Found Tank, Do I need to Replace Rim/Frame??

[bettasusa]

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #D9EDF7"]OK, so this morning while walking the pooch I saw a gentlemen looking at what seemed to be a regular fish tank. However when I walked by it was a really nice box front! So when he started walking away, I of course headed straight to it. I picked it up without much inspection except to see if there was any major damage and hulled it inside. Took it into the bathroom and started filling her up. Seems to hold water+ Great condition+ BUT...the rim/frame is broken and I don't know if this will cause any issues with it being filled up or not and I am now wanting to take the whole frame off just to inspect the entire glass area to make sure. Here is a photo. Any expert aquariums people please let me know what I can do to solve the issue. Does it really need the frame to be filled and work? Can I use it like this? Should and possibly where can I find a replacement frame? Thanks in advance! Lui.

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #D9EDF7"]sorry measurements (rough) are 24" Long x 15" Wide at widest point x 30 3/4" high








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[skjl47]

Hello; I am not an expert but have a story. Back in the 50's and 60's aquariums came with metal frames. They were either stainless steel or painted angle iron, with the stainless being more expensive. I was a kid and had little money so my first tanks had the cheaper painted iron external frames. Two tanks survived and I still have them. The stainless tank still has the frame intact.
The painted iron frame of the 20 long rusted away many years ago. I sealed the inner seams with silicone and have resealed it a few times. It has been used many times since the frame has been completly gone with the silicone holding it together. I did at one point silicone plastic angle strips to the outside corners to keep from chipping the glass edges.
My guess is that your tank can be made leak free and will hold together with just silicone. The frame likely gives some protection and cushioning on the bottom. I put my tank on a piece of plywood to help protect the bottom when moving it. The frame around the top may largely be to help protect the glass edges and make a nice looking finish. I tend to think that the silicone is the most important part of holding a tank together.

 

[bettasusa]

wow, thanks for the input. I'm going to try and refill it today and let her dry out and reseal with silicon again.

 

[F1 VET]

My 90 has a split rail in the middle of the top brace, i make sure she sits level and its in a safe area to avoid stress. Its there to stiffin it up and what not but with 1/3" glass its adhered very well!