Cutting centerbrace of a 36bowfront

[Sparks]

So I want to cut out the center brace of my 36 AGA tank(for lighting). How bad of an idea is it on a tank this small? Would cutting acrylic strips and glueing them on the ends provide needed support?

 

[Red C Aquarium]

prob not that much harm, but if you raise the lighting up a little higher it might solve the problem.

good luck !

 

[Holygral]

If you cut the center brace out the tank will bow out and eventually fail. You can replace the center brace with a piece of clear acrylic, repaired a friends 55 like this. drain the tank down first then cut and glue with Weld On, and clamp for 48 hrs

 

[Skimmy]

If you cut the center brace out the tank will bow out and eventually fail. You can replace the center brace with a piece of clear acrylic, repaired a friends 55 like this. drain the tank down first then cut and glue with Weld On, and clamp for 48 hrs

i would leave 2" on each end, drill holes through it and use nylon screws to attach new acrylic brace.

 

[Sascha D]

Skimerwhisperer has a pretty good idea.

If you remove the center brace on a bowfront tank entirely, you won't even notice the tank failure until its too late. The pressure on the back corners would be huge and they would just give out one day without warning.

 

[Rod Buehler]

I am not recommending it, but I cut the center brace from a 45 tall (36x12x24) well over 10 years ago, and its still holding water.