Center brace aquarium - Will LED damage brace?

Sump Crab · Jul 26, 2022

I picked up a new tank and it has a center brace. My light I planned on using has an led puck centered right over the brace. I am wondering if I need to be concerned about damaging the brace over time? Thanks.

bobnicaragua · Jul 26, 2022

Halides can damage a brace, I wouldn’t worry too much about an LED.

Sump Crab · Jul 27, 2022

The brace is definitely warm to the touch. NOT hot but warm. I could keep my fingers on it and never need to remove due to heat.

Crustaceon · Jul 27, 2022

I'd be more concerned with UV degrading the plastic but TBH that might take decades with an led like that.

Sump Crab · Jul 27, 2022

Has anyone ever had a situation like this longterm on one of their tanks?

Crustaceon · Jul 27, 2022

Jrain904 said:
Has anyone ever had a situation like this longterm on one of their tanks?

I had a 36 gallon bowfront tank with two finnex led strips over it for three years with no noticeable issues. The leds were probably 3" away from the center brace.

capted · Jul 27, 2022

Not sure about leds but my metal halides caused my center brace to crack!! Don't think it was heat but maybe uv damage. I made an aluminum brace that I placed over it. The tank actually bowed out in the middle about 2 inches! Had to lower the water level and use long furniture clamps to slowly pull the glass back in. Scary as hell but I definitely trust the integrity of the tank after that! 125 gallons. Maybe you should think about covering it with something to protect it. Hardware stores sell aluminum strips. Just prime them so it doesn't corrode.

Crustaceon · Jul 27, 2022

capted said:
Not sure about leds but my metal halides caused my center brace to crack!! Don't think it was heat but maybe uv damage. I made an aluminum brace that I placed over it. The tank actually bowed out in the middle about 2 inches! Had to lower the water level and use long furniture clamps to slowly pull the glass back in. Scary as hell but I definitely trust the integrity of the tank after that! 125 gallons. Maybe you should think about covering it with something to protect it. Hardware stores sell aluminum strips. Just prime them so it doesn't corrode.

Makes sense considering MH can give you a nasty sunburn very quickly. That can happen with LED too of course but the UV output of LED isn't going to be comparable to Halide. I guess output should be considered too.