Semi-rimmless 20g Long?

[myswtsins]

I want to remove the top rim (only) of a 20g long for a planted setup. Mostly because where the tank is located you see it a 45 degree angle most of the time and the rim really gets in the way of the viewing area but I don't want a flood either. Tank is 30x12x12 with 3/16" glass. What do you guys think?

Stiffening strips - 2 piece of glass about 1" wide ran along the entire front and back glass, on top, in the opening, parallel with the bottom panel of glass.

 

[tyler79durdan]

I think you should go for it! This is common mod in the planted world! Good luck!:thm:

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks Tyler. Any other opinions?

 

[andyjh]

I'm questioning the need for the support strips at all. Not much pressure on a 20 long. Anyone agree?

 

[tyler79durdan]

225 pounds of water realtes to about 0.4333 psi on the bottom pane... makes me shiver without a center brace(euro).

I would not chance it... If you are cleaning glass, or placing your arm in the tank, the psi goes up! Thin glass has a fairly low compressive strength.

-Aaron

 

[myswtsins]

Hmm, from your original post I would have thought you were voting that I just do it with no other precautions.

You calculations confuse me as well. 20 gallons of water is more like 167lbs spread over 360 ins would be 0.464 psi & 225lbs would be 0.625. I am not that great at math though so correct me if I am wrong, but all of my calculations are higher than yours anyways so it just makes it worse!

Considering the bottom rim will remain on shouldn't we really be figuring the psi of the side/front/back glass? I have NO idea how to do that though, hence why I am here.

It looks like I will have to add some sort of support but all the votes are rather close right now. More votes so we can get a clear winner please!

 

[blue2fyre]

If you decide to go for it make sure to have a build thread! I have a 20 long with a broken top frame. I had to put in some eggcrate to hold the top on. It would be awesome to just remove the thing.

 

[tyler79durdan]

I forgot that you couldn't see my vote for a center brace Sorry for the confusion.

If the Width is 30ish inches, and the Height is 12.5 ", the Depth(F to B) is 12.5... This equates to the same pressure on the front and back panes, equal to the force applied to the bottom pane .

My post does say "about 0.4333" not definitively as I don't have exact measurements, and glass width Sorry for the guesstimate!

Had I known you needed exact force measurements to decide, I wouldn't have guessed, and would have asked you in my original post for dimensions, and If my math is off, yours may not be and wouldn't you be worried about the currently guessed, and calculated results?

Im sorry I couldn't help you decide on Euro bracing, and hope your project works for you as intended! GL
-Aaron

 

[myswtsins]

If you decide to go for it make sure to have a build thread! I have a 20 long with a broken top frame. I had to put in some eggcrate to hold the top on. It would be awesome to just remove the thing.

Will do!

I forgot that you couldn't see my vote for a center brace Sorry for the confusion.

If the Width is 30ish inches, and the Height is 12.5 ", the Depth(F to B) is 12.5... This equates to the same pressure on the front and back panes, equal to the force applied to the bottom pane .

Duh! You're so smart!

My post does say "about 0.4333" not definitively as I don't have exact measurements, and glass width Sorry for the guesstimate!

Had I known you needed exact force measurements to decide, I wouldn't have guessed, and would have asked you in my original post for dimensions, and If my math is off, yours may not be and wouldn't you be worried about the currently guessed, and calculated results?

Guesstimations are more than fine, I was just confused about how you were getting those numbers because I am really no good at math and thought I was doing something wrong because with the big difference in our weight estimates we got almost the same psi.

Im sorry I couldn't help you decide on Euro bracing, and hope your project works for you as intended! GL
-Aaron

Thanks!


I might just cut the top of one and test it for bowing & go from there.

 

[tyler79durdan]

I think this is great starting point... THE BOWING TEST, Muhaaahahahaaa(rubs hands together, vigorously)!

-Aaron