MH Mounted over center brace

Larry Grenier · 02/27/2002, 02:24 PM

The lighting plans for my next tank; 75 gal, may include a Halide right in the center (along with other bulbs). The bulb would be between 6" and 7" above the top rim of the tank. It will be mounted paralell to the fron of the tank. Should I be concerned about the center brace blockng light or being damaged by the the heat and/or rays?

Ltspd · 02/27/2002, 03:27 PM

I would not mount a halide over a brace.

ErikS · 02/27/2002, 03:46 PM

I have mine over a brace, but it's only been a week so I don't know if long term damage to the brace will result. I do have a 4" fan in the end of the canopy for disperse heat, I'm worried about the long term affects UV will have on the brace.

I can tell you that it does indeed cast a shadow. With the "glitter" lines you get from MH it's not very noticable, but you can see it. Where it shows the most is on the rear glass, near the top.

If you're going with an AGA 75 you should have room to mount the MH's perpendicular to the length. Each MH spans about 2ft & would be perfect for a 4' tank. I have mine @ 6" on a 36" tank it even the corners get plenty of light. MH can make a 2ft spread easily. You might have to trim the end's of any reflector you buy if you wanted to squeeze in a couple of VHO actinics, but it's very do-able & you'd avoid any shadow. The MH sockets & bulb are only about 9" or 10" long w/o a reflector.

If you're going with 3 bulbs you might want to consider upping the wattage & going with fewer bulbs.

Just my .02

Edit: Forgot to add, if you want to see what the shadow looks like just post a note over @ WAMAS, I live in Wdbridge & that's not too far from you.

GH Sniper · 02/27/2002, 03:46 PM

It would be recommended to use two MH lights. One on the left and one on the right.

Most will say you should have 1 MH light for approximately 2 square feet. I think your tank is 48x18x20.

JBIT · 02/27/2002, 09:21 PM

I have a six foot tank with a center brace. I was just going to cover the brace with some aluminum flashing to protect it from the light/heat.

fliberdygibits · 02/28/2002, 03:40 AM

I melted the plastic brace in my tank right in half with a 100 watt halogen shop light. I was using it to determine if a single metal halide in the middle would work or if I needed two. I just hadn't bought the MH yet. After this, what I ended up doing that worked really well was a rigged up a couple of small aluminum "clips" that grasp the front and back edge of the tank where the brace was and I ran a braided stainless steel cable (small) between the two and tightened it. It keeps the tank from flexing and it doesn't care how hot it gets. And it doesn't block ANY light.

HTH

cheese1 · 02/28/2002, 06:18 AM

On my 65g I cut out the center brace and replaced it with two DIY braces that are offset so you do not get a brace shadow. Each brace consists of 2 - 6" pieces of 1- 1/2" aluminum angle connected by a 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum flat stock drilled and fastened with stainless steel nuts,washers and bolts. It works great. No problems. As a matter of fact I removed one to get at some live rock in the tank and to put it back in place I had to wiggle the brace to get it to push the tank "in" The tank bulges about 1/8" - 1/4" without the brace.

ErikS · 02/28/2002, 08:55 AM

I don't know if it helps Larry, but it sure helps me - lol - now I know how to get rid of that shadow line!

JBIT · 02/28/2002, 09:47 AM

I thought about cutting my brace out but I just couldn't muster the courage to do it! The clips and cables really sound like a good idea.

cheese1 · 02/28/2002, 09:48 AM

The material for the braces are available from Home Depot. Total cost around $12.00 FWIW the braces when complete should look like the letter "I". Good Luck.

JBIT · 02/28/2002, 09:56 AM

Did you guys do these mods with the tank full or empty? I guess it wouldn't be too scary to hook up the new braces and then cut out the old one. After all, it is just plastic.

cheese1 · 02/28/2002, 10:30 AM

I cut mine when it was empty but it can be removed when full if the braces are in place. You'll just get plastic shavings in the tank.

fliberdygibits · 02/28/2002, 01:11 PM

But only because I flubbed and gave myself no choice. If I had the option I would have done it while it was empty.

saltkreep · 02/28/2002, 09:26 PM

you guys are crazy

ErikS · 03/01/2002, 09:06 AM

prevent the plastic from ending up in the tank? Or did you just let it get "filtered" out?

fliberdygibits · 03/01/2002, 09:17 AM

I kinda wedged my net under where I was cutting and used a dremel with a small guard on it. I got SOME plastic in the tank, not much.

