Center Brace Issue

01-20-2007, 11:12 AM

Hi Reefers,
I have a 55g tank of the oddest dimensions. It's only 30" long with a center brace right in the middle.

Most lighting set-ups won't work because at 30 inches, there is only one light...right over the center brace.

I am thinking of cutting out the center brace and DIY-ing two replacements to leave the center of the tank open.

Has anyone done this before? Is this a terrible idea? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

loismustdie · 01-20-2007, 11:14 AM

Remove the center brace, do a euro brace and retrofit the canopy to place more lights where you want them.

crox99 · 01-20-2007, 11:15 AM

IMO you can go ahead and cut the brace. I don't believe the tank will bow much since it's only a 55g but you should wait an answer from an expert.

House of Laughter · 01-20-2007, 11:16 AM

I am inclined to say the modification will depend on what lighting affect you want and if you want to go with one bulb or two bulb (assumung you'r looking to do halides).

Little more info on the lighting you'll use could help. do you have a fixture, or pendant(s)?

House

cali_reef · 01-20-2007, 02:19 PM

What are the overall dimensions of this tank? thickness of the glass? Who made the tank?

You should make sure the tank will stay together before cutting off any bracing.

regal · 01-20-2007, 02:32 PM

Since it is only a 55g, if you are not happy with it and have go throught all the headaches to modify it and still worries that it may not work out, why not get a new tank that fits your need.

**"DevIouS"** · 01-20-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crox99


	IMO you can go ahead and cut the brace. I don't believe the tank will bow much since it's only a 55g but you should wait an answer from an expert.

IMO this is the 2nd time you gave bad advice today.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...-my-110-a.html

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...t=center+brace

dylanjs:
If you plan to stay with that tank, go Euro-Brace as Chris suggested.
The tank will have to be emptied of all the water..

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...t=center+brace

crox99 · 01-20-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "DevIouS"


	IMO this is the 2nd time you gave bad advice today. http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...-my-110-a.html http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...t=center+brace dylanjs: If you plan to stay with that tank, go Euro-Brace as Chris suggested. The tank will have to be emptied of all the water.. http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...t=center+brace

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.

crox99 · 01-20-2007, 05:20 PM

I ahve a 65 that it's not braced at all and I never had a problem with it.

01-20-2007, 05:25 PM

Thanks for all the info!

As much as I'd love to upgrade to a larger, standard-size tank, it's not going to happen.

The tank is 30" long x 18" deep x 24" high. Right now I have 2 175W MHs and a 65W actinic P.

I was thinking of upgrading to 2 250W MHs because of the depth. However, I've been emailing with a guy at aquariumobsessed.com and he suggests going with a Soleset unit (one 250W MH and two 24W T5 actinics). If I go with this unit, I will definitely need to cut the center brace out because the MH is right in the middle.

Thoughts? Should I make a unit and leave the brace? Cut the brace and get an all-in-one unit?

01-20-2007, 11:12 AM	#1
dylanjs Guest Posts: n/a	Center Brace Issue Hi Reefers, I have a 55g tank of the oddest dimensions. It's only 30" long with a center brace right in the middle. Most lighting set-ups won't work because at 30 inches, there is only one light...right over the center brace. I am thinking of cutting out the center brace and DIY-ing two replacements to leave the center of the tank open. Has anyone done this before? Is this a terrible idea? Any suggestions? Thanks!

01-20-2007, 11:15 AM	#3
crox99 Audi Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn, Marine Park Posts: 5,291 Reefer Ratings: (49) Friends: (6)	IMO you can go ahead and cut the brace. I don't believe the tank will bow much since it's only a 55g but you should wait an answer from an expert. __________________ Veni, Vidi, Vinci

01-20-2007, 11:16 AM	#4
House of Laughter www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ossining, NY Posts: 10,287 Reefer Ratings: (124) Friends: (36)	I am inclined to say the modification will depend on what lighting affect you want and if you want to go with one bulb or two bulb (assumung you'r looking to do halides). Little more info on the lighting you'll use could help. do you have a fixture, or pendant(s)? House __________________ House of Fish (914) 424-0366 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

01-20-2007, 05:20 PM	#9
crox99 Audi Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn, Marine Park Posts: 5,291 Reefer Ratings: (49) Friends: (6)	I ahve a 65 that it's not braced at all and I never had a problem with it. __________________ Veni, Vidi, Vinci

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01-20-2007, 02:19 PM	#5
cali_reef Fish and Coral Killer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the wet coast, again. Posts: 3,919 Reefer Ratings: (28) Friends: (3)	What are the overall dimensions of this tank? thickness of the glass? Who made the tank? You should make sure the tank will stay together before cutting off any bracing.

01-20-2007, 02:32 PM	#6
regal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Rochelle Posts: 1,047 Reefer Ratings: (15) Friends: (1)	Since it is only a 55g, if you are not happy with it and have go throught all the headaches to modify it and still worries that it may not work out, why not get a new tank that fits your need.

01-20-2007, 05:25 PM	#10
dylanjs Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for all the info! As much as I'd love to upgrade to a larger, standard-size tank, it's not going to happen. The tank is 30" long x 18" deep x 24" high. Right now I have 2 175W MHs and a 65W actinic P. I was thinking of upgrading to 2 250W MHs because of the depth. However, I've been emailing with a guy at aquariumobsessed.com and he suggests going with a Soleset unit (one 250W MH and two 24W T5 actinics). If I go with this unit, I will definitely need to cut the center brace out because the MH is right in the middle. Thoughts? Should I make a unit and leave the brace? Cut the brace and get an all-in-one unit?