Drilling

[jmkarcz]

But even the polarized lens trick did not work, as my suglasses are polarized, and I looked att it when we picked it up, all the way home, and carring it into the house.

I drilled out the back pannel for use as a filter.

<img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/DCP_8004.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket">

the 15 gallon sump, the 5 gallon, and the 29 gal are all drilled...

Jason

 

[DHyslop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6585377#post6585377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chipmaker
I just can't see 55 gal such as sold in Wally World being tempered...Why would one size tank in particular be made of tempered glass all the way around when the ones above or below it are not..Bottom yes, sides and backs etc I doubt it. So just what s so special about a 55 gal tank with it having to be tempered all the way around, or is this an old wives tail that has yet to die and go away.

I think it has something to do with the economics of the thickness of glass panes. Even though the tank isn't any taller or wider, the front and back spans of a 55 are a lot bigger than the smaller tanks and would probably have to be made from 5/16" glass like a 75 gallon tank. I would imagine the tank makers have done cost-benefit analysis and figured that tempering thinner glass is cheaper than putting in thicker. This equation probably changed since people started drilling en masse.

Dan

 

[jmkarcz]

I agree. Walmart is there to sell you what you want cheap. Does a serious reefer shop for aquarium supplies at Walmart? No. I can't find anything in the fish area at any Walmart that I need. Except silicone. Think of it this way, can you buy a bulkhead or a drill bit for glass at Walmart? Wet - Dry, Refugium, No, only hang on the tank filters. And have you EVER looked at what's happened to the glass thickness of the 10 gallon tanks they sell? I bought 6 over time from them, when I was in there, I'd pick one up. I was going to setup a breeding system with them. Until I drilled them out. The cutting process is not what broke the tank, the bulkhead and your plumbing needs to be dead on, no push or pull, or the glass will crack. Just the weight of the plumbing broke one on me.

There is one left, and I cant give it away.

That's why I used an older 15 gallon as my sump. thicker glass. And the 5.5 gallon skimmer chamber, If you look closely, you can see the 1/4" glass bandage I put on the tank before I drilled the patch and the tank. This gave me more durabuility. After I broke that 55, I pur a new panel on the back. Everyone does it once, Repair a tank... but looking back, I should have scrapped it, and bought new, It would have been cheaper, and I could have drilled the end like I wanted.

It's sad, but you get what you pay for. I thank god everytime I look at my 75 though, I got lucky when I found I could drill out the back wall. Never have to worry about spilt water again!


Jason

 

[James Fox]

Just to throw in my .02 - I called Customer Service at Perfecto. The rep stated that all of the glass on55 gal tanks are tempered. All the other tanks only have tempered glass on the bottom.
I agree with jmkarcz. Dont ever buy anything at Wally World that has to do with aquariums. I only get my stuff from my LFS. I've gone into WW three days straight an seen the same dead fish in the same tank all three days.

 

[OldmillXxX]

First, please let it be known that I am not a shop-at-Wally World for marine supplies freak. This happens to be a tank that I bought years ago for fresh water anmd recently converted to try my hand at salt water before jumping in with both feet. I am realizing that jumping in with both feet is the best approach. Best to have the expense all up front and not have to fight almost everything daily.

Second, is it all brands of 55 gal tanks are tempered or just Perfecto?