open top aquarium... is the crossbar required?

Hi everyone

I have just bought a pretty big 145gal aquarium 2nd hand. Its size is 52in
x 24in x 27in with10mm glass so not very long but quite deep and wide. It
was originally an open top aquarium with lights suspended from the ceiling
(which were included).

The previous owner was just using it to breed discus and had lids made to go
on the aquarium. These are 4 pieces of glass that rest on these inch wide
strips of glass that run around the enge of the aquarium and on a 6 inch
wide crossbar of glass that goes across the middle of the aquarium.

My question is is this crossbar required to stop the aquarium from breaking?
Could I remove it and have the top totally open?

I cant tell if the previous owner added it to rest the lids on or if it is
an original part of the aquarium. I want to run this as an open top planted
aquarium and would be nice if I could cut the silicon that is holding it
down and remove it. It is made of the same 10mm glass as the rest of the
aquarium. There are 1 inch wide strips of 10mm glass running around all 4
sides at the top of the aquarium which would ad to the structural rigidity
but not sure if they would be enough.

Any advice would be great

Thanks

Simon

In message , lid writes
Hi everyone

I have just bought a pretty big 145gal aquarium 2nd hand. Its size is 52in
x 24in x 27in with10mm glass so not very long but quite deep and wide. It
was originally an open top aquarium with lights suspended from the ceiling
(which were included).

The previous owner was just using it to breed discus and had lids made to go
on the aquarium. These are 4 pieces of glass that rest on these inch wide
strips of glass that run around the enge of the aquarium and on a 6 inch
wide crossbar of glass that goes across the middle of the aquarium.

My question is is this crossbar required to stop the aquarium from breaking?
Could I remove it and have the top totally open?

I wouldn't. It's bracing the top of the tank and working against bowing
in the front and back panes.

--
sophie

www.freewebs.com/fishstuff
(under construction. ish.)

Simon,

Personally I wouldn't remove it. Most tanks of 3' plus have a cross bar to
stop the front and back bowing under the weight of the water (particularly
when they are wide and deep).

Regards

Mark

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