Staining and varnishing tank trim, and live rock pollution? 2/22/08
Hi.
<Hello there.>
I am refinishing an old wood trimmed tank with mahogany stain and spar varnish.
<Sounds nice!>
I am curing my live rock at the same time.
<Good way to do things.>
When I had a chance to think about it, I realized that doing both in my basement with the skimmer running on the rock might be introducing fumes into the rock.
<Unless you have the can right next to the rock, I wouldn’t worry. Do be sure to provide sufficient ventilation for yourself and your rock will be fine.>
Do you feel that I should stop doing this work in the same basement?
<No, but by all means do if you are concerned about the fumes, for your own sake.>
Any suggestions on testing whether I have de-lived my rock?
<Your rock will be fine, enjoy, Scott V.>

Scared, please help! Tank trim gaps 2/2/08
Crew,
<Hello Ben.>
Thanks in advance. I'll preface this by saying that I will call the manufacturer on Monday. My new Visio 240gal. was put on it's stand yesterday. If I crouch down and look from one end down the length of the bottom plastic trim in front, the trim separates from the glass in 2 spots about 1/8". Is this normal?
<It is not normal, nor is it uncommon.>
It does not appear that it has separated from any silicone, there's just this gap. Where the front pane meets the bottom pane inside, that silicone seems just fine. Are those 1.5" trims around the top & bottom of tanks siliconed to the outside of the tank glass?
<Yes they are siliconed on. You are likely seeing this gapping due to the glass deflecting a bit while the tank is full. You have nothing to worry about here, this is purely an aesthetic issue.>
Thanks,
Ben
<Welcome, relax and enjoy your weekend, Scott V.>

Re: Scared, please help! Tank trim gaps 2/2/08
Scott,
Thank You for your quick reply. I probably was not clear, but the tank is empty and I haven't filled it yet. Do they fill at the factory to test and that could have made it bow the first time? I guess I'll clear the kids from the room and fill with a hose to test. Thanks Again!
<Even gapping when empty there is no concern here. Your structure (sic, 's strength. RMF) comes from the glass to glass bond. This is purely cosmetic, nothing to worry about structurally. Welcome, Scott V.>

Tank Repair Question - 4/21/07
Crew,
<Hi Chris>
I am fixing to repair a tank, and have a question for you.  What is the easiest way to remove the plastic trim from the top and bottom of the tank, so I can remove the broken glass and replace it.  Is there a type of solvent, or will this just "pop" off with enough force.  I don't want to break it.
<I’d use a single edge razor or something similarly slim and sharp (maybe even a flexible sharpened putty knife) to slip up under the trim and free it from the silicon’s grip, then gently pry off.>  
Thanks,
Chris Harris
<You're welcome and good luck! -Lynn>

Question about 110 gallon fish tank- please look , :) , Glass Aq. repair   7/7/06
Hi there I came across your site and reviewed the many questions that were answered in the aquarium repair sections. I did not see what I was looking
for and was hoping to get expert advice.
<Good... we really need a comprehensive couple of articles with good pix here... showing how to cut out old beads, hold panels together...>
I recently got a 110 gallon freshwater aquarium from a reputable neighbor.
They upgraded and I got the tank pretty cheap. They included a low metal stand for it as well, but it is rusting on the top. I plan to clean up and
sand down as much rust as possible.
<Good... and coat the metal with a rust-inhibiting paint... Do take care re support in turn under this stand...>
The fish tank is very heavy and it was myself and my boyfriend who brought it into the apartment, its very heavy!
<I know>
There was a point when bringing it in that it was vertical on its nose and was "dropped" on its side in the grass, it was slowed down to not shatter as
it fell over but it did fall to the side. This did not create any cracks or chips that I could see. Would this have loosened anything? Structure wise?
<Not likely, no>
Most everything looks pretty tight, no loose silicone. The only damage I see is the secondary wooden trim and the primary hard plastic/metal? trim has
come undone at the base on one corner.
<Can either just "push" this in place while filling, or use Silastic to re-fit it permanently. Is more ornamental than functional, but you want the tank to "sit" evenly on its edges on the stand>
There's also a "chip"/shard about 1/2 inch on the outside of the tank near the edge of the seam. The tank appears to have double panes of glass on the
sides, but its hard to tell,
<Mmm... unusual. Some commercial glass tank manufacturers over the years did make aquariums with doubled bottoms. Never doubled sides as far as I'm aware>
it looks very thick compared to my 20 gallon.
<Is>
The chip doesn't worry me, its the bottom where the trim has come loose along with the silicone holding it onto the glass. Is this seen as a real problem?
<Not likely, no>
I don't want 110 gallons of water damage in my apartment. Also, is it a bad thing to store the tank on its side vertically up?
<Should be of no consequence. Not a problem>
The sides seem very strong and durable for storing it this way but I wasn't sure if it compromised the structure or not. It has a black hard plastic or metal panes
around the top and bottom glued on and additional wood paneling that's very thick on top of that, it seems sound.
Thanks for any advice you can provide me, hopefully it will be good news so my fishies can move up in their world. Kristin
<The chip is more concern to me... I would try filling outdoors on the stand... once the latter is spiffed up. Bob Fenner>

