How to Build a Cylinder Aquarium

Building an aquarium is a way to make a custom design for your home and for your fish. It can be also be cheaper than buying a similar aquarium from a dealer. You can build a cylinder aquarium using an acrylic tube and acrylic sheet. Bear in mind the thickness and length of the materials for your tank so that it will hold the desired amount of water.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Acrylic tube
  • Acrylic sheet
  • Marker pen
  • Jigsaw
  • Acrylic solvent
  • Syringe
  • File
  • Sandpaper
  • Acrylic polish
  • Aquarium sealant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Design your aquarium by drawing it on a sheet of paper. Highlight all the key considerations, lengths and thicknesses for when you purchase the materials.

    • 2

      Purchase the acrylic for the structure from an acrylic dealer. The cylindrical wall section will be an acrylic tube, 20 inches in diameter and 1/5 inch thick. The tube should be around 20 inches long as a starting size, because the acrylic needs to be thick enough to support the weight of the water. The higher the tank is filled, the thicker the walls need to be, because the increased water volume will exert more pressure. Buy a 1/10-inch-thick sheet of acrylic to make the base.

    • 3

      Draw the shape of the base over the cover sheet on the acrylic sheet. Cut around the line with a jigsaw.

    • 4

      Peel the protective sheet from the acrylic base sheet. Place the acrylic tube on top of the base and apply acrylic solvent between the edges. Avoid dripping the solvent, because it can scar the acrylic. Apply pressure to the top of the tube to allow the solvent to get a good hold. Leave the solvent for at least four hours, or longer if possible, to allow the joints to seal.

    • 5

      File, sand and polish the edges to make them smooth.

    • 6

      Apply aquarium sealant around the interior joints of the aquarium in a thin layer. Leave the aquarium for a few days to allow the sealant time to cure and dry. The long you leave it the stronger the joints will be. Remove the acrylic protective sheets. Fill the tank with water.