Removing Cross-Bracing

[Detritivore]

Hi everyone,

Currently, I have an acrylic 120 (60L x 24W x 20T) which has a bracing configuration that looks like this:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r204/anacropora/braceedit.jpg

I want to remove these two cross braces (they are a pain to work with):

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r204/anacropora/braceedit2.jpg

The entire tank is made with 3/8" acrylic all around. If I remove the cross braces, it will still leave a 5-6 inch wide brace around the perimeter of the tank. Is it safe to do this? If not, can I remove the two braces and glue a single brace across the middle of the gap so that I have two larger openings instead of the current three?

Many thanks!

[cdentii1]

I strongly advise against it. If anything you maybe able to get away with shaving them down a little bit.

[raddogz]

I also strongly advise against it.

The center braces hold the front and back panes of acrylic together. You might be able to get away with emptying the tank, removing the cross braces and euro-bracing by adding additional acrylic to all the sides.

If you just remove the center braces and do not add additional support the tank will begin bowing and pulling itself apart.