1/8" ball bearings for spacing of glass

[David Abbott]

I was thinking about using 1/8" ball bearings for glass spacing to get the proper amount of silicon in the assembly of my DT I see some people using tie wraps, tooth picks etc, then inject the silicon, but when you pull the spacing out the glass completely squeezes the silicon out. maybe somebody from the #reef squad could help

 

[lapin]

You need to support the glass after the spacers are in position if the weight will squeeze out the silicone. Some sort of jig or clamps are needed. When you pull the spacers the glass will remain in the same place.

 

[BornHandy]

1/8th seems like it may be too much to me. I've seen it done with hole punches made from a soda bottle. The right thickness was closer to a credit card thickness.

 

[John08007]

I wouldn't use ball bearings, the thought of the weight of glass on a steel bearing doesn't seem like a good idea

 

[David Abbott]

You need to support the glass after the spacers are in position if the weight will squeeze out the silicone. Some sort of jig or clamps are needed. When you pull the spacers the glass will remain in the same place.

I was planning to leave the ball bearings encased in the silicone

 

[John08007]

I was planning to leave the ball bearings encased in the silicone

I wouldn't do this. Seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[David Abbott]

I wouldn't do this. Seems like a recipe for disaster.

So maybe the plastic tie wraps is the way to go??

 

[John08007]

So maybe the plastic tie wraps is the way to go??

I would, seems much safer to me than to have a steel bearing with all that pressure on its surface. Not to mention possible rust down the road

 

[David Abbott]

I would, seems much safer to me than to have a steel bearing with all that pressure on its surface. Not to mention possible rust down the road

Ok John thanks for the advice

 

[David Abbott]

Ok John thanks for the advice

Should I wait until the silicon sets up a little before removing the tie wrap or what???. Also I have 90 degree clamps for the corners at the top of the DT. I'm mainly concerned about where the sides adjoin to the bottom. The sides will stay in place with the clamps so I can remove the tie wraps immediately. also the bottom glass is double 1/2" with 5/8" recess all the way around. Thanks for your advice John.

 

[K7BMG]

The only thing you should have in your seams is silicone. Zip ties toothpicks and ball bearings are a bad idea in every possible way.

I would build a box or support that will hold the bottom glass what to ever thickness you want.
My sides are 24 inches tall. I want a 1/8th inch thick silicone fill.
I would build a box or support that was perfectly level at 24,1/8th inch tall.
This way the weight of the glass will not squeeze it all out.

 

[BornHandy]

Oceanic Aquariums used to leave their spacers in, and they were considered to be one of the top manufacturers back in the day. They used a transparent plastic disk - maybe 1/8" wide, and about as thick as a credit card. They credited their stronger joints with this "gap", so I would say if done right, you can leave your spacer in.

The picture isn't one of theirs, but it looked real similar...

https://www.reefaquarium.com/wp-content/reefer/2013/03/tankpic2_zpsa1fce24d.jpg

 

[BZOFIQ]

metal ball bearings? Seems like a terrible idea.

What about tiny silicone bumpers that are sold as stick-ons for use to protect furniture, etc.

 

[Cabinetman]

As it’s been said the ball bearings are the absolute worse choice. If any weight gets put on them they will create the perfect pressure point to crack the glass

 

[JoshH]

Oceanic Aquariums used to leave their spacers in, and they were considered to be one of the top manufacturers back in the day. They used a transparent plastic disk - maybe 1/8" wide, and about as thick as a credit card. They credited their stronger joints with this "gap", so I would say if done right, you can leave your spacer in.

The picture isn't one of theirs, but it looked real similar...

https://www.reefaquarium.com/wp-content/reefer/2013/03/tankpic2_zpsa1fce24d.jpg

Miracles Aquariums uses spacers like that as well, not sure if they are plastic or not though. They stay within the seam

 

[BZOFIQ]

This is what I have in mind, just gotta find right dims.

https://amzn.to/33ImjSS

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

amzn.to

 

[John08007]

You just don't know how firm they are, if they are soft, glass heavy then it will squeeze out all the silicone. I like the idea of a small plastic disk-credit card like material and thickness

This is what I have in mind, just gotta find right dims.

https://amzn.to/33ImjSS

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

amzn.to

You just don't know how firm they are, if they are soft, glass heavy then it will squeeze out all the silicone. I like the idea of a small plastic disk-credit card like material and thickness

 

[JoshH]

This is what I have in mind, just gotta find right dims.

https://amzn.to/33ImjSS

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

HomeAide FBA_k2570 40pc 3/8" Surface Saver Plastic Adhesive Bumper Pads - Protects Floors & Furniture, White - - Amazon.com

amzn.to

Very similar to what Miracles uses it seems, they look almost like flat rubber disks a touch bit smaller than those. Hard to tell for sure because well.... I'm not taking my tank apart to find out

 

[BZOFIQ]

You just don't know how firm they are, if they are soft, glass heavy then it will squeeze out all the silicone. I like the idea of a small plastic disk-credit card like material and thickness

If you were to use these they cannot be squeezed past the thickness of what you want your silicone bead to be.

If you're looking for something more solid like credit card you can just make it yourself from a credit card and a hole punch.

Depending on thickness of glass you can use the following tool to punch your own spacers.

https://amzn.to/3lzuoiX

 

[BZOFIQ]

Very similar to what Miracles uses it seems, they look almost like flat rubber disks a touch bit smaller than those. Hard to tell for sure because well.... I'm not taking my tank apart to find out

Yes indeed, I saw a Miracles tank that I almost bought from a guy and it looked like that kind of spacers. I actually bought them to do my own sump but in the end I decided to order pre-made sump....which is still being built.