Cut out Brace?

minesinger · #1 01/05/2008, 10:32 PM

I'm setting up a 75g Perfecto. The lighting set up I have has 2 moon lights directly above the center brace on the tank. It casts a shadow below. I think the brace is for the cover but thought I should ask if anyone knows if it's structural before I go cutting it out.
Thanks.

drillsar · #2 01/05/2008, 10:40 PM

No I dont think you can thats for support, They do carry tanks I beleive with no brace.

old salty · #3 01/05/2008, 10:57 PM

Tanks are usually braced to prevent the glass from bowing when filled with water.

Toddrtrex · #4 01/05/2008, 11:10 PM

[welcome]

Don't remove the brace.

Back in the day I had a 55, the brace on it snapped, I was shocked just how much glass could bow without breaking, just glad I was home when it happened, or it would have broke shortly.

minesinger · #5 01/05/2008, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the fedback. Sounds like I was about to make a big mistake. I guess I'll put up with the shadow.

drillsar · #6 01/05/2008, 11:14 PM

I think the only tanks that dont have the brace our the stainless steel on Corners, I use to own one of those until I broke the glass.

Toddrtrex · #7 01/05/2008, 11:16 PM

Now, don't ask me exactly how to do it, but there is a way that you could remove the plastic brace and replace it with a glass brace. However the tank would need to be empty and I am not sure how thick the glass would need to be.

And to be honest, might be too much hassle for moonlights.

drillsar · #8 01/05/2008, 11:29 PM

I dont know if they make tanks like this anymore that the corners are stainless steel, if they do probably expensive, I wished I kept mine, I had a 125 gallon to got Free when I was a kid from a place called Sandoz pharmaceuticals Now if people know they got bought out by Novartis, My dad worked there 35 years.

jaguarmonk · #9 01/05/2008, 11:29 PM

I used to work at a LFS and one of the guys that worked with me had the same problem with moonlights on his 55gal. He removed the brace... the glass bowed... he came into the store later and picked up a new tank.

You might be able to drill a small hole in the brace where the light is if its an LED, it wouldn't need to be very big, but would be hard to get in the exact right spot... I'm not sure if it would work or not, anyone else have any ideas?

drillsar · #10 01/05/2008, 11:31 PM

I wouldn't mess with the center brace at all, Only suggestion is to buy one with stainless steel corners they have no brace if they still sell these.

drillsar · #11 01/05/2008, 11:35 PM

OOps they recommend not to use that kind of tank for saltwater (stainless steel)