Removing the Rim off of a regular tank

Yashi · 12-08-2012, 07:16 PM

I've been finding info for removing the ugly black coverings on most tanks being sold. A lot of people are saying that you shouldn't remove the rim on anything larger then a 20g tank. Would that just be for anyone planning on filling it with just all water, or does it mean that with even a hamster and some bedding it won't hold it all in.

I'm planning on creating a nice natural habitat for my hamster later next year when I find a good paying job that isn't part time. I would love to purchase the Ikea's detolf and mod it myself, but if there's an easier way, I'm takin' it.

Biscotti · 12-08-2012, 11:48 PM

Most tanks silicone the rim along with the glass, and it is very time consuming to remove it cleanly. I'd highly recommend against doing it unless you really *REALLY* hate it. You will need a lot of patience and razor blades to scrape the silicone off cleanly and evenly. It is possible that you will damage the silicone along the glass, so you will need to repair it afterward. If you like the rimless look, it might be easier to buy cut glass panels and just silicone it yourself, it is easy to do and you can customize the size to your liking. For price to space ratio, you can't beat a detolf though.

LoveMyHams · 12-09-2012, 12:40 AM

The bottom black part of one of mine fell off recently (I super glued it back on). The cage will still stay together without it. I think the black part serves as a little extra support and to keep the bottom from being all scratched/dented.

**Hamtastic** · 12-09-2012, 01:27 AM

Silicone holds those tanks extremely well, and the rims are mostly cosmetic, unless you are using narrow tall tanks and fill them with water. Without water, if you just house your hamsters in one, the rims make no difference in the structural integrity of the tanks.

Problem with the rims is that they are held by silicone. As biscotti described, you will need a razor blade to separate the rims from the glass, and you can definitely crack the glass in the process, when trying to wiggle the rims off. I'd done some research on it in the past, as I own large aquariums, but I decided it wasn't worth the trouble. My tanks are painted instead (regular good quality drywall paint):

Red

Beige

I matched mine to my rooms, and I love the looks. Use a small paint roller. I'm not sure where you live, but if in the U.S., Home Depot sells Behr Ultra paint at $3 per sample can in any color you choose, so it's a good way to paint aquarium trim very cheaply. Since it's not oil-based paint, it will chip and scratch if you are not careful about scuffing it, but I almost never need to touch mine up.

Vectis Hamstery · 12-09-2012, 02:59 AM

What a great idea, and so attractive. I spied a wooden ledge in the beige tank - did you make and attach and, if so how? I'm looking for ideas for my bin cages!

Queen Of The High Teas · 12-09-2012, 07:54 AM

I've gotten a glass tank with those black plastic rims on the top, but their not stuck in any way. They just slide on over the edge of the glass to protect it. I *think* its a clearaseal tank.

**Hamtastic** · 12-09-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery

What a great idea, and so attractive. I spied a wooden ledge in the beige tank - did you make and attach and, if so how? I'm looking for ideas for my bin cages!

Are you referring to my photos? And if so, do you mean the large house/platform in the "beige" aquarium? If so, that's a large guinea-pig house that came with a F.O.P. cage (Gabia Tamburino from the Linea Natura series)--I just added the "steps" to the slanted side to make it climbable.

sully · 12-09-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

My tanks are painted instead (regular good quality drywall paint):
I matched mine to my rooms, and I love the looks. Use a small paint roller. I'm not sure where you live, but if in the U.S., Home Depot sells Behr Ultra paint at $3 per sample can in any color you choose, so it's a good way to paint aquarium trim very cheaply. Since it's not oil-based paint, it will chip and scratch if you are not careful about scuffing it, but I almost never need to touch mine up.

Vey nicely done!

Vectis Hamstery · 12-09-2012, 10:51 AM

Yes, thanks Hamtastic. Now I look closer I can see it is a house - it's camouflaged against the brick! I love the little stairs.

HammieandMerlin · 12-09-2012, 11:13 AM

oh wow Hamtastic, I LOVE that idea!

as for the removing of the rim, I have done it, but only because I was resealing the entire aquarium, it is a massive task, and for any other reason than resealing, I wouldn't recommend it, I would recommend what Hamtastic did, because that looks completely fabulous. Some people outline it with designed duct tape, and others just leave them. I personally don't find that it hinders the natural look of a tank. You can also watch online places like ebay or kijiji for used detolfs