Cutting glass - bizarre accident

[Sterving]

I just wanted to share the experience.

30 minutes ago, I decided to finally make a new glass top for my 10 gal tank. I had a strip of glass 34 x 6 x 3/16 that I scavenged months ago from an old piece of furniture. It lay on top of the open tank for a minute while I was taking measurements. Then I picked it up by the ends and ... it exploded on me sending pieces all over the place and into the tank. It took me a few seconds to realize what had just happened. I got lucky with minimal blood shed (just a tiny cut on my pinky.)

What the heck happened? It looks like it was tempered glass as it shattered into small cube-like pieces. Now, I have not made any marks on it with glass cutter yet. It was not that heavy as to break because I lifted it by the ends. So why it shattered?

Edit: the glass shattered with enough force to lodge several pieces in the wall a few feet away.

I swept up most of the glass into a pile now, but I still have to take it out from the tank which could be a challenge. I have cherry shrimp there (? how many) and two juvenile swordtails.

I have another piece of same glass which I planned to make a top for my 29 gal tank, but now it made me reconsider.

Can anyone explain why it happened?

[random_alias]

You picked up a piece of glass and it exploded with enough force to shoot pieces into your wall? Take the other piece back and demand a refund.

The only thing that comes to mind is plastic explosives secretly attached to the glass.

[Sterving]

I just finished cleaning up. I got most of the glass out of the tank and swept up the floor all around. There is probably more glass left in the jungle but I did my best to get it out.

[zapus]

Tempered glass breakage

[Mellyn]

The only thing I can think of is if the glass got hot on the tank and then cooled quickly as you moved it. Or maybe you sort of twisted it when you moved it.

What I used to make my glass top for my tank was "replacement" glass from Home Depot. It's the sort of stuff you'd replace a fancy broken window with. I had to cut it to size, but it works really well. I glued on some handles with epoxy so that I could work with it without cutting myself.

Make sure you practice before you cut it. Use a ruler and a sure hand. Good luck!

[Sterving]

Originally Posted by zapus

Tempered glass breakage

zapus, thank you for the info on temperred glass. I just didn't know the glass I had was tempered. Reading the link above it follows:

The #6 and #7 pretty much explain what had happened in my case. It wasn't heated as the nearest light was at least 20" away, and it stayed on for a short time.

If I understand correctly, because of #5 I can't cut the other sheet of same glass as it will most likely shatter.

I guess I'll make a trip to HD.

[jhoetzl]

For some further insight...

http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/glass.html#7

[Jerm]

it went into your wall? And people say keeping fish are harmless.

[Sterving]

Originally Posted by jhoetzl

For some further insight...

http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/glass.html#7

Very informative. Thanks.