Re: Question about 110 gallon fish tank- please look , :)   7/7/06
Thank you for your quick reply!
That's a good idea to show pictures of the process of restructuring a tank- most helpful to those who are visually inclined. I in turn will get you a
photo of the chip on my tank- it almost seems like its a inverted bubble more than a chip, its so smooth. Hopefully I can get my camera back within
the week. Thank you again! Kristin
<Thank you for the follow up... will post your pic with our corr. when you send it along. Bob Fenner>

Tank perimeter trim and back wall over flow vents   8/30/06
Hey crew!
<Jean-T>
I made a sump out of an old 55 gal tank. I added silicone over the existing silicone
<Not a good practice... doesn't adhere well. Should be cut out, replaced...>
just to be safe. (I know this is somewhat useless since its the film between the glass that does the job..
<Oh! Yes>
but I feel better still)
I noticed that the plastic perimeter trim on the top and bottom of the tank was cracked in all corners.
<Mmm, this is more for assembly, looks than structural...>
I am having a hard time finding replacements at local pet shops and have no  credit cards to order them via internet.
<Make a deal with someone who does... send them a check in advance...>
Do I really need this trim ?
<Mmm, very likely not>
I have 4 baffles in the sump so this may compensate as reinforcement??
<To some extent yes... I wouldn't worry re... you probably won't have this filled very high...>
   Also I have 4 drains across the top of my back wall (1 inch bulk head)  and my pump will be pushing 1200 gph.
Do I need to pipe  vents into the overflows so they can draw air?
<Mmm, likely a very good idea to have "tees" at the down junctions... may well have to aspirate these to cut the "gurgling" noise... See WWM...>
  I once herd that if no vent is present it can greatly lessen flow? is his true?
<Mmm, in some cases these small diameter lines can/do operate as siphons... but this is not a good idea all the way around... if the size, number of drains is insufficient and one or more should become occluded...>
Do you think my drains will handle 1200 gph?
<No... all this is gone over and over...>
my return to the tank is via  4   3/4 inch  returns ? does this sound right for 1200 gph in a 90 gal tank?
<Depends on the pumping mechanism, but no... not real 1,200 gallons per hour>
tanks so ever very much for your precious time! thanks!!!!!!!!!!
  Tristan!!!
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm
Scroll down to the areas on plumbing, overflows, bulkheads, noise... and read... Better to re-drill, fit large-enough through-puts now. Bob Fenner>

