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View Full Version : How to tell if your tank can be drilled?

serratus
08-30-2009, 09:38 PM
Hi there, I was wondering if there is any way to tell if your tank can be drilled or not?
BlueAbyss
08-31-2009, 08:23 AM
I understand that tempered glass panes will show a pattern when viewed with polarizing lenses. Or you can scratch it... tempered glass shatters when the tension is broken :wink:
serratus
08-31-2009, 01:25 PM
Sweet, I think there is a small scratch on the glass. That should mean it's not tempered then? I also have a polarizer that I can use to test it. Thanks for the tips :)
fencer
08-31-2009, 02:27 PM
Polarizer should work. But any new tank over 50g usually is tempered. Also if the glass looks thin for that size of tank then it is probably tempered,
sphelps
08-31-2009, 03:00 PM
Sweet, I think there is a small scratch on the glass. That should mean it's not tempered then? I also have a polarizer that I can use to test it. Thanks for the tips :)

Not at all tempered glass can be scratched. What's the size and brand of the tank?
BlueAbyss
08-31-2009, 08:03 PM
Not at all tempered glass can be scratched.

Hmm, okay I was told a while ago that when scratched it will shatter or spiderweb. I guess I was misinformed, sorry :redface:
SeaHorse_Fanatic
08-31-2009, 08:20 PM
Most tanks will be tempered on the bottom & the manufacturer will have a sticker on that pane that states "Tempered". I don't think they usually temper the other panes, just the bottom.
serratus
08-31-2009, 08:50 PM
The glass is super thick for a 50Gal and it's pretty old and very heavy. I have no idea about brand.
fencer
08-31-2009, 09:57 PM
Tempered at 50 gal is about 6mm thick. I know I blew one out 2 weeks ago. You want to sell it? :) Old and thick...I think my old 72 was about 3/8 thick
serratus
08-31-2009, 11:22 PM
Do I want to sell it? lol, I'm looking to build with it, why would I want to sell it? Although from another thread I had, looks like there is no point for me to do a sump system so I guess I won't be drilling this one.

Why, are you looking for a 50gal thick glass?
fencer
08-31-2009, 11:25 PM
Yes...I was....I am setting up a sps rearing tank so I want drill a few holes in it but I need it 4 ft long
sphelps
09-01-2009, 01:54 AM
Is the tank 3 feet long or 4 feet? Standard 50gal longs (4feet) are completely tempered. A 3 foot 50gal is not.
fencer
09-01-2009, 02:31 AM
Even the old style hagen 4 fts?
serratus
09-03-2009, 07:13 AM
Is the tank 3 feet long or 4 feet? Standard 50gal longs (4feet) are completely tempered. A 3 foot 50gal is not.

It's a 3 footer. I didn't know there were standard 4 feet 50gal tanks. I thought the typical 4 feet dimensions makes up 55gal.
sphelps
09-03-2009, 02:37 PM
It's a 3 footer. I didn't know there were standard 4 feet 50gal tanks. I thought the typical 4 feet dimensions makes up 55gal.
You're good it's not tempered. I figured it would be three foot because you're right the 4 foot is 55 but sometimes they are still refered to as 50's.
mike31154
09-03-2009, 03:46 PM
Even the old style hagen 4 fts?

None of the Hagen tanks have any tempered panels. I confirmed this on their web site faq page.

And here's a link to a good way of telling if you're looking at tempered glass. You need a notebook/LCD monitor or any polarized LCD screen (most of them are) and a pair of polarized sunglasses.

http://www.salt-city.org/showthread.php?t=9542