center brace

[Corey]

I was thinking about setting up a 250 watt MH fixture in my 60gal. I want to try one bulb first to see if thats enough lite, and then maybe go to two. The problem is I have a center brace(glass) I dont have a problem with the PC light shining through, but if I hang a MH over it will that hinder it?

[Son Of Skyline]

How long is the tank?

[Corey]

48 inches

[Son Of Skyline]

I had a centre brace on my 120gal which is also 48" long and it did affect light spread. I'm sure you can give a single bulb a shot but i think you'll find that the brace will get in the way. I'm also pretty sure that a single MH bulb won't spread enough to light a 48" tank, unless you want it to be dark on either side.

[Corey]

yeah I know it wont light the whole tank but I was thinking about vhos too.

[Son Of Skyline]

As with most things in this hobby, you'll never know what works for you unless you try! So if you want to try the single bulb, go for it...and then tell us if it works or not :)

[Corey]

do you think the brace could safely be removed?

[al555]

im running a single 250w MH light on a 80gal thats 48inches with glass center brace.

but i got it pretty low to the tank, but its ok.....in the corners you dont get fantastic lighting...but thats fine with me.

i run glass tops so, its not too bad as long as you keep the tops clean from salt creep.


Al.

[Son Of Skyline]

do you think the brace could safely be removed?

That I wouldn't know. Can anybody else give some info here?

[Skimmerking]

well what it is worth a ran a 400 w 6500k on my 280 and with a center brace and it didnt effect it what so ever.

you can try and add a 1 on each sde of the tank and break off the center brace if ya want too.
I going to be running 1x250 over my 36" tank 36x20x20 and if i can will have no brace ,but probably run in to putting a brace at each corner out around 6" out from the sides or 8" out.


mike

[rayyue]

i just break my centre brace last night
because i'm setting up my 120gal reef tank
my tank is 48x24x24 with 10"wide center brace
i put one 400w metal halide at the center on top of the center brace
after few hours, the glass was heat up by the bulb (i didn't know that)
and when i feed the fish, one drop of water drop on the center brace
because the center brace is so hot but the water is cold
the center brace "pop" and break
i pump out half of the water to prevent the tank break

today i phone to a guy he is a pro tank maker
and told him my story
he said my tank will bow but won't break
because my glass is half inch thick
it can handle it

[danny zubot]

You could take the center brace out if you replace it. Go to your local glass shop and get them to cut a 0.5x2 inch piece of glass to retrofit. Silcone the piece in place, but the tank has to be emptied unless you have a large clamp to hold it in.

[StirCrazy]

do you think the brace could safely be removed?

how thick is the side glass and how tall is it? (48" x ?)

Steve

[Corey]

Its 1/4" glass and is 48x15wx18h

[Jack]

That seems pretty thin to me..

[StirCrazy]

Its 1/4" glass and is 48x15wx18h

yes you need the center brace.

Steve

[Vagabond]

I would try Eurobracing the tank if you wanted to remove the centre brace.

Get some 2"-3" wide, 3/8" - 1/2" thick glass strips cut to size from a local glass shop and silicone them in to place, should be good to go (As Danny said, the tank would have to be empty). My 62g is eurobraced and I like the centre being completely open. Easier to move around and fiddle in the tank when you need to, as well as the lighting thing.

My only concern might be that 1/4" glass seems a little thin for a 56g tank. Esp. at 48" long. :eek:. Maybe I just feel safer with overkill!

My 62g is 3/8" with 1/2" eurobracing and is 40"l x 18"w x 20"h.

[Tarolisol]

I have a 77g hagen tank that doesnt have any bracing at all and im pretty sure its half in glass and i only have a little bowing.