Black Center Brace - Can I Cut it Out of the Aquarium or No?

[that Reef Guy]

I want to set up a Frag Tank.

If I buy a Tank with the Black Center Brace is it Safe to Cut it Out?

I ask because I do not want to block out any light for the Coral and I just do not like the way it looks.

Someone told me you can.

But then someone else told me you cannot because the Tank will Break / Leak.

Which Person is Right?

 

[3dees]

I wouldn't. I did that to a 46 gal. fw tank. it didn't break but it bowed quite a bit. I worried so much that I bought a new tank.

 

[hejjo]

**** don't do it!!!!!!! I know a guy that thought the same thing about his bow front n when he cut it the front glass bowed out an inch plus and luckily it didn't break. He had to use a piece of pipe n flatten the ends and wrap them around the edges to hold the tank from bursting.

 

[Quinn123]

I have a 144 gallon half circle with a center brace and two small side braces, I cut all three and the tank has been running for three years without any problem.

 

[saltyphish]

If you cut it out I would try eurobracing it. Otherwise you will regret it.

 

[Chris L]

What lights are you going to use?

 

[KoleTang]

No you cannot cut it out. It will reduce the structural integrity of the tank. Most tanks come with a label that says "Do not remove center brace".

 

[Tahoe61]

Seems like common sense to me. No one to blame when the tank structural fails after removing a supporting brace no?

 

[glb]

I wouldn't take it out. It's there for a reason. Could you come up with a clear acrylic to replace it? I have no idea if that would work but it came to mind to solve the light problem.

 

[Small triggers]

If you basically swap it out for a euro brace then yes, but to just take it out, no... It's holding the top of the glass together...
Remember glass is very fluid...it bends and flexes alot... Something needs to be there to hold it together...

 

[Dapperjman]

Manufacturers would've saved that cost if it wasn't needed.

 

[PaulKreider]

Plenty of frag tanks dont have them! Deep Blue has a whole line up to 80 gallons which is 4x2x16 I believe, all of which don't have center braces. Or you could go with a 30breeder or 40breeder or even 20 long, all great.

 

[AdamNC]

If your tank was manufactured with center braces, they are there for a reason and not just for looks.

 

[that Reef Guy]

What lights are you going to use?

Kessil LED

Why do you ask?

 

[that Reef Guy]

Plenty of frag tanks dont have them! Deep Blue has a whole line up to 80 gallons which is 4x2x16 I believe, all of which don't have center braces. Or you could go with a 30breeder or 40breeder or even 20 long, all great.

I am thinking about a 30 Breeder but they have the Brace.

I am looking at either of these two sizes.

48 Long
18 Deep
12 High

45 Gallons

36 Long
18 Deep
12 High

30 Gallons

 

[that Reef Guy]

If your tank was manufactured with center braces, they are there for a reason and not just for looks.

Somebody said this

"If they were built that way, its totally different than removing one that was built into the tank!"

How is that totally different?

My LFS has both sizes I am looking for in stock (Both with Center Braces).

I said what if I wanted Rimless?

They said they would have it custom made and it would be exactly the same but with out the Black Tim on Top.

So if I got it custom no trim or brace and if I cut it out then no brace but still the trim.

I would think that the cutout way would be more durable since at least there is the top black trim on the top to support it.

If I ordered a Rimless Tank yes it would be made without a brace so I would not have to cut it out but it would still have no support on the top.

So I don't see how that gets around the theory "If they were built that way it is ok, but its totally different than removing one that was built into the tank!"

Right?

 

[that Reef Guy]

Somebody else told me that the Middle Brace is only there for Glass Tops.

Therefore as long as you have an Open Tank with No Glass Tops you will be fine.

Is there any Truth to that?

 

[PaulKreider]

I get 30breeders all the time at the shop, ask your LFS if they can order them in. They're same length and width as a 40 breeder but only 12 inches deep I believe.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Also, my LFS cut out the Center Brace on their Reef Tanks and they have been up for years with no problems.

Also, how do people have Rimless Tanks?

Are Rimless Tanks too new to the Hobby to realize any problems yet?

Are they all going to Blow Out One Day?

 

[that Reef Guy]

I get 30breeders all the time at the shop, ask your LFS if they can order them in. They're same length and width as a 40 breeder but only 12 inches deep I believe.

They have 30 Breeders but they have the center brace.

Any Tank 36" or Longer has a Center Brace.

Any Tank under 36" in length does not have a center brace.