55 Rimless

**Airphotog** · 10-22-2009, 10:03 PM

I am going to remove the top rim of a standard 48" 55. Anyone have any ideas or have already done this? I am going to have glass cut to silicone on the top for support. Was wondering how much I need? I was thinking a strip down the middle and both ends.

JennaH · 10-24-2009, 08:19 PM

haha- i posted a thread about this not too long ago.. planning the same thing

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...55-gallon.html

dantimdad · 10-24-2009, 08:46 PM

google for a rimless tank calculator.

It's called AquaCalc and it's free to download it.

I ran the numbers on this and it ain't pretty:

recommended safety factor 3.8 or more

With your thickness (given standard 55's usually are .25"):

side safety is 1.71

This tank would be football shaped in short order and then fail.

You can get some 2" wide strips and some rtv silicone (much stronger than aquarium grade) and silicone them inside the top edge (no need to do the ends really as it would only leave 8" unbraced) and would probably have no deflection at all.

I have done this before to a 30XH and it was rock solid.

Hope this helps.

dantimdad

PDX-PLT · 10-25-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airphotog

I am going to remove the top rim of a atandard 48" 55.

'glad I'm not your downstairs neighbor.

Edit: 'just noted you're putting in a new center brace; never mind.

**Airphotog** · 10-26-2009, 03:42 AM

PDX-PLT, you had me worried for a minute. I thought you new something that you weren't telling me

Dragonstar · 10-26-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dantimdad

This tank would be football shaped in short order and then fail.
dantimdad

OOH! I want a football-shaped tank! Superbowl.

**Airphotog** · 10-26-2009, 02:32 PM

I plan on gluing a 3/8" x6 or 8" piece butted up to the inside walls and then for safety I thought I would put another piece over the top that I would glue to the outside. I could Eurobrace if I need to but that is a lot of work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dantimdad

google for a rimless tank calculator.

It's called AquaCalc and it's free to download it.

I ran the numbers on this and it ain't pretty:

recommended safety factor 3.8 or more

With your thickness (given standard 55's usually are .25"):

side safety is 1.71

This tank would be football shaped in short order and then fail.

You can get some 2" wide strips and some rtv silicone (much stronger than aquarium grade) and silicone them inside the top edge (no need to do the ends really as it would only leave 8" unbraced) and would probably have no deflection at all.

I have done this before to a 30XH and it was rock solid.

Hope this helps.

dantimdad

JennaH · 10-27-2009, 08:17 PM

found this link for someone who did a pretty simple- looking eurobrace on a 75 that originally had a black rim/brace
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

dantimdad · 10-28-2009, 02:14 AM

That's basically the idea, but, I don't think the ends being braced is really necessary on a narrow tank like a 55...but it couldn't hurt either and it's only a few bucks more to do it.

Steven

**Airphotog** · 10-28-2009, 05:07 AM

Thanks Jenna that is a great idea. dantimdad I agree with you the on ends. I think I will keep them unbraced that will make it easier for the stands on the light.

10-22-2009, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Airphotog Got To Love Nikon's (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 109	55 Rimless I am going to remove the top rim of a standard 48" 55. Anyone have any ideas or have already done this? I am going to have glass cut to silicone on the top for support. Was wondering how much I need? I was thinking a strip down the middle and both ends. Last edited by Airphotog; 10-26-2009 at 02:43 AM.

10-24-2009, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
JennaH Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: mesa, AZ Posts: 182	haha- i posted a thread about this not too long ago.. planning the same thing http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...55-gallon.html __________________ *4 8 * 15 * 16 * 23 * 42**

10-27-2009, 08:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
JennaH Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: mesa, AZ Posts: 182	found this link for someone who did a pretty simple- looking eurobrace on a 75 that originally had a black rim/brace http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1 __________________ *4 8 * 15 * 16 * 23 * 42**

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-24-2009, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
dantimdad Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Alabama Posts: 64	google for a rimless tank calculator. It's called AquaCalc and it's free to download it. I ran the numbers on this and it ain't pretty: recommended safety factor 3.8 or more With your thickness (given standard 55's usually are .25"): side safety is 1.71 This tank would be football shaped in short order and then fail. You can get some 2" wide strips and some rtv silicone (much stronger than aquarium grade) and silicone them inside the top edge (no need to do the ends really as it would only leave 8" unbraced) and would probably have no deflection at all. I have done this before to a 30XH and it was rock solid. Hope this helps. dantimdad

10-26-2009, 03:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Airphotog Got To Love Nikon's (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 109	PDX-PLT, you had me worried for a minute. I thought you new something that you weren't telling me

10-28-2009, 02:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
dantimdad Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Alabama Posts: 64	That's basically the idea, but, I don't think the ends being braced is really necessary on a narrow tank like a 55...but it couldn't hurt either and it's only a few bucks more to do it. Steven

10-28-2009, 05:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Airphotog Got To Love Nikon's (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 109	Thanks Jenna that is a great idea. dantimdad I agree with you the on ends. I think I will keep them unbraced that will make it easier for the stands on the light.

Advertisements
Get Rid of Advertisements