Help? about to cut my 180 tank in minutes

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010.

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  1. fishnoob101

    fishnoob101 Astrea Snail

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    i need to cut out the wide black plastic strips, 2 of them that go accross the top of the tank from front to back they are blocking the light from my halides.

    I hear they are just to sit lights on as an option, yet other tell me they are to help structure of the tank for the pressure of the water pushing out.

    its a glass tank with 1 inch thick glass and a black plastic frame ring at both top and bottom.

    so i am wondering if i am about to create a blow out or am i safe?
    i am about to do this right ow so i thought i would ask here first
     
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
    #1

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  2. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    I would almost guarantee that if you cut them your gonna have 180 gallons of water on your floor, those are very important braces. Without them the tank WILL bow and it will put stress on the corners and I guarantee that they will let go. Probably sooner than later.

    Better off trying to shift your lights to one side or something but don't cut them.
     
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    #2
  3. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    I would NOT cut those braces, those braces give support to the tank and 100+ lbs of SW is pretty heavy.


    luna
     
    lunatik_69, Jan 9, 2010
    lunatik_69, Jan 9, 2010
    #3
  4. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    Yea, if you cut those, the tank will most likely burst and you'll have a lot of water on the floor. Definitely wouldn't do that.
     
    ZachB, Jan 9, 2010
    ZachB, Jan 9, 2010
    #4
  5. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    I believe enough already said, bad idea, they are there for a purpose.
     
    GuitarMan89, Jan 9, 2010
    GuitarMan89, Jan 9, 2010
    #5
  6. fishnoob101

    fishnoob101 Astrea Snail

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    thank you they seem flemsy? that is to state you can push down on them and they seem o flex like not much is on them
     
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
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  7. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    they aren't designed to to hold weight that way (when you push on them(, they are designed to take the stress of the sides of the tank pushing away from each other, in this direction they are strong. It would be like taking a thin piece of glass, you could easily break it by pushing the middle of the glass, it would shatter. But if you took the same piece of glass and tried to break it by pulling it apart from opposite sides it would be very difficult.

    Can you shift your lights at all?
     
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    #7
  8. fishnoob101

    fishnoob101 Astrea Snail

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    ok i will not then thank you all so much

    would it break right away or would i be able to cut them and replace them with a clear like plexy blass and nylon nuts and bolts?
     
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
    fishnoob101, Jan 9, 2010
    #8
  9. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    May take a few days, hours, or maybe burst within minutes. I would not play with that much water. Why don't you just shift your lights?
     
    ZachB, Jan 9, 2010
    ZachB, Jan 9, 2010
    #9
  10. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    I wouldn't do it, but you could brace the tank first by making your own braces and then cutting the braces out, but I really wouldn't recommend it.
     
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    coylee_17, Jan 9, 2010
    #10
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