DIY Rimless Tank Project

rsanz

rsanz

The Peacock Gudgeon Guy
Aug 22, 2006
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Hey all!

Well, it's time to put my plan into action. I've been planning this for about a month now, sketching out ideas and buying parts. Now, it's time to do this thing. It will be a planted tank with DIY CO2, Seachem ferts, and strong lighting. It will be home to my solo Mogurnda Adspersa, who is currently in a bare 10g holding tank.

Basically, I'll be taking a standard 10g All-Glass tank, cutting off the black trim, and cutting back the silicon neatly. Then, I'll be building a small pedestal from scratch to hold the tank, mostly as a decorative element.

Today, I'll present to you the de-trimming of the 10g tank. I followed the instructions on this PDF: http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/How_to_Remove_the_Rim_off_a_Standard_Rimmed_Tank.pdf


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These are the tools I used -
  • 1. Blades, blades, and more blades! Switch out for a fresh, sharp blade every so often so as to not scratch the glass, and to get all of the silicon off.
    2. A saw - to score the plastic trim at the corners in order to make it easier to remove.
    3. A heavy-duty glove...because I cut myself on the test tank and learned my lesson.

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The tank that I'll be using. As you can see, it's just a standard All-Glass tank bought at Petco.

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Follwing the instructions in the PDF, I began separating the trim from the glass.

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Flash-forward an hour or two, and now I've gotten all of the trim off, cut back the silicon in the corners neatly, and filled the tank to see if it holds water after trimming the silicon. It does! It's held for two days now out in the garage.

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Another angle. It's dirty with sawdust, silicon bits, and hand prints, so it doesn't look so hot right now. I'll give it a clean prior to setting it up so that it's crystal clear.




So, that's all for now. Next, I'll start building the pedestal stand. I'll also show you my sketches for my idea of what this thing will look like.

Thanks for reading! :)
 
Definitely looks different with no water line to hide. With my hard water Id never get away with the unsightly stain that would develop and not be hidden lol. That aside, it definitely has a much cleaner look, congrats!

The consensus even from the manufactures that have posted here say that basic trim adds no support and is only decorative, with the exception of new injected molded frames which are one piece which do provide support. Something to consider for those that have injected molded frames that also want to remove them.
 
The only issue I have with stripped down tank is that not wether it would hold water or not, but more concern with any physical burden(s) which may be applied to such tank from time to time. Even simple tap on the glass or vibration which went beyond their threshold point.
One of my 180 G craked once before even without any modifications. I am guessing due to heavy vibrations from the street as big 18 wheelers rolls down the street. Tank was sitting on proper stand, well leveled. I have added the industrial strength shock absorbers and none repeated since then.

Good luck!
 
Crispino Ramos said:
Somebody from our club had done this without any problem arising later.

http://www.azaquaticplants.com/community/showthread.php?t=10330
Click to expand...

Yea, but I bet you the physical conditions around the tanks are not the same for all.
Ive done many odd methods when it comes to fish tanks with successes/failures but this doesnt mean others would yield same results. That's all I am saying. think of the possibilities and have back up plans, especially when not at home.
 
Would not add ordinary foam mat under the tank nor under the stand. Foam will not withhold the weight of the water/tank evenly thus can tilt the tank slightly which may be enough to diminish the stability of such tank.
 
Cerianthus said:
Would not add ordinary foam mat under the tank nor under the stand. Foam will not withhold the weight of the water/tank evenly thus can tilt the tank slightly which may be enough to diminish the stability of such tank.
Click to expand...
I have never heard of such a thing unless perhaps you are using concrete spray foam or the base was tilted to start with. Most foam is going to compress to the contour of the bottom of the tank and level not tilt, especially over time displacing more weight evenly over and beyound the bumps and ridges that even a frame causes, just like your body when you place it on foam every night instead of sleeping on two bookend. I never spontaneously tilted in bed unless it was on purpose.
 
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