HTH

chewie · 03/01/2002, 09:25 AM

DUDE!!!!! That is crazy!! You couldn't pay me enough to cut out my center brace with the tank FULL

ErikS · 03/01/2002, 10:05 AM

chewie - ROTFLMAO - I just wondered how he did it, I don't think I have the balls to actually do it.

But it does make sense, if the brace is there to take up the pressure then it should all work out fine.

JBIT · 03/01/2002, 10:15 AM

HEHE I don't have the guts to do it myself, but it is very good information to know in case you ever have a brace break!! Maybe I will add the cables as insurance and then if the urge hits me down the line, I can cut the brace out!

fliberdygibits · 03/01/2002, 10:28 AM

I did all this cause I had a brace failure

I used one of those long carpenters clamps temporarily while I cut to make sure the tank didn't flex.

chewie · 03/01/2002, 10:36 AM

fliberdygibits: Oh! I missed that part! still scary though

woogie · 05/24/2006, 07:23 PM

Sorry to bring up an old thead, but my glass brace broke, and I want to replace it with metal one that can handle heat, and doenst need to be cleaned all the time.

Cheeseone, did you silicone the pieces of aluminum angle to the tank before connecting them? If not, how were they connected?

Thanks

02/27/2002, 02:24 PM	#1
Larry Grenier Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manassas, VA, USA Posts: 378	MH Mounted over center brace The lighting plans for my next tank; 75 gal, may include a Halide right in the center (along with other bulbs). The bulb would be between 6" and 7" above the top rim of the tank. It will be mounted paralell to the fron of the tank. Should I be concerned about the center brace blockng light or being damaged by the the heat and/or rays?

02/27/2002, 03:27 PM	#2
Ltspd Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Arden, NC Posts: 619	I would not mount a halide over a brace. __________________ Paul C Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day. Current Tank Info: 168g starphire

02/27/2002, 03:46 PM	#4
GH Sniper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 406	It would be recommended to use two MH lights. One on the left and one on the right. Most will say you should have 1 MH light for approximately 2 square feet. I think your tank is 48x18x20. __________________ Creating anything I can to make a better reef... :P Current Tank Info: 120G Reef Tank .... boy they do get big

02/28/2002, 03:40 AM	#6
fliberdygibits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 30	Was about to post a very similar question... I melted the plastic brace in my tank right in half with a 100 watt halogen shop light. I was using it to determine if a single metal halide in the middle would work or if I needed two. I just hadn't bought the MH yet. After this, what I ended up doing that worked really well was a rigged up a couple of small aluminum "clips" that grasp the front and back edge of the tank where the brace was and I ran a braided stainless steel cable (small) between the two and tightened it. It keeps the tank from flexing and it doesn't care how hot it gets. And it doesn't block ANY light. HTH

02/28/2002, 01:11 PM	#13
fliberdygibits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 30	I did mine full..... But only because I flubbed and gave myself no choice. If I had the option I would have done it while it was empty.

02/27/2002, 03:46 PM	#3
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	I have mine over a brace, but it's only been a week so I don't know if long term damage to the brace will result. I do have a 4" fan in the end of the canopy for disperse heat, I'm worried about the long term affects UV will have on the brace. I can tell you that it does indeed cast a shadow. With the "glitter" lines you get from MH it's not very noticable, but you can see it. Where it shows the most is on the rear glass, near the top. If you're going with an AGA 75 you should have room to mount the MH's perpendicular to the length. Each MH spans about 2ft & would be perfect for a 4' tank. I have mine @ 6" on a 36" tank it even the corners get plenty of light. MH can make a 2ft spread easily. You might have to trim the end's of any reflector you buy if you wanted to squeeze in a couple of VHO actinics, but it's very do-able & you'd avoid any shadow. The MH sockets & bulb are only about 9" or 10" long w/o a reflector. If you're going with 3 bulbs you might want to consider upping the wattage & going with fewer bulbs. Just my .02 Edit: Forgot to add, if you want to see what the shadow looks like just post a note over @ WAMAS, I live in Wdbridge & that's not too far from you.

