Center tank brace

**ntec** · 08-04-2012, 03:21 AM

Hi i have a 80 gal and i'm going to do something that would require me to remove the center brace temporarily. Is it ok to remove the brace and then reattach it back after or will it affect the long term structural integrity of the tank once its removed 1 time. I won't do it if its gonna cause an issue down the road.

**Cliff** · 08-04-2012, 03:25 AM

If it is filled with water when you remove the brace, then I would think you could be risking damage to the tank.

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-04-2012, 03:39 AM

How can you remove it? The center brace is molded to the outside frame. Why would you want to?

**Goes to 11!** · 08-04-2012, 03:52 AM

It's not there for decoration, It's structural.

DO NOT remove it with more than a few inches of water in the tank and less [to none] is better yet.

**Jaster** · 08-04-2012, 04:34 AM

Agreed. Do not remove that brace!

**pjaldave** · 08-04-2012, 06:30 AM

Maybe you can start by telling us why you need to remove that brace temporarily. Who knows, we might be able to help you go another route.

**ntec** · 08-04-2012, 03:16 PM

The tank would be empty when doing it. It actually to install a 3d background as 1 piece but i probably won't touch the brace now. I wil just cut the background in half to get it in the tank and save me the headache of a possible disaster in the future.

**rmiller** · 08-04-2012, 03:26 PM

Cut the background, your tank will never be structurally sound one the brace is removed. There is only one way to put it back, even then a) it wouldn't be as good as new b) most people don't know how to weld plastic, let alone have the equipment.

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-04-2012, 04:45 PM

Good idea. I thought it may be due to a background because I can see no other reason for removing the brace. Cutting the background is how everyone does it.