Removing center brace - Aquarium Advice

Scoot · 07-10-2006, 07:10 PM

I'm going to have to remove the front center brace from my stand to get my new 20G sump into place.

I've seen people do this with no add'l support, and people build elaborate setups to hold the tank up.

The guy at the LFS told me he's removed 20+ center braces, with no supports, and never had a problem.

Anyone have direct experience doing this?

SeeDemTails · 07-10-2006, 08:01 PM

I would atleast put a rough 2x4 support up!

Think of the consequesnces if it doent work........

**lando** · 07-10-2006, 10:25 PM

It is there for a reason...I would leave it. At the very least, contact the manufacture to see what the implications would be. Make sure it will not comprimise the structual integraty of the stand.

Scoot · 07-10-2006, 10:26 PM

(Its just a temporary removal, to get a bigger sump under the stand...)

**lando** · 07-10-2006, 10:29 PM

IF you can put it back exactly like before I see no problem with it. I would call the manufacture first, however, ifyou have any doubt

Scoot · 07-11-2006, 12:00 AM

No idea who the manufacturer is (its a petco tank).

I've got a nice solid piece of 2" x 1" oak cut precisely to fit, a few inches off center. I know from my sailboat-building project that with a vertical load it'll hold a whooole lot of weight.

I might build an additional cross brace too, AND I might time the project with a really big water change, which should cut down on the stress somewhat.

Civicman86 · 07-11-2006, 12:29 AM

I took mine out from my 29gallon stand (bought stand at petsmart). I have one piece of pvc 1'' diameter pipe and seems to do fine.

LIke eveyone else said though try to support it with something small even if it is for a short period. More stability the better.

trotty · 07-11-2006, 04:56 AM

IMO i think it will come down to tank size and length. ive seen a 4ft long with no center support at all, if your putting it back go for it!

Scoot · 07-12-2006, 03:15 PM

I ended up cutting another piece, just like the brace, and wedged it into place, a foot to the right, a little tighter than the brace itself, with some shims. That took the load off the brace, and it came right out.

No problems.

07-10-2006, 07:10 PM	#1
Scoot Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 661 Images: 12	Removing center brace I'm going to have to remove the front center brace from my stand to get my new 20G sump into place. I've seen people do this with no add'l support, and people build elaborate setups to hold the tank up. The guy at the LFS told me he's removed 20+ center braces, with no supports, and never had a problem. Anyone have direct experience doing this?

07-10-2006, 10:25 PM	#3
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,654 Images: 46	It is there for a reason...I would leave it. At the very least, contact the manufacture to see what the implications would be. Make sure it will not comprimise the structual integraty of the stand. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

07-10-2006, 10:26 PM	#4
Scoot Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 661 Images: 12	(Its just a temporary removal, to get a bigger sump under the stand...) __________________ 180G build thread 180G All-glass with dual megaflows in a custom stand AquaC EV-180 skimmer 250 pounds LR 160 pounds aragonite Custom acrylic sump from GlassCages.com 2xPCX-40 return pumps 2x250MH 14K, 2x175MH 14K - PFO lighting, 2x65W PC No-name 36W UV Water General 125GPH RO/DI Filstar XP3

07-10-2006, 10:29 PM	#5
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,654 Images: 46	IF you can put it back exactly like before I see no problem with it. I would call the manufacture first, however, ifyou have any doubt __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

07-11-2006, 12:00 AM	#6
Scoot Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 661 Images: 12	No idea who the manufacturer is (its a petco tank). I've got a nice solid piece of 2" x 1" oak cut precisely to fit, a few inches off center. I know from my sailboat-building project that with a vertical load it'll hold a whooole lot of weight. I might build an additional cross brace too, AND I might time the project with a really big water change, which should cut down on the stress somewhat. __________________ 180G build thread 180G All-glass with dual megaflows in a custom stand AquaC EV-180 skimmer 250 pounds LR 160 pounds aragonite Custom acrylic sump from GlassCages.com 2xPCX-40 return pumps 2x250MH 14K, 2x175MH 14K - PFO lighting, 2x65W PC No-name 36W UV Water General 125GPH RO/DI Filstar XP3

07-10-2006, 08:01 PM	#2
SeeDemTails Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 436 Images: 4	I would atleast put a rough 2x4 support up! Think of the consequesnces if it doent work........

07-11-2006, 12:29 AM	#7
Civicman86 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 510	I took mine out from my 29gallon stand (bought stand at petsmart). I have one piece of pvc 1'' diameter pipe and seems to do fine. LIke eveyone else said though try to support it with something small even if it is for a short period. More stability the better. __________________ -Dustin http://home.insightbb.com/~civicman86/FishSig.jpg Pics and specs coming soon...

07-11-2006, 04:56 AM	#8
trotty Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: sydney Australia Posts: 356 Images: 31	IMO i think it will come down to tank size and length. ive seen a 4ft long with no center support at all, if your putting it back go for it!

07-12-2006, 03:15 PM	#9
Scoot Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 661 Images: 12	I ended up cutting another piece, just like the brace, and wedged it into place, a foot to the right, a little tighter than the brace itself, with some shims. That took the load off the brace, and it came right out. No problems. __________________ 180G build thread 180G All-glass with dual megaflows in a custom stand AquaC EV-180 skimmer 250 pounds LR 160 pounds aragonite Custom acrylic sump from GlassCages.com 2xPCX-40 return pumps 2x250MH 14K, 2x175MH 14K - PFO lighting, 2x65W PC No-name 36W UV Water General 125GPH RO/DI Filstar XP3

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