Remove this dumb thought from my head

[saltbubbles]

My tank is a 65 gallon. It not the long kind. It's more squared anyhoo, the top brace? Around the rim has a support brace?in the middle that's scorched from MH and blocking light. It was that way when I bought it. I am cheap ok, so I am not buying a new tank. Can that middle brace be cut without weakening the brace. I think it's there for a reason but I dunno. Should I just leave it be?

 

[miami dolfan]

Tagging along...I have the same issue

 

[rdnelson]

I would be cautious of that. The center brace on my 125 was broken and the glass had a huge bow in it when full. I cut it out and fabbed one out of 1/4" acrylic. I cut a strip about 3" wide and bent the ends down. As the water was added the force locked it in place and it won't budge. The acrylic allows some light through.

 

[nassar0505]

Both are right^^^ I've done it on a 75, held for 2 years then the front glass split down the middle. Keep it or drain 1/2 the tank and replace with acrylic or better yet go to a glass shop have them cut you piece for 10 bucks and sillicone it in place.

Edit:

Edit:

 

[saltbubbles]

Okie dokie. Thanks for removing dumb thought, lol. I'll let it be 'till I buy a new tank.

 

[miami dolfan]

I thought I could remove center brace and replace with thr euro bracing.

 

[nassar0505]

U can or this

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[miami dolfan]

How thick is your glass? I have 1/2 inch starfire.

Edit: My tank builder went crazy! The center brace is 12" wide.

 

[kilralpine]

My 75G also has a center brace; I would love to annihilate that stupid thing as it gets in my way EVERY time I have hand in the tank but it is definatly there for a reason.

 

[heathlindner25]

nassar0505;803369 wrote: U can or this

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did this tank have a brace on it? if so that looks great.

 

[nassar0505]

It did I removed the whole top frame then put the glass brace in...... unfortunately it was to late and the the damage was done. The front glass evenually failed and split, would of worked if i did this early on.

Edit: this was on a standard 75gal

 

[acroholic]

You could remove the center brace on the 75, then install euro bracing on the perimeter.

 

[tbryan]

Couldn't you cut an acrylic eurobrace and use weldon to glue it to the factory frame

 

[nassar0505]

I've seen a few tanks get creative with eurobracing they turned out really nice...

If you like projects and don't want to buy a purpose built tank, i say go for it.. If it doesn't work in the end its a really good excuse to buy a new tank

 

[rdnelson]

tbryan;803401 wrote: Couldn't you cut an acrylic eurobrace and use weldon to glue it to the factory frame

When I did my center brace I started with cut pieces and weldon but the pressure on the 3" joints was just too great and it snapped it. That is why I went with cutting the brace long and bending the ends to fit. It is a bit tricky getting the bends in the correct location and they have rounded corners which prevents it from sitting flat on the top of the tank but it works. Besides, the canopy covers it so you never see it. It was either go this route or go without a tank so........

 

[grouper therapy]

You can cut the brace shy of each end by 2" and then use nylon bolts to attach a strip of clear acrylic to it. I'
ve done this on 3 tanks and it worked well,
Actually on one of them I bolted the acrylic underneath first then cut the black brace out afterwards

 

[rdnelson]

grouper therapy;803473 wrote: You can cut the brace shy of each end by 2" and then use nylon bolts to attach a strip of clear acrylic to it. I'
ve done this on 3 tanks and it worked well

Good option. However in my case it was broken right were it met the side of the tank. :-(

 

[ripped tide]

grouper therapy;803473 wrote: You can cut the brace shy of each end by 2" and then use nylon bolts to attach a strip of clear acrylic to it. I'
ve done this on 3 tanks and it worked well,
Actually on one of them I bolted the acrylic underneath first then cut the black brace out afterwards

Clever! I might steal this idea someone down the road.