Rimless 75 Gallon?

[Golden_Pygo]

Hey everyone,

I'm finally getting back into the hobby after taking a break. My last tank was a 125-gallon housing a Super Red Dragon Flowerhorn that I raised for two years. Sadly, I lost him to illness despite trying everything, and I was so heartbroken that I ended up selling all my gear.

I recently picked up a few tanks, including a used 75 gallon that feels incredibly heavy and has very thick glass. I plan to use it at my business location, and I'd love to go for a modern rimless look (something I've never done before).

The immediate issue is that the black plastic bracing is cracked on both the top and bottom sections of the tank.

My big questions are around the structural integrity, especially if I remove the top rim:

1. Is it possible/safe to remove the top rim on a 75-gallon tank? - I have read many mixed opinions and I'm not sure what to believe.
2. Could I rely on those rimless corner braces I've seen on Amazon?
3. Is there a way to reinforce the cracked rim on the bottom? It's just one corner piece. I'll post photos of that part next time I get to the tank.

I've already started stripping all the nasty old silicone from the top and inside, because it needs a complete refresh anyway. I have someone building a custom stand and I'm excited to get this rolling.

Any thoughts/opinions on the bracing?

Thanks in advance and here are some pics. I'll get better ones soon.

 

[M1A1]

Please measure the actual thickness on all glass panes. That info is needed to answer 1. & 2. If the tank has non-standard dimensions then that is important as well otherwise we assume it's 48" x 18" x 21", nominally.

You may be able to reinforce or repair the bottom brace depending on the type and location of crack. You may also be able to buy an entire new brace - for the top as well if needed - if the tank is the standard dimensions.

 

[Backfromthedead]

It looks like the tank didnt have a center brace before (i cant really see the top well in the second picture though), and the plastic trim appears to be jointed at the corners, not doing much to reinforce the corners. It seems like its entire function is to hold a canopy and prevent cracks from impacts to the top.

Measure the glass thickness. The long wall panels of a standard 75, 48"x20", will be fine with 3/8"(10mm) or thicker glass. I would still reinforce the corners somehow though. I've never used those metal brackets but they could be fine. I would probably just buy or cut some small glass triangle pieces to silicone down onto the corners.

All this being said, one of my first ever DIY tanks was a 48x18x20 75g made entirely with 3/8" glass, no bracing at all, and GE 1 silicone. I used it for 3-4 years before scrapping it with no problems.

Mind you there's no guarantees with these kind of DIY shenanigans. There's an inherent risk in altering the tanks design and no one here can be sure of anything just looking at a couple pictures.

 

[jjohnwm]

Those corner clips look to me like they not only won't do anything useful, but with a screw binding against the glass the potential for overtightening and cracking seems uncomfortably high. I wouldn't touch 'em with a ten foot pole.

That top brace on the tank now is pretty much non-functional. Doesn't appear to ever have had a crossbrace, not that those flimsy plastic things do much anyway. I'd remove it without hesitation and just use the tank. If you really need to brace it for your own peace of mind, I'd just cut a couple strips of glass the length of the tank and then attach one along the front edge and the other along the back edge at the top with silicone. You could inset them so that they are flush with the top edge (maybe nicer looking, probably not as strong) or you could cut them the length of the tank exterior and silicone them on top of the tank (maybe not as nice-looking, but easier to do and stronger). Personally, I wouldn't bother, but my tanks are in the unfinished basement, so...I am fearless.

I've only ever had a couple of rimless tanks; I love the look, but most of the places I have lived had very hard water and keeping the top edge clean of calcium deposits was too much of a PITA for me.

there's no guarantees with these kind of DIY shenanigans...

Lol, if I were to consider getting a tattoo...this ^ is what it would say!

Hmmm...maybe a bumper sticker?