Rimless: How safe? Does it matter?

[Bbentler]

I am looking to possibly take the rim off of my new aquarium. I have been looking a little into and it seems pretty safe to do. It's a 58g all glass. I just think rimless looks so much better and I can't afford Elos, so is it safe? Has anyone else done this with much sucess?

 

[jener8tionx]

I think rimless tanks have a different bracing. If it was a 10g, I'd say go for it, but a 58, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[hebygb]

58g tanks are 24" tall (at least that is what mine is), thats a lot of pressure exerted on those sides.

I would never consider removing the trim from a 10 gal, the glass is too thin.

 

[RokleM]

For the most part, rimless tanks that are properly built that way are safe. I wouldn't recommend buying an off the shelf tank and then making it rimless however.

There are other options like acrylic eurobracing/etc, but there are issues with bonding the two materials.

 

[fishysteve]

I say go for it. I'm sure the manufacturer put it on there strictly for looks.

 

[coralnut99]

One of the things you'll notice about the way tanks have been built over the last 20 or 30 years, is that they've gotten lighter. That makes the manufacturer's material cost lower by using thinner glass. The strength lost by using thinner glass was replaced with well-engineered one-piece top and bottom bracing. Since the top is open, the tank faces the most pressure and displays the most bowing when filled. The one-piece braces "corral" the bowing effect. So in short, the tank has been engineered to operate safely with the plastic brace on. If you don't replace it with eurobracing, you're taking a risk.

 

[coralnut99]

To put it another way, rimless tanks have been engineered to be rimless. They use thicker glass.

 

[Bbentler]

Fair enough. It just seems that this tank has thicker glass (and is quite heavy). It was the only reason I was thinking about trying it. But I definately do understand the engineering take. I think for safety leaving it on is the best answer.

 

[fishysteve]

Good choice. Have fun with the new tank.

 

[coralnut99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14307595#post14307595 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bbentler
Fair enough. It just seems that this tank has thicker glass (and is quite heavy). It was the only reason I was thinking about trying it. But I definately do understand the engineering take. I think for safety leaving it on is the best answer.

Tank height has a great deal to do with glass thickness. All tanks that are 24" tall will have thicker glass than shorter tanks with the same footprint even with a plastic rim. So your tank was "engineered" with thicker glass as well as a top brace. The tank may very well hold up fine without the brace. But there will most likely be visible bowing. It's just a matter of how comfortable you are with that. There's very few sure things out there, but some things are just more probable than others.

 

[boozeman]

Rimless tanks are designed/built to handle the added stress of not having a brace

 

[jasonh]

Not to mention...have you ever taken a brace off of a tank?

1, it's hard to do. 2, it's ugly. The brace can hide some small imperfections like the panes of glass not lining up on the top.

 

[coralnut99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14309068#post14309068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonh
Not to mention...have you ever taken a brace off of a tank?

1, it's hard to do. 2, it's ugly. The brace can hide some small imperfections like the panes of glass not lining up on the top.

I think we've all driven the point home, but Jasonh brings up something that seems to go by the boards when this subject comes up. As he said, just getting the trim off is an accomplishment, but what you're left with is a horrible candidate for a rimless tank. Even beyond panels not lining up, the edges often aren't seemed and are razor sharp, so you'd have the additional task of dealing with those edges. So those pieces of trim allow the Mfr. to save a few more $ by just assembling freshly cut glass, that isn't 100% perfect in size.

 

[Slpolo121]

I don't think it for looks but if that works then great if not then 58 gallon of water is no fun. good luck

 

[Bbentler]

Thanks so much guys. Too ellos are so expensive. The are just so beautiful.

 

[TIMMYE]

there are some companies that make some very cost effective smaller rimmless tanks. A couple people in our local club have bought from Glass cages, one person more than once and have been very happy. But they always meet at a show for pick up. I know not everyone likes glasscages, I am neutral since I do not have first hand experience. HTH

 

[Chibils]

In my observation, Glasscages has stepped it up some. In the past, custom tanks were something to bring in free money as they had all the revenue they needed producing cheap wholesale "standard" tanks. Nowadays, since their demand and reputation for low prices has grown, I think they take it a bit more seriously. Just don't ask for too much.

jmo.

 

[widmer]

I love my rimless tank from glass cages. They used really thick glass too, much better than I was anticipating.