["DevIouS"]

Quote: Originally Posted by crox99 I didn't give him an advice.......it was only a suggestion and I said to wait for others before he removes the center brace.

Advice / Suggestion....same mess.
Well you suggested to him to " go ahead and cut the brace."
I understand you might be trying to help......but if you are unsure about the advice / suggestion members are looking to get answers too, why don't you step back before you cause a member to have a bad situation.

Quote: Originally Posted by dylanjs Thoughts? Should I make a unit and leave the brace? Cut the brace and get an all-in-one unit?

Hey D:
Did you click on the links about the Euro Brace?
This will be your best option if the bulb will be in the center....especially a 250w.
Besides the shadow, that plastic will eventually melt.
Just cutting it off is out of the question.

DevIous, I did give a quick look. It seems like a lot of work when the tank is full of water and livestock.

Can't I just use two braces made of 1x2's and L-brackets and spray paint them black? It's not attractive, but it might work....

[Kedd]

NOOOOOOOO!

I have lost a center brace on a much larger tank with very thick glass and I'm lucky to be here now, I was below the tank when it let go and the tank looked tike a basket ball, but did not break.
Flex is an under statement!

Don't do any mods to the tank bite the bullet and buy the correct tank.
Just my thoughts



Kedd

[jhale]

you can't mod this tank when it's full, and you can not use wood to make bracing. it has to be glass, attached to the glass, or use plexiglass which would be welded to the present bracing.

your choices are, find a light that will work with the bracing.
empty the tank and mod the bracing, or just get a new tank that will
work the way you want it to.
a 24" high tank will NEED bracing.

Sorry to be dull, but what's the difference between a plexi brace welded to the inside of the black rim and two wood braces with metal reinforcements attached to the outside of the black rim, over the top?

[KathyC]

The wood will rot, the plexiglass won't, nor will the current bracing.
The integrity of your tank will be guaranteed if you find a different light fixture that better suits your needs, and sell your current fixture to offset the cost.

[jhale]

wood + metal + plastic = trouble

first how would the metal braces be secured to the plastic bracing?
second over time wood expands and contracts, over the tank it would be worse. at some point the screws would loosen then there's the chance of a big mess.

So, my next question is: Does anyone know of a lighting unit that has 2 MHs and PCs that is less than 30" long?

I was thinking of building a hood on my own and retrofitting the MHs and PCs into it with 2 fans and electronic ballasts. Any thoughts?

[Hitsnorth]

I learned the hard way that center brace IS important. Devious already linked back to my problem when my 110 cracked because of the brace.