going rimless?

[duckmeat]

ok so i have ofically started my first build. i was given a 65 gallon cube, but the silicone was cracked and crappy. so i have pulled all the glass apart, and im in the stripping process. today i bought the misc. stuff like razor blades, tape, ge silicone 1 window and door,acetone,etc...my question is that since it had a rim on it origionally, can i put it all back together without putting the top rim back on? its nice thick glass prolly 1/2" i was thinking i could just get some triangle shaped gussets and put them on the 4 corners. any suggestions?

[duckmeat]

also as i was stripping the old silicone off i noticed the glass chipped some small (half of a dime) pieces off, would this be an indicator if non tempered glass?i would think that tempered glass would just shatter instead of chip

[Agu]

Part of the function of the rim is to reduce pressure on the seams.

If you decide you want to go rimless I'd make two recommendations. There are online calculators to determine optimal and minimum glass thickness for rimless tanks. I'd also suggest you upgrade the silicone to GE / Momentive Silicone RTV. It's reef safe and more adhesive than general silicone caulk. You'll need at least a couple of tubes. I used a little over one tube making my 30 gallon half cube. You don't want to run out at the final seam.

[SaltyReefDog]

Originally Posted by Agu

Part of the function of the rim is to reduce pressure on the seams.

If you decide you want to go rimless I'd make two recommendations. There are online calculators to determine optimal and minimum glass thickness for rimless tanks. I'd also suggest you upgrade the silicone to GE / Momentive Silicone RTV. It's reef safe and more adhesive than general silicone caulk. You'll need at least a couple of tubes. I used a little over one tube making my 30 gallon half cube. You don't want to run out at the final seam.

+1

On a purpose built rimless tank the glass is the next size up or more due to not having the support of the frame. Odds are even with "gussets" in the corners the glass will still bow in the middle due to the lack of support on the thinner glass.

I would use the above mentioned GE / Momentive Silicone RTV. It comes in both clear and black, and is readily available at Grainger Industrial Supply.

Grainger #4UH12 for the clear, & #4UH10 for the black.

GE Silicone I found at most home improvement store is great for baffles and overflow boxes. It is not rated to hold the panels of an aquarium together.

Good luck on the tank.