Top fin aquariums

[Murica]

Does anyone know if top fin aquariums (petsmart) use tempered glass? Unfortunately they don’t know.. I’m aware about the polarized sunglasses test but I’d like to avoid a trip if I can.

I found out the hard way that
Aqueon (petco) tanks are tempered… it was an honest mistake but I was told that they’re not and took their word for it. As soon as my drill hit the glass, explosion.

This is a 75 gallon tank that I’m going to use to expand my sump.

 

[bgray98]

I can’t be 100% but I have a 75g topfin and I’m pretty sure only the bottom is tempered.(that’s where the sticker was) My LFS said that I could drill the sides. So I think it can be drilled but I’d like to see others respond if possible

 

[Murica]

I can’t be 100% but I have a 75g topfin and I’m pretty sure only the bottom is tempered.(that’s where the sticker was) My LFS said that I could drill the sides. So I think it can be drilled but I’d like to see others respond if possible

What’s scary is that aqueon had the same sticker on the bottom haha. Dr. Google told me that aqueon is tempered and top fin is not, but they weren’t official sources and also products can change over time

 

[ryanjohn1]

What’s scary is that aqueon had the same sticker on the bottom haha. Dr. Google told me that aqueon is tempered and top fin is not, but they weren’t official sources and also products can change over time

Email the builder company

 

[Murica]

Email the builder company

I wish it were that easy lol I’m still waiting and the call line is always busy. Im taking my trip tomorrow

 

[Murica]

Bump

 

[VintageReefer]

Pretty sure the bottom is tempered

 

[Murica]

Pretty sure the bottom is tempered

Ok, i feel like that’s common, hopefully it’s just the bottom though!

 

[Murica]

No progress made.. and a rubbermaid stock tank it is!

 

[Filler13]

No progress made.. and a rubbermaid stock tank it is!

The top fin 75 does have a tempered bottom only. If a tank has a sticker saying that that part of the tank is tempered, I would not trust it. Tempered glass is required to have it's data etched into it. That goes for lami also. Look at the back right corner and you should see the etched info.

 

[Chris H Reef]

I wish it were that easy lol I’m still waiting and the call line is always busy. Im taking my trip tomorrow

Any news on if the sides are tempered? I just bought a 75 gal Topfin and want to drill the back but am worried it might be tempered.

 

[Murica]

Any news on if the sides are tempered? I just bought a 75 gal Topfin and want to drill the back but am worried it might be tempered.

Very tempered ha.. it basically exploded. i wouldn’t try drilling it. I have several tanks worth of experience and unless you have specialized equipment, I definitely wouldn’t try it.

 

[Chris H Reef]

Very tempered ha.. it basically exploded. i wouldn’t try drilling it. I have several tanks worth of experience and unless you have specialized equipment, I definitely wouldn’t try it.

Im going to try the glasses test on the front and back panels of my Topfin today. Hoping that one of them is not tempered so I don't have to return the tank.

 

[wisnia99]

Let me know once you find out I want to drill the 40 breeder

 

[Murica]

I’d be very surprised if they’re non tempered. All the ones i look at at the stores say they are.

Also, just like with my experience be mindful that just because it only says tempered on the bottom doesn’t mean that the sides aren’t as well

 

[rhitee93]

Testing with a polarized lense is the only easy way to know for sure. The commodity tank companies usually won't tell you for certain if a tank is drillable because they will occasionally use a piece of tempered stock in locations other than the bottom just because they have the material on hand.

I have heard quite a few stories of someone drilling an Aqueon or similar tank and find out it was tempered when several other people have drilled the same model tank before.

 

[Chris H Reef]

Just as an update I drilled my top fin this morning with no issues! According to the glasses teat even the bottom isn’t tempered.

 

[Murica]

Just as an update I drilled my top fin this morning with no issues! According to the glasses teat even the bottom isn’t tempered.

Nice, like the above post mentioned I wonder if they attach whatever glass is available in their inventory without regard to whether it’s tempered or not

 

[Hot2na]

Testing with a polarized lense is the only easy way to know for sure.

...yup..

 

[wisnia99]

Just did the 40 breeder topfin it worked!