Tank stand center divider in the way for a large sump help

[Nugburner]

Looking for opinions on weather or not i should attempt to move a center divider in the middle of my 100 gallon tank stand so i can install a decent sized sump.

The center divider in my opinion doesn't seem to be supporting any weight of the tank. When i push on the divider it has some play in it telling me there isn't much if any weight on it coming from the tank. when i knock on the divider it has a hollow sound to it versus if it had weight sitting on it, would have a more solid/compressed sound. located above the divider i want to remove is a solid wood support running front of the tank to the back witch i believe is the real support preventing the somewhat flimsy divider from taking the support weight.

Since im not a expert stand maker im looking for opinions on weather or not it is safe to go ahead and remove the divider to make room for my sump.

i can always re support the center of the tank once the sump is installed if it turns out the divider supported more than i thought.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/Nugburner/sumparea.jpg

[Nugburner]

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/Nugburner/Picture014.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/Nugburner/Picture010.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/Nugburner/100galtank.jpg

[billdogg]

i suppose you could take it out on a temporary basis, but to rely on nothing more than fiber board to support the entire width of your tank is taking a pretty significant chance, IMO.

[afgun]

You could make a new support in the shape of an upside-down U... leave the front off, remove old brace, install new, stuff your sump in and then put the front leg of the support in. For safety's sake you might consider a temporary brace across the front (another upside down U) installed before you remove the current center piece.

[phaedrus1]

I like the concept of making a u for support as well. The center of a tank does not usually actually have a tremendous need of support as the vertical sides of the tank provide much of the strength for the center of the tank.