Is my tank tempered or not?

[inedukated]

Ok, I've been wanting to get rid of this crappy u-tube overflow box for some time now, and I need to find out if my tank is tempered or not. I don't feel like emptying the entire tank just to read the bottom glass, so I tracked down where it came from....

My ex-girl bought me the tank for my birthday two years ago, so out of desperation, I called her (I know, I know...). Despite what I was hoping for, she's not pregnant OR addicted to crack. darn. So I politely asked her where the tank came from. She said it is a Top Fin 55 Gallon Starter Kit from Petsmart. Now, I haven't been to a Petsmart in years, and don't know much about their tanks.

 

Do you guys know if this tank is tempered or not?

 

Can I drill it and remove this overflow?

 

Do I need to change my phone number in case she calls me back?

 

Thanks

-Ben

[rsaavedra]

Do I need to change my phone number in case she calls me back?

 

Ben I don't know about Top Fin tanks but I vote on this option

[dandy7200]

Wow! desperate times call for desperate measures I guess but, you have seriously crossed the line......

Anyway tank.....I bought a Topfin bowfront 28 to use for a sump from Petsmart and wanted to drill it. The bottom had the sticker blah,blah, blah. I called the 1-800 number for them and ask about the tank. They said all panels were tempered. I did not believe them. I took the tank to a local glass shop where I know the guys in the shop and ask them. They took a glass cutter and VERY LIGHTLY scored about 1" down the seam right at the caulk line on the back of the tank. This made a clean line and there fore was determined that the tank was not tempered (or at least the panel I wanted to drill). I went out and bought a glass cutter so I could do the same test from now on(I have since lost my cutter :( ). If the glass scores clean it is not tempered, if the cutter skips on the glass it is tempered. There are a couple other ways I have heard about telling but, this is how I learned from guys that cut glass all day for a living.

HTH

[inedukated]

Sounds risky.

 

It may be best to just save up a few $$ and buy a used tank on WAMAS that I know is already drilled. I'm terrified to get a cutter and crack the glass!

 

...I should've blocked my number.

[dschflier]

I have been told if you take a sledge hammer to it and it shatters then it was glass. Hope that helps

[inedukated]

I have been told if you take a sledge hammer to it and it shatters then it was glass. Hope that helps

 

 

On that note, check out this link... made me laugh

Aquarium break

[dandy7200]

Sounds risky.

 

It may be best to just save up a few $$ and buy a used tank on WAMAS that I know is already drilled. I'm terrified to get a cutter and crack the glass!

 

...I should've blocked my number.

 

 

Sounds like a time for a upgrade and ditch the bad karma that remains with that gift......

[jason the filter freak]

I really really really don't trust the quality of top fin

[steveoutlaw]

Why not call Top Fin and ask them?

[dandy7200]

Why not call Top Fin and ask them?

 

I called and they said tempered. They were wrong (for my tank anyway).

[Ne0eN]

Most likely the bottom is tempered and the side panels are not. But that's just my guess. I would take Dan's advice and have it checked by a pro.

 

-- Rob

 

PS. a girl who gives you a tank as a present is ok in my book...

[cbashaw]

I know for sure that Perfecto tempers all sides on the 55G

 

If you look at a car window from an angle wearing polarized glasses you will see a pattern on the glass because it is tempered. If you see this pattern on the tank it is polarized if you don't then it's not.