Remove center brace from 75g sump?

[Vapour1ze]

Hi all, I planned my baffles poorly on my sump. Well, it was perfect at the time. But, now I need a new skimmer. I need to utilize the middle chamber of my sump but obviously this center brace is going to be in my way....

Can I dremel it out since it is only half way full of water majority of the time?

Only time it fills up is power failure, and that is to 3/4 full...

I want input.

Brand new marineland black silicone model 75 gallon tank.

Thanks

75_gallon_large by Luke Strothman, on Flickr

 

[SassyAngel111]

No dont remove the center brace it is there for a reason, to keep the front and back from bowing out.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

no, if the engineers thought it was necessary it's necessary

 

[Vapour1ze]

Ok, thanks. Going to have to figure out another way to fit this skimmer in.

Cheers.

 

[SALTYwaterDOG]

If you glue baffles in and don't fill it all the way,you should be fine. I use a 55 with out a center brace its been working for me. Maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[Vapour1ze]

It already has 4 1/4 inch full length baffles in. Full width I should say. I would think that would keep it from bowing. It's practically the same thing. And water is only half way up in the tank. I may take my chances.

 

[wildman926]

You will be fine if you are only filling halfway.

Many a tank FULL, the center brace has failed and it stood for some time until replaced.

 

[Vapour1ze]

I am going to remove. I am going to by two cheap rubber clamps from home depot and just hand tighten until snug, on the outer sides of my skimmer body over the top. I don't see myself having any problems. Glad I bought a dremel last week.

 

[ca1ore]

It already has 4 1/4 inch full length baffles in. Full width I should say. I would think that would keep it from bowing. It's practically the same thing. And water is only half way up in the tank. I may take my chances.

Agree with this. The baffles will help to prevent bowing, and it's only half full 99% of the time.

 

[Vapour1ze]

Thanks calore! How u been man?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I am going to remove. I am going to by two cheap rubber clamps from home depot and just hand tighten until snug, on the outer sides of my skimmer body over the top. I don't see myself having any problems. Glad I bought a dremel last week.

That would work fine :thumbsup: