DIY Glass Aquarium

Glass aquariums are the most popular types of fish displays used across the world because of their various advantages. Glass is transparent, easy to clean, affordable, and looks great with any type of interiors. Having ornamental fish in these aquariums can make any room look elegant and luxurious. However, you don't have to hire people to set up the aquarium for you as you can easily do it yourself.

Building your own glass fish tank has many advantages: you don't have to pay anyone to set it up, you get to learn new things, and it helps you understand how you can repair it, in case of damage. Also, you get the liberty to make it in whichever dimensions you want, and you are able to choose the facilities and arrangements for your fish.

There are many things you have to consider when building an aquarium like the water capacity, dimensions, glass thickness, and the ability to withstand extra water pressure. You also have to make sure that the location you are planning to install the tank in is capable of holding it; the higher the wall, the thicker the glass should be.

The thickness of the glass should be ¼ inch for walls that are 14 inches high, and 3/8 inch thick glass for heights of more than 14 inches. Generally, most people prefer to build an aquarium that can hold water up to 10 lbs/gallons. Use plate or annealed glass, as it doesn't shatter into tiny pieces when it breaks and can be cut easily.

• Glass sheet
• Glass cutter
• Silicon carbide sandpaper/emery cloth
• Washable felt tip marker
• 100% silicone sealant (non-toxic)
• Acetone
• Paper towels
• Duct tape
• Single-edged razor blade

• Pick the dimensions you want the fish tank size to be. With the help of the glass cutter, cut the glass in these dimensions and then smooth the edges with silicon carbide sandpaper.
• Now, keep the cut pieces on a piece of paper on the ground and arrange them in such way that it resembles an open cardboard box.

• With the help of acetone and cotton, wipe the edges of the glass pieces so that they adhere to each other better. The silicon can stick when the edges are cleaned well. For temporary attachment, use duct tape to stick the sides together.
• Apply the silicon sealant gradually to the edges, and make sure you attach all the sides to the bottom glass piece. Make sure there are no air bubbles in this sealant as the glass will not adhere properly.

• When you attach each piece, hold it for some time so that the silicon squeezes out of the gaps. Then, add another layer of duct tape to each piece so that it is held in place. After all the edges are sealed, leave this sealant on for about 24 hours to dry.
• Once you are convinced that the layer has dried, use a razor blade to trim the silicon for a uniform finish. You don't need to remove the duct tape, as this can provide strong support.