Removing center brace for my sump

takayan · 04/04/2016, 09:33 AM

My sump is DIY sump from 40 Breeder tank, so there is a center brace on the top of the tank. Recently, I bought new skimmer, but unfortunately it does not fit in my sump. If I remove the center brace from my sump, it would fit.

So my question is how it would be risky to remove the center brace from my sump. Since it is a sump, I put 4 acrylic plates to make chambers with silicone glue and the water level in sump is 2/3 of the height.

Drae · 04/04/2016, 09:57 AM

Never seen a 40 breeder with a center brace. If you haven't used the acrylic baffles yet get some glass baffles made at a glass shop. Really cheap. I think I paid like $10 a piece. Silicone bonds to glass a lot better. To answer your question though it'd be fine to remove the center brace especially since you'll be putting baffles in. Hth

takayan · 04/04/2016, 10:13 AM

Oops. It is 55Gal regular tank. 36inch long.
I have 4 buffles to make bubble traps. So it looks ok to remove the center brace.

GimpyFin · 04/04/2016, 11:13 AM

+1 on Drae's suggestion to use glass baffles. Also, if the acrylic baffles are fairly snug to the glass, they can expand with water absorption putting stress on the tank.

Kyl · 04/04/2016, 04:21 PM

Use glass, far superior bond. It's easy to cut & sand yourself, or any local shop can do it for like $5-10 a piece depending on size.

PorkChop · 04/06/2016, 01:17 PM

+1 for glass also.

04/04/2016, 09:33 AM	#1
takayan Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Superior, CO Posts: 748	Removing center brace for my sump My sump is DIY sump from 40 Breeder tank, so there is a center brace on the top of the tank. Recently, I bought new skimmer, but unfortunately it does not fit in my sump. If I remove the center brace from my sump, it would fit. So my question is how it would be risky to remove the center brace from my sump. Since it is a sump, I put 4 acrylic plates to make chambers with silicone glue and the water level in sump is 2/3 of the height.

04/04/2016, 09:57 AM	#2
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	Never seen a 40 breeder with a center brace. If you haven't used the acrylic baffles yet get some glass baffles made at a glass shop. Really cheap. I think I paid like $10 a piece. Silicone bonds to glass a lot better. To answer your question though it'd be fine to remove the center brace especially since you'll be putting baffles in. Hth

04/04/2016, 10:13 AM	#3
takayan Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Superior, CO Posts: 748	Oops. It is 55Gal regular tank. 36inch long. I have 4 buffles to make bubble traps. So it looks ok to remove the center brace.

04/04/2016, 11:13 AM	#4
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	+1 on Drae's suggestion to use glass baffles. Also, if the acrylic baffles are fairly snug to the glass, they can expand with water absorption putting stress on the tank.

04/04/2016, 04:21 PM	#5
Kyl Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 93	Use glass, far superior bond. It's easy to cut & sand yourself, or any local shop can do it for like $5-10 a piece depending on size.

04/06/2016, 01:17 PM	#6
PorkChop Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 161	+1 for glass also.