So ive made the leap, i have found a supplier of rays for some crazy prices for where i live so i decided i needed a tank for one. I got some 3/8" glass kickin around and decided to use it. Its going to have a 4X4X1.5 footprint. Its about 135 canadian gal. I realize the fish going in it are going to need larger but i have plans for a 8X5X3 tank drawn up ready to go but i wanted to try it in smaller scale first. I have read around on a lot of the forums here looking at how everyones going about this and figure this should work for me on this tank. Ive drawn up a rough sketch of the tank, as you can see it will be a ply base and all 4 sides will be glass. Built the base last night, I took it to my work today where a guy is building a boat out of wood and epoxy, hes using and has a connection for the West Systems epoxy and knows his stuff, kinda handy. So as you can see in the pics i started with a 4X4 sheet of 3/4 ply, Now i was hesitant to rely on the silicone to the epoxied ply alone as i havent really seen a tank like this that wasnt all glass. There all expensive. I know the silicone will hold the glass together as look at normal glass tanks, its just the base joint, so i decided to add some 2X4's around the base this way i can silicone the inside of the 2X4's as well as the normal corner seams for some added security, now whats everyone think of this design? Anyone think it needs some top supports? I cant really see any problems with support as its not that deep and its 3/8's glass and my boat builder friend insisted on cloth wrapped all the way around, no flex at all. Also top supports would create some difficulty around the overflows. Went with a light 3 oz cloth, got some pics, waiting for it to set now, going to fill some spots, and wrap the rest this week, sand smooth and then coat it with a couple more coats of colored epoxy. Neat stuff. One question ive never been able to differentiate here is guys talk about fibreglassing then epoxying or jelcoating for sealing the tank, but im fibreglassing with epoxy, and adding a couple layers of epoxy on top, do i need to still jelcoat or is the epoxy enough? I kinda guessed it was as his boat is water proof so. Im also going to run dual overflows, dual wet/dry filter systems. I want to test some standpipes and sumps for when i setup my two 180's upstairs. they have to be quiet and look real good. Also id like to try some other bio media and such in the sumps. And i need the heater external as rays and heaters dont mix.
Looks like a cool little tank 
not a big deal if you cant since youll be upgrading soon 
I was actually really thinking about the whole higher on the sides but due to the glass that i already own is that height. This tank is basically a test, if it goes well then the 750Gal 8X5X3 will be started
. I am basically trying to think of either a cap for the glass that will be mabye 4 inches or so taller just incase, as i dont think i want to put a "brace" style rim on the tank as it doesnt need the integrity and itll cover the overflows,or mabye a rim with a lip that will hold a glass top for top viewing pleasure.
