Converting A Standard Tank To Rimless?

[SylvesterGraham]

I've recently come across a 90 gallon tank. It's great, but it has that ugly wood trim.

I'm wondering, has anyone ever taken the frame off a standard tank to convert it into a rimless? Please keep reading, I posted this somewhere else and people seem to stop reading at this point and reply "no you can't" without capitals or punctuation. And then are unable to articulate why they have this opinion, aside from having heard from some vague source how unstable a poorly constructed tank with a tall water column can be.

But im not talking about poor construction. I imagine it wouldn't be quite that easy, and a little bracing additions would be in order.

Has any one ever stripped the silicone off a standard tank and rebuilt it into a rimless using the presized panes from the standard?

I'm no structural engineer, but I've built a 15 gallon, and have read a bit about building larger tanks (building a jig, buffing out microcracks, bracing)

Thanks for any help!

 

[thereverendturtle]

I don't see why not with proper bracing. I would look at the euro braced tanks and try to mimic those.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I don't see why not with proper bracing. I would look at the euro braced tanks and try to mimic those.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

You can definitely remove a wood trim, if you have patience lol

Also problems that moght be encoutered are that the bracing is sometimes part of the trim, so you may need to rebrace the tank and as above, euro bracing is the way to go if wanting to go braceless-ish

 

[This Old Spouse]

I asked this same question a few months ago, and I was told that the top trim helps to hold the glass together and you can't just take it off. Believe me, I'd love to as I think it's the ugliest thing ever! I personally wouldn't attempt it, especially with a 90g, unless someone provides definitive proof that it won't come crashing apart. Good luck!

 

[SylvesterGraham]

I asked this same question a few months ago, and I was told that the top trim helps to hold the glass together and you can't just take it off. Believe me, I'd love to as I think it's the ugliest thing ever! I personally wouldn't attempt it, especially with a 90g, unless someone provides definitive proof that it won't come crashing apart. Good luck!

Oh yes, I know that's why additional bracing is in order. I've been getting tips in other forums that the glass used to support standard tanks is not THICK enough to support the water if you just take off the rim. I'm trying to figure out now if it is possible replace the frame with euro racing without running into problems.

 

[This Old Spouse]

What's Euro racing?

 

[thereverendturtle]

What's Euro racing?

I think he meant euro bracing.

 

[SylvesterGraham]

What's Euro racing?

I think he meant euro bracing.

Yeah I did.

Incidentally: http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hours_of_Le_Mans