question for acrylic gurus

[myzona]

Does it safe to cut this part from top? Fish tank 72x18x18 1/4" thickness?

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/myzona/top_cut.jpg

[Mel-E-Mel]

Im no acrylic guru but with that lenght and thickness i wouldnt do it.

[Inflames]

No its not because that is there to prevent bowing. The water pressure against the internal walls of the tank need to be stabilized by it.

[myzona]

This part blocking my middle MH light.
What else I can do? Some kind off support for bowling if I going to cut it?

[Acrylics]

Don't use MH directly over acrylic, just not a good idea. Use VHO, T5, LED, whatever, but *not* MH - you're simply asking for trouble. Change your tank or change your lighting scheme, one or the other.
Lighting should be designed around the tank. If you are ordering a new tank, you can design the tank around the desired lighting. But using a lighting scheme that can/will affect the structure of the tank is... well - you get the picture.
As thin as that material is for the size tank, no way I'd cut into it.

James

[myzona]

James, any way I can cut top frame and then reinforced it? For example like this:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u98/myzona/topframe.jpg

Thank you.

[Acrylics]

Myzona,
While I can't say it *can't* be done, I would say it probably would not be wise so I wouldn't advise it. IMO the likelyhood of bad things happening is too great, again - IMO. Hope you understand where I'm coming from on this :)

James

[myzona]

Yes, I am understood, but new tank is not option for me...
And I am open for any ideas/option how to make it work together (existing tank and MH)