Tempered or not?

[DrGonzo]

If not labeled, what is the best way to figure out if the bottom of my tank is tempered?

 

[KathyC]

Post what kind/size of tank it is and ask folks if they know for sure

 

[DrGonzo]

its a 90 gal, 48"w 25" h 18"d. I have no idea the make/model.

 

[KathyC]

Did you buy it used? Maybe the seller might know? Can you post a pic, some can be identified by the way the top plastic is molded.

I saw a thread recently where someone described something you can see in the glass..at a certain angle..or in some lighting that will tell you if it is tempered. Hopefully they will pop here soon!

 

[ellebelle]

Someone once told me to tape a white piece of paper on the side of the tank and a second piece of white paper on the bottom of the tank. If the paper looks the same color, it's probably okay to drill. Tempered glass looks greener than regular glass.

Good luck.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Polarized sunglasses. Buy some, put them on, look at the tank if the walls or bottom have wierd patterns on them then they are tempered, if not there is a good chance they aren't. Here's a tip, make sure the tank is clean.

 

[masterswimmer]

Polarized sunglasses.

Look through the glass while wearing the polarized glasses. The sides won't be tempered, but the bottom will look different (never tried it, so I can't say how it will look). However, I will say that the likelihood of the bottom of a 90g tank being tempered is very close to 100%. I believe VERY FEW are NOT tempered.

swimmer

You beat me B........I bow to your speed! :lol2:

 

[DrGonzo]

I seller didn't know, but I'm definitely going to try the sunglasses trick. That'll force me to clean the tank up.

 

[KathyC]

I knew there was an answer for this one! Make sure they are polarized..btw..IF you don't have a pair..you can find a Foster Grant sunglass display in any Rite Aid store (and most Eckerd stores) and there is a style on there that clearly states 'polarized'..

 

[ellebelle]

Nice product placement, K.

 

[masterswimmer]

K, do you know anyone that can confirm your claim? :biggrin:

swimmer

 

[DrGonzo]

I've got a RiteAid right around the corner and they're open 24hrs. No time better than the present.

 

[loismustdie]

Someone once told me to tape a white piece of paper on the side of the tank and a second piece of white paper on the bottom of the tank. If the paper looks the same color, it's probably okay to drill. Tempered glass looks greener than regular glass.

Good luck.

These pieces of glass are from the same tank. 3/8". On the right would be a side pane. On the left, would be the bottom pane. FYI, the bottom pane of this tank was marked "Tempered Glass Do Not Drill"
Lissa threw some actual useful info, although not 100% sure fire proof. This would be a helpful indicator. Just like I would next ask the Dr. if the plastic protection around the tank was solid, or clearly cut at 45's at each corner. This would indicate more to me that would say tempered or not.

 

[DrGonzo]

The plastic frame is solid. No 45 degree seams.

 

[loismustdie]

Okay, now do the paper trick. Without polarized glasses.

 

[KathyC]

Nice product placement, K.

K, do you know anyone that can confirm your claim? :biggrin:

Thank you Lissa...
Russ...trust me..I know my sunglasses.. lol
Nice to see you again Chris!!

 

[loismustdie]

I love you Kathy. Turbotwist rocks. Dave and the kids are living large.

 

[DrGonzo]

I bought the sunglasses. I was hoping they'd have some really ugly ones. Oh well, chalk up another one of those random reefing expenses. $20 for the polarized shades.

 

[KathyC]

Right back at ya Chris!
(more pics of Dave & the boys please!)
He can always use them for snow glare this winter

 

[masterswimmer]

I bought the sunglasses. I was hoping they'd have some really ugly ones. Oh well, chalk up another one of those random reefing expenses. $20 for the polarized shades.

Sooooooooooo, inquiring minds want to know. Do the polarized glasses work to discern a difference between regular and tempered glass?

That was the punchline here