How to Build an Inland Lobster Breeding Tank

Lobsters will live and breed in tanks given the proper conditions. However, they do not take well to sharing their space with other fish and especially with other lobsters. This makes breeding lobsters a tricky affair where breeding pairs must have sufficient space and young lobsters must be removed or they will be eaten. Construct your own lobster tanks with materials found in most hardware or home supply stores.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 laminated, annealed or toughened glass pieces, 1 foot wide by 3 feet long by 0.24 inches thick
  • 2 laminated, annealed or toughened glass pieces, 1 foot square by 0.24 inches thick
  • Silicone carbide sandpaper
  • Acetone
  • Soft cloths
  • Silicone sealant
  • Duct tape
  • 4 clamps
  • Carpenter's square
  • Tape measure
  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Gravel
  • Rocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Run the sandpaper over the edges to smooth the glass. Use acetone on a soft cloth to clean the surface of the glass to ensure adhesion of the silicone sealant.

    • 2

      Lay one of the 3-foot by 1-foot glass pieces flat on one of its 3-foot sides. Spread sealant near the bottom of one side of another 3-foot by 1-foot glass piece and press it perpendicular to the front edge of the glass piece laying flat. Repeat the same steps with the final 3-foot by 1-foot glass piece on the other 3-foot side of the prone piece. Adhere the 1-foot square glass pieces with the silicone sealant along the 1-foot sides of the prone piece in the same manner. Use the duct tape as a temporary way to hold the glass pieces in place. Use a soft cloth to wipe off excess sealant.

    • 3

      Place soft cloths against the glass and place the clamps over the cloths and tighten. The clamps will keep the glass in place until the silicone dries. The soft cloths prevent the clamps from cracking or scratching the glass. Do not tighten the clamps too much. Use the carpenter's square to ensure the panels are plumb. Remove the duct tape.

    • 4

      Leave the sealant to dry for 24 hours. Remove the clamps and the soft cloths. Coat the inside joints with sealant to ensure the tank remains waterproof. Leave the sealant to cure for 24 to 36 hours.

    • 5

      Place the tank on a sturdy surface before filling. Rinse the tank out and then fill with filtered water. Add a filter, heater, gravel and rocks. Leave the filter to run for 24 hours before putting the lobsters in. Ensure that the temperature is set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.