need advice 411 plywood build

[jnk22]

Ok so I'm just in the planning stages, but fall is just around the corner which means I'm going to have tons of time on my hands. So what better to do than build my own little monster!
So the measurements are going to be 60" L 36" W 44" H for a grand total of about 411 gallons.
My first question is if I wanted the biggest front viewing window possible lets say 50" W by around 36" H for a total glass surface area of 1800 square inches what thickness would the glass need to be?
And I plan on sealing the entire tank with fiber glass mat and resin on the inside with extra strips in all corners. This brings me to my second question are all resins "created equal"? Do they all cure virtually inert?
I plan on using 3/4" ply doubled up, two layers on all sides, would I need any additional bracing with the doubled up layers of 3/4" ply and full inner fiberglass shell? I've seen threads here both ways so I would like opinions.
Thanks in advance!

 

[notanatheist]

Ha, wondering why there were no replies yet and realized it was 10 minutes ago!!

Yes please... Not to thread jack but what weight/type of fiberglass have people been using? Your input will help us all!

Happy building!

 

[L~C~G]

Not all fiber glass resin is fish safe. You may be able to get a specific fish safe resin though(I couldnt get any locally).

You will need to color the resin or paint over it after with a pond paint to get the color you want, or you will need a fish safe gel coat which can be colored to your requirements.

I would put bracing in to help me sleep at night but based on the builds that I have seen here you should be fine without especially if you are doing the fiber shell.

 

[jnk22]

Oh yeah, stock, I forgot to tel you all the ideas I've been kicking around for stocking this new tank. So far my ides are red bellied pacus, clown knifes, maybe some giant gourami. And I've always loved arros but how much room do they need, would a 400 gallon tank be enough space? Any suggestions, or problems anyone can think of?

 

[L~C~G]

Ha, wondering why there were no replies yet and realized it was 10 minutes ago!!

Yes please... Not to thread jack but what weight/type of fiberglass have people been using? Your input will help us all!

Happy building!

On my 120 gal build I did two layers of fiber glass over the entire tank and 6 coats of a local pond paint. TOTAL over kill but local knowledge about building a plywood tank was non existent so I decided to er on the side of caution.

The fiber mat was 290gram / square meter. Just looking at that figure makes me realize how insanely overboard I actually went

 

[jnk22]

Not all fiber glass resin is fish safe. You may be able to get a specific fish safe resin though(I couldnt get any locally).

You will need to color the resin or paint over it after with a pond paint to get the color you want, or you will need a fish safe gel coat which can be colored to your requirements.

I would put bracing in to help me sleep at night but based on the builds that I have seen here you should be fine without especially if you are doing the fiber shell.

I would probably go with a dye for the resin, somewhere around a deep grey color I'm researching resins now trying to find one that will work and is also readily available near me.
I was thinking a substantial center brace and I'm really hoping no other outside bracing, I really like the clean outside look!

 

[jnk22]

Ha, wondering why there were no replies yet and realized it was 10 minutes ago!!

Yes please... Not to thread jack but what weight/type of fiberglass have people been using? Your input will help us all!

Happy building!

I plan on using at least 6oz weave or maybe 7 1/2 oz weave both of these are used in fiber glass boat building

 

[notanatheist]

I've been looking at US Composites and they have quite a selection. Anyone familiar enough with their products? Comparing E-Glass to S2-Glass and it's tricky! The 7.5 oz E-Glass in multiple coats seems the most economical. 3 layers in, 2 layers out - should build a nice inside out boat? And Sweetwater Epoxy to finish it off.

 

[marksuttonjr]

Oh yeah, stock, I forgot to tel you all the ideas I've been kicking around for stocking this new tank. So far my ides are red bellied pacus, clown knifes, maybe some giant gourami. And I've always loved arros but how much room do they need, would a 400 gallon tank be enough space? Any suggestions, or problems anyone can think of?

Where are you from in Indiana? I have a Pacu thats around 18" that is in need of a good home. I also know where there are roughly 20 more that are anywhere from 10" up to 2'.

 

[jnk22]

I've been looking at US Composites and they have quite a selection. Anyone familiar enough with their products? Comparing E-Glass to S2-Glass and it's tricky! The 7.5 oz E-Glass in multiple coats seems the most economical. 3 layers in, 2 layers out - should build a nice inside out boat? And Sweetwater Epoxy to finish it off.

I think we were looking at the same site LOL! I've also been looking at the Sweetwater Epoxy, So I would do my fiberglassing like normal and then use this as a top coat?