Safe to remove center brace?

[G.H. Dorr]

My 3 year old Oceanic 90 gallon (48”L x 18”W x 24”H) glass tank has a 10” glass brace in the center.

It severely reduces the amount of light that enters the tank. The top and underside of the glass brace is usually covered with salt creep or splashes from the powerheads, hang-on skimmer etc.

I have a 48” light fixture which includes two 150W 14K MH HQI bulbs and 2x54W HO T5 Actinics.

Can I remove the brace, which is siliconed to the front and back glass panes without risk of the tank breaking?

The tank has plastic trim around the entire perimeter of the tank.

Thanks.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

I had a 90g with the brace and a 110 without the brace(manufactured that way), same dimensions and thickness.

 

[poppin_fresh]

I doubt Oceanic would have spent the money to include it if it wasnt needed. I wouldn't remove it, but thats just me.

 

[reefierone]

i cut the plastic center brace out of my 75g and about 6 to 8 months later i could see the bow in the front glass as well as having alot of salt creep along the centerbrace below the tank so i upgraded to a 225 put some baffles in the 75 cheked for leaks and used it as a sump so if u want a good excuse to get a new tank then go ahead!!!

 

[chris31]

i PROMISE you is you remove it you tank will eventually break. when you buy the tanks they come with warning labels that say not to remove the brace. dont do it

 

[mrrrkva]

Dont remove it, it will bow over time! If you do at least reinforce it with eurobracing.

 

[DEXNC]

I wouldn't remove the brace your glass may bow over time, I have a 156 oceanic without the brace but my glass is 3/4 inch thick.

 

[ManotheSea]

I have a 40 gal that I removed the center brace from. Its been many years and no cracks or leaks but I can see a bow in the glass. I wouldnt risk doing it to a 90 gal.

What is a eurobrace?

 

[Twz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11681434#post11681434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrrrkva
Dont remove it, it will bow over time! If you do at least reinforce it with eurobracing.

Glass dose not need time to bow it will just bow when its filled with water when you take the water out it will go back to normal,
But no i wouldnt take out the center brace i had to take it out of my 65 gallon to cut a 8'' long strip from the center of the back panel when i filled it with water it started to separate,
so i had to take it apart and re silicon it together now when i go to refill the take i am putting two clear braces on eather side...

 

[Twz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11681768#post11681768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ManotheSea
I have a 40 gal that I removed the center brace from. Its been many years and no cracks or leaks but I can see a bow in the glass. I wouldnt risk doing it to a 90 gal.

What is a eurobrace?

Euro brace is like a ring of glass or plexi aroundthe inside of the tank Eg,
http://www.wetdryfilter.com/aquari3.jpg
See the clear ring around the top of the tank?
Sorry best image i could find.

 

[frags75]

I removed it on an old 55 that I had and never had any issues. I dont think i would do it on anything larger.

 

[stevelkaneval]

you could cut the brace away then replace the cut peice with clear acrylic.

 

[sruiz]

my 72 bowfront does not have it, it was not my choice when i upgraded I bought it used. I really don't want it to leak but I guess it would be a good excuse to buy something bigger if something was to happen.