DIY: Fish Tank

Fish tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In some situations, however, a standard aquarium will not work. If you have an oddly shaped nook in your home that you would like to fill with a fish tank or if you just like the idea of a completely customized aquarium, you can build your own fish tank. A simple glass aquarium requires little more than tempered sheet glass, silicone caulking and a few hours of your time.

Things You'll Need

  • Tempered sheet glass
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Silicone aquarium sealant
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the dimensions for your fish tank. Keep in mind that to achieve the greatest stability, your tank should be longer than it is wide to allow for the installation of cross braces. Consult an online aquarium volume calculator to determine how many gallons of water your proposed dimensions will hold.

    • 2

      Decide what thickness of glass is appropriate for the dimensions you have chosen. For tanks up to 18 inches deep, glass should be 1/4 inch. Tanks measuring between 18 and 24 inches in depth require glass 3/8 inch thick and larger tanks should use glass at least 1/2 inch in thickness.

    • 3

      Get six pieces of tempered sheet glass cut at your local home improvement store. You will need two side panels cut to the height and depth of your tank, the front and back panels cut to the length and height dimensions, and the bottom panel cut using the length and depth of the tank. Have one or two 6-inch wide sheets cut to the depth of your tank to use as a cross brace.

    • 4

      Sand the cut edges and corners of the glass sheets to smooth out any sharp edges. Use fine sandpaper and wear gloves to avoid cutting yourself.

    • 5

      Lay the bottom glass panel on a flat surface and apply a bead of silicone aquarium sealant to the edge along one of the short sides. Press the bottom edge of one of the side panels into the silicone sealant and align the edges.

    • 6

      Apply two strips of duct tape to keep the two glass panels in place while the sealant dries. Attach the second side panel in the same manner as the first and apply two strips of duct tape to keep the panel in place.

    • 7

      Apply a bead of silicone sealant to one of the long edges on the bottom panel and to the exposed edge of both side panels. Press the front panel into the silicone to create a seal and apply two strips of duct tape at each joint. Repeat this process to attach the back panel.

    • 8

      Apply a generous bead of silicone sealant to all the interior joints and smooth the sealant with your finger, forcing it into the corners.

    • 9

      Attach the cross brace or braces. Apply a bead of silicone sealant to both ends of the 6-inch wide sheet of glass and lay it across the top of the aquarium, centered on and perpendicular to the front and back panels so that the edges align. If you are using two cross braces, install them at an equal distance from both side panels.

    • 10

      Allow the silicone sealant to cure for 48 hours, then remove the duct tape and fill the tank with water to test for water tightness. If the tank does not leak, it is ready to use.