Homemade Aquarium Braces With Thick Acrylic

Acrylic aquariums are aesthetically pleasing and not as heavy as glass tanks of equal size. Acrylic aquariums also withstand shock better than what glass tanks do and tend not to crack or break easily during handling. It is, however, important to brace the larger acrylic tanks to prevent water pressure bowing the front and back panes. Although it does not require much equipment to add braces to an acrylic aquarium, this material is scratched easier than glass, so care is required when handling and securing the acrylic braces to your aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 length braces of 0.5-inch-thick acrylic, 24 inches long by 1.5 inches wide
  • 2 width braces of 0.5-inch-thick acrylic, 10 inches long by 1.5- inches wide
  • Four strips of sandpaper, 150 grit
  • Clean cloth
  • 1 large towel
  • 1 tube acrylic solvent
  • 15cc syringe with 18-gauge needle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the protective film attached to each of the acrylic braces.

    • 2

      Sand down the edges of each piece of acrylic. Do not round the edges, or you will weaken the join.

    • 3

      Wipe down each piece with a clean cloth and lay them on the towel.

    • 4

      Fill a 15cc syringe with acrylic solvent.

    • 5

      Source a styrofoam or cardboard box that is 1 inch shorter than the height of your acrylic aquarium and approximately as long as the width of the aquarium.

    • 6

      Place this container into the aquarium, against the right-hand side.

    • 7

      Draw up approximately 15 cc of acrylic solvent into the syringe and with the bevel of the needle pointing down, quickly run a continuous bead of solvent along the side edges of one length and both width sides of the first 10-inch-long brace.

    • 8

      Place the brace horizontally onto the container and push the brace against the aquarium. Allow the solvent to cure for 12 hours.

    • 9

      Remove the container and position it in the aquarium, along the left-hand side.

    • 10

      Run a continuous bead of solvent along the side edges of one length and both width sides of the second 10-inch-long brace.

    • 11

      Place the brace horizontally onto the container and push the brace against the aquarium. Allow the solvent to cure for 12 hours.

    • 12

      Run a continuous bead of solvent along the side edges of one length and both width sides of the first 24-inch-long brace.

    • 13

      Rest this brace on the existing right and left hand side braces and push it against the front pane of the aquarium. Allow the solvent to cure for 12 hours.

    • 14

      Run a continuous bead of solvent along the side edges of one length and both width sides of the second 24-inch-long brace.

    • 15

      Rest this brace on the existing right and left-hand side braces and push it against the back pane of the aquarium. Allow the solvent to cure for 12 hours.