Aqueon tempered glass?

[cocoaandme]

I just bought an Aqueon 40g breeder from Petco and I was using the polarized lens method as well as the LCD screen method to check if any of the panels were tempered but none of them showed the light patterns. I had thought that all aqueons used tempered glass on the bottom (they say they use it on the website) so now I am wondering if it is possible that this tank is all untempered or if I am making some mistake in my testing method.

First Method:
Using two polarized sun glass one on each side and looking for patterns in the glass.

Second Method:
Looking through the glass at a polarized LCD screen.

I plan on drilling the back panel for an overflow and a return but I want to make sure it is not tempered before drilling. :worried:Haha. Thanks.

 

[hllywd]

Try the lenses on the side window of your car so you know specifically what you're looking for. The side windows are tempered for sure. I've found the pattern is different in different glass but you'll get the idea. Also when you look at the tank, do it outside in the sunlight.

HTH,
Tim

 

[WhoDat?]

I bought an Aqueon 20 gallon high once for drilling... no panels were tempered... I called them to verify this and they confirmed that no panels were tempered on my tank.....

 

[BeanAnimal]

Just a note: You can't count on aqueon answering questions with any confidence. They are now part of a very large pet company that sells products for all types of pets, not just fish tanks. Answers are usually given from a team of people who don't know the products very well. Sad, but true.

 

[Flanders]

they don't all have tempered bottoms. all the specs are listed on a pdf on their website. I just drilled out the bottom of an aqueon 10-gallon, it went fine.

 

[Flanders]

I just checked their site - no tempered panels. drill baby, drill.

 

[cocoaandme]

Haha thanks Flanders. I am a bit hesitant though as I know they are a very large company which means their manufacturing might not be as consolidated and consistent as they imply. I'm pretty sure this thing isn't tempered which I like because a tempered bottom worries me. It would just take one wrong move with liverock to have the whole reef crashing through. Eep.

 

[dahenley]

I have a 40 breeder that i drilled with a 3inch hole saw. no problems here!

here is a picture with the hole cut and the bulkhead installed. ignore the tape, i was siliconing baffles for a sump.

 

[cocoaandme]

Oh wow that tape idea is cool. I never thought of that. It's for keeping the silicone seams clean right? Do you remove them right after you apply the silicone or wait a little?

 

[dahenley]

they make my silicone lines loop professional.

i let the silicone set up for about a hour or so, (sometimes you have to move the glass or it starts to move.) and then i pull it off after a hour or two. i tape all the way to the top. that way your not grabbing between the baffles to get the tape. (and potentially move the glass)

i use painters tape by the way. it sticks good, and it comes off even easier.

 

[hllywd]

I just checked their site - no tempered panels. drill baby, drill.

People have been surprised when they were reassured of "no tempered panels". The only safe way is to check the specific tank.

cocoaandme, did you try the car window trick?

Tim

 

[cocoaandme]

People have been surprised when they were reassured of "no tempered panels". The only safe way is to check the specific tank.

cocoaandme, did you try the car window trick?

Tim

What's the car window trick?

I used my polarized sunglassess on 4 cars but only the back windows showed patterns. Aren't they all supposed to be tempered? I am really confused now.

 

[Flanders]

People have been surprised when they were reassured of "no tempered panels". The only safe way is to check the specific tank.

they list all the specs of their new production tanks on their website. good enough for me.

 

[hllywd]

What's the car window trick?

I used my polarized sunglassess on 4 cars but only the back windows showed patterns. Aren't they all supposed to be tempered? I am really confused now.

Yes the back windows are tempered too. The front winshield is not. I always suggest the sides because they are easier to get to by 1 person than the rear window is. Just to be clear, you don't just look at the glass, you need to look through the glass with a polarized lens/filter on both sides just as you would your tank glass.
Using the LCD method you still need a second polarized filter/lens on the opposite side of the glass to look through.
Tim