Black plastic divider in center of tank..

[Kadina]

Can I cut a notch out of the black flimsy plastic divider in the center of my tank without damaging the integrity of the tank? My HOB is too wide by about 1/8 of an inch.

[gm72]

Divider or support? Do you mean a plastic "rung" that runs from front to back across the very top of the tank?

[korith]

If you are talking about the center brace, I wouldn't mess with it. Removing or trimming it would weaken it, and may cause the tank to start bowing out.

[Kadina]

Yes, it is attached to the "frame" around the top of the tank. There was a sticker on it that said, "Do not fill tank if missing". Its not rigid though, I could probably snap it with very little effort.

http://www.olsonpages.com/storage/DSC09527.JPG
http://www.olsonpages.com/storage/DSC09528.JPG

[gm72]

I think you already answered your own question. Do not fill tank if missing. The center brace is not to be messed with.

[Kadina]

Ugh, nothing is going right with this project. It's been one problem after another. Maybe I can shave some of the plastic off of the filter. It is SO close to fitting.

[Miltonic]

What i don't get is that most average tanks don't have that brace in the center, I was wondering what made this one different that would call for a brace to be needed.

[Kadina]

I really don't know. I replaced a 29g (30X12x18) with a 37g (30X12X22). the 29g did not have the brace, the 37g does so I am guessing that height has something to do with it.

[gm72]

Not sure about that. My standard 38 gallon tank has a center brace as does each of the 40 gallon long tanks and both of the 55 gallon tanks.

[kevvy2k]

Trim the filter and glue some plastic pieces back on to contain the water.Maybe use pvc glue the blue stuff.

[cocoa_pleco]

the reason for braces now is the thinness of glass. in the 80's and early 90's, noone thought of center braces, so they used the thick 3/4" glass that is now on 125g+ tanks. this prevented any bowing, and you didnt need a brace

now, because of center braces to prevent bowing, theyre making 55g's with the same thinness of glass as 20g's.

[korith]

I guess if you are a bit of a diy type person, you could shave some of the brace off to make the filter fit. Then take a piece of plexi the length of the brace and glue it to the original brace to reinforce it.

I had to fix a broken brace in a 55g, and did something similar to replace it. Also I drilled a few holes into the original brace, and bolted the plexi brace to it, using nylon bolts so they don't rust.

[Owlbehere]

the reason for braces now is the thinness of glass. in the 80's and early 90's, noone thought of center braces, so they used the thick 3/4" glass that is now on 125g+ tanks. this prevented any bowing, and you didnt need a brace

now, because of center braces to prevent bowing, theyre making 55g's with the same thinness of glass as 20g's.
I wondered why the 45 I found and have to re silicone had thick glass and no brace... Now I know. My dad had to cut the lid on my marine land because it would not fit with the hood. The light switch would hit it and push the hood off.

[bushwhacker]

that is such a small amount i'd just file or grind out the amount you need its not going to weaken it much

[Kadina]

I tried shaving down the filter last night and it did not work out at all. Now I am just going to buy a filter that fits. The price of a canister is out of my range, so instead of using the AC 500 (110) that came with the original tank I will be buying an AC 70 on Tuesday when I can use my 25% off coupon at the lfs.

[korith]

I tried shaving down the filter last night and it did not work out at all. Now I am just going to buy a filter that fits. The price of a canister is out of my range, so instead of using the AC 500 (110) that came with the original tank I will be buying an AC 70 on Tuesday when I can use my 25% off coupon at the lfs.

May want to consider a used filter, off of craigslist or a local club forum if there is one.