Will my tank collapse?

[123456]

I have build a stand for my 150g (5' x 2' x 2').

I was wondering if I can get away with removing the middle vertical pieces of wood so that I have a better view of the 55g on the bottom.

I have taken pictures of the bottom support. I am very tempted to remove it but am afraid to compromise the structural integrity of the stand.

Any thoughts?

Here are the pics:

 

[Jon M]

That's very risky business... If I was going to do anything of the sort I would have a center support and moved the tank up some seeing as how it doesn't seem as deep as the above tank.

 

[Jamo3030]

Personally, I would leave it. A 5' span isn't so bad, but the stand design looks like there isn't much left if you take it out. A little re-working to make a center joist the long way and doubling up the outer long boards would work. You could probably just take it out, but that's a lot of water...

 

[fish_arent_real]

Personally, I would leave it. A 5' span isn't so bad, but the stand design looks like there isn't much left if you take it out. A little re-working to make a center joist the long way and doubling up the outer long boards would work. You could probably just take it out, but that's a lot of water...

agreed only way to fix is to run a brace centered all the way across but still kinda risky roll the dice i say it appears to be acrylic so why not if they cant shatter ? i guess acrylic can shatter but thats a far harder task then glass

 

[frnchjeep]

Plate the upper front horizontal frame with a strip of 1/4 x 3 1/2 inch steel. Drill it and nut and bolt it. Paint it so it doesn't rust.

 

[123456]

Thanks for the reply guys!

Hmmmm..... this is the first "bigger" tank I've dealt with and the first stand I've ever build. So my design and skills is definitely not up to par.

The top photo was actually taken as a vertical (portrait view) photo. Some how it got resized and squished to make it seem much wider than it actually is.

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, it definitely won't seem as long width wise.

But either way, would it help if I made diagonal reinforcements going from the verticals on each sides up to the horizontal?

 

[123456]

Plate the upper front horizontal frame with a strip of 1/4 x 3 1/2 inch steel. Drill it and nut and bolt it. Paint it so it doesn't rust.

Are you suggesting to put a metal strip on the outside like this?

I won't be able to put it on the inside.

 

[123456]

I was also thinking about adding diagonals like this if I were to remove the middle vertical pieces.

Would this help?

 

[frnchjeep]

Yes, on the outside. But the whole length and height of the 2x4.

 

[123456]

^ How many bolts/screws would you recommend?

Better yet, how far apart should the bolts/screws be from each other?

Any suggestions as far as the diagonal reinforcements goes?