this has probably been asked before: Regards to aquarium trim

[dan10342]

here is the deal.

if i went out and bought an AGA 40 breeder tank, would it be okay to remove the top trim, sand the glass where the trim was (so its smoother) and then use silicone small glass triangles to each top corner? i searched for hours, and so far, ive gotten no information.

a 40 breeder is not center braced, so i dont know how much actual support the trim gives it. but i was thinking if i removed the trim, and used small triangles at the corners, it would look a lot cleaner. (no ugly blackness at the top).

i planned on leaving the bottom trim.

any thoughts on this?

 

[acdraindrps]

I would think that it would be ok, but would you really want to risk all the damage/lost corals if the tank ever goes?

A safer bet would be to put a full eurobracing on the top of the tank.

 

[dan10342]

how would one build a tank anyway... as this was also a thought that came to mind.

i know i can go to the glass shop and buy the panes... but WHAT kind of glass do i ask for, and should 1/2" be okay? and isnt there a special silicone that is needed?

 

[suppressivefire]

that will work fine, ive done it with out the triangles but i would use the triangles.

 

[dreaminmel]

Aren't special clamps needed too?

Dan, you're really set on the clean top edge look aren't you. If removing the top trim is something you have your heart set on I'd definately agree with acdraindrps on doing a continuous bracing around the top... at that point you might be best just leaving the trim as the eurobracing may take away some of your viewable space from the top...

 

[dreaminmel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13608501#post13608501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suppressivefire
that will work fine, ive done it with out the triangles but i would use the triangles.

How long did you run it that way? I'm sure initially you're right and it would be fine. I'm just always concerned about surprises years down the road...

 

[suppressivefire]

Yea it was running about 6 months, but i figured i was pushing my luck. so it was taken down lol.:rollface:

 

[dan10342]

the real question is,

how much support does the trim provide a tank, when it DOESNT come with a center brace (like the AGA 40 breeder, or anything 36" and lower...

 

[SkiFletch]

Probably not all that much. Lets put it to you this way Dan. If you've been to ARC lately you've seen Randy's huge lookdown tanks. While those were made with thicker glass than your breeder to be sure, they are also only secured with little triangles at the corners. Top support is less of an issue when the tank is short (as is the case with the lookdowns or oa 40 breeder). I'd say it would probably work but make sure you at least get thick glass for the corner pieces. At least as thick as the tank walls, perhaps even an 1/8" thicker

 

[dan10342]

thanks guys!,

yes i have seen randys tank. his is also about 3 times wider than a 40 breeder, so of course the glass will be MUCH thicker. i was thinking, because a 40 breeder isnt all that tall, the glass thickness would suffice (as it has no center brace). i was htinking about using 1/4 thick triangles to support the corners.

do you think it would be a safer bet to go with a 30 breeder to do this?

or how about a plywood type tank.. where the bottom, and sides are supported by a wood frame, and leave the top rimless?

thanks,
dan

 

[dan10342]

or does anyone have expierence building 1/2 plywood tanks?

 

[johno4]

I plywood tank will not be cost effective at that size. The materials will cost more than a special made glass tank. I honestly dont think the plastic trim is doing much to support the tank. I think you would be fine with the triangle idea.

 

[acdraindrps]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13610871#post13610871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan10342
or does anyone have expierence building 1/2 plywood tanks?

http://www.garf.org/

 

[acdraindrps]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13608475#post13608475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan10342
how would one build a tank anyway... as this was also a thought that came to mind.

i know i can go to the glass shop and buy the panes... but WHAT kind of glass do i ask for, and should 1/2" be okay? and isnt there a special silicone that is needed?

1/2" would be overkill for a 40B IMO. Height of a tank is usually the biggest issue, as Mike already stated.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, 1/2" would be overkill. 3/8" would be hefty, 5/16" would probably be ideal (but tough to find) and 1/4" would probably be a little on the low side but acceptable

 

[dan10342]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13611731#post13611731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johno4
I plywood tank will not be cost effective at that size. The materials will cost more than a special made glass tank. I honestly dont think the plastic trim is doing much to support the tank. I think you would be fine with the triangle idea.

thanks again everyone.

to be honest, i really am indeed confused now.

knowing that a 40 breeder has no center brace, i would think that the glass has to be thick enough to prevent major bowing.

my ideas on the triangles is to prevent the corners from being ripped apart from pressure.
and remember, im leaving the bottom trim ON the tank, so... only the top will be supported. and i also read that the bottom of the aquarium is where the most pressure is. am i wrong?

the whole triangle thing did come from randy's tank go figure haha. i just dont see how the plastic fram supports the tank MORE than the triangles would. perhaps i will try it... and see what happens. i still am open to many more comments however, as this really is a matter that im not taking lightly. i have already gotten a quote on a trimless tank, and it costs A LOT. (taxes to import it, gas to transport it, and the cost of the tank alone).

im also open to anyone that has built their own rimless tank, to perhaps give some pointers... as my grandfather's job in his day was building houses, so im sure with the right knowledge, we could build a tank. but i need pointers on that first

thanks,
dan