Removing centre brace on tank?

[qwiksilver]

Yeah, there are a lot of different factors that come into play. I don't have tempered glass, and it is not laminated that I am aware of. But I do know that the tank sits perfectly level.

So, is there a decent way of figuring out :?: I would love to take out that centre brace. I would leave the black trim on all the way around, which I am sure would offer support.

 

[Fl_Seagull]

The real problem is that it is close. If the tank was 12 mm it would not be an issue. But it is impossible to address all the various issues. Stress analysis only goes only as far as the assumption used. Unfortunately, the plastic around the top does not offer all the necessary support.

Even the New Zealand site calculations "...expect the glass to be supported around its perimeter on all four sides." This is hard to do without some form of bracing whether cross-type or euro-type.

For example, the New Zealand calculations would say 10 mm float glass is good for 36" to 12000(yes, 100ft)" tanks 8O ! You have seen for yourself that a 10 ft tank needs to be closer to 1" to go without bracing.

As far as not being able to get to the New Zealand web site, this may because your ISP is blocking the server. Since servers can host multiple web sites and ISP often just block the servers not the individual web sites, this could explain your difficulties with the links.

Why you can't download the zip file I posted is another issue.

 

[fishinchick]

The designer of the tank put it there for a pretty good reason I'd imagine.
Like keeping the sides from bowing out or even splitting seams.
I dont know about you but I like my water IN my tank.

 

[qwiksilver]

Well, to clear it all up I went in to the store today to ask questions. First was how can the ten foot tank support without braces?

Answer: It is tempered glass! (makes more sense)

Q2: Will my tank be fine if I take out the centre plastic brace?

A: Yep. He just puts them on so he doesn't have to polish the tops of the tanks. But you can tell by the slack in the brace while full that it serves no other function than to support lids... which I don't have.

So I am going to remove the black brace. Now, where are those cutters.....