Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I've got a MH pendent (CL 150w) and I just put it on tonight. I knew the center brace would force me to place the unit to one side only. The set up looks decent but I'd rather have it centered. Can I cut the brace? Safe? Cheers. Link to comment
kenny1 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I would not. 65 gallons is a larger tank and would probably bow in the middle. Link to comment
wombat Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Yes, and you can also remove most of the screws in your stand if they get in the way. Of course not! Link to comment
b_c_fisher Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 If its empty sure then just replace it with a glass brace works the same and it can let light through Link to comment
yardboy Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 The manufacturer wouldn't have put it on unless they felt there was a risk of the tank bowing out and breaking. One alternative is to put two braces on, offcenter of where the one now is. That way it won't shade the light. But that's a real bummer to do. Link to comment
hcsceo Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Don't do it. Especially if it is full of water. I have seen some tanks that removed the center brace when empty and replace that brace with clear acrylic using heavy zip ties or nylon screws and nuts. That brace is important to the structure of the tank and keeps the pane of glass from bowing too much. It'll be cheaper to buy another light than crack that tank. Steve Link to comment
nyfishguy Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I've got a MH pendent (CL 150w) and I just put it on tonight. I knew the center brace would force me to place the unit to one side only. The set up looks decent but I'd rather have it centered. Can I cut the brace? Safe? Cheers. that's not advisable.....lol had one break on me once on a 72 bowfront....it wasn't pretty after that Link to comment
SK8URDEAD Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 that's not advisable.....lol had one break on me once on a 72 bowfront....it wasn't pretty after that lol i guess im one of the few people with a 62g oceanic tank with out a center brace but then again the tank is 1/2" thick . 36Lx18Wx22H and holds all my water with out bowing Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hmm, we have a lot of guys at work who cut them off...but then again, i dont need a swimming pool in my house. Time to buy another halide I guess What do you guys recommend I do for the actinics? I have two retrofit PC's just sitting on panels of glass on the front. But if I have two halides, I won't have much room for actinics? Could I just get 20,000k bulbs and not add the extra actinics? Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 How can I make this work then? Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 get a thin piece of stainless steel bar..and bend it at the ends like a C...cut out the brace but leave like 1" on each side and drill a hole in there and put the bar in there..make it as tight as you can...then you wont have any light blockage maybe 1/8" Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 So the new plan might be to set up another tank... I might get a 40 breeder, make that the reef, turn the 65 into a FOWLR again. Link to comment
jpluttme Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 If it's not already filled with water (which it sounds like it is unfortunately) you can cut the center brace out leaving about 2" of the brace in front and back. Get a piece of plexi cut to size and drill 2 support screw holes both in the front and back old brace remains and corresponding plexi. Get nylon screws and nuts and attach the new plexi brace to the tank with nylon screws and also epoxy in between the new brace and the old ends if you really want to make it secure. I did this with a 56 gallon and it held quite well for years while producing no shadow from my MH. So the new plan might be to set up another tank... I might get a 40 breeder, make that the reef, turn the 65 into a FOWLR again. Link to comment
Agent G Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 NO NO NO! Dont cut the brace! My genius roommate decided to pick up my empty 55 gallon by the center brace and promptly snapped it. Since it was my first tank I thought nothing of it. I filled the whole thing only to watch the glass literally bow. Panicked I bucketed all the water out and had to replace the whole top. Urgh. Advice about the brace is good. Just dont cut it until you have something else in place. Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Well I think Im going to buy another Halide. What do you guys think: Tankoutlay.bmp Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 skip the actinics..just get 2 halides and run like 2 phoenix 14k bulbs and call it a day Link to comment
SK8URDEAD Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Well I think Im going to buy another Halide. What do you guys think: well if your going to do that then i think. www.fishneedit.com Link to comment
Kraylen Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 DIY eurobrace, or new lighting. Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Skip the actinics? If I have 2 14k bulbs, I won't need the extra fixtures, right? Link to comment
hcsceo Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 That sounds like the smart move. As far as the actinics, I like them even with 14K bulbs. Some corals will Pop more with them. You will be ok without them but I'd leave room to add them later if you don't now. Either way you have a good plan now. Steve Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Phoenix bulbs are great in color and the spectrum makes corals POP..When I ran them I felt no need to add any actinic to the water other then if I wanted to waste electricity Link to comment
Lebowski_ Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Thanks for the support guys. What kinda of quality and colour differences will I find between Phoenix 14k and Coralife 14k? I'm saving for college and can get the 14ks from Coralife for free. In a tough spot. Link to comment
hcsceo Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Man that is tough. Pheonix is better but free is free. You don't have to twist my arm. Send me the free bulbs and I'll tell you Link to comment
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