removing the center brace ontop of the tank

[amf82380]

I am getting a 46 gal bow front and I currently have the 150w HQI current orbit light fixture which has the single HQI in the center of the light which will put it directly over the brace on the top of the tank. I have heard that the brace does nothing so I was thinking about removing it because i dont want to upgrade lighting also. so I was wondering if anyone has done this and how it worked for them (pictures would be great reassurance) thanks

Aaron

 

[islandcreation]

Iasked the same question but for a 66 gallon regular rectangler tank. Everyone said not to do it! Thats why its called a brace. So I didn't even dare to touch it, after all it did make sense why a brace would be there..... If you do take the brace off please post some pics with it filled. Never seen a tank without one? Good Luck

 

[amf82380]

I would think there would be preasure against it if it was supporting weight and its real flimsy so it cant have that much preasure on it it would seem like and I have even seen people take the trim right off their tank and them being fine. just wondering if anyone has any pics with the center brace removed

Aaron

 

[skipm]

I have some friends that inherited a 55 gallon from a friend that has the center brace broken, there is about a 1-1 1/2" gap between the ends of the brace where the tank has bowed. Don't do it! The plastic may be pretty flimsy but remember all it has to do is hold the tank from bowing.

 

[pitahall]

not good engineering sense

I would say no just from my engineering class. The reason being is that for every inch cross section you go down in depth it not only has the pressure of that inch but the the multiply inches above it. it adds up quickly!! for even a 12x12x12 in tank in the sixth inch down there would be about 2.5 psi on the glass and that is with fw ( sw is heavier). However I would think that if you did remove the middle brace and replaced it with two on either side then you should be ok. most things only have a 6x safety factor (can hold 6x the force without falling) so I would be on the safe side and not run with out it. no one wants to have to clean up 46 Gal on sw and livestock. but just my two cents on the matter.

Pitahall

 

[amf82380]

I think Ill do that replace it with one on each side of the halide that way itsbraced but yet not interfering with the lighting either. I just dont know though because my 30 long came with no center brace at all and has been used for 5 yrs with out one (it was bought brand new that way) and its only 3 inchs shorter in height and 1 1/2 shorter from front to back so it just doesnt make any sense but then again not much does in this world thanks for the input guys

Aaron

 

[pitahall]

how about the glass thickness? and the bow front changes the forces (on the edges mostly) glad to offer a different point of view and a solution

Pitahall

 

[amf82380]

the 30gal i have has 3/16 glass thickness