02/27/2002, 09:21 PM	#5
JBIT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC Posts: 211	I have a six foot tank with a center brace. I was just going to cover the brace with some aluminum flashing to protect it from the light/heat.

02/28/2002, 06:18 AM	#7
cheese1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Newburyport, Ma. Posts: 117	On my 65g I cut out the center brace and replaced it with two DIY braces that are offset so you do not get a brace shadow. Each brace consists of 2 - 6" pieces of 1- 1/2" aluminum angle connected by a 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum flat stock drilled and fastened with stainless steel nuts,washers and bolts. It works great. No problems. As a matter of fact I removed one to get at some live rock in the tank and to put it back in place I had to wiggle the brace to get it to push the tank "in" The tank bulges about 1/8" - 1/4" without the brace.

02/28/2002, 08:55 AM	#8
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	I don't know if it helps Larry, but it sure helps me - lol - now I know how to get rid of that shadow line!

02/28/2002, 09:47 AM	#9
JBIT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC Posts: 211	I thought about cutting my brace out but I just couldn't muster the courage to do it! The clips and cables really sound like a good idea.

02/28/2002, 09:48 AM	#10
cheese1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Newburyport, Ma. Posts: 117	The material for the braces are available from Home Depot. Total cost around $12.00 FWIW the braces when complete should look like the letter "I". Good Luck.

02/28/2002, 09:56 AM	#11
JBIT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC Posts: 211	Did you guys do these mods with the tank full or empty? I guess it wouldn't be too scary to hook up the new braces and then cut out the old one. After all, it is just plastic.

02/28/2002, 10:30 AM	#12
cheese1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Newburyport, Ma. Posts: 117	I cut mine when it was empty but it can be removed when full if the braces are in place. You'll just get plastic shavings in the tank.

02/28/2002, 09:26 PM	#14
saltkreep Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville ca Posts: 199	you guys are crazy

03/01/2002, 09:06 AM	#15
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	fliberdygibits, how did you.... prevent the plastic from ending up in the tank? Or did you just let it get "filtered" out?

03/01/2002, 09:17 AM	#16
fliberdygibits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 30	Net... I kinda wedged my net under where I was cutting and used a dremel with a small guard on it. I got SOME plastic in the tank, not much. HTH

03/01/2002, 09:25 AM	#17
chewie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland OR Posts: 1,170	DUDE!!!!! That is crazy!! You couldn't pay me enough to cut out my center brace with the tank FULL

03/01/2002, 10:05 AM	#18
ErikS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: VA Posts: 2,199	chewie - ROTFLMAO - I just wondered how he did it, I don't think I have the balls to actually do it. But it does make sense, if the brace is there to take up the pressure then it should all work out fine.

03/01/2002, 10:15 AM	#19
JBIT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC Posts: 211	HEHE I don't have the guts to do it myself, but it is very good information to know in case you ever have a brace break!! Maybe I will add the cables as insurance and then if the urge hits me down the line, I can cut the brace out!

03/01/2002, 10:28 AM	#20
fliberdygibits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 30	If you notice my earlier post...... I did all this cause I had a brace failure I used one of those long carpenters clamps temporarily while I cut to make sure the tank didn't flex.

03/01/2002, 10:36 AM	#21
chewie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland OR Posts: 1,170	fliberdygibits: Oh! I missed that part! still scary though

05/24/2006, 07:23 PM	#22
woogie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: May 2004 Location: Thousasnd Oaks, CA Posts: 146	Sorry to bring up an old thead, but my glass brace broke, and I want to replace it with metal one that can handle heat, and doenst need to be cleaned all the time. Cheeseone, did you silicone the pieces of aluminum angle to the tank before connecting them? If not, how were they connected? Thanks