Anybody ever replace plastic trim with glass eurobracing?

[rayk]

Just wondering if anybody has replace the plastic trim from a glass aquarium with glass eurobracing?  I've found several threads on reefcentral and such, but just wondering if anybody in this area has tried it. 

If anyone wants to know the reasons:
1.  I am doing an in-wall system, and the extra inch at the top would be nice viewing.
2.  I'm doing an external overflow box, and I'm not 100% sure that the plastic trim won't get in my way anyways. 

- rayk

[Joel]

I have a couple times.

The challenges are getting the plastic trim off with out damaging the tank and getting the silicone removed from the top lip of the aquarium thoroughly enough that you get a good bond with the new glass used for the euro brace.

A few methods work removing the trim. A lot of scoring and cutting as much of the silicone loose with a razor knife is a good start. From there I use a hack saw and carefully cut a small section of the trim and remove it. Then you can either continue to cut and pry the trim loose from the glass or you and use metal wire or a guitar string (heavy gauge high E string) to "floss" it out. THis is tedious work but is very doable.

Next, it is extremely important that the silicone that held the trim in place is removed very thoroughly. You can not simply razor it off and be clean enough. Even after razoring off all the old silicone, there will be residual left on the glass.  Since the new Euro-brace type trim plays an important roll in the aquariums integrity, it is imperative that you have a strong bond between the aquarium and the new glass, any left over silicone film will weaken the strength of the bond. Silicone does not stick / bond to it self so if there is left over silicone film on your aquarium glass, the silicone you use to adhere the euro-brace to the aquarium will not bond to the aquarium.

I carefully mask off the top of the tank leaving the area that the euro brace & new silicone will adhere to the tank exposed. then I use a fine carbide sand paper to sand and clean the area where I want the silicone to adhere. THis leaves a dull white / grey finish behind that is now a clean, smooth silicone free surface. This will yield an excellent bond. Also, pre clean all the surfaces that your siliconing together with white distilled vingar and plain white & black newspaper. This will also not leave any residue behind that could interfere with the bond of your silicone to glass. Paper towels / rags and some glass cleaners can leave a film behind you don't want there. Your silicone bond is only as good as what it is stuck to, super clean glass is what you need.

Hope this helps, if you need assistance, pm or call me,

Joel

[rayk]

Thanks Joel.  Alot of good info and a local person that has accomplished this task.  That is what i was looking for.  Still not sure if I am doing it.   I'm looking at eurobrace designs on-line now, trying to figure out if I need 1 or 2 cross braces with the 180 gallon tank, 6 foot long, glass thickness and width, etc. 

- rayk