Ok to remove top pane of glass?

Abynum1 · 02/14/2007, 08:26 AM

My 110 long has a piece of glass that is siliconed to the tank top, running across the center. Each end had removable glass panes for feeding, etc,but the middle 3rd looks like it was siliconed there from the factory.

I want to go open top or egg crate and I was wondering if I could safely remove this glass? Its dirty,didn't clean as well as the rest of the tank (tanks not set up yet) plus I wanted my overflow box centered as the returns are going to be on each end.
The glass being there prevents me from centering the overflow.

I guess I could take a box cutter and cut the silicone out but I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to compromise the bracing of the tank or anything like that.
Thanks!

Andrew · 02/14/2007, 08:30 AM

I wouldn't, Tank braces are there for a reason... they hold it together.

Abynum1 · 02/14/2007, 01:08 PM

Well,that's my question; IS this a brace or did they just silicone a center pane across the top for whatever reason?

The pane does have trimming on it matching the rest of the tank is why I'm assuming it was done at the factory.
I'm out of town right now or would have taken a pic.

If its a brace then I'm going to leave it and just work around it, but I don't recall seeing any glass tanks w/a pane on top.

Abynum1 · 02/14/2007, 08:44 PM

anyone have any idea?

lusenut2 · 02/14/2007, 09:15 PM

Yes it is there as a brace cause the middle will tend to bow. I have a 150 tall tank and I had 1. What I did was build a aluminum frame around the top and used 2 1/4 peices of round stock for the bracing of front to back. I had to do this with it full of water so it made cutting it out a pain in the butt. Do this before you set it up. lol Also good luck cutting it out, I had a hard time, i ended up cutting the glass and breaking it out.

drummereef · 02/14/2007, 10:26 PM

If it's siliconed, don't remove it. It was put there for a reason.

02/14/2007, 08:26 AM	#1
Abynum1 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ellisville, Ms Posts: 469	Ok to remove top pane of glass? My 110 long has a piece of glass that is siliconed to the tank top, running across the center. Each end had removable glass panes for feeding, etc,but the middle 3rd looks like it was siliconed there from the factory. I want to go open top or egg crate and I was wondering if I could safely remove this glass? Its dirty,didn't clean as well as the rest of the tank (tanks not set up yet) plus I wanted my overflow box centered as the returns are going to be on each end. The glass being there prevents me from centering the overflow. I guess I could take a box cutter and cut the silicone out but I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to compromise the bracing of the tank or anything like that. Thanks!

02/14/2007, 01:08 PM	#3
Abynum1 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ellisville, Ms Posts: 469	Well,that's my question; IS this a brace or did they just silicone a center pane across the top for whatever reason? The pane does have trimming on it matching the rest of the tank is why I'm assuming it was done at the factory. I'm out of town right now or would have taken a pic. If its a brace then I'm going to leave it and just work around it, but I don't recall seeing any glass tanks w/a pane on top. __________________ Livestock: 1 YellowTail Blue Damsel, 1 Lawmower Blenny,Pair of Maroon Clowns, 1 BTA, 2 Peppermint Shrimp, 1 Skunk shrimp,1 Tuxedo Urchin, 1 Pistol shrimp&Hi-fin goby,clean up crew. Current Tank Info: 110 gallon 72" 20 gallon fuge w/Chaeto & Liverock. 100 or so pounds of live rock. 2 96 watt 10k and 2 96 watt blue PCs. 2 Hydor Koralia #4 powerheads. Tunze 9010 Skimmer

02/14/2007, 08:44 PM	#4
Abynum1 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ellisville, Ms Posts: 469	anyone have any idea? __________________ Livestock: 1 YellowTail Blue Damsel, 1 Lawmower Blenny,Pair of Maroon Clowns, 1 BTA, 2 Peppermint Shrimp, 1 Skunk shrimp,1 Tuxedo Urchin, 1 Pistol shrimp&Hi-fin goby,clean up crew. Current Tank Info: 110 gallon 72" 20 gallon fuge w/Chaeto & Liverock. 100 or so pounds of live rock. 2 96 watt 10k and 2 96 watt blue PCs. 2 Hydor Koralia #4 powerheads. Tunze 9010 Skimmer

02/14/2007, 10:26 PM	#6
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	If it's siliconed, don't remove it. It was put there for a reason. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

02/14/2007, 08:30 AM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	I wouldn't, Tank braces are there for a reason... they hold it together.

02/14/2007, 09:15 PM	#5
lusenut2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ocoee, Fl Posts: 1,580	Yes it is there as a brace cause the middle will tend to bow. I have a 150 tall tank and I had 1. What I did was build a aluminum frame around the top and used 2 1/4 peices of round stock for the bracing of front to back. I had to do this with it full of water so it made cutting it out a pain in the butt. Do this before you set it up. lol Also good luck cutting it out, I had a hard time, i ended up cutting the glass and breaking it out.