Acrylic top/Radion mounting issue - Can I cut it?

b7fig · 10/19/2015, 07:01 PM

Long story short, I have two Radion 15's mounted with the Ecotech RMS mounts in the cutouts for the dual overflows. I need to add a third light in the middle, but there is no opening. There is a very large brace running down the middle.
Would i be able to safely cut a slit in the middle brace to mount like the other two and not screw up the integrity of the tank? If so, what is the best tool to use to cut it.
I'll attach pics.
(Per wife, uniformity is key, nothing hanging and no bar across top, she likes the way the other two are mounted- converting a FOWLR to a softy tank.)

Current way they are attached:

Center area that is the problem:

b7fig · 10/21/2015, 10:31 PM

Nobody?

Mr. Brooks · 10/22/2015, 01:25 AM

I wouldn't move forward with that plan. The brace is there for a reason, don't cut it.

There are plenty of hanging options that look very good. Do a google search, show your wife pics of other tanks, I'm sure she can be convinced.

Another option would be to sell the 15's and buy two 30's with wide angle lenses. That would be plenty of light for a softy reef.

10/19/2015, 07:01 PM	#1
b7fig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 250	Acrylic top/Radion mounting issue - Can I cut it? Long story short, I have two Radion 15's mounted with the Ecotech RMS mounts in the cutouts for the dual overflows. I need to add a third light in the middle, but there is no opening. There is a very large brace running down the middle. Would i be able to safely cut a slit in the middle brace to mount like the other two and not screw up the integrity of the tank? If so, what is the best tool to use to cut it. I'll attach pics. (Per wife, uniformity is key, nothing hanging and no bar across top, she likes the way the other two are mounted- converting a FOWLR to a softy tank.) Current way they are attached: Center area that is the problem: __________________ What, not again! Current Tank Info: 40g Innovative Marine. Mixed reef. Radion XR30 Pro. Vortech 10 Quitedrives. Reef link. Apex controller. 180 gal acrylic. FOWLR. 30g sump. K1 Kalk Stirrer. LifeReef SVS@2-24 protein skimmer. Carbon dosing

10/21/2015, 10:31 PM	#2
b7fig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 250	Nobody? __________________ What, not again! Current Tank Info: 40g Innovative Marine. Mixed reef. Radion XR30 Pro. Vortech 10 Quitedrives. Reef link. Apex controller. 180 gal acrylic. FOWLR. 30g sump. K1 Kalk Stirrer. LifeReef SVS@2-24 protein skimmer. Carbon dosing

10/22/2015, 01:25 AM	#3
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I wouldn't move forward with that plan. The brace is there for a reason, don't cut it. There are plenty of hanging options that look very good. Do a google search, show your wife pics of other tanks, I'm sure she can be convinced. Another option would be to sell the 15's and buy two 30's with wide angle lenses. That would be plenty of light for a softy reef.