Can lighting penetrate glass panel on top?

I just got a new (well, old) 125g tank off craigslist, it's definitely older but seems to be in working condition.

Question though, it has an ~18inch glass panel between the two center braces, it is siliconed and very much mounted in. I don't know if the tank was made with it or if it was added by the previous owner. We tried removing it but that seems like a no-go and I'm leaning more towards it having been part of the original tank.

Will this panel affect the light that passes through and hinder coral growth? Currently using AI Sol units.

 

an image would certainly help in this case

removing braces is not a good idea IMO
it may be an add on, maybe previous owner had a twin light unit and needed that glass piece in order to support the inner legs of both light units?

if the glass is cleaned, then it will not make much difference to available light
if it is allowed to get dirty, salt residue or film algae growin on the unside due to bubbles bursting in vicinity depositing water on it - then that would naturally cut down on light reaching the tank

get a top down shot, if you can as that would help people advise

 

Here's a few shots,





It's pretty dirty, but we're trying to clean it up (any recommendations on a good cleaner besides vinegar?) . But as long as it gets cleaned up it should be ok to put corals below it?

 

I do not know, but I suspect that is not part of the original design- as it looks a very odd size for a manufacturer to use as a brace
may have been added later, becuase previous owner suspected the tank was bowing out accross the centre when filled?

Vinegar, neat should certainly help to soften up any calcium deposits , you need to leave a soaked vinegar rag on the panel for a while and then a razor blade or scraper used carefully should remove it

if you have tried cutting/ removing silicone from around that brace
I would test it outside or in an area close to a drain, with tap water for a while before filling it with salt water - just in case

Steve

 

additional thought
it may have been used as a vivarium for snakes or lizards etc
and may have had 2 sliding panels in addition to the fixed panel in the middle at some time in its life

hopefully someone who recognises that tank brand from the images, may have a better idea ?

Steve