you get the glass off the laminate? Tempered glass just shatters into small pieces. Our front door at my shop just shattered a few years ago. No reason for it other than built up stresses in the glass but it broke into small, small pieces that reminded me of the old glass gravel we had back in the 70's/80's

05-25-2011, 11:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
WhiteGloveAquatics WhiteGloveAquatics's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,112 Name: WhiteDevil Location: NW suburbs of chicago Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 145 Times Said "Thanks" 48 Times Was Thanked 412 Times in 384 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? You CAN use just tempered glass. Automotive is laminate as said before, also the chemicals on the glass, be it rain-x, wax,soap,windshield washer fluid all pose a residual caution. We used to use glass marbles, old beer bottles, tempered glass ect. but never did us glass that was chemically cleaned.

05-27-2011, 01:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
Vic Vic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 45 Name: Vicky Langdon My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? I found out about the windshield glass, but the side windows are not laminate so I used them. I tumbled them in a rock tumbler, then I rinsed, and rinsed, and rinsed, then rinsed some more. Decided not to do the entire bottom, just a river. It's not done yet but I am having other issues now... I have to move that 55g that is stocked and I just barely got my fish thru a nitrite spike (thought it was cycled before it was) And then I have to figure out how to get the 160g, established and stocked with lg tinfoil barbs (I think) home..... it all started with a 20 cent goldfish...... __________________ It all started with a 20 cent goldfish.....

05-27-2011, 08:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
GraphicGr8s Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 28 Name: George Location: Land O Lakes, FL Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? That river looks sweet!!! Nice idea.

06-14-2011, 05:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
majerah1 Wild betta tamer majerah1's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4,296 Name: Beverly D Fincannon Location: Easley,SC My location Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,736 Times Said "Thanks" 547 Times Was Thanked 1,128 Times in 1,013 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? Looks wonderful!Still thinking of LEDs under it? __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

06-14-2011, 08:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Vic Vic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 45 Name: Vicky Langdon My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? I like the auto glass because its tempered and breaks into small pieces. Not sure if one wud be any safer than the other as far as what's been on/in them, but the tempered definitely seems safer from getting cut with. Let me know off if u try any other glass. Vic __________________ It all started with a 20 cent goldfish.....

06-14-2011, 08:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
Vic Vic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 45 Name: Vicky Langdon My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Windshield glass for gravel? I like the auto glass because its tempered and breaks into small pieces. Not sure if one wud be any safer than the other as far as what's been on/in them, but the tempered definitely seems safer from getting cut with. Let me know off if u try any other glass. Vic __________________ It all started with a 20 cent goldfish.....

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