Glass Question

[Joe]

Hi peoplez,

The other day I rang a glass company in Marlborough to ask if they sold OptiWhite Glass, because I want some panels to make a tank. They said they didn't have it, but they can get it in for me. They call it OptiClear or Low-Ion Glass. Anyway, they asked if I wanted it strengthened. I asked them what they meant, and they just said they can make it stronger. What exactly does this mean? It it necessary for a tank, say, 60x30x35cm (just taking a random small standard size)? What are the pros and cons of strengthened glass? Is it more prone to shattering, or does it have any danger issues?

Please help me out here

Joe

[diver21]

its not worth putting toughned glass near it.

toughned glass is stronger, like saftey glass BUT

if it breaks it will shatter like a windscrean while if normal glass breaks its more of a crack

[Barrie]

Opti clear is a brand name for Low Ion glass, there are several brands in the market

I question wether you will see any real difference in low ion over float for a standard small tank using 5 or 6mm glass

if the background was with or similar, yes it could be an advantage

I strongly recomend that you view both by looking at a similar coloured background before paying good money after bad.

Strengthened, heat strengthened, toughened and tempered add 5 times the strenght to the glass. That is 5mm glass that has been toughened will have the strenght of 25mm glass. Diver is corect when he advises not to use toughened/strenghtened as once scratched its already possibly going to break. Basicly, toughened glass is stronger because the outside surfaces have been shrunk creating tension on the inside of the glass. This tension (or energy) creates strenght. Once scratched (enought so that you can feel it with your finger nail), the surface is damages and can frelease the internal tension/presure from that fault. It may never "release" but it can at any stage. Keep to annealed glass.

The National Aquarium in Napier has standard annealed (not toughened) glass, 35mm thick.

[Joe]

Thanks guys. You have both been a HUGE help!

What is annealed glass?

[Barrie]

annealed is non toughened standard glass

[Joe]

Cool thanks.