How to Build a Glass Fish Tank

Building your own glass fish tank can save quite a bit of money and provide a rewarding addition to your home. There are many things to consider when building your own aquarium, including the weight of water at about 10 pounds per gallon, the size of the aquarium and the type of glass and silicone to use. The size of the aquarium effects the material selection because it takes thicker glass to contain larger amounts of water. The height you want the aquarium walls to be also effects the glass measurements; the higher the walls the thicker the glass required.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass
  • Acetone
  • Paper towels
  • Tape
  • Silicone
  • Razor blade
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Instructions

    • 1

      Figure out the size desired for the aquarium. See "Resources" for a website to help calculate the thickness of the glass required for the selected size. Regular (also known as annealed) glass is preferred over tempered glass because of how tempered glass breaks and tempered cannot be cut to size. For example, one-quarter inch annealed glass is adequate for aquariums up to about 50 gallons that are up to 14-inches high.

    • 2

      Use acetone to clean all the edges where silicone will be used. This helps the silicone stick more successfully.

    • 3

      Organize the five pieces of glass with the bottom at the center and the front, back and two sides arranged in place lying flat on the work surface around it.

    • 4

      Arrange at least two pieces of tape facing sticky side up around the bottom of the fish tank. There should be about 2 to 3 inches stuck to the bottom and 3 to 5 inches free to attach to each side as it is fastened in place with silicone. Cut some spare pieces of tape to get them ready to stick around each of the corners. Duct tape or electrical tape works well.

    • 5

      Cut the tip off the silicone tube so that a strip about 1/8 to 1/4 inch can be pressed out.

    • 6

      Apply a thin even bead of silicone to the seams for each panel. Attach the panels in order starting with the front, one of the two sides then the other, then the back. As you press each panel in place, draw the tip of an index finger along each seam with silicone to smooth it into the angle of the seam.

    • 7

      Wipe the excess silicone off your finger with a paper towel.

    • 8

      Place at least two pieces of tape around each corner as it is formed to help hold the pieces together and fold up the pieces of tape around the bottom.

    • 9

      Apply an additional bead of silicone around the eight siliconed seams inside the tank and smooth it into place with a finger.

    • 10

      Leave the tank in a dry, temperate area to allow the silicone to cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 11

      Trim the silicone with a razor blade where it has oozed from the seams on the outside of the tank.