Euro bracing

[G-BO]

Hi everyone I’m new to forums and trying to figure out how everything works and navigate around and also new to aquariums. I’m a beginner. Can someone tell me if it’s ok to take off the top trim of a tank 72L x 24”W x 30”H x 1/2” thick or 13 mm glass or if it’s a bad idea for a reef tank. My middle a cross bracing has broke in the middle or anyone have any ideas

 

[KrisReef]

Euro-Bracing is 4 pieces of glass that are installed at the top edges of the tank to keep them from bowing when the tank is filled. The center brace in a (fish) tank is there to keep the middles of the front and back panes from bowing when you fill the tank. If it is broken many people would replace it with a new piece of glass installed with new silicone sealant to prevent the tank from bowing.

Is this a plastic piece or thick piece of glass that broke?

Some glass tanks have a thin plastic brace to hold the glass lid as well as to minimize bowing. A picture of piece/tank in question may help us decide what you have to deal with?

 

[redfishbluefish]

The simple answer is YES, you need that cross brace.

As @KrisReef pointed out, we need more information. Is it glass or Plexi? Is it Euro Bracing or a plastic frame around the whole top? In either case, it would be fixable.