Can a rimless tank go on a "perimeter" type of stand?

[Shoelace]

Can a rimless tank can be used on a stand that only supports the perimeter (i.e. the outer edges) only, or does it need and entire flat surface to sit on? Thank you. Thank you very much.

[John]

Depends, does it have a bottom brace?

[smallreef]

I would only ever put any tank on a fully topped stand...wether it needs the support specifically or not...the possibility of the bottom breaking scares me

[John]

For instance, my rimless is a Deep Blue and has a plastic brace on the bottom...I have it supported only by the brace...even it were on a flat top the only contact points would be the perimeter brace...if it is a custom rimless (without a brace) then the base should be supported entirely; and should be a clean surface to prevent stress points on the glass...

[Shoelace]

LOL, I didn't want to bore people with details, but I just found out my so-called 18 inch cube is actually 18 1/8 inch. I looked at the available stands for 18 inch cubes and, well, they stinky-poo-poo. I decided to build my own stand.

 

At Lowes, they have these great exactly 18 x 36" boards which would work great, but I don't like the idea of an overhang. I really don't have much by way of work working tools so I am trying to keep the cuts (especially rip cuts) down to a minimum. I was thinking if I put an 18 x 18 inch top and surround it with corner moulding:

 

 

Then it will give the extra bit I need. However, only the perimeter will be supported. Would this work?

[John]

Take a tape to the 18" board, I doubt it is 18" exactly, moreover they can cut any board to 18.125" x 18.125" for you. You're just making more work with the molding...if you are local to me, I can cut you a board from my plywood stash...

[Shoelace]

Thank you kindly, Sir John, but I really wouldn't want to burden... (Plus, I would have to somehow finish the edges of the plywood which is more than I think my skills can handle.)

 

Believe it or not, the panels are indeed exactly 18 inches. I think that on a small tank this size, it should be OK with perimeter support.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Shoelace

[John]

No sweat, just looking out for the rimless crew Afterall, we are the cool kids on the block...

[Shoelace]

Haha, rimless crew. I'm so in that club! I just wanted to see if anyone would say, "No you fool, don't do it." The more I search I see some nano rimless setups on perimeter stands.

[BowieReefer84]

IT DEPENDS! My tank has a floating bottom, and only needs to be supported at perimeter...

[L8 2 RISE]

Acrylic needs the whole bottom supported, glass not so much. I would go with letting the tank overhand 1/8 of an inch rather than having all of the bottom floating.

[Shoelace]

Acrylic needs the whole bottom supported, glass not so much. I would go with letting the tank overhand 1/8 of an inch rather than having all of the bottom floating.

 

I think you're totally right. After I cut the 18" square piece of wood, I put the tank on it. It's not as bad of a gap as I thought. If you look carefully, the wood goes up to the end of the flat part of the plate edge before the glass' bevel. I think I will just get some end moulding and flush it with the wood and call it a day. There is the same tolerance on every side.

 

Good to go??? :p

 

[brad908]

Tank is perfectly fine if it hangs off the edge a little

[Shoelace]

Well, I'll be... That reply just about takes the cake. Awesome. Thanks!

[John]

Except both tanks are constructed differently, one has a floating bottom and the other has side panes on top of the bottom...completely different structurally...

 

That being said, I think you'll be fine, especially if you dress up the edge with some molding...looking forward to it!

[Shoelace]

Thanks, but I wouldn't look forward to my carpentry skills. The only thing I know is I can build a sturdier stand for $100 bucks than Marineland or Perfecto can... But not sure how pretty :o