On the topic of lighting.........

[dohc97]

As all my friends know i have started my 28 gallon bowfront. My current fixture is a nova extreme with a single reflector for 4 bulbs, the plan was to gut this fixture and do a t5 retro with individual icecap reflectors. Im now wondering though if i should try a 250 mh, only thing holding me back is the fact that there is a black crossbrace right in the middle of my tank, its easily a good 2-3". Does anyone have pictures of a similar(bowfront) setup with a mh over it? I just want to see what kind of shading is going to happen over the middle of my tank. With the t5s i dont really see a shaded area in the middle. opinions? maybe someone with pictures?

Jose

[dohc97]

anyone have experience with mh over a tank with black crossbraces?

[GrandeGixxer]

I would cut the brace out. I am kinda crazy like that though. There is no way that it is not structually sound without it.

[Engine 7]

Cut the center brace out of a bowfront? You sure?

[dohc97]

no way i would cut out that brace, any other thoughts?

[dohc97]

Jeff by the way i saw that thread were you posted pics, are those orange bam bams the ones i sold to you? they look to be doing well.

[GrandeGixxer]

Dude, you are such a sissy, its only 28 gallons. The only reason it is there is to hold the glass tops.

[Engine 7]

Originally posted by dohc97
Jeff by the way i saw that thread were you posted pics, are those orange bam bams the ones i sold to you? they look to be doing well.

They are the same ones, I have been giving them out to people and they are spreading nicely in my tank.

[GrandeGixxer]

Cut it!

[badazztealcobra]

Cut it out and glue in a clear piece of acrylic in its place......

[dohc97]

Joe, the cross brace is not there to just hold glass, trust me on this. When the tank is sitting empty there is a bit of slack, with the tank full there is no slack on it. Im sure the front bowed glass has plenty of pressure pushing against it. As far as acrylic i dont really trust my skills with that. My question is more towards, will i see a lot of shading? i dont with t5s.

[Engine 7]

I doubt the shading would be a problem, but a 250 watt molten halide within 6-8 inches of a plastic brace could be a problem.

[dohc97]

thats what im worried about, maybe ill just go ahead with the t5 diy setup im thinking of.

[GrandeGixxer]

There are plenty of peeps that have gone rimless on their 40 breeders without problems. I am sure with the lower pressure and the fact that the glass is curved(stronger) you would be able to get away with it just fine. You aren't taking the whole rim off, just cutting the cross brace out. You will still have the corners being strengthened by the rim. These are the areas that would be of concern anyways. Cut it

[dohc97]

lol, i would think that most of the pressure in this tank is on the bowfront itself. Im not going to be a guinea pig on this one, im going to try and find more info.

[Rod Buehler]

Im not going to recommend it, but I would also cut it . I cut the brace out of a 45 tall over 10 years ago. It still holds water well.(and even well water )

Maybe if you put the 250 close enough to the brace like engine 7 says, you wont have to cut it .

Sorry for having a little fun here on your thread but the negativity provided by many other members of this forum (on other threads) is about to drive many others away as it already has (and some people blame the OT crew.. sheesh )

I believe that you will see a shadow if you hang the 250 over the center brace

[dohc97]

Rod, no problem with having fun.

Im part of the ot crew somehow(even though most of my posts are on topic). I think people around here take stuff too seriously i mean they get their e-pride hurt and all kinds of trouble starts. This thread is light and fluffy and im still getting advice, i believe its more entertaining this way. So Rod your volunteering to clean up 20 gallons of water on my carpet if it goes?

[GrandeGixxer]

Rod, I think it will take at least 400w to take the brace out.

You heard it from the man, cut it.

[poo-tang]

i'm no expert, but would also cut it. how tall is the tank in question. that is when the stress on your tank really adds up, i doubt it is taller then 16 inches, prolly less. your biggest concern would be the seals on the bowfronts going bad, IMO this would take a long time. I'm sure you'll uprade long before that. a 28 gallon can't keep a true reefer happy for more than 2 -3 years?

[rppvt]

let it melt!

[GrandeGixxer]

The trim will keep the corners from seperating if it is siliconed well enough. If it were me, I "might" take the trim off, cut the center brace, then do a really nice and solid silicone job before putting the trim back on. I definatly wouldn't have any issues cutting the brace though.

[skunkmere]

i like the idea about replacing the center brace with a clear acrylic. best of both worlds. and you could sleep at night

[Flint&Eric]

jose i'd cut it out and put in a clear acrylic brace...any lights you use will be blocked by it.

i say stick with the T5's. Throw in some of the LEDs like i'm running and you'll be able to get glitter lines. you'd waste a lot of light from spill with a halide.

[GrandeGixxer]

Cut it

Rod said you could.

[badazztealcobra]

Too bad youre all the way in the city, I could eve rip a piece of acrylic to use as a strap... hardly worth a trip to the burbs, but hey, it might help you sleep better at night.

Myself personally, the strap would be cut out and there would be a 250w halide over it.