Drilling the Back of 75 gallon Tank

[Ou8me2]

I'm wondering and I'm unsure if I should drill the back glass on a 75 gallon tank. There is a sticker on the bottom that says it is tempered. It's an old tank and was made by Perfecto in Nov 94. I have reached out by email to Marineland, but I'm not sure I'll get an answer to it being how old the tank is currently.

I've done a lot of reading and I even did the polarized test with sunglasses and a laptop. I have seen many say just because the bottom is tempered doesn't mean all sides are tempered.

My test with the Sunglasses really didn't make me feel better 100%. I did it but I don't get a full blackout like many videos show. However, doesn't have any lines or visible distortion. What I get on Tempered glass with the cheap Walmart polarized glasses are rainbows. Even confirmed the rainbow on my phone tempered glass protector... vivid rainbows.

I have also reached out to a local glass company and asked it they had the tool which would be able to confirm if it is or not. Still waiting to see if they have one.

Part of me says: Just do it, cause I got a smoking deal on it and I could make my money back just selling the stand and canopy. The other part says: I don't wanna clean up a mess. :lmao:

 

[mcgyvr]

With polarized glasses you will get... rainbows...checkerboard, crosshatched lines, etc..
like this when its tempered.. A full blackout ain't gonna happen..
http://polymath07.blogspot.com/2010/04/fun-with-polaroid-shades.html
or this
http://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...-back-window-new-rx8-car-window-polarized.jpg

and if you don't see anything like that on the back then.... go for it..

 

[LXXero]

its usually only the bottoms that are tempered not the backs/sides/fronts/etc....i do think some brands have made all-tempered 55's but that's somewhat unusual on a 75g.

 

[Skaters216]

Worst thing that happens it breaks and you get a bigger Tank,,, all kidding aside I would look into this more before drilling

 

[Ou8me2]

With polarized glasses you will get... rainbows...checkerboard, crosshatched lines, etc..
like this when its tempered.. A full blackout ain't gonna happen..
http://polymath07.blogspot.com/2010/04/fun-with-polaroid-shades.html
or this
http://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...-back-window-new-rx8-car-window-polarized.jpg

and if you don't see anything like that on the back then.... go for it..

I don't see any lines, circles or spots on the back, side or front panels. I see vivid rainbows on the bottom.

Also got email back from Marineland " Thanks for your inquiry. In the case of the 75 gallon tanks, only the bottom panel is tempered. If the tank is drilled or otherwise altered however, it would void the warranty. "

I'm not sure about a warranty cause this tank is so old anyways and I have no proof I bought it. Which I am guessing they would require anyways.

 

[mcgyvr]

I don't see any lines, circles or spots on the back, side or front panels. I see vivid rainbows on the bottom.

Also got email back from Marineland " Thanks for your inquiry. In the case of the 75 gallon tanks, only the bottom panel is tempered. If the tank is drilled or otherwise altered however, it would void the warranty. "

I'm not sure about a warranty cause this tank is so old anyways and I have no proof I bought it. Which I am guessing they would require anyways.

yes.. warranty is gone... back is not tempered.. drill away..

 

[RussWalters]

I just drilled the same brand 75 gallon with the same sticker on the bottom and no issues. Granted, but tank was new, but I would be willing to bet that tempered sticker only reference the bottom. I confirmed that for my tank with the manufacturer.

All the research I did made me feel very comfortable that 75's do not typically have tempered sides.

 

[thomas.torode]

Don't shatter it Dx

 

[Capsle]

I had the same tank with an orange sticker at the bottom saying tempered. It is only the bottom panel that is tempered.

I drilled my tank about a month ago. No issues.

 

[godspeed]

I just purchased some polarized sunglasses as well. My tank had a sticker on the bottom as well. Placed a laptop in the tank and saw it was good to go so I drilled away. its all good not. get the glasses.

 

[Ou8me2]

I drilled it and it came out just fine. Thanks for the comments.