65usg Tank - Can I Remove Centre Bar On Hood Guard?

[Ansel_Tk1]

Hi all - I have a new 65 USG tank - it is a tall tank and the top has a black plastic 'bar' in the middle that spans accross the depth of the tank.

I think this thing might be just a centre column for a light hood to rest on, but I could be wrong...

My problem is - it blocks one of the lunar LED lights on the new compact light fixture I got!

Can I cut this piece off? Do you think it is a 'load bearing plastic thingy'?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[anodized]

i just set up my tank, it also has a centre bar. the box said if this bar is broken to not fill the aquarium with water, if thats for safety, product quality or some load bearingness i dont know.

i'm kind of wondering the same thing though because my current top has 2 fixtures and i'd like a single tube hood. why do you want to remove yours?

 

[Tolak]

I wouldn't remove it, it's the center brace. That's what keeps the longer panes of glass from bowing. Bowing glass end up breaking, given enough time. That gets real messy.

 

[pkillur]

The center brace (and bottom brace, it's just covered by sand/gravel etc) maintain the tension on the glass and keep it from bowing. This is ESPECIALLY critical in a show/tall tank like you've got. The picture below is from my old show tank which broke from a teeny tiny crack that I didn't attend to in time. I'd strongly urge you not to remove the center brace. If you've already done so, get something the clamp it together and have someone replace your brace. Otherwise IF you remove it you'll end up with this...

 

[Ansel_Tk1]

Hi - thank you all for your input - I have not removed it - nor am I going to! Maybe I can somehow move that centre LED.

Thanks again

 

[pkillur]

Hi - thank you all for your input - I have not removed it - nor am I going to! Maybe I can somehow move that centre LED.

Thanks again

Just find a just electronics store and get a 6 watt power supply, lop off the end, purchase an "ultrabright" or "superbright" blue LED with a 200/220 ohm resistor and you're done. Net cost 6 bucks USD. IF that... I just purchased about 40 LED's for my 72 gallon tank with a multistage power source for under 50 bucks..

 

[plantropimunity]

the top has a black plastic 'bar' in the middle that spans accross the depth of the tank.
Can I cut this piece off?

in my opinion, all tank modifications are best left to
if you do this one, i would blame sama: and invade the lfs looking for him hiding while you shop for a new tank.