Found info I needed. Been searching for days, post, try avfew kore keywords and got what i needed. R&D guy from aqueon replied in a thread asking about a multitude if things in regards to thr manufacture of tanks.

The injected molded frame on some tanks (one piece) does offer structural support. Trim that it cut to fit around the edge does not offer structural supoort. I can believe its good protection from sharp/rough edges etc though.

Based on that and footballdudes friends recommendation, I'm going to tack the trim on.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums.../t-203106.html