Aquarium rim/cross brace

[SeymourDuncan]

I have a modded 75g as a side project.
It is funded with "extra stuff" I get for my other tank. So far it is working out great.
Yesterday I resealed the tank a installed overflow walls. It is now taped for painting when I have another free day.

Before i paint it I want it to be completely at that stage.

The overflow walls are only 12 inches tall (the side panel to a 55 flipped sideways).

It should be around 44.8-46.75 total gallons depending on the height above te overflow it fills to. So that would be around 400lbs total weight (minus rock displacement since the only put downward force).

I would like to remove the rim, or at least the center brace if at all possible so I can stack a rock right there that is taller than the tank.

Is this a stupid idea? Will the tank burst apart? I had a 55 with the center snapped and I filled it and it bowed a good inch. I know the 75 has very thick glass, but everything is flexible at one point. This tank would have less pounds of everything than a 55 would have.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

So anyone know if this will be fine?
Removing the brace when the tanks only going to be 3/5 of the way full?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hmm I am not so sure about doing that or not.

 

[Sacohen]

All I can say is I removed the center brace on a 125 and about 6 months later the corner seem opened up and there was water all over the floor.

I would not recommend it. Tanks are built with those things there for a reason.

If you do decide to do it good luck.

 

[OurReef]

Possible option could be to build two thinner braces out of something strong but non corrosive and space them closer to the ends.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Ok, well I'm not filling it to the top, just about a foot high.

I can make a carbon fiber cross brace for the sides very easily I think.

Now the question:
What is a good glue to adhere carbon fiber to plastic?

Here's my idea for glue: my friend builds rc helicopter parts this way.

Originally he used ashes (burnt wood,charcoal, or even from the ash tray). Now he saves the saw dust from his carbon fiber cuttings. But the powder mixed with super glue (liquid) makes an insanely strong bond with most of what he is doing. Do you think that would be good for this application?

 

[OurReef]

Give it a shot and let us know, I have a 75 with a huge glass brace that ild love to remove.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Just to make this clear:
I know for a fact a 75 with no brace is bad news, at full capacity.

I will only be running it at 40 something gallons. If I succeed with this
DO NOT TRY IT on a full 75.

I guess I'll give it a shot.

 

[OurReef]

I would replace the big glass brace with two smaller braces, I'm not crazy either.