Wal-mart 10 gallon: Tempered?

[marietrg]

I've got a Wal-mart 10 gallon "aquaculture" glass tank. I'm trying to build a refugium. Is this thing tempered? There is a label but no mention that I can see specifying whether or not it is tempered.

[JEFFTHEREEFER]

The only thing that i could see that would or could be tempered is the bottom--But since it is only a 10 gallon tank I would even doubt that the bottom is--

[BumpinTJ24]

no, i've drilled on before. Its extremely thin, had it crack on me after i installed the bulkhead. I barely crazy the bulkhead end on my stand and it cracked. just be careful

[jman785]

Yes, all panels on the 10 gallons from walmart are tempered. I too have cracked them in the process of installing bulkheads.

[emelton]

Tempered glass shatters. It doesn't crack.

[BumpinTJ24]

yea, it didnt crack while installing. I bumped the bulkhead into my stand causing to much tension on the glass and it cracked, just enough to discard. As long as you go slow it will be ok

[ocsreefer]

Just a thought about the thin glass problem on the bottom of a 10 Gallon.

I would think cutting 2 pieces of plexi-glass say 4" x 4" then drilling the same size hole for the bulk head, and using them as washers on either side would spread out and stress on the glass.
Of course the inside would have to be siliconed down to stop possible leaks... (1/4" plexi would probly work best)

what do you all think, would this help?

[Nagel]

Originally posted by jman785
Yes, all panels on the 10 gallons from walmart are tempered. I too have cracked them in the process of installing bulkheads.

Ok, not tempered

Tempered glass shatters like car windows.

the problem with 10's is the thin glass. You need a really good drill press to drill it without it cracking. I know, I've drilled dozens of 10's (my claim to fame is drilling a 5 1/2 g without it cracking).

ps.

you shouldnt need the "plexi washers". Just make sure you dont stress the bulkhead. We had 30 10g tanks at the shop for fish, each was drilled on bottom, never had one crack...

[MarkS]

Originally posted by Nagel
(my claim to fame is drilling a 5 1/2 g without it cracking).


I've drilled a 2 1/2 gallon! Not easy by any means!

I've drilled several of the Wal-Mart 10 gallons. The only reason I've had one crack is due to my carelessness. If it were tempered, it would have shattered into thousands of tiny pieces the moment the bit broke the surface of the glass.

[ocsreefer]

ps.

you shouldnt need the "plexi washers". Just make sure you dont stress the bulkhead. We had 30 10g tanks at the shop for fish, each was drilled on bottom, never had one crack...

The obvious answer is just not to flex the bulk head, I thought we were trying to help find possible solutions to their problems.

Has anyone else tried to sandwich the glass with a secondary material to strengthen it? Or is this just a stupid idea?

[Nagel]

The glass isn't weak. It shouldnt need strengthening. Plexi is flexable anyway, and you can't seal plexi to glass with silicone. Adding anything other then the washer to the bulkhead will leave you open for leaks, or un-even pressure if you do try and silicone plexi down (some silicone would be thicker then others, that pressure could cause a crack).

Just drill it right and be careful around the bulkhead. If you're really concerned, see if you can make your own from thicker glass. I really suggest avoiding the washer idea...

Originally posted by ocsreefer
The obvious answer is just not to flex the bulk head, I thought we were trying to help find possible solutions to their problems.


And their problem was? Whether a Walmart 10g tank was tempered, which we answered is not. Offering some insight on "other areas" (the washer) was some gems of wisdom from drilling / assembling well over 200 tanks... Did it, doesn't work, no need... The obvious answer is not always so obvious to everybody.

[Rikko]

The only 10 gallon I ever broke after drilling it was when I dropped a hacksaw on it (sigh)..
The glass itself is incredibly strong - but glass doesn't allow itself to be torqued. Right now I've got a 10 gallon with the bottom drilled as a surge out.. I have 1" PVC running down about 4", then hits an elbow and travels about a foot, then another elbow and down about 8" to the water surface. I considered supporting the PVC but it actually seems pretty durable with that pressure on it.
Mind you, if I were to smack that PVC I'd have water everywhere.

[garrett gales]

I had a cheap petco 10 gal. drilled at a local glass place for $30 (rip off!). I figured worst thing that could happen is I would be out a few bucks. Drill went great and I use the tank for a fuge. I now have a 1 3/4" holesaw so if i need anything else drilled I'm going to be trying to do it myself. We'll see how it goes.