converting standard tank to rimless?

[Dextereef]

Is it possible to remove the black bracing on a standard tank, essentially making it rimless, and retain structural integrity? I did a search and couldn't find a thread about it.

I am buying a deep blue 80g shallow off a buddy and would like to remove the bracing if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Pruett-nc]

I have seen some posts on it but I think that type tank wasn't intended to be rimless. If I am not mistaken someone on here was gonna do it .

 

[steve&mari]

Best bet would be contacting them and asking. But I also agree that it's part of the structure of the tank. Being said it'd probably work for a bit but I wouldn't trust it. Rather be safe and dry then wet and scrabbling to save livestock.

 

[vic67]

I've never done it with a tank that size. I did remove the bracing on a 10G and 20G - long. I would be REALLY nervous doing it to an 80G.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

It's possible, but as other have said, it's there for a reason. :)

I have heard of failures after removing trim.

 

[Zoarium]

It can be done but you will want to put euro bracing on it for sure.

 

[Peter Blue Reef]

I've never done it with a tank that size. I did remove the bracing on a 10G and 20G - long. I would be REALLY nervous doing it to an 80G.

+1......Really I wouldn't be comfortably doing it to a tank that is over 18" tall. The hydrostatic pressure against the tank's wall depends on how deep the tank is. Gravity is what is causing the water to push against the glass with most of the weight on the bottom pane. Therefore the pressure against the glass toward the top is much less because there is less and less water volume for gravity to affect as you move up.

 

[SaleenCB]

While anything is possible....I also would be reluctant to remove the black bracing...especially from a tank of this size. Any tank manufactured with the bracing in place was not engineered to have them removed and function as a rimless. Not only will the manufacturer not warranty this, you could be setting yourself up for a very expensive and damaging disaster.

 

[Peter Blue Reef]

you could be setting yourself up for a very expensive and damaging disaster.

Excellent point! Here's what will happen. You do this too your tank because you really like the rimless look as do most of us. Your tank ends up all over the place and things die. You then get the compulsive urge to rebound in the hobby and drop the money for a good rimless tank anyway telling yourself you should have done this from the start and you could have two tanks now. Who in this hobby is truly thinking about their current tank more than their next one? Work with what you have and move on when you're ready to. Or just order a rimless tank today. Hell I would if I didn't have such a beautiful blonde to put restrictions on my impulsive spending!

 

[Sub-Z3ro]

I had a Deep Blue Pro 80 gal rimless they are nice. Personally I agree with contacting them. I would find out what the major differences between the rimed and rimless. Correct me if I am wrong but when they make rimless tank they usually go for thicker glass?
See if the rimed and rimless are made with the same glass thickness that would be something I would inquire to deep blue about.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

The glass on rimless tanks is thicker than ordinarily rimmed tanks. You'd be causing an immense amount of stress on the glass that would eventually result in a structural failure.