?remove top frame > rimless tank?
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63425
Printed Date: February 28 2026 at 10:57pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: ?remove top frame > rimless tank?
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Subject: ?remove top frame > rimless tank?
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 8:04am
|
Aloha, Has anyone ever done this? I'm thinking of removing the top plastic brace of a 40 gal breeder that I got at the half price tank sale going on right now at Petco. I was also thinking of adding some glass strips around the top edge(Euro style) to keep wayward fish from escaping. What are your thoughts? Mahalo, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Replies:
Posted By: jdubb925
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 10:51am
|
I have thought about doing exactly the same my only concern is the overall strength of the tank without the plastic around the top, because it would essentially only be held together by the silicone. But I would like to hear peoples opinions or experience cuz I am just speculating. ------------- Justin W. |
Posted By: ClownFishAddict
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 11:02am
 ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61789&title=ok-here-it-goes-my-redneck-120-rimless-build" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: Bryce
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 11:39am
|
I do not have direct experience but have read that the glass is not smooth or "finished" on that top edge so that is something to consider ------------- 65g Reef |
Posted By: jdubb925
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 2:06pm
|
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92244 looks like some people have tried it some with success ------------- Justin W. |
Posted By: sniper1js
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 4:57am
| Jdubb My 300 is euro style and it has braces in the bottom and along the top but as far as I can tell its just siliconed. So silicone is holding it together. So mark as far as that goes if you leave the bottom and do the glass how you want in the inside I bet it would be ok. |
Posted By: Elite-Aquatics
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 10:24am
|
The glass is to thin to make it a rimless its not a good idea. Rimless tanks are built out of thicker glass for two reasons, one is to help with bowing and second the thicker glass gives more silicone bonding surface area. standard braced tanks are typically built to a safety factor of 5:1 rimless should be built to a safety factor of 7:1
For example, lets say a 48x24x24 tank will be fine built out of 14mm glass (1/2") with a eurobrace that would have a safety factor of 5. If you took the same size tank but without the eurobrace to make it "rimless" you would need to bump it up to 16mm (5/8") glass to be within the safety factor of 7 required for a rimless tank. ------------- Premium aquarium filtration! |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 2:03pm
Hope you don't mind: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92244" rel="nofollow - Linky ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 9:32pm
|
Aloha, Your comments and links are appreciated. The tank is a brand new 40 gal breeder. It's shallow and there is no center brace. If the water level is kept at least 2" below the top edge, by my guestimation, it should be okay. I'm going to try it. Wish me luck. Mahalo, Mark ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 10:31pm
|
Mark, That plastic trim is not even close to being stiff enough to brace the glass. It is definitely the other way around. A 40 breeder would make a fine rimless, but the edges aren't going to be pretty as has been discussed. Elite Aquatics- Where are you getting these safety factors? What are they for? Corey |
Posted By: Akira
Date Posted: April 13 2013 at 11:04pm
| Mark , I would be happy to look at for you and do some light polishing of the upper edge for you to make it look better. On a breeder tank I would not be as concerned about removing the rim as I would be on a taller tank. 40 = 20 to 40 lbs rock minus the water from the rock volume ? What is the max like 30g I would do it !!!!! |
Posted By: xlr8r
Date Posted: April 16 2013 at 12:30pm
Your 40 breeder has no center brace? Interesting. My 30 breeder has a center brace and I've been contemplating its removal. It casts a shadow
 .I dont think the flimsy plastic rim on your tank is enough to be a brace. I feel its there to give a finished look and provide a place to add a hood or cover. I am curious to hear others chime in....
... I could be wrong. ------------- When you hear hoofbeats....Think of a zebra |
Posted By: rsay4654
Date Posted: November 15 2013 at 6:49am
| i have removed the brace before and had it filled to the very top. no issues even a year later. |