rimless aquarium

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equidae9854

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 14, 2006
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So, I called a couple of LFS's today asking if they'd be able to order me a rimless (I just want a 20 high). The three of them said "no" because 1) it would be very expensive, and 2) it would be a liability for them, since rimlesses are not as sturdy and are prone to "accidents"

Then, one of the pet stores told me that I would be able to get a regular 20 high and then just carefully remove the rims on it. And then obviously trim away the excess silicone from where the rims were, etc. Is this true? Are rimless tanks constructed any differently from regular tanks, perhaps in terms of extra stability or reinforcement? The way in which the silicone was applied? The amount of silicone? etc? Would a tank with the rims removed still hold up with all the water in it?

Pretty much, I would like a 20 high rimless, without having to spend an arm and a leg for it.

Thanks for any help.
 
yeah, i think youll find lots of info on removing the plastic trim if you do a google search. lots of the planted tank guys do this.

or, you can order some of nicest looking rimless tanks available, but it will cost you. check out www.adana-usa.com
 
or go to Glasscages.com
 
well as for taking a normal tank and taking the rim off of it, its do-able.
i just took the rim off a 33 gal in order to make my sump, but a word of warning, the glass is not finished under the rim and is very sharp(i learned the hard way)
you could probably do this and just smooth the glass out yourself. being very carfull not to cut yourself in the process.
and as for the tank being built any different, i highly doubt it, the only thing that would be any diffferent would be the fact that the glass would not be finnished on a tank with a plastic rim, and yes they hold water quite fine without the rim, its only flimsy plastic anyways. :)
my sump is full right now and pumping without the rim as i have it off while i make a plexi-glass lid for it, so i wouldnt worry about it not holding water. this is just IMHO
 
i would hope all mfg. are using the the strongest adhesive they can. saying that tall tanks would not be the best choice for rimless. my thought would be that if you want a rimless tank cutting the top off is probably worse for the tank as you may comprimise the side in the process. build your own, 1/4" glass is pretty affordable. and you can be sure the seams are sound:) the rimless tanks i've seen have been for overflow tanks, which need a stand just for that.
 
I would sy without knowing for sure that the only differance in a rimeless that small Might be the glass thinkness. if you have thicker glass it will tank that much more to bow. I know that I test filled a 55 that had a broke frame and when the broken part gave wat it bowed out about 3" It was a pretty tense moment. So a rimless might just have thinker glass to resist the bowing from teh water pressure. But a 20 should not have that much water pressure the panels would need alot of pressure to bow b/c they are not that large.
 
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