Removing Centre brace on tank?

[qwiksilver]

I have a 54g tank (36x18x20) and am going to have a single halide I am building into my hood. The halide will be centred over the tank right over the little black brace, so I want to take it out. It is pretty thick glass for the tank and I am wondering if it will hold on its own (i am wondering if the brace is more for the glass hoods which I don't use.)? The glass is 1/2" on sides and 3/8" on front and back panels. Any thoughts?

[Ninong]

You should never remove the center brace. Tanks that have a center brace cannot be operated without it unless you go to all the trouble of installing perimeter bracing to make up for the lack of structural support.