55 gallon to 485 gallon ply tank

[kzimmerman]

Hey all!
I read a thread on here about taking the panels from a 55 and converting it into a 125 or so gallon plywood tank. This gave me an Idea. I was considering taking my 55, using the back and front panels, and building a plywood tank 10'x2'x3'. This would be aproximately 485 gallons or so. I would build the back, bottom, and sides out of 1/2" plywood, framed up with 2x4's similar to a wall in a house. The front would be plywood, with the viewing windows cut into it, containing the two pieces. Bracing would be combined euro style bracing on the top edges, using 2x4's, and traditional braces on the top on 2' centers to prevent bowing. Am I just crazy? Would this work, given proper support to the glass? I'm under the impression from numerous posts that the gallonage doesn't matter, just the length and height of the glass. So, whats the consensus?

 

[kzimmerman]

I guess the consensus is, I don't want to touch this one, eh?

 

[basslover34]

Nope it would be fine... If a piece of glass being used doesn't go any deeper than it's thickness allows then it would be fine.

My test tank for my Monster build (shhhhh it's a secret ) Is using a 90 G corner tank and turning it into a 500 G tank

 

[kzimmerman]

Well, I guess I'll try it, i'll start collecting the materials and putting stuff on paper. Really all I need is some ply and two by fours, and some glass cloth. i've got the resin and the gelcoat, maybe I'll pick up some deck screws, I think all I've got is the drywall screws. This thing is gonna be the biggest tank in my area by far. My lepomis macrocirus will be much happier!