Completely resealing a 125 gallon with 3/8" thick glass. Can I leave the top rim off?

reefster828 · 11/18/2018, 12:37 PM

Like the title says, I'm breaking down a 125 gallon tank and redoing the whole thing. It has the really old school oak-looking plastic trim around the top and I was going to just paint it black upon reinstallation. However, there is a 12" wide, 3/8" thick glass cross brace in the middle of the top for support.

With these factors & dimensions, would that center brace be enough support if I were to leave the plastic rim off?

reefster828 · 11/18/2018, 02:30 PM

Also, the current trim isn't all once piece. It's glued together at the corners. It also only attaches on the sides and top of the tank. It does not wrap all the way around to the inside of the glass. I'm wondering if it's even on there for support purposes or if that middle glass brace is the only support system there.

hottuna · 11/19/2018, 10:16 AM

You could...or just get some glass cut and add some euro bracing and call it a day..

ca1ore · 11/19/2018, 10:44 AM

Are you completely taking the tank apart - sound like you are? Much better way than simple resealing. Also sounds like it might be an old Oceanic tank based on the big center brace. If so, the trim is entirely cosmetic.

reefster828 · 11/19/2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Are you completely taking the tank apart - sound like you are? Much better way than simple resealing. Also sounds like it might be an old Oceanic tank based on the big center brace. If so, the trim is entirely cosmetic.

Yes! Complete disassembly and rebuild. Good to hear about the brace. I’ll do some research on them. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mcgyvr · 11/19/2018, 04:52 PM

On many tanks the trim is absolutely needed...removal may equate to thousands of dollars in water damage..

Paul1961 · 11/26/2018, 09:47 PM

It does sound like an old Oceanic. Had that 125 once. Great tank. Agree the plastic trim is not for bracing.

oreo57 · 11/27/2018, 08:07 AM

A bit of hearsay...

Quote:

Separately in my searches I found a post where a Oceanic rep back in 2003 indicated on the 120g tank the sides were thick enough where the center support provided limited structural function as some people like to remove to optimize light coverage. They also built a series of 120g tanks, 1/2" glass without center supports from my research as well?
<... don't know about this. Have never seen their tanks w/o center supports>
I have attached a photo of current state showing center brace laying in tank and clamp across the top. Thank you in advance for your help / support.
Doug

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/GlsTkBracesF3.htm
Personally, since you are completely tearing it down I'd consider eurobracing it..
https://youtu.be/d5_N4FnRzVs

11/18/2018, 12:37 PM	#1
reefster828 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 14	Completely resealing a 125 gallon with 3/8" thick glass. Can I leave the top rim off? Like the title says, I'm breaking down a 125 gallon tank and redoing the whole thing. It has the really old school oak-looking plastic trim around the top and I was going to just paint it black upon reinstallation. However, there is a 12" wide, 3/8" thick glass cross brace in the middle of the top for support. With these factors & dimensions, would that center brace be enough support if I were to leave the plastic rim off?

11/19/2018, 10:16 AM	#3
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	You could...or just get some glass cut and add some euro bracing and call it a day.. __________________ HotTuna

11/19/2018, 10:44 AM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Are you completely taking the tank apart - sound like you are? Much better way than simple resealing. Also sounds like it might be an old Oceanic tank based on the big center brace. If so, the trim is entirely cosmetic. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

11/19/2018, 04:52 PM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	On many tanks the trim is absolutely needed...removal may equate to thousands of dollars in water damage.. __________________ Who me?

11/18/2018, 02:30 PM	#2
reefster828 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 14	Also, the current trim isn't all once piece. It's glued together at the corners. It also only attaches on the sides and top of the tank. It does not wrap all the way around to the inside of the glass. I'm wondering if it's even on there for support purposes or if that middle glass brace is the only support system there.

11/26/2018, 09:47 PM	#7
Paul1961 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	It does sound like an old Oceanic. Had that 125 once. Great tank. Agree the plastic trim is not for bracing.