downsize & switch to rimless reef *?*

[Laura8088]

Hi there,

I have a few questions on a couple different subjects . . .any thoughts are appreciated =]
I currently have a 75g reef tank only a couple small inhabitants right now. I just bought a house a few months ago and it is quite small. (we havent moved the tank here yet) The house is supported by columns. My husband is concerned about the floor. There is a main support beam that runs under the center of the house and there is a wall in our living room that runs above that beam so I would most likely place the tank there. I too am still concerned about the weight. Because of the weight factor And space issues I have been thinking about down sizing unfortunately =[ I saw a beautiful rimless 57g tank at my LFS and have been seriously contemplating it. I have done a little research on the pros / cons of rimless tanks, and so far from what I've read the cons are jumpers, water splashing, evaporation, and several people had shown concern about silicone failing. So here's my questions. . if any one has any thoughts I hadn't mentioned Please do share!

1. Anyone have any ideas about supporting the floor? The crawlspace is dirt FYI
2. Has anyone had any tank failures with a rimless tank as the tank ages?

[Reef Frog]

A 57g doesn't put the kind of pressure on seams like the big tanks. In fact with some rimmed tanks, the rim has no structural role. (Does not apply to eurobracing foe example)

If you have an older house, uneven flooring could be an issue and should be evauluated before installation.

The weight difference between a filled 75g vs filled 57g is going to be minor...maybe 200 pounds. Consult at least a qualified contractor on you floor integrity and ability to handle the weight. 11 pounds per gallon is a useful average weight to use. With a 75, you're looking at about 900 pounds spread over 3 or 4 feet and most modern construction should be able to handle that. But IMO I'd get a professional opinion as opposed the the ideas of some guy on the Internet! Luckily for you, reenforcing floors under crawl spaces, if needed, isn't all that difficult or expensive in most cases. Good luck.