55 gal tank middle brace

[singold]

Can I cut out the top center brace on a 55 gal tank to avoid lighting barrier, or is it necessary for support?

 

[DustinLH00]

This is ABSOLUTELY necessary for support. I have a 55 gallon setup and the first tank I bought had a cracked center support and the gentleman at Petsmart convinced me that it was just there to hold the hoods and was not necessary. I took the tank home, glued the center support back together and started filling with water after it cured.

As soon as the tank was full, the brace cracked again, and let me tell you that I have never seen glass bend that much, but it was the scariest sight ever. Water immediately started leaking from the silicone sealed edges. I figure in about 30 seconds I would have had a floor full of 55g of water. Luckily I had a friend there to help me get it drained immediately.

 

[singold]

Thanks, figured that might be the case. THought it may have just been for the hood lights, but makes since I guess for support.

 

[marioensf]

You may BUT install a glass brace, this one has to be thicker and use the proper silicon, ask around for advise in the DIY forum. If the bracket is thin and wide, a piece of plexi attached with nylon screws might do the trick, some of bowfront owners have done it because it blocks light.

 

[Tswifty]

You can replace them... but honestly I don't think it would be worth it on a 55g tank.

I've seen people cut them out and replace them with clear acrylic, because they don't like the shadow cast by the original brace.

Like I said... can be done, but wouldn't mess with it for a 55g tank.

 

[singold]

Thanks for above responses and thoughts. Tswifty, you amaze me with your graphs, charts, and detail on various posts. The visual always helps.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Go with t-5's=no shadow