Question about repairing a tank frame

Scott_AR

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The inside rim of my tank's top frame has long been damaged--it's not the part holding the sides together, but the little ledge that extends out into the tank. Hadn't been a big deal, but for various reasons I want to change to a lid that would sit on that inside rim.

I've tried to look for a replacement frame to no avail, so I was thinking I could trim out that damaged section and attach a wide L-shaped plastic trim strip in its place, gluing the wider part of the L to the glass just below the frame (pointing down) with the shorter part replacing the ledge. I don't need to replace the whole ledge, just about 4-5" on one side, and 8-10" on another the adjacent side.

I've been having trouble finding some of the recommended silicones around here--e.g., the Momentive RTV100 series, which has gotten crazy expensive online. Would this be what I need, anyway? Is there a more suitable product, considering the unusual use?
 

mike550

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Couldn’t you use an aquarium safe silicone epoxy like the kind folks use to seal tanks and stuff?
 

bblumberg

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There are several online sources for replacement frames (one such is aquariumframewholesale.com). You could also consider having an aluminum or stainless steel frame fabricated.
 

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