Hey guys my name is Trevor I was a member here a few years ago. Long story short I had a 125 reef tank I had to break down smudge to moving. I just purchased a 180 for cheap but the bottom black trim is broken off on three sides. I filled it to the top with water and no leaks...as of now. I want to replace the trim but the dimensions are 6ft long x 2ft wide and the widest I can find online is 18". The glass is 1/2 thick and really heavy but I'm worried if I set this tank up without the trim that I could end up losing livestock and dealing with 180 gallons of salt water in the house. Does anyone have any input on this or know where I can buy trim? Maybe this is a stupid question but could I build the bottom trim out of wood and screw it together right to the tank and seal it with silicone? Any ideas are much appreciated..and so excited to be back!
New reef tank trim broken Help please
- Thread starter Trevnc1
- Start date
If the tank isn't supposed to sit on the trim, just put it on the stand and get some trim that looks good and attach it directly to the stand.
If not, aluminum angle from HD will do the trick and look good at the same time.
The hardest part will be cutting the pieces 45* so that the corners don't look bad.
If not, aluminum angle from HD will do the trick and look good at the same time.
The hardest part will be cutting the pieces 45* so that the corners don't look bad.
DesertReefT4r
New member
First off i woukd contact the builder of the tank you have and see if they will sell you the bottom trim. I had this happen to the top trim on a All Glass Aquarium 55g when I moved it across the country. I was able to buy replacement trim however at the time I was working in the aqurium industry and have a direct link to the vendor.
On some tanks the trim is also the bracing to keep the front and back glass from bowing out so long term use without the trim would be bad if this is how your tank is made. However on many higher quality tanks like Lee Mar and Glass Cages the trim is just for aesthetics they use glass bracing or euro bracing. If your tank is of this design the trim is not needed.
On some tanks the trim is also the bracing to keep the front and back glass from bowing out so long term use without the trim would be bad if this is how your tank is made. However on many higher quality tanks like Lee Mar and Glass Cages the trim is just for aesthetics they use glass bracing or euro bracing. If your tank is of this design the trim is not needed.
on the spot
Active member
I did they don't make anything over 18" wide
There's no markings or sticker on the tank so I can't find the manufacturer
I've tried to upload the pictures off my phone but every time I do it says upload failed
The person who sold it to you knew the trim was gone I assume. It looks like they tried to do a silicone patch job.
I would not use aluminum as it will corrode with the saltwater if it splashes down on it. I am sure there are plastic/stainless steel pieces at hardware stores you could use.
Personally, I wouldn't use the tank for the risk of failure. Of course, that is just my opinion.
I would not use aluminum as it will corrode with the saltwater if it splashes down on it. I am sure there are plastic/stainless steel pieces at hardware stores you could use.
Personally, I wouldn't use the tank for the risk of failure. Of course, that is just my opinion.
I don't want the aluminum look and the trim broke when he moved it. The Planck trim was busted all up and still attached I just went ahead and pulled it off. That was the silicone that was holding the trim on, it hasn't been patched. I've called glasscages.com and anyone else I can find with no luck. Someone has to make these
I will take some more tonight when I get home. What tells you if it's vital or for aesthetics's?
Ok why would the wood need to covered with fiberglass, also I'm a welder. Y trade so I know I can make one of these out of 3/4" angle but I don't know how I feel about the tank sitting on metal. Do you think I could silicone some acrylic strips around the bottom edge for the tank to sit on and then cover it with wood. The more I look at I believe it is a custom tank because the glass edges are a little uneven where they meet up and also the top brace has no center support and it has been cut on a 45 degree angle into 4 pieces and put together.
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Even better thanks for the input, I still hope someone can tell me how you know if the trim was purely for looks or for support
