[ckwatson]

i have heard that most of the time tanks are only tempered on the bottom. Does any one know what the chances are that my tank is tempered on all sides. It is 45 gallon, 15" tall. my tank is an all-glass aquarium manufactured in 1991, I got it second hand. If any one knows of companies that temper all sides please let me know

thank you

[Lazy Iguana]

I believe, but am not positive, that tempered glass will say "tempered glass" on it somewhere. It could also say "safety glass" or something else similar.

Drilling glass is hard to do. It takes skill and practice, as well as the right tools. One wrong move and you have a broken tank on your hands. If the glass is not drilled when you get the tank, then just get a hang on the back overflow. It is safer, easier, and could even be cheaper because you do not have to buy glass drilling tools that you only use once. Also there is 0 risk of breaking something or cutting yourself really REALLY bad.

[glampka]

It's not that tough. If there is any question about it being all tempered just email All Glass. Pretty sure that 55 & above have tempered bottoms.

[ckwatson]

I found some one to drill it for me, who already has the tools and has the practice. I am still trying to decide if i want to do it or not, i am just worried about flooding my house, i rent and dont want to have to replace the hard woods

[glampka]

An internal overflow is much better than a external one. I 'd do it.

[Lowej82]

I agree with glampka, I will by drilling my 55 gal soon

[Electric J]

i have drilled 7 holes in my main tank 92g Corner and sump in total with a glass bit i got on ebay and its really not that bad to do at all. bit cost me 16 bux on ebay. place the drill on the glass at around a 45 degree angle and notch the glass slowly bringing the bit to flat on the surface to make a small grove in the glass to guide the bit. then i got some clay and made a pool for water to go into filled it up and placed the drill in the groove i made and then tart the drill. it helps to place duct tape on the inside of the tank to hold the loose peice of glass tight incase your drill isnt level. it takes me about a half hour to drill a hole in my main tank wich was around 1/2 inch thick glass but the sump tank wich is a 20gH with much thinner glass took about 10 min. i was nervous at first about drilling the tank but when the lfs wanted 25 a hole it was far worth it to do it myself. just make sure u dont drill the bottom of the tank most are tempered but the sides are fine to drill. now i have another local fish store wanting me to drill his tanks for him

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I think the thing about not drilling tempered glass is a bunch of hocus pocus.I mean how many of you have tanks with holes drilled in the tempered glass bottoms?Someone does it,who? the glass fairy? lol

[glampka]

From what I've been led to believe the holes are drilled first & then the glass is tempered.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Now that makes sense.....DUH lol

[ckwatson]

well i got my tank drilled yesterday and it all worked out fine, I am one more step closer to filling the tank. Also cut all my baffles to go in the 25 gallon i will be using for my sump just have to silicone them in place. I have to build my overflow box still, any ideas of how to attach it to the glass it will be made out of 1/4 acrylic.

[Lowej82]

so do you think its something you could have done w/o a prob on first try?