Glass Aquarium FAQ

Setting up a glass aquarium for the first time can result in several common questions that must be answered to ensure the tank is set up to support a healthy living habitat. Chain stores rarely have the answers and there are more books on the topic than a person could read in a year.
  1. How Large Can a Glass Aquarium Be?

    • According to Austin Glass.com.au, a properly braced aquarium made from tempered or laminated glass can be enormous. The determining factor would be the size of the room you want to place it in and the weight the floor can hold. However, most aquariums that are larger than 125 gallons are made of plastic acrylic.

    Can a Glass Aquarium Use Marine Water?

    • Although acrylic aquariums are most commonly used in large marine tanks, a glass tank is preferable when setting up a marine habitat because the high salt levels are less abrasive to glass. Using glass will add years of use to a small to midsize marine tank.

    Can a Cracked Aquarium Be Repaired?

    • It is possible to repair a cracked aquarium made from glass. The glass panes used to make an aquarium are glued together from the inside with a PVC-base sealant. If the tank has a crack, the same type of sealant can be used to waterproof the leak until the glass pane can be replaced. You can buy a replacement pane from most glass companies.

    Can a Glass Aquarium Be Drilled?

    • Tempered glass tanks cannot be drilled for canister filters. However, untempered glass can be drilled. Most aquarium manufacturers label the tank to let the buyer know if the tank can be drilled. If you've purchased your tank secondhand and the original owner doesn't know if it's tempered, avoid drilling the tank.

    Is Bigger Better?

    • According to Hub Pages.com, bigger aquariums are better. The more water an aquarium has the easier it is to keep the habitat healthier. Less water will cause small changes in water quality to magnify in smaller aquariums. Also, a bigger aquarium eliminates many restrictions on the size and number of fish you can have.