Is top frame necessary?

Straasha · Apr 12, 2020

Hi everyone, new the the group and new into salt water tanks and reefing. I have had freshwater tanks my whole life. I have had a 55 gallon standard tank that I will use. It has a frame with NO center brace on the top nor the bottom and the glass is 3/8" thick. I have used this tank since the 80's with no issues. My questions is: can I remove the top frame to use as a frameless tank (I will keep the bottom frame)? I have searched everywhere but all discussions are centered around tanks that originally had a center brace. Thanks in advance.

saltyhog · Apr 12, 2020

I honestly don't know but I would be hesitant to do it..... Let's see if we can get a more informed opinion. #reefsquad

piranhaman00 · Apr 12, 2020

You cannot, the frame is what holds the tank together. I have seen people do it with smaller tanks but with a 55 there is no way, thing would bust right open.

GoVols · Apr 12, 2020

Straasha said:
My questions is: can I remove the top frame to use as a frameless tank (I will keep the bottom frame)? I have searched everywhere but all discussions are centered around tanks that originally had a center brace. Thanks in advance.

I would not feel safe removing it.

Maybe if it had a glass center brace, but your tank is very, very old.

LIreefguy · Apr 12, 2020

The tank wasn’t meant to be frameless on the top. They built it with a frame for a reason.
Honestly. Why would you want to take the frane off. You ever have a frameless tank. Salt creep

Raege · Apr 12, 2020

Only thing I’ve found is a damaged top rim (cracked) on a 55 That did expand when filled. What thickness glass wasn’t mentioned tho. I believe the plastic rim is a structural not just a visual,even without a center brace . Interested to see what folks think tho

BZOFIQ · Apr 12, 2020

Tank from the 80s? Dump it, its past its safe and useful life. Buy a new one when Petco has dollar a gallon sale.

To answer your original question - no, you cannot remove the center brace on the 55G tank.

X-37B · Apr 12, 2020

Straasha said:
Hi everyone, new the the group and new into salt water tanks and reefing. I have had freshwater tanks my whole life. I have had a 55 gallon standard tank that I will use. It has a frame with NO center brace on the top nor the bottom and the glass is 3/8" thick. I have used this tank since the 80's with no issues. My questions is: can I remove the top frame to use as a frameless tank (I will keep the bottom frame)? I have searched everywhere but all discussions are centered around tanks that originally had a center brace. Thanks in advance.

No it needs the rim. If you remove it you could silicone in a eurobrace all the way around.
Tank from the 80's I would just get a new one from petco. You can get a 55 or 75 on dollar days.
I would hate to see you spend the dollars this hobby extracts from us only to have a tank failure.
A new standard would be cheaper in the long run than trying to modify the 80's tank.