removing center brace.

[meklo_h2o]

I am going to get a new metal halide light next week. I am going to place it in the middle of my tank, so I am thinking of removing the center brace and placing two braces on each of it. I am going to leave that brace while I place two other braces in the center of each quadrant. Then I will cut that brace out and get my two glass tops cut in half to fit in the braces. I wondering if there is anything in perticular I need to watch out for, what materials I need to use, and if it possible to do this without empting the tank.


If I just confused anyone to much to reply, let me know maybe I can draw it better than explaining.


Meklo

[Kewlworm]

I have the same situation. Mine is 3/8" glass center brace that is about 18 - 20 inches long. I might replace it with 2 x 1/4" on each side of it then take the center brace out, but I am afraid it won't hold....

[Elite]

Good luck removing the brace .. I just remove it on my sump. I had to use the hammer to remove it. It's not that easy to remove.

[Aquaduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7458895#post7458895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elite
Good luck removing the brace .. I just remove it on my sump. I had to use the hammer to remove it. It's not that easy to remove.

A more tactful way would be to use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel instead of a hammer. :p

[Elite]

:D hammer worked :D

[meklo_h2o]

Is there a material other than glass thats clear enough not leave a shaded spot but strong enough not to warp under my light? Not sure what I am going to use for my new braces. Do I need to worry about the bolts I use to anchor them back? Will regular screws rust or anything?

Meklo

[mikeadams1985]

diamond?


:p

[jpmcca01]

bump

[gmatt]

Here is what I am doing getting the old rim off wasn't too bad. It just took patients and a steady sure hand.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=793396&referrerid=42160

gmatt

[jstraka1]

I took the center brace off of my 65, and replaced it with 1/4 clear acrylic. There is a 175 watt MH bulb 6 inches above it. The light fixture is cooled with a p.c. fan, so It doesnt get hot enough to warp the acrylic. I left about 2 inches on each end of the support and drilled holes that matched holes I drilled in the acrylic and used nylon bolts to affix it. The acrylic however is bowed a little, but it was like that before I put the tank in its place. If I had to do it over I would run some vertical pieces the full length of the support piece for some rigidity, to keep it from bowing.

Hope this helps...here are some pics....
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/82635Im002158.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/82635Im002156.jpg

[jstraka1]

Oh, forgot to mention.....
1) I did it while the tank was empty.
2) There is no shadow