Are rimless tanks dangerous?

Asterix · 08/22/2009, 04:53 PM

I read a thread today that sort of scared me. I am currently having a BIG (relatively speaking) rimless tank built ~150 gallons or so that will only have bracing on the top. (Tanks are similar to glasscages.com). Tank is being built by a local guy that seems trustworthy.

lol - whats worse, is I have had the tank custom made to sit up on the ledge of my fire place.I am planning on insulating the fire place and just pretending like its not there (who needs a fire place with a reef tank?). Well, the brick is level (enough) but not perfect, so I am going to be using some pink panther foam to hopefully level it as good as can be and making a custom stand. The bottom of the tank will have two pieces of .25 " glass for put together for a total thickness of .5" (which should help make it more sturdy).

Have any of you folks had bad experiences with the rimless tanks? If I spill all that water on my floor\kill any creatures because of it, I am going to be ANGRY. Ill probably just torch the house and never come back if that happens.... Anyways, here is a pic of a tank my builder built...Does it look safe?

Asterix · 08/22/2009, 06:04 PM

ttt

brians4671 · 08/22/2009, 06:14 PM

the fellas @ elos advise against foam underneath their rimless tanks....

Asterix · 08/22/2009, 06:23 PM

I see. I am not actually sure now though that the tank I am getting is a true rimless as it has bracing on the top. I am not sure what you would call this, I dont think its euro bracing either...Maybe just bracing - but its not on the bottom.
I am guessing if you cant use foam under the tank, the leveling would have to be done under the stand using shims...

I am open to any advise anyone could offer!

Thanks

Asterix · 08/22/2009, 08:09 PM

Any more advice or resources into this subject?
thx

IridescentLily · 08/22/2009, 09:18 PM

There are no resources that i can find but i did find links to three thread inwhich a large majority of the posters here on Reef Central have rimless tanks. Especially the "modern reef aquariums" thread. Maybe the rimless folks in that thread can help answer some questions about rimless tanks, eurobracing, etc.

Modern reef Aquariums
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1472817

Shallow reef tank
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1397288

Show me your cubes
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1085721

Maybe checking in the diy section here too.
Good luck!

jbird69 · 08/22/2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Asterix
The bottom of the tank will have two pieces of .25 " glass for put together for a total thickness of .5" (which should help make it more sturdy).

I dont know much about building tanks, but this doesnt sound good.

roblack · 08/22/2009, 09:33 PM

Elos recommends not using foam on their tanks because of the design. I believe foam is the way to go with other tanks.

fishkid6692 · 08/22/2009, 09:51 PM

honestly if your that worried you should have gone with a well known and reputable tank builder instead of someone local. and i agree with jbird that it doesn't sound to good. to me the the tank pictured doesn't look too sturdy to begin with and to add to it the place it's going isn't level.

coral_lagoon · 08/22/2009, 10:11 PM

My brother is stationed in Germany, and he told me at the local fish stores over there. Rimless tanks is what they sell, and the most popular over there. So they must be safe..

ddinox64 · 08/22/2009, 11:19 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1692860

I don't know how to do links sorry.

I had a 60g freshwater frameless over twenty years ago and a corner on it split.

Things might be, or definitely are better today. But they're not for me. Murphy likes me a little too much.

ddinox64 · 08/22/2009, 11:21 PM

Whoa! I posted a link that works. Take that Murphy. Ha haaaa..

DaHo · 08/22/2009, 11:32 PM

Ive had many rimless tanks and love them, very sleek, only problem was the occasional fish jumping out

08/22/2009, 04:53 PM	#1
Asterix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 328	Are rimless tanks dangerous? I read a thread today that sort of scared me. I am currently having a BIG (relatively speaking) rimless tank built ~150 gallons or so that will only have bracing on the top. (Tanks are similar to glasscages.com). Tank is being built by a local guy that seems trustworthy. lol - whats worse, is I have had the tank custom made to sit up on the ledge of my fire place.I am planning on insulating the fire place and just pretending like its not there (who needs a fire place with a reef tank?). Well, the brick is level (enough) but not perfect, so I am going to be using some pink panther foam to hopefully level it as good as can be and making a custom stand. The bottom of the tank will have two pieces of .25 " glass for put together for a total thickness of .5" (which should help make it more sturdy). Have any of you folks had bad experiences with the rimless tanks? If I spill all that water on my floor\kill any creatures because of it, I am going to be ANGRY. Ill probably just torch the house and never come back if that happens.... Anyways, here is a pic of a tank my builder built...Does it look safe?

08/22/2009, 09:18 PM	#6
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	There are no resources that i can find but i did find links to three thread inwhich a large majority of the posters here on Reef Central have rimless tanks. Especially the "modern reef aquariums" thread. Maybe the rimless folks in that thread can help answer some questions about rimless tanks, eurobracing, etc. Modern reef Aquariums http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1472817 Shallow reef tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1397288 Show me your cubes http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1085721 Maybe checking in the diy section here too. Good luck! __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

08/22/2009, 09:51 PM	#9
fishkid6692 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: danbury, CT Posts: 3,193	honestly if your that worried you should have gone with a well known and reputable tank builder instead of someone local. and i agree with jbird that it doesn't sound to good. to me the the tank pictured doesn't look too sturdy to begin with and to add to it the place it's going isn't level. __________________ ~matt~ Current Tank Info: 180g - 4' by 3' by 2'. bubbleking mini 180, apex controller, (2) vortech mp40's, phosban reactor, geissmen moonlight fixture

08/22/2009, 06:04 PM	#2
Asterix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 328	ttt

08/22/2009, 06:14 PM	#3
brians4671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: miami fl Posts: 2,088	the fellas @ elos advise against foam underneath their rimless tanks....

08/22/2009, 06:23 PM	#4
Asterix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 328	I see. I am not actually sure now though that the tank I am getting is a true rimless as it has bracing on the top. I am not sure what you would call this, I dont think its euro bracing either...Maybe just bracing - but its not on the bottom. I am guessing if you cant use foam under the tank, the leveling would have to be done under the stand using shims... I am open to any advise anyone could offer! Thanks

08/22/2009, 08:09 PM	#5
Asterix Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 328	Any more advice or resources into this subject? thx

08/22/2009, 09:33 PM	#8
roblack Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Miami Beach Posts: 3,094	Elos recommends not using foam on their tanks because of the design. I believe foam is the way to go with other tanks.

08/22/2009, 10:11 PM	#10
coral_lagoon Pushrod Powered Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Down The Corkscrew , CA Posts: 1,263	My brother is stationed in Germany, and he told me at the local fish stores over there. Rimless tanks is what they sell, and the most popular over there. So they must be safe..

08/22/2009, 11:19 PM	#11
ddinox64 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ca. Posts: 1,327	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1692860 I don't know how to do links sorry. I had a 60g freshwater frameless over twenty years ago and a corner on it split. Things might be, or definitely are better today. But they're not for me. Murphy likes me a little too much.

08/22/2009, 11:21 PM	#12
ddinox64 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ca. Posts: 1,327	Whoa! I posted a link that works. Take that Murphy. Ha haaaa..

08/22/2009, 11:32 PM	#13
DaHo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Ive had many rimless tanks and love them, very sleek, only problem was the occasional fish jumping out