Euro brace blocking HOB skimmer

[ThinStripePets]

Hi, I have a marineland 40 gallon breeder, it’s my first saltwater tank. I have the marineland filter, but I wanted to get a protein skimmer as well, and I can’t get any of them to fit over the trim. Specifically, it’s the lip of the top black trim that the glass lid sits on. Is it okay to trim that lip back, while leaving the portion that fits over the top of the glass? Or is it too structural?
Thanks!

 

[JC1977]

I wouldn’t trim or cut into that black trim if it were me. If it’s a 40 breeder I’m assuming it doesn’t have any cross brace so that black plastic is essentially your bracing to keep structural integrity. I think you’re playing with fire tampering with it. Just my two cents. What hob skimmer are you trying to fit specifically?

 

[TokenReefer]

aquamaxx hob-1 - just one example; it can be done...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hi, I have a marineland 40 gallon breeder, it’s my first saltwater tank. I have the marineland filter, but I wanted to get a protein skimmer as well, and I can’t get any of them to fit over the trim. Specifically, it’s the lip of the top black trim that the glass lid sits on. Is it okay to trim that lip back, while leaving the portion that fits over the top of the glass? Or is it too structural?
Thanks!

Yes, you can trim the inside ledge/lip.

 

[TokenReefer]

Specifically, it’s the lip of the top black trim

Yes, you can trim the inside ledge/lip.

^^ good reader

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

^^ good reader

Lol!

I would not recommend removing it from the entire perimeter, but taking off a little here and there to place equipment is fine.

I used a Dremel.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I did it to my 75 gallon 2 years ago, no issues with movement or bowing.
I used a jigsaw to cut mine out, but if you have a Dremel with a good grinding wheel it should be good, if not better.

The 2 mounting bolts on the Aquamaxx 1.5 actually work perfectly like this, as they go directly underneath the plastic lip and fasten directly to the glass.