Cut the center brace or not?

[ReeferMan]

OK, so my center brace started to warp alittle after my MH was about 8 inches or so from it. I decided that i needed to keep the center brace from warping so that my tank wouldn't bow and create leaks in the future. I read about a few people replacing center braces on RC but on 36g tanks and smaller so i figured i would at least use their concept to reinforce my brace.I bought 1/4 inch acrylic from HD and cut a peice that fits across the center brace and is about 3-4 inches wide. I got some gorilla glue as well as four nylon screw and bolts. I first cut the acrylic to size and put the gorilla glue on the end where the brace is wide. I then took 4 clip on clamps to hold in place and let it dry for 24 hours. Checked glue and it was dry and I couldn't budge the acrylic from the brace. I then drilled 2 holes on each end on the brace through the acrylic and installed 4 nylon screws and bolts and tightened by hand (tight!). My question is now that i have done this, I have a pretty good feeling that this new brace is 10x stronger than the stock version(even if i cut it). I was going to leave it but after thoughts,a big shadow and a empty center, i thought i would give it a thought. I have pretty much made my mind on what I want to do but i wanted to get a idea of what others think i should do. Its a 55g tank by the way!LMK what you think

[Guest alex wlazlak]

i was thinking about choping mine out, but then saw this one thread a while back and decided not to. just replace it with some acrilic. does it leave a big shadow? i have those glass hood things that cover my tank and theres a 1 inch "hinge" and you can kinda notice it. id saw replace it with the acrilic piece.. just try not to make it look sloppy!

[martin]

I have a 36g bow front that had a center brace and created a huge shadow with a MH light. I cut the brace and replaced it with a wire. Works great, no shadow. Just put in a wire before cutting the brace, you wouldn't believe how much pressure is behind the brace.

[HowardofNOVA]

Decision?

Cut center "structural" brace out so you don't have shadows over running water on floor as tidal wave goes across nice living room rugs

OR

Leave center "structural" brace in and live with shadow?

 

Don't do it!

[steveoutlaw]

It sounds like the wire could be a good alternative......but I say, live with the shadow.

[Folta]

I have to agree with Howard on this, I think its a bad idea to be cutting anything that is structural.

 

On a 55 gallon tank, why not use a pair of lights? I have 2 250w MH's over my 55 and I have no shadow at all.

[ReeferMan]

I have to agree with Howard on this, I think its a bad idea to be cutting anything that is structural.

 

On a 55 gallon tank, why not use a pair of lights?  I have 2 250w MH's over my 55 and I have no shadow at all.

53110[/snapback]

 

 

Doesnt that cause alot of evaporation?I wanted to do that but thought it would cause too much evaporation because i lose about 2 1/2 gallons per day.

[Guest Leishman]

Just get a new tank, it's the cheapest part of the hobby!

[Folta]

I think its a matter of how close your lights are, what your tank temp is, and if you have any cooling.

 

With 2 250w MH's about 8" off the water, and a fan blowing the air between the halides and the tank, I had no shadows, good growth, and lost about 1 to 1 1/2 gallons a day.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that with MH's, they cover about a 2' x 2' area.. which means you have areas that are getting low light no matter how you orient the 1 MH.

[HowardofNOVA]

CHRIS,

Your losing TWO and a HALF gallons a day on a 55g tank? :o

My 120g setup including tank, sump and frag tank is only loosing 1 1/2g-2 per day and that has 3 large fans running full time.

Are you sure your not getting a nice wet spot in the back somewhere?? :D

[ReeferMan]

CHRIS,

Your losing TWO and a HALF gallons a day on a 55g tank?  :o

My 120g setup including tank, sump and frag tank is only loosing 1 1/2g-2 per day and that has 3 large fans running full time.

Are you sure your not getting a nice wet spot in the back somewhere?? :D

53157[/snapback]

 

HAHA no wet spot!I have a 7 inch fan right over the sump and 3 inch fans blowing in the hood, 1x 250,2x 65w pc actinic, and a apartment that stays at 72ish. My temp is between-78.3-80. I have the fans on for the light cycle (10 hours)