Can I drill?

[EntoCraig]

I have an older Oceanic Brand tank that I want to drill. The bottom has a sticker that specifically says "This Bottom is Tempered...Do not Drill"

So is the entire tank tempered or just the bottom?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; You cannot drill or cut tempered glass. It will shatter into hundreds of small pieces with a very loud bang. Tempered glass can not be altered. I tried it once.

 

[EntoCraig]

Right but it says the BOTTOM is tempered. I dont see anything saying the entire tank is. I am wondering if anyone knows if they make these all tempered or just the bottom like the sticker suggests.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Look for a label on the glass. If no label, then perhaps contact the folks who made the tank.

 

[EntoCraig]

No label on the glass except for the bottom sticker. Oceanic tanks have been discontinued.

 

[alexpie001]

95% of the time it is only the bottom pannel that is tempered

 

[EntoCraig]

that is what I was hopping, thanks, I'm going to do a bit more research and see if I can turn that 95% into 100%

 

[CHOMPERS]

I recently drilled a 75g that has a tempered bottom. I put three holes in the end and lowered the front panel (turned it into a sump). The sticker said that the bottom was tempered so that gave me the green light to drill the end and cut the front panel.

 

[PostalPenguin]

If they went out of their way to warn you the bottom was tempered but there is no warning on the sides, it is probably just the bottom.

But to be sure check this out:

http://www.salt-city.org/showthread.php?9542-How-to-tell-if-glass-is-tempered.

And if you need a polarizing filter, you can use sunglasses.

 

[shelferich]

Don't automatically assume that because it only says the bottom is tempered that the back isn't as well. I made that mistake with a beautiful 72g bowfront tank.