How to Build a Fish Tank


Building a fish tank can be a rewarding experience on many different levels. Building a fish tank yourself allows you to determine what size it should be. You can fully customize the size of your tank to fit a specific area no matter how large or small.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • 5 pieces of glass (bottom, front, back, left side and right side)
  • Silicon sealant (100 percent silicon and non-toxic)
  • Silicon carbide sandpaper
  • Acetone

  • Paper towels
  • Duct tape
  • Washable felt-tipped marker

Step 1

Determine what size your fish tank will be. Use an aquarium glass thickness accurately figure how thick the glass for your fish tank should be. You need to make sure this is an accurate measurement. If the glass is too thick, it could be expensive to build. If you make the glass too thin, it can burst or crack under the water pressure.

Step 2

Order five pieces of the glass with the proper thickness. You will need a bottom, front, back, left side, and right side piece.

Step 3

Sand down the sharp edges of your glass pieces with silicon carbide sandpaper.

Step 4

Label each piece of glass with a washable felt-tipped marker. Write on each piece of glass to identify which piece is the bottom, front, back, left, right. Remember to also label which side of the glass is the inside and out of the fish tank, as well as the top and bottom edges.

Build Fish Tank

Step 1

Tear off 15- 20 strips of duct tape 5 – 6 inches long. Place the bottom piece of glass of your fish tank facing up on a surface. Rub the edges of the glass with acetone and a paper towel.

Step 3

Place eight of your duct tape strips under the aquarium. Half should go under the tank, half on the side, with the adhesive side facing up. Place two strips on each side of the aquarium bottom.

Step 4

Place sealant on the front edge of the aquarium. The piece of glass labeled as the front should be pressed into the sealant. Secure the duct tape strips. Do not wipe away any extra sealant.

Step 5

Place silicon sealant across the ride side panel of the aquarium. Place the sealant across the bottom of the tank and down the side.

Step 6

Place the side panel firmly against the bottom and front glass plates. Hold the glass in place with one hand. Apply the two duct tape strips from the bottom of the fish tank. Then apply two new tape strips where the front and side join.

Step 7

Continue until all four sides of your aquarium are joined securely.

Step 8

Use your finger to smear sealant into the inside joints of the glass. Allow the sealant dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 9

Fill the tank with water, and allow the water to sit for at least 24 hours. If the fish tank doesn’t leak for 24 hours it is ready to be used.

Filed Under: Pets & Animals

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About the Author: Jason Prickett loves to write about home maintenance and stuff you can do yourself instead of hiring any professional. His step by step guides will assist you in completing your home maintenance tasks.

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