How to tell if your tank can be drilled?
 

Hi there, I was wondering if there is any way to tell if your tank can be drilled or not?

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:

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 :)

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,

Not at all tempered glass can be scratched. What's the size and brand of the tank?

Hmm, okay I was told a while ago that when scratched it will shatter or spiderweb. I guess I was misinformed, sorry :redface:

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.

The glass is super thick for a 50Gal and it's pretty old and very heavy. I have no idea about brand.

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

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?

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

Is the tank 3 feet long or 4 feet? Standard 50gal longs (4feet) are completely tempered. A 3 foot 50gal is not.

Even the old style hagen 4 fts?

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.

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