Rimless drop off tank strength

[obet_carlos]

i recently bought a 127g rimless drop off tank. the size of the tank is 48"x24"x20" (lxwxh) and 36" in the deep end. the glass is super clear 1/2" tempered. There is a vertical glass brace on the deep end about 2"x1/2" all the way to the bottom. My question is, do you think that i can leave this tank rimless or do i have to add bracing on top? I've added a tank pic below for reference.. thanks!

 

[AcroporAddict]

I cannot help you with your question, but looks like an awsome tank. Good luck with it. You should post a build thread.

 

[alexander_ktn]

You should be able to leave it rimless - all my tanks are & I never had any problems.

I don't know about the glass thickness on the deep side, but I would guess the tank builder will have used sufficiently strong glass (since it depends on the depth of the tank mainly).

 

[AcroporAddict]

The tank is used judging from the picture you posted, and if it worked fine as it is for the previous owner, why shouldn't it for you?

 

[obet_carlos]

The tank was used for less than a year.. When i got it the stand has absolutely no support. I got the tank and stand for less than $100. I got the stand reinforced for more than $150..haha! I know that the stand would not last another year, since the wood has cracks on the doors already. I already talked to the one who made the tank. He said the tank should be ok. I will post more pics of the tank and stand..

 

[kylathwe]

I think you are good to go.

 

[The Curious]

I think...your tank is awesome

 

[jsjonesrdh]

I would never fill that inside my house. To many points of failure. I doubt stand is perfect. Was it build by professionals or amature?

 

[MacWilliams]

Agreed with jsjonesrdh. I would take it on your back porch and fill it and let it sit for a few days. Just to be on the safe side. Make sure it doesnt have any leaks. Maybe once its filled put a little side pressure to see if its stable and it wont rock. Check and make sure its level. Either way it does look awesome. I love different but it does have a lot of spots it can fail. Good luck. Looking forward to a build thread! Would love to see how you stock this thing.

 

[aleok]

That's an awesome and inspiring tank! I would fill it outside and see if theres any kind of bowing or flexing. If it was build by an amateur, i don't see the harm in adding a glass center brace, or making it a euro brace. more time and money but it'd last forever.

 

[obet_carlos]

thanks for the concern.. i got this tank from a reefer that transferred apartments and temporarily stopped with the hobby. He used this tank for more or less a year. so i think the tank would survive. the stand was poorly built so i asked someone to reinforce the tank with wooden supports (2"x3" thick wood to be exact).

FYI, The L-shaped glass panel is one solid piece of glass.. no joints. the two L-shaped panels and the tall side panel are tempered glass.

 

[rwb500]

how can you ensure that the stand has the right amount of height between levels, and will remain that way when the tank is full? watch carefully.

if all of the glass is tempered, hopefully it has the strength to stay together despite a less than perfect stand.

this will be absolutely awesome when stocked. was the previous owner on RC? I know have seen something very similar on here.

 

[obet_carlos]

Im not sure if the previous owner was an RC member.. maybe.. I got the tank with the stand. I just added some vertical and horizontal braces. You wouldnt believe how bad the design of the stand was when i got it. No horizontal brace at the top and no vertical support. Just 3/4" plywood. hopefully it will last because i already transfered my livestock in this new tank..

 

[coralreefdoc]

Stand is crucial, especially with drop off style aquariums. A very unique style, which can be wonderfully displayed if aquarist/owner is proficient in the art/science of aquascaping.

Ensure that you place layer of styrofoam sheet, preferably 3/4", underneath the two bases in order to help prevent pressure points from developing !

Let's just say tempered glass does not appreciate acute pressure ...

 

[Jonviviano]

Bump! What a dream tank. Would love to see more photos of inside stand, equipment and tank. Good luck!

 

[Ruu]

I didn't realize that I needed one of these until right now.

 

[obet_carlos]

if it worked out for a year or so, does it mean the design is already safe? i mean the tank was operational for more 1 year already before i got it.

im just a little bit busy so no pictures yet.

 

[jsjonesrdh]

No, there are plenty of tanks that fail after a year. It will be difficult to build a stand that perfectly supports that aquarium. Do you know what silicone was used? How accurate were glass cuts?

It may last for 10 yrs or more. It may fail next month. I'm just saying that unless the builder was a professional, and it sounds like he/she wasn't, I would never risk that in my home. to each their own though.

 

[Overgrown]

Can't speak for other manufacturers but I get my tanks from Lee Mar and they won't build a rimless taller than 20". At 21"-23" they require a Euro, at 24" and above they require centerbraces.
I'd say you're prob alright however, depending on the quality of the silicone that was used, simply because the step down in that tank is taking up a ton of your water volume. I order Euros even on shallow tanks, because I prefer the flow capabilites and I like the added security.

 

[Koral_Keeper]

I've seen pics of that tank up and running on one of my forums. It's an awsome tank, and I don't think you will have issues.