Is the center brace necessary?

Rickyrooz1 · 09/22/2007, 11:22 PM

Is the center brace on the Perfecto aquariums are necessary? If they don't give much support I plan to cut mine out but still leave the black trim on the edge of the tank. I have a 120 gallon reef ready aquarium. I want to take out this brace so I can put a light above the brace.

T Man · 09/22/2007, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rickyrooz1
Is the center brace on the Perfecto aquariums are necessary?

Yes, cut it out and the tank will lose it's integrity, the glass will bow, then break and ruin your day..................

tanker · 09/22/2007, 11:29 PM

It does not "support" the tank. It keeps the front/back from bulging too much.

I would not cut it.

davidryder · 09/22/2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tanker
It does not "support" the tank. It keeps the front/back from bulging too much.

I would not cut it.

Agreed!

dwd5813 · 09/22/2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tanker
It does not "support" the tank. It keeps the front/back from bulging too much.

I would not cut it.

+2

ya gotta figure if the tank did not need that brace they would not waste the time or money putting it there

laugh · 09/23/2007, 12:42 AM

Many people have replaced the center support with a piece of clear acrylic.

uscharalph · 09/23/2007, 12:58 AM

It gives me something to place things on while working in my tank. LOL!!!

chrisqueenz · 09/23/2007, 06:47 AM

How would you go about replacing it with clear acrylic?

seastar12 · 09/23/2007, 06:58 AM

I'm pretty sure you need it unless you want problems, but I don't know how to replace with acrylic.

davidryder · 09/23/2007, 09:43 AM

I think acrylic would look a little out of place but you can cut a piece and with acrylic glue secure it to the rest of the plastic edge. I don't know how well acrylic would bond with that plastic but I would bet pretty well. The commonly used glue is called weld-on

snulma1 · 09/23/2007, 08:55 PM

Some people just secure the acrylic between whats left of the center brace using nylon bolts. Which makes me feel a little more secure

Dr Begalke · 09/23/2007, 08:59 PM

i wouldn't remove it.

m2434 · 09/23/2007, 10:21 PM

I had someone tell me that it's designed to be an indicator. If it starts to crack the tank is starting to go and should be replaced.
I don't know if there's any truth to that... but I'm sure it's there for a reason.

uscharalph · 09/24/2007, 12:15 AM

I also like it because it is a gentle nudge indicator that I need to clean my overflow tubes. The water level starts to touch the bottom of the brace.

09/22/2007, 11:22 PM	#1
Rickyrooz1 Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 2,453	Is the center brace necessary? Is the center brace on the Perfecto aquariums are necessary? If they don't give much support I plan to cut mine out but still leave the black trim on the edge of the tank. I have a 120 gallon reef ready aquarium. I want to take out this brace so I can put a light above the brace.

09/23/2007, 12:42 AM	#6
laugh Member of the Registry Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,226	Many people have replaced the center support with a piece of clear acrylic. __________________ NORK President Current Tank Info: All gone

09/23/2007, 12:58 AM	#7
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	It gives me something to place things on while working in my tank. LOL!!! __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank

09/23/2007, 09:43 AM	#10
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	I think acrylic would look a little out of place but you can cut a piece and with acrylic glue secure it to the rest of the plastic edge. I don't know how well acrylic would bond with that plastic but I would bet pretty well. The commonly used glue is called weld-on __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

09/23/2007, 10:21 PM	#13
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	I had someone tell me that it's designed to be an indicator. If it starts to crack the tank is starting to go and should be replaced. I don't know if there's any truth to that... but I'm sure it's there for a reason. __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

09/22/2007, 11:29 PM	#3
tanker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: sf bay area Posts: 3,522	It does not "support" the tank. It keeps the front/back from bulging too much. I would not cut it.

09/23/2007, 06:47 AM	#8
chrisqueenz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rochester New York, USA Posts: 2,042	How would you go about replacing it with clear acrylic?

09/23/2007, 06:58 AM	#9
seastar12 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 245	I'm pretty sure you need it unless you want problems, but I don't know how to replace with acrylic.

09/23/2007, 08:55 PM	#11
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	Some people just secure the acrylic between whats left of the center brace using nylon bolts. Which makes me feel a little more secure

09/23/2007, 08:59 PM	#12
Dr Begalke Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: OH Posts: 246	i wouldn't remove it.

09/24/2007, 12:15 AM	#14
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	I also like it because it is a gentle nudge indicator that I need to clean my overflow tubes. The water level starts to touch the bottom of the brace. __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank