Center braces... tanks bowing... really?

[four_by_ken]

I thought that the center braces and top plastic on the tanks are more for setting glass tops, etc on than anything else.  They dont really do anything structurally.

Isnt this true?

If a tank has glass that is starting to bow... I would freak and drain the tank immediately.  Glass doesnt bend!

[linuxrulesusa]

It depends on the tank but yes it is part of the structure usually.  And yes, if it breaks and you see bowing you have to replace or repair it somehow.

[djlamonica]

Glass does bend I had a center brace break on my 90 trust me the glass bows repair your center brace.

[four_by_ken]

I dont have the problem.  I just never thought glass would bow enough for you to see it.

I would panic.

[Stan M.]

Ken i did panic last night.my 55 tank was bowing 1/2 .not sure how my center brace went out.Quick fix was a wood clamp for now.

[four_by_ken]

I learn something new everyday.

Bending glass.   

[RichE]

Ken i did panic last night.my 55 tank was bowing 1/2 .not sure how my center brace went out.Quick fix was a wood clamp for now.

Stan, You cant catch a break

[Steve]

I remember about a year ago on a website (think it was chichlid-forum.com) where there was a discussion about the role of the center brace/glass bowing and someone that had a tank they were going to repair the center brace on actually took pics with a tape measure on the tank both empty and full of water. The tank actually did show a solid 1/2" bow when it was full with no center brace.
It doesn't seem like glass would actually bow, but it is true I've seen it happen.