Using large mirrors for aquarium glass?

[Muni]

So I have an opportunity get about 10 large mirrors for nearly free. They are all 3' x 3' or larger. Some as big as 4 x 6.

They all look to be 3/16" and 1/4".

As far as I can tell standard mirrors are made from regular float glass, same as our non tempered tanks. I have more time than money currently. So the question is would this stuff be suitable for small tank builds?

I have experience cutting and finishing glass and building tanks. Just never attempted it from reclaimed mirrors.

I'd be stripping, scraping, and sanitizing the glass first of course.

Just making sure there isn't anything I'm missing.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

likely to be pretty thin glass. But for a small enough tank should be fine.

 

[Muni]

likely to be pretty thin glass. But for a small enough tank should be fine.

As mentioned they are 3/16" and 1/4". Very large mirrors from a hotel or hospital it appears.

The thought is doing some small breeding tanks. I am thinking of doing a 12" tall, maybe 18-20" wide tank. Than maybe 3-4 feet long. Would be lots of braces and cells. I ran the numbers and the safety factor is pretty high.

Again just looking for conformation that this is just regular old float glass that just happens to be coated on the one side. Can't find any thing so far that says otherwise.

 

[Muni]

Something along these lines. Self contained.

 

[celebrist]

I had an old 100 gallon metaphorical frame with a cracked back. I used a mirror as a patch over the broken panel. No problems until my brother's ex made off with it

I still have a 40 long that I used a mirror to replace the back panel. Still using it 20 plus years later

 

[Muni]

I still have a 40 long that I used a mirror to replace the back panel. Still using it 20 plus years later

Did you keep it mirrored or strip it?

 

[Ogertron3000]

If I had all that mirror and the skill to build a tank I would put together a cheesey 70s style mirrored aquarium. Have some blue and red gravel and Fluoro Orange and pink artificial plants and a Greek temple style ornament. It would be stocked with tiger barbs , silver sharks and some albino cories and kuhli loaches for the bottom. Maybe some platies and mollies too. Post some pictures here and it will blow people's minds. Watch Scarface or something for some inspiration.

 

[jhook]

Watch Scarface or something for some inspiration.

You could just use pool filter sand in a pile as the coke piles.
But, that would be an awesome tank to use as a conversation starter. I would love to see one like that.

 

[celebrist]

Did you keep it mirrored or strip it?

i left it mirrored and with the inevitable drips and dribbles it has some interesting rust patterns. it is currently dry docked in my garage after 10 years as an african clawed frog home. i will try to snap a pic later

 

[Muni]

i left it mirrored and with the inevitable drips and dribbles it has some interesting rust patterns. it is currently dry docked in my garage after 10 years as an african clawed frog home. i will try to snap a pic later

Interesting. I planned on stripping these to bare glass if I do it. Just was kinda curious how a mirrored tank looked.