wavebox on 8foot rimless?

[larryfl1]

i am now thinking to make my 8ft tank rimless..

what is your feeling of the large wavebox on a large rimless? is it dangerous?

glass will be 3/4 all around...

 

[rvitko]

I would see no reason for it to be any different, the trim on US tanks has virtually no structural function. It is only there for two reasons, psychological- the customer thinks it has structural function and this is largely because we were so used to metal frame aquariums and no one trusted silicon adhesive/glass only tanks when they first came out and most importantly, shipping. In europe if a tank has trim it is usually a drop on decorative molding or a melamine wrap that is only decorative, tanks are made in just about every major city. In the US we have a handful of tank manufacturers and they ship nationwide, the trim prevents edge damage and allows tanks to be stacked.

How safe this will be is largely a matter of tank height. At home I have a 210 it is 6ft by 2ft and 28" tall, the glass is 3/4" thick and this tank is rock solid, I would trust it with anything, it has no trim and no bracing, if it is 28" or less in height I think 3/4" is fine. Glass thickness is the main determinate of strength it also determines the surface area and strength of the silicon adhesion.

 

[apt220]

do you think a wavebox on a rimless 48"x24"x20H" 1/2" thick glass will be okay?

 

[rvitko]

If the tank is new and from a good reputable name brand manufacturer and on a very solid stand, I see no problems. As a rule of thumb, a well made tank will last 20 years on a stable and level stand provided it is not moved or subjected to much stress. The wavebox will reduce that life to about 17 years as would any surge type device. Realistically, most tanks look like trash after 10-12 years, the glass is scratched, seams are discolored and damaged and the trim if present is faded. You will likely be done with the tank long before the surge flow creates an issue.