Q?...55 gal. molding   12/10/06
Hey guys great site.
<Thank you for your kind words.  Mich with you tonight.>
I just bought an old 55 gallon tank, and the top molding that connects the center of the tank in the middle/top is broken off.
I filled it up outside and it seems to bow out around less than 1/4 inch so is this ok?
<Mmmm, No.>
This kind of thing relates to my job a little and I believe the tank is in little danger of (exploding outward at the middle?!!?)BUT I am a newbie aquarist of 6 months.
<But with good sensibilities!>
Someone told me they had a tank like this and they box knifed the silicone and removed the top molding (empty of course) and replaced it with a new part sealed it and it was good. Is this likely and/or recommended? (no/yes 55 gal)
<Highly recommended.  It's quite easy to do.  The replacement molding is cheap.  You will enhance the structural integrity of the tank.  Really, there's no down side.>
I'm very dexterous so I could do this no problem but is the right thing to do?
<Absolutely!>
I only saw one other inquiry like this but it only pertained to damaged exterior edge of the molding whereas mine is missing the middle divider.
<Just do it!  Just do it! Just do it!>
Thanks so much thank you for your time.
<You are quite welcome. -Mich>
Larry b.

100 gallon saltwater aquarium
A friend of mine has recently given me a 100 gallon tank.  The only problem with the tank is the plastic trim at the top and bottom of the tank has been busted. He was using the tank for a snake. Do I need to replace the molding?
<Yes, while the top molding is probably more cosmetic than anything, it does provide some extra support, especially on longer tanks needing extra support in the center.  However, the molding on the bottom is what the whole tank is resting on.  If it is broken, the tank may or may not be level, or could settle later is it breaks further.  With the tank full of water you will most likely end up with leaks.>
If so, any suggestions where I could get the materials...
<I’ve never personally had to track down parts, but if you can identify the manufacturer, that would be the best place to start.  Most of them have web sites now and should be easy to locate.  Is there a tag on the bottom or any markings on the glass with the manufacturer’s name?  Would your friend recall the brand otherwise?  I hope that helps some.  Best of luck to you!  Scott V.>

100 gallon saltwater aquarium
A friend of mine has recently given me a 100 gallon tank.  The only problem with the tank is the plastic trim at the top and bottom of the tank has been busted…He was using the tank for a snake……Do I need to replace the molding. If so any suggestions where I could get the materials…..
<The plastic frames on all-glass aquariums have little to do with structural integrity/function other than supporting the individual panels during assembly, having a place for the top to be secured. The bottom piece though, must be entire... to provide a level cushion for the glass that "floats" inside it. If concerned, interested you can contact the maker of the tank and likely buy, silicone a replacement top on. Ask your friend re the manufacturer's name (there are only a few in the trade). Bob Fenner>

Finding Aquarium trim 4/30/04 
Crew, I am having a very very hard time trying to local aquarium trim for the top and bottom for my tank I am building. The size of the tank isn't standard (74L x 18W x 44H), so I need to buy stock lengths of it and cut it down myself. I am looking for the something like Oceanic's trim. But they will not sell any. So... I am looking to you to see if you know of such a place that would sell it. Thanks for your help. Peter 
<the trim is indeed available, but not always listed for how uncommon they are in sales. Do ask some of the big mail order companies perhaps... I recall seeing them recently at ThatFishPlace.com Best of luck, Anthony>

Repair question
Hi, My name is Michelle and I tried to find my answer on your web site, came close but not close enough, I have a 135 glass aquarium, I am trying to save it, the plastic molding on the top I repaired with aquarium sealant and some old plastic edging from some glass tops, it is pretty sturdy. The problem is the bottom plastic is trash, bottom is the plastic molding for looks or for support, (remember this is a 135 gallon aquarium, I have tried to find any info on the net and I come up with nothing, is there something I can make [without going to extremes of melting and molding one myself).
<You could fashion strips of plastic or wood...>
Is there a reason you cannot find these parts?
<Not enough demand... however, if you can find out the make (All-Glass, Odell, Oceanic...) of the tank, you might contact the manufacturer and purchase replacement framing from them>
They make and sell the aquarium sealant to redo your tank but not the molding?  Maybe not enough of a demand or is it that they want you to buy a new one?  Why sell the sealant then?
Can anyone help?
Thank you for your time, Michelle W.
<Michelle, have folks in the trade help you discern who made the tank... or settle on DIYing something for the frame. These moldings are largely ornamental... for looks. Though the frames do lend minimal support in the process of assembly... Bob Fenner>