I have a 45 bowfront acrylic fish tank and i just bought a new halide light system. There is a piece of plastic, like a bracket, that extends across the top of the tank but it is right under my halide bulb and creates a shadow in the water. My question is if i remove the plastic bracket will my tank be okay? What is the purpose of the bracket anyway? I really dont want the acrylic to crack and end up with a cracked tank, dead fish, and water all over the floor. Advice? PLEASE! Thank you!!:)
This bracket is the center brace, and it keeps the back of the tank from bowing out and cracking. There is only one way to safely remove it and that is if you have an acrylic light canopy custom built for this tank with two braces that clamp the tank, replacing the center brace on either side of your light. There is a cheaper solution. Have two MH lights each centered over the top openings of the tank. Not only does the light get shadowed, but the light is converted into heat that degrades and eventually damages the center brace.
The bracket is there because its necessary. If it wasn't the manufacturer wouldn't spend the extra money to include it. You'll need to find another way of making the light work in your tank.
