Remove Center Brace for Sump

[dputt88]

so I run a 75 gal wide for my sump and there is a center brace right over the refugium chamber. Since there are several baffles siliconed into the sump can i cut away this center brace?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Can you post a picture?

 

[dputt88]

 

[dputt88]

Bump

 

[ZoWhat]

Center braces keep the water pressure from bowing the side glass out....like a wall collapsing outward

If you cut the center brace out....I'd find two spots where you are free to use straps that can be tightened to support the side glass.

Wrap these straps completely around the tank vertically and hand tighten them as hard as you can

I'm talking straps like these:

 

[DSC reef]

I would angle the light for the refugium. I cut a brace on a 55 gallon with thick glass and even though the sump was only filled up halfway after a year there was noticable bowing that made me nervous. It wasn't a typical 55 gallon from Petco with thin glass either.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Given the 5 baffles that have been added, and assuming they are very secure, I wouldn't worry about the center brace.

If you still have concerns, make 2 removable braces shaped like this. l__________l (this is obviously upside down from the way you would put them on the tank) Make them from plastic, pvc, wood, glass even just use clamps from HD or Lowes. Put one over each of the two baffle locations. Just make sure they fit down snug over the tanks plastic frame.

 

[ca1ore]

I think that as long as the baffles are structurally sound, the center brace can be removed without major worry. I did something like this years ago, but because I am paranoid, I did silicone on a pair of eurobraces.

 

[dputt88]

yeah i guess i could put some euros on it after cutting

 

[foxt]

yeah i guess i could put some euros on it after cutting

The baffles are going to help replace the center brace, but I would add something like a euro along the front and back panels to try and keep them from bowing out. Alternatively, you could replace the brace you are cutting out with two braces front/back at the top, at about equal thirds. They would be out of your way, but still give you some additional support in addition to the baffles.