View Full Version : Brace replacement - looking for opinions
jhildebrand
12/18/2008, 11:23 AM
My 260 has two braces that cause shadows that really irritate me. I have a sheet of 1/2" acrylic and I'm considering using that to replace a large section of the braces. I would do this with my tap and die set and two large nylon nuts/bolts on each side of each brace.
I'd secure the acrylic first on the bottom of each brace and then carefully cut the brace away from the top. Would like to know if anyone's done this before or if there's any safety concerns or flaws with the plan or strength of the nylon bolts. Thanks in advance...
james3370
12/18/2008, 11:33 AM
has been discussed & done many times....should work fine
jhildebrand
12/18/2008, 11:46 AM
I know it's not a new idea. I found some pics and older threads after I posted. However I can't seem to find guidelines on acrylic thickness or sizes and numbers of nylon bolts or how close to the end of the brace you can safely cut...
james3370
12/18/2008, 05:08 PM
one i saw the guy left about 2" of the plastic brace. drilled a self-tapping screw through it & ran a piece of welding rod between the screws
Ehgemus
12/18/2008, 05:18 PM
This is a lot better. you never have to clean it, like you would the acrylic. it is 1/2" nylon rod.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/ehgemus/100_0111.jpg
jhildebrand
12/18/2008, 05:25 PM
Hey, now that's cool. I take it the rod is too thin to cause any shadow? Where do you buy nylon rod?
Ehgemus
12/18/2008, 05:38 PM
you can get it from mcmastercarr.com it cost less than 2.00 a foot. and yes there is no shadow that i can see.
Crozure
12/18/2008, 07:10 PM
are those just nylon screws? is 2 enough to hold the rod? what size tank do you have.
Ehgemus
12/18/2008, 07:21 PM
it is a 75g and it has been thay way for over a year.
Crozure
12/18/2008, 07:34 PM
Very nice. Seems better than zip ties.
jhildebrand
12/19/2008, 09:07 AM
LOL, zip ties on a 260 would scare me! What size nylon bolts are those?
Ehgemus
12/19/2008, 11:18 AM
they are 1/4"
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