Removing center brace

[ajholms0427]

I am building a sump out of a 90 gallon for my new tank but mocking up the baffles I now see that the center brace may get in the way of a skimmer. Could I cut the center brace out and silicone 2 peices of glass, 1 at the 1/3rd point and the other at the 2/3rd point?

 

[Jade5051]

I am building a sump out of a 90 gallon for my new tank but mocking up the baffles I now see that the center brace may get in the way of a skimmer. Could I cut the center brace out and silicone 2 peices of glass, 1 at the 1/3rd point and the other at the 2/3rd point?

If the sump water level isn't very high you may not have to add extra support. The tank shouldn't be under a whole lot of stress because it will have baffles and a low water level. Also, the bracing at the top will still be mostly intact. Keep in mind you may never be able to fill the tank completely.

You could add 2 bridges of glass at the 1/3 and 2/3 tank length to help support the tank. Some sites will recommend 4" glass strips others will recommend 2".

Go to GARF and enter in the dimensions of the 90g and use the expected water level height as the height of the aquarium and see what they say.

Here is a link.

http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp

 

[WAfrican]

Do you have a design showing your sumps layout including all baffles as well as their thickness? Honestly i dont think you would need one need as long as the baffles were installed properly.

 

[ca1ore]

I'm always reluctant to remove cross braces, particularly from mass market tanks where the top trim provides essentially no structural help. Depends a bit, I suppose, on how much water the sump will hold under normal operation. Also, the baffles themselves will provide some structural support.

 

[JWClark]

I have a 55gal (my first reef tank from 2001) that had the center brace broken by movers during a PCS (Army move--permanent change of station) to Kenya in 2007. When we moved here in 2010 we used it for about 3 years for some koi fish. I only ever filled it to half full to avoid putting too much pressure on the glass and it is still kicking. Not a recommendation but FYI.

 

[Jade5051]

Ya I had a 55g with broken brace. Used it for a turtle tank. It was over 3/4s full. It bowed a lot but never failed. Then again you are talking about tempered glass.

 

[bundybear1981]

I've cut and move the centre braces on sumps before. Got a sharp blade on the silicone spot, cut it, moved it across a little bit then re-silicone it in place. With the additional support from the baffles you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[chimmike]

I wouldn't expect the baffles to provide a lot of tensile strength if you're talking about preventing bowing/failure, honestly. Especially if the silicone is only done well enough to not leak between baffles.

 

[ca1ore]

Nobody is going to be able to tell you with absolute certainty whether removing the factory brace will be 'safe' or not. You'll have to do it and just see. Not sure I agree that a well installed baffle doesn't add structural strength; but you could install them the way I used to. I would buy the glass baffle, but also a pair of narrow strips of thicker glass. I siliconed these flat against the side of the tank and then siliconed the baffle into the 'L'.

 

[wildman926]

cut the center brace out and silicone 2 peices of glass, 1 at the 1/3rd point and the other at the 2/3rd point

You will be fine doing this. My 150g is made this way, been up for four years now.