Removing the Rim? Is it safe...
 

I want to remove the rim off a 33g Long tank.

Edit: Only the top rim.

48inches/12inches/13inches, or close to.

Its an aqueon tank.

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets...7981_400wh.jpg

I would guess no. But if you were to do it and then euro brace it... :lol:

From what Ive been told, when a tank bows, u can tell right away.
What I was thinking, is to buy it, de-rim it.
Fill it with tap water...

Check if it bows, and if not, no need for a brace, if it does bow, then I would add a 4 inch 3/8'' brace from front to back in the center of the tank.

A euro brace would kill the whole rimless look lol.
IMO, water splash up on it ect.


Because they say if its going to bow, it will do so right when you fill it.
And if doesnt bow then, it wont bow later, unless you remove silicone ect.

You may have to grind the edges. I just removed the rim for my 75g sump, and the edges are a bit sharp and jagged. I had a 48 years ago that the centre braced broke on, it bowed a couple of inches. I suspect this would do the same.

But I doubt your 48g was only 13 inches tall and 12 inches thick.

Ill also be keeping the water level @ about 11inches to make a solid wave.

Did it BOW instantly or over time?

I pulled the rim's off my 40b and 33 with no problem and no bowing, but I am no expert. I also cracked a 15g while removing the the rim because a small part of the silicone would not release. edjes were not finished like some other tanks but not rough enough to bother sanding. I guess it depends on the manufacturer. I also still have the rim's for both tanks kicking around incase they are needed at some later point.

+1 to checking for bowing before doing anything with it. If you are making a wave in it perhaps do the FW test and get your wave going and see how it does.

I am pretty sure it would bow. Look how long it is, but then again it is not too high so maybe worth a try. In worse case you can put the rim back on.

You could do a euro brace as well. I would not remove the bottom part though, as it is not made to be rimless.

I removed the top rim of a Hagen 21 gallons and it is doing well with no bowing at and the edges were not so sharp but still sharp enough to cut if you push it. Although the 21 gallons is not very long so the glass is not much pushed out.

Ya, as you suggest, it will happen right away, not over time.

with all the tanks that i had with a plastic trim and brace, when i cut the brace my tank bowed. i always had a glass brace installed, IMO they wouldent waste plastic on a brace if it dident need it.

my 21g dident even come with trim or brace. i guess some companys like wasting plastic lol:mrgreen:

This is the best logic yet... It is there because it needs to be there. If the manufacturer felt good about removing it, they would have. As is, they've made the brace as cheaply as possible to still function.

The 77 gal Hagen (OD 48 x 16 1/8 x 24) I purchased used has a rim but no center brace. Being a newb I had no idea whether it was supposed to have a brace or not. I've recently seen several new 77 Hagens exactly like mine and they were exactly like mine, rim, no brace. I actually added a ghetto wooden brace to mine soon after I purchased it since I noticed a bow in it when measuring for a canopy. Needless to say, it was not a perfect rectangle. I've decided to leave the brace on since I personally feel uncomfortable with the bow in the tank sans brace. The glass thickness is 3/8" and according to Hagen, none of their tanks use any tempered glass. Hagen's been in the business a few years now, so I reckon they know what they're doing.

With respect to your own plans, I have no experience with Aqueon tanks, so if I were you, I'd check with Aqueon to find out a little more info about their tanks. I found the info regarding non tempered glass on the Hagen web site FAQ. I'd say it's pretty much a sure thing that your tank will bow as well once you remove the rim/brace, even if only a little. How much depends on the glass thickness. If you don't need a perfect rectangle for a hood etc, it might not be a problem on such a low tank. Proceed at your own risk though, and I reckon the company will advise against it as well.

EDIT: Link to your product manufacturer's FAQ
http://www.aqueonproducts.com/educat...quarium frame?

As for the plastic brace, people tell me thats for manufacturing.

They place the glass in both trims, and silicone after, that way they dont have to tape ect ect.
It also allows them to sell lighting with a perfect fit, marketing scheme.

I have contacted HAGEN, and they said they only put the rim for visual effects.


Plastic is very cheap, so your idea of it being the best logic untamed is incorrect.
The silicone on the tank is worth more than the plastic.

The trim isn't needed unless it has a center brace built in which the 33 gallons usually do. If you remove the trim you need to add a center brace or euro brace the tank. The glass is not thick enough to be a rimless tank.

Alright, I will test it without a center brace, then if needed, I will add a center brace.
I will not be removing the bottom.

BTW:

Tank dimensions = 48/12/13.
Water level will be @ about 11inches.