Bracing a plywood tank

[Night Ranger]

I'm going to be adding a 2"x2"x8' long steel square tube across the back of my plywood tank. The dimensions of the tank are 8' long 37.5" tall and 4' front to back with 2" thick walls and bottom. Water level will be at 32.5". There will be 3 braces across the top when it is finished. My question is would it be best to put the brace across the center from the top and bottom of the water level or put it at the center of the overall height of the tank. Note the overhead crane for lifting the panels into place.

 

[tomojsg]

 

[LBDave]

Nice. IDK. Sounds like I would want the steel braces as high above the water as possible (if that's what you are saying). So what goes in the front? Plywood with a window?
Just looking at this I'm wondering why not a plywood top? Similar to an acrylic tank. Theory is the bottom and top hold things together. Mid height when then be my concern.
Looks like a lot of work. Did you consider acrylic rather than plywood before you started the project? (just curious).

 

[Night Ranger]

There will be 2x4 bracing hidden inside and across the top and around the inside perimeter. I have a piece of 3/4" low iron glass mounted inside a 2" thick plywood, fiberglass and epoxy frame ready to be installed with the overhead crane. I was thinking about a acrylic tank but they scratch so easy. I've seen closeup pictures of acrylic aquariums after some years of use and I was shocked at how many hazy micro scratches were in the acrylic. Kinda offsets the saying that acrylic aquariums are crystal clear.

I've decided to go ahead and attach the viewing panel and seal it into place, after I install the cross bracing I will add water and monitor the panels for deflection at that point I will decide how I will approach wall bracing. I'm pretty sure there will be some steel bracing needed. I would have used 2x4s for exterior bracing but this is going to be in my livingroom and I don't believe exposed 2x4s would be appealing. Pictured below is where 98 screws will be used with epoxy adhesive to attach the bottom of the front viewing panel. The back and sides were attached in the same manner. Remember all plywood is laminated and is 2" thick.

Thanks for the reply and interest as there will be a lot of pictures in the future.