The Puffer Forum

hello all i de-rimmed my tank today i really like the look but theres SO MUCH silicone or whatever it is and using a razor blade to get it all off is not only scratching glass but i have 4 almost like paper cuts. not sure if they are from the glass or the blade. anyway im just wondering if anyone has any tricks of the trade on how to get this stuff off a bit easier. if not i will put in the last 2 or 3 hours it will take tomorrow with a blade. thanks in advance for any help or tips.

DrKennethNoisewater wrote:hello all i de-rimmed my tank today i really like the look but theres SO MUCH silicone or whatever it is and using a razor blade to get it all off is not only scratching glass but i have 4 almost like paper cuts. not sure if they are from the glass or the blade. anyway im just wondering if anyone has any tricks of the trade on how to get this stuff off a bit easier. if not i will put in the last 2 or 3 hours it will take tomorrow with a blade. thanks in advance for any help or tips.

Maybe Goo Gone? Supposed to be citric based and all natural, works great on other sticky stuff. Not sure if it will work for silicon, but it can't hurt to try...Sorry, lol this is the best I could come up with xD Or you could get plastic razor blades (still really sharp but not as dangerous to us)...I used them on my tank hood and it worked perfectly. More elbow grease, but less cuts haha

I'd be afraid the glass was gonna split at the seams, without the rim.

Goo gone may not work or rinse thoroughly. You'll probably have to use a chemical solvent, then rinse like e crazy. Just google it, other people have done that.

I believe simple rubbing alcohol helps get it off very nicely plus it evaporates off the glass leaving a super simple cleanup.

hey my tank is already set up. i used a scratch pad (like s.o.s. pad without any chemicals in it) and a blade and did a few swipes than netted out any tiny little bits i got in the water, repeat, repeat. it took a long time but i eventually got it done, than did a 50% water change and cleaned out my filter. i think its a really slick look. and PP, the rim on my tank was weak and useless. it didnt have any structural support. unlike on my hex where the rim is thick and heavy and im afraid to take it off. mt tank setup is completely hand built and i just finished building my "prototype" arms for the light fixture. i call them this because they are poorly finished and im going to build some the same but of higher quality when i get some money. ill show you guys my set up. i think it looks pretty neat but you can decide i would love some feedback. keep in mind that my decor changes almost weekly so thats not really what im trying to show... just the stand, arms, and light fixture.... ill upload some pics right after i take them.

the photos i promised earlier. input or variations of the idea are more than welcome.

I like the beveled? look to them, it looks neato and stylish.

I love rimless tanks!!!!! I just don't want to risk the topless part, and rimless tops are so expensive to get made.

i think it looks pretty contemporary. and rimless is free! just take the rim off i literally put this whole weekend into getting all the silicon off though. would be a lot quicker without an already set up tank. its so much of a pain and my hands are pretty sore but i did it in a way my fish wouldn't suffer (either than being scared cause im in their face).

sevenyearnight wrote:I like the beveled? look to them, it looks neato and stylish.

also a good shot of how few plants i have in my "planted...?" tank

How about some good pics of that light set up?

xrayjeeper83 wrote:How about some good pics of that light set up?

i dont really know what you mean? like some up close shots of how it was built??? i could do a walk through if anyone is interested at all.... i wanted to go black but only had white paint. it will doo...

ya a walk through with some pics. Like the idea and may have to do something like it with my next tank

alright when i make my good ones in the near future ill dedicate a well pictured thread to the build