How to Make a Tall Countertop Fish Tank

Tall countertop fish tanks take up less space and are easier to maintain than larger tanks. Kitchen glassware is made to hold liquids or dry goods, making them ideal for countertop fish tanks. Glass jars range in size from 1 gallon to 10 gallons and in shapes from smooth flat surfaces to barrel-shaped. Transforming a glass jar into a functioning aquarium takes only a few basic aquarium necessities that are purchasable at most fish supply stores and a good idea of what kind of fish you want in your countertop tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass jar
  • Aquarium greenery
  • Air stone
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Appropriate size filter
  • Water conditioner
  • Cheesecloth
  • Large rubber band
  • Small aquarium lamp and vita-bulb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rinse the glass jar and lid in cool water and allow it to dry.

    • 2

      Rinse fish-safe aquarium plants in lukewarm water and set them aside on a clean paper towel. Rinse aquarium gravel with cool water and set them aside.

    • 3

      Place the clean jar in the desired location. This is now the fish tank.

    • 4

      Place the air stone and air lines in the desired location, using suction cups to help hold them in place if necessary.

    • 5

      Add .5 to 1 inch of gravel in the bottom of the jar or about 1 pound of gravel per 1 gallon of water.

    • 6

      Fill the tank three-fourths of the way full with tap water.

    • 7

      Place the filtering system in the desired location and according to the directions for that type of filtering system.

    • 8

      Put the tank heater in place and allow the heater to acclimate to the tank conditions for 30 minutes before turning it on.

    • 9

      Fill the tank with tap water to about 2 inches from the top of the tank and add water conditioner according to the directions.

    • 10

      Turn on the air stone, filter and heater. Make sure they are working properly and remain stationary. Make any adjustments necessary.

    • 11

      Allow the tank to cycle without any fish for 24 hours. Once the tank is working properly, you may add fish.

    • 12

      Lay the square of cheesecloth over the top of the tank and secure it with the rubber band to keep the fish inside the tank.