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Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V4 #223



In a message dated 4/16/00 2:05:03 PM US Central Standard Time, 
Aquatic-Plants-Owner at actwin_com writes:
chong wan-tong <deweychong at yahoo_com
<<  I went to an aquarium shop today to enquire on a 4ft
 by 2ftby 2ft tank for my future planted tank.
 
 The proprietress of the shop quoted me a price for the
 "tampered" glass tank which she said is more costly
 than the ordinary tank. She stated that the glass has
 to be "tampered" to give it the durability.
 
 Question is: Is there a need for a "tampered" glass
 tank for a 4ft by 2ft by 2ft tank for the durability?
 
 I realised that these "tampered" glass tank usually
 have rounded corners and when I view the plants through
 these corners for too long, I have this giddiness in
 me. It could be that the refractive index of the glass
 is making me giddy.Is it that "tampered" glass give
 this disadvantage?
 
 Any advice is appreciated. >>

Chong:

Do you mean tempered glass? 

If so, tempered glass is much stronger than single strength or double 
strength glass. I have seen guys hit tempered door glass with a hammer to 
demonstrate it's strength.  (I advise against trying this yourself.)  
 
Tempered glass is usually found in doors and windows near doors or ground 
level.  The purpose there is not only for the added breakage resistance but 
it shatters in to smaller, less harmful pieces if it is broken.  It can _not_ 
be cut or drilled; if attempted, it will shatter.  Typically, modern tempered 
glass is marked as such in a corner.  Older tempered glass may not be.  An 
experienced glass technician can tell by the "ring" of the glass if it is 
tempered by tapping it.  

Tempered glass is more expensive, particularly in small quantities.  A volume 
user of same sizes can typically get discounts when bought in volume.  

If a 4' X 2' X 2' tank requires the extra strength of tempered glass, I 
cannot say.  If it does at that size, I would say tempered glass is a 
standard feature.  Perhaps we have an engineer on the list that can comment 
on the strengths needed at that size. 

In door and window tempered glass, the edges are typcially cleaned up some 
before it is fired in the tempering process.  A similar and more complete job 
should be used for aquarium glass so there are no sharp edges or chips out of 
the glass.  The corners should be the same as any other all glass aquarium 
unless otherwise designed for some other effect.  

Chuck Church
Indianapolis, Indiana USA