removing braces

[Evolley1]

I have a friend that has my old 46gal glass bowfront with a center brace (if that's what you call it). I'd like for him to get into SPS's but he needs MH. Usually for 3ft tanks you get a center MH and a couple PC lights on the side. Is it possible to remove the center brace completely or should I replace it with a couple acrylic pieces set off center?

Eric

 

[Edward Smith]

Keep the brace and use two 150/175 watt DE bulbs on each side?

 

[canar]

I had a brace come lose on an Oceanic and within a week the whole tank dumped on the floor.

 

[menard]

Sure U can !!.............. That is what i did to my 45 gal. long,long time ago , I replaced it w/ 2" acrillic strip. I bolted it down both sides w/ nylon screws and glued, works perfect.

 

[Evolley1]

I think as long as you replace the support it will work out. If you leave it be...that's where the trouble begins. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

 

[Rod Buehler]

I have an old 45 tall *36 x 12 x 24) that I cut the brace on. Its still holding water and its gotto be 14 years old. I am not recommending this to anyone, but it worked for me. YMMV

 

[ostrow]

Oceanic uses wide glass center braces. Canar, you sure it wasn't an AGA?

 

[canar]

I am sure. The calk came lose on the glass brace and the tank bowed out a litlte. That made it impossible to glue back on without lowering the water. I bought a new tank but it broke the morning I was going to swap it out.

 

[Rod Buehler]

Canars tank was an oceanic. (If it was an all glass it wouldnt have blew apart ) j/k).. That tank/centerbrace had been worked on/repaired by a previous owner. Maybe the fact that oceanic uses a thicker glass that doesnt have as much flexibality as thinner All glass tanks, and without the flexibility, the silicone gave away.. Maybe with a bow front the flexibility may not be there either, so cutting the center brace may not be wise. Te 45 tall that I cut is an all-glass tank with 1/4" glass (flexibility?? )