Question about drilling Topfin Tanks

365seasons · #1 04-21-2009, 12:15 AM

We just bought a 10G Topfin aquarium to use as a small species tank. We called the manufacturer and they told us that the bottom is acrylic but the sides are tempered glass.
Looking online at various forums and what not, we for the most part find that apparently in topfins, the sides are not tempered but the bottom is.

Contradictory, and confusing, as our tank is to be drilled through the bottom tomorrow morning.

Does anyone know any more on this, or could anyone shed some light on the situation??

Thanks in advance

sphelps · #2 04-21-2009, 12:48 AM

I've used those tanks before, never have I seen an acrylic base. An acrylic base will stick out like a sore thumb, it's plastic not glass. If it is glass, not sure if it's tempered but either way I would not recommend drilling it as the glass is so thin it will likely break anyway unless you're really good at it.

365seasons · #3 04-21-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I've used those tanks before, never have I seen an acrylic base. An acrylic base will stick out like a sore thumb, it's plastic not glass. If it is glass, not sure if it's tempered but either way I would not recommend drilling it as the glass is so thin it will likely break anyway unless you're really good at it.

Oh dear. That is not good. The manufacturer said it was acrylic

. We're having it professionally drilled, so hopefully it will not shatter, as it is very thin.

sphelps · #4 04-21-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 365seasons

Oh dear. That is not good. The manufacturer said it was acrylic

. We're having it professionally drilled, so hopefully it will not shatter, as it is very thin.

Acrylic is plastic and you can drill it with virtually any drill bit, if it is a "professional" they should be able to tell the difference between plastic and glass

365seasons · #5 04-21-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Acrylic is plastic and you can drill it with virtually any drill bit, if it is a "professional" they should be able to tell the difference between plastic and glass

Yeah, we just decided to buy a proper tank, spend the extra little bit for proper glass that's not tempered.

better safe than sorry. thanks for your help!