subject: Interesting Tips On How To Build A Fish Tank [print this page] If you of a mind to construct your personal fish tank, these helpful instructions will help you with the process. It provides the materials, tools, prep work and step by step directions to completing the tank.
Required Materials
Silicon Carbide Sandpaper
Acetone
Glass
Duct tape
Silicon sealant
Instruction
Step one:
Determine the size fish tank you want to construct and figure out the thickness of the glass needed by employing the use of a convenient aquarium calculator that can be found on the web. This will find the aquarium volume, glass thickness, glass area, glass weight and total combined weight of the glass and water.
Step two:
Order the glass from a glass cutter. There will be a total of five pieces needed for the tank. (Four sides and the bottom)
Step three:
When you acquire the glass, the corners will be extremely sharp from the glass cutter. Sand the edges of the glass with Silicon Carbide Sandpaper or an emery cloth until they are smooth.
Step four:
Lay out the pieces of glass in such a way that they are easily identifiedand correctly label each piece bottom, left, right, back and front using a washable marker. Also label which sides will be the inside and outside of walls of the tank.
Constructing Your Fish Tank
Step one:
Create 20 strips of duct tape that are between 5-6 inches long. Let them hang lightly from the edge of a table or workbench until they are necessary.
Step two:
Begin with the glass that will be the bottom of the tank, place it on a flat surface with the side marked inside facing up.
Place some acetone on a paper towel or cloth and wipe the entire edge of the pane
Step three:
Carefully elevate the glass and put eight of the duct tape strips under the glass. Position the duct tape so that half if is stuck to the outside of the glass and the other half is hanging free. When settled correctly, the sticky side will be facing up. Try to space the tape as evenly as possible on each side.
Step four:
Make a line of silicon sealant and on length of the base that will be adjacent to the front piece of glass.
Take the piece of glass that is marked front and position next to the edge you have distinguished as the front of the base
Press the front glass securely to the line of silicon sealant, and move the strips of duct tape so that the loose pieces cling to the outside of the front pane.
Do not attempt to wipe away any sealant that has leaked out under the edge.
Step five:
Run another line of sealant on the left or right side of the tank as well as on the edge of the front pane where the new piece will be touching.
Step six:
Attach the side panel and ensure it is set firmly against both the bottom and front glass.
Hold the glass steady and add two more pieces of duct tape to secure the corner and front pieces of glass to each other.
Step seven:
Replicate steps five and six until all four walls have been added to the base and each other with the Silicon sealant and held by the duct tape.
Step eight:
Make the silicon sealant on all eight interior edges, that is: the four edges that make up the base and the four where each of the walls meet.
Use your fingers to blot the silicone sealant into the edges.
Step nine:
Let the sealant dry for 24 hours before moving to the final step.
Step ten:
Fill your new fish tank with water and observe it for at least 24 hours.
See that there are no leaks from any of the joints.
If there are no leaks and the tank does not break or crack from the pressure, Congratulations you have successfully built your own fish tank!
Tips and warnings:
Always use safety gear when touching and sanding glass. Goggles, masks and gloves are needed.
If you are unsure about the measurements for the thickness of the glass, double check with a pet shop so that the tank will not crack.
