Going rimless?

[brisco15]

How do you know if a tank can have the top rim removed? Got an awesome 12 gal freebie tank from a member a few months back and it's going strong! About to upgrade the lights to put some coral in and thought the tank would look 10 x better rimless. At the same time I don't wanna destroy the tank.

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This is the tank thanks for any input

 

[danielll]

I would suggest just buying a rimless tank personally. Why risk it?

 

[brisco15]

Yeah it's fully functional as is wasn't trying to buy a new tank just improve current one if possible. It's fine as is would just look much slicker with out a rim only silicone is where glass meets in back.

 

[rodasphoto]

Is that a biocube/nanocube? I have seen people cut the trim but why risk having 12 gallons of water on the floor?

 

[brisco15]

I wasn't going to "risk" anything. Was exploring options and now considering the only feedback is don't do it . So I'm not gonna do it unless I heard some success stories. Rim is cracked all the way through and missing a piece in a spot. This was main reason I was even entertaining the idea. Plus it would definitely look much cooler.

 

[hamnut]

make you a canapy for it will look great

 

[brisco15]

Not a bad idea didn't think about that. Definitely something to ponder.

 

[curtismaximus]

I think you could try to Euro Brace it. That would require draining the tank though.

 

[brisco15]

Well that's happening when I move this week. How easy is the brace to make?

 

[curtismaximus]

I believe that depends on if its glass or acrylic. Acrylic easier, Glass harder because you have to get the glass cut.

 

[eliphant]

What kind of tank is it? Ive gone rimless on many small tanks (the regular rectangular tanks). I've also seen several people even go rimless on biocubes/nanocubes, even the 29 gallon ones. At 12 gallons there shouldnt be any problems with bowing or anything, just be careful when youre cutting that plastic off that you dont crack the glass.

 

[jennm]

The rim is there for support. I wouldn't compromise the structural integrity, period.

The cost of a small rimless tank is likely a lot less than the risk and/or trouble/expense of MacGyvering that one.

JMHO...

Jenn

 

[atlweb]

so I tried removing the rim on a biocube a few years ago... got halfway through perfectly and then cracked the whole left side. Not meant to be taken off

 

[freezerrat]

If you get it off and find the edge unpolished you'll have to deal with that as well.

 

[acroholic]

atlweb;862972 wrote: so I tried removing the rim on a biocube a few years ago... got halfway through perfectly and then cracked the whole left side. Not meant to be taken off

I've done that myself. I don't see why it would not work, but the glass is pretty thin in a 12 gallon tank, so you run a higher risk of ending/cracking the glass. If you do have a go at it, move all the inhabitants out while you try. I would use a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut off sections at a time. I successfully removed the top trim off a new AGA 180 a couple years ago so I could place a manufactured background into it without cutting the background up. I then replaced it with a new piece of top trim, but that was with 1/2" glass. I used a Dremel with cutoff wheel for this.