How to Build Custom Aquariums 1500 Gallons and Larger

Preparations

• 1

  Determine the footprint of the aquarium. This is the total area from front to back and side to side that the base of the tank will take up, including the length of the base, the width of the end pieces and what additional measurements any corner covers may add.

• 2

  Measure the space intended for the aquarium. There must be enough length, width and height to accommodate the tank.

• 3

  Contact a local structural engineer who will be able to do a load calculation of the floor and verify that it will hold the burden of the tank and water, or determine what must be done to sustain the weight. Any additional support requirements will need to be met before any component of the aquarium can be placed in the designated area.

• 4

  Calculate the proportions and thickness of the aquarium glass. The formula to obtain the thickness required to support the weight of the water is complicated, and an Excel worksheet can be downloaded from the website Fish Lore that will perform the equations automatically when values for length, height and width are entered.

• 5

  Determine the measurements and thickness of the base. The base of the tank sits between the long side panels and the end pieces. Therefore it will not quite be the full size because the thickness of both end pieces must be deducted from the length of the base.

• 6

  Choose and purchase the type of glass that will be used. A local home supply or a glass supply store will generally be able to provide and cut the glass.

• 7

  Design a longitudinal brace for each of the two long sides. Have glass of the same thickness as the sides cut to measure lengthwise about 90 percent of the length of the tank, and the width 5 percent.

• 8

  Devise rectangular cross braces of the same glass used for the tank and longitudinal braces. These braces need to be measured and cut to be about twice as wide as the longitudinal brace and the length needs to be reduced by the width of the longitudinal brace. No less than one cross brace for every 3 feet is recommended to prevent bowing.

• 9

  Measure to obtain the length and width that will be needed for a corner guard assembly kit and purchase in the desired color and material.

Assembly

• 10

  Position the piece of glass that will be the bottom of the tank in the center of a flat surface with both side and end pieces arranged in the order that they will assembled in. This surface must be larger than the are that the base with all of the side pieces positioned around it will take up.

• 11

  Choose one of the long sides of the tank to begin with and apply a clean and consistent line of aquarium silicone to one edge of the glass that will be the floor.

• 12

  Apply even pressure when placing the piece of glass quickly on the bead of silicone and use tape to hold it in place.

• 13

  Spread another line of silicone across one of the short edges and up the cut edge of the piece of glass that is already in place.

• 14

  Apply pressure evenly to both edges when placing this second piece of glass quickly on the bead of silicone and again use the tape to hold it in place.

• 15

  Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the other short side of the aquarium.

• 16

  Apply another line of silicone across the remaining edge of the base and up both edges of the remaining piece of glass to adhere to the last three surfaces.

• 17

  Press this piece with even pressure to all three edges when quickly placing on the bead of silicone and again use the tape to hold it in place.

• 18

  Apply an additional line of silicone to the inside seams and quickly use a finger to smooth the silicone and help press it into any crevices that may not be sealed completely.

• 19

  Allow several hours to pass for the aquarium silicone to dry completely.

• 20

  Mark on the outside of the glass with a felt pen about 30 millimeters from the top where the edges of the longitudinal brace will be placed.

• 21

  Use extreme care, and an additional person, to lay the tank on the side that has been marked for the longitudinal brace. The marks should be easily visible through the glass.

• 22

  Place the longitudinal brace at top the tank side using the marks for correct placement.

• 23

  Apply another even line of aquarium silicone to the tank side and press the brace into place using even pressure and allow the silicone to dry for several more hours.

• 24

  Stand the tank upright again and mark the other long side for its longitudinal brace and repeat steps 11, 12, 13 and 14.

• 25

  Measure the spaces that will be between the cross braces and mark where they will be positioned, on both sides.

• 26

  Work one cross brace at a time and place enough silicone in the marked areas that when the brace is put into place excess silicone will be forced out to effectively glue the two pieces of glass together. Anything unsightly can be cleaned with a razor blade after drying is complete.

• 27

  Follow the package directions to install the corner guard assembly kit.

• 28

  Wait 48 hours then fill the tank halfway and use a light detergent to remove any residue left from the silicone. A thorough second wash is needed to rinse out all traces of the detergent.

• 29

  Place the completed aquarium in the space that has been designated, with or without a stand, with the help of another person.