How to Build a 150-Gallon Fish Aquarium

A 150-gallon fish aquarium can cost hundreds of dollars at the local pet store. It is possible to save money on your pet fish hobby if you build your own tank. Building a 150-gallon fish aquarium takes the appropriate materials, strong enough glass and some help to support the sheets as you go. The end result is just as good as anything you would find in a shop and it will cost you a lot less.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/8-inch thick glass
  • Measuring tape or yardstick
  • Grease or wax pencil
  • Glass cutter tool
  • Gloves
  • Aquarium-grade silicone sealant
  • Rope or cord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark one piece of 3/8 inch thick glass in the appropriate dimensions of 72 inches long by 18 inches wide. This is the standard size of a 150-gallon fish aquarium base. You can make your fish tank in different dimensions, if you wish. Also measure and mark two pieces that are 72 inches long by 24 inches wide and two that art 24 inches long by 18 inches wide. These pieces of glass will form the walls of your aquarium tank.

    • 2

      Use a straight edge, such as a yardstick, to provide a guide for cutting the pieces of aquarium glass. Use a hand-held glass cutter tool to run along these lines and score the glass multiple times. The deeper the score groove, the easier it will be to snap the glass into the appropriate size. After all sides are scored, put on your gloves and exert gentle but firm pressure against the lines and the glass should snap off to the appropriate measurements.

    • 3

      Lay the 72-inch-by-18-inch piece of glass on the ground. You will probably need a friend to help. Squeeze out the aquarium-grade silicone sealant along the entire 72 inch side. The sealant should be on the top edge of the glass base. Carefully lower and position one of the 72-inch-by-24-inch sides of the aquarium tank on top of the silicone bead. Prop this up with some heavy items or have a friend or two hold it while you prepare the next side of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Apply another line of silicone sealant to one of the short sides of the base glass and 24-inch upper-right edge of the glass you just placed. Position one of the 18-inch-by-24-inch pieces of glass on top of this sealant and press it firmly in place. Be sure the edges line up perfectly and the top of each piece of glass is level with the other. Hold this piece of glass in place as you did the other.

    • 5

      Repeat the same procedure of applying aquarium grade sealant to the base glass and the upper-right edge of the existing aquarium walls, and then positioning the next piece of glass in its place. When all walls of the 150 gallon fish aquarium are in place, run a rope or cord around the entire aquarium structure and tie it in such a way that it supports all the aquarium walls from the outside. This is an easy method to keep the glass pieces in place while you wait for the aquarium sealant to cure and dry completely.

    • 6

      From the inside and outside of the 150 gallon fish aquarium. Add additional sealant in any places that have gaps. Allow this to dry and remove the excess before adding a final bead of silicone sealant to all inside and outside seems in the aquarium. Smooth this last application out with a protected finger or a tool with an appropriate angle. Let the entire 150-gallon fish aquarium set for at least 48 hours before moving it and setting it up in the place where you intend to keep your pet fish.