Things You'll Need
- Tank stand
- Plexiglas
- Silicone gun
- Metal braces
- Measuring tape
- Calculator
- Sand paper
- Scratch pad of paper
- Newspaper
- Silicone tube with 4mm nozzle cut out of end
- Painter's tape
Instructions
Your Custom Built Fish Tank
Choose your stand. The material of the stand must be sturdy and able to withstand getting wet on a regular basis. Custom fish tank stands can be simple cupboards to an old gutted television set. Unfinished (not painted) cupboards, bookshelves or bedside tables can be purchased at most home improvement stores and are easy to self assemble.
Do:
Pick a solid stand to give a full aquarium adequate support so it does not shatter.
Use wood that can be sealed or painted with two-part epoxy paint. The epoxy paint can be tinted to match the color of the stones or your room.
Don't:
Pick a stand that has large gaps for the tank to span.
Use laminated press board. After it gets wet and dries, the lamination will warp and appear wrinkled.
Measure the area that the tank is going to be sitting on or in. The thickness (or width) of the glass used depends on the height of the tank you will make. There are handy conversion charts available online to assist in computing the thickness of the glass if what you need isn't found here.
Tank height
Up to 13 inches = 1/4 inches thick
13 inches to 19 inches = 3/8 inches thick
19 inches to 24 inches = 1/2 inches thick
For example, a 6 foot-by-2 foot rectangular tank 18 inches in height should use 3/8 inches thick plexiglass.
Measure to determine the dimensions of the side pieces. Let's continue with our example: The 2 long sides (the front and back of the tank) run the entire length of the tank and are 6 feet by 2 feet. To measure how big the two side pieces have to be use this formula:
Side pieces = the width - 2x glass thickness
the thickness is 3/8"
2 x 3/8inches = 3/4 inches
The width of the tank is 2 feet or 24 inches
24 inches - 3/4 inches= 23 1/4 inches
The dimensions of the side pieces are going to be 18 inches by 23 1/4 inches.
Calculate for the bottom piece. Subtract the thickness of both end pieces because the bottom will be sandwiched between these two pieces. To measure the length of the bottom piece use this formula:
length – 2x thickness
Our tank is 6 ft. long or 72 inches
2x thickness or 2x 3/8 inches = 3/4 inches
72 inches - 3/4 inches = 71 1/4 inches
The ends of the bottom piece will be the same height as the sides. In our case, it is 2 feet or 24 inches. The dimensions of the bottom piece of a 6 foot-by-2 foot tank are 71 1/4 inches by 24 inches.
Sand all of the edges well to protect your hands from sharp glass then put them together to test if they fit correctly. Irregularly cut glass will have gaps. Straight cut glass will have no gaps. You want straight cut glass.
Make two braces. Glass braces are necessary to prevent the glass from bowing after it is filled with water. The braces will be made of the same material and thickness used to construct your tank. To calculate the size of the braces use these formulas:
Brace length = the entire tank length x .90
Brace width = tank width x .05
Calculations for longitudinal braces for a 6-foot tank:
72 inches x .90 = 64 8/10 inches length
24 inches x .05 = 1 2/10 inches width
Make two cross braces. Look at the water surface area of the tank and box it roughly into invisible squares. A 6 foot-tank has two cross braces to create three imaginary squares on the surface. Use this formula to calculate the cross brace width:
2x width of long braces = cross brace width
2x 1 2/10 inches = 2 4/10 inches
For cross brace length, cut them 1/4 inch shorter than the width of the bottom piece. In our case, we're going to make them 24 3/4 inches long.
Start Tank Construction
Lay out newspaper on hard work surface. Gather all materials on the list. Tape the tank together. Painter's tape works fine and comes off the glass easily.
Place silicone in a continuous line all around the bottom joints. Run your finger over the wet silicone to give it a concave and slightly curved finish. Place silicone on vertical joints and run finger over it to give it the same finish as the bottom. Be sure to do this all at one time so the wet silicone can bond with more wet silicone. If it is dry, it won't bond. Wait for silicone to completely dry before moving on.
Fit the braces. After silicone is dry, measure 30mm down from the top of the tank near each end. Mark the outside of the tank with a felt pen. This is where the long brace goes. Position the brace according to the marks, make sure it is level, then place silicone on the side of the tank, using the edge of the brace as a guide. Stand the brace up on its edge and in the silicone and let silicone set. Repeat this process for the other brace piece.
Add the cross braces. Remember, the cross braces are going to make evenly boxed in areas near the water surface. Place a good amount of silicone on the side braces where the cross braces will be attached to the long braces. It should be enough so that when they are placed, the silicone actually covers the entire area where they will join.
Wait for the silicone to completely dry. Clean up the excess silicone from around the edges of the glass with a sharp razor blade. If you like, add clear plastic corner covers to the outside corners with silicone for a finishing touch.
Wait 48 hours then fill tank half full with water and wash it out using a light detergent like dish soap. Rinse it twice: once to remove all silicone residue, and a second time to get rid of any soap residue.
Pick a lighted canopy for your tank. Canopies help prevent water evaporation and provide light for the fish. Lighted canopies are made that fit just about any sized tank.
Set up your tank. When first starting a tank, be sure to cure the water so that when your fish are brought to their new home, it has the right amount of nitrogen, oxygen and ammonia in it for them to grow and thrive. Water treatments are available for purchase to dechlorinate the water and start the natural biological cycle of the tank water.
It is important that you don't skip this step. Fish need the right environment to live in, otherwise they won't be able to breathe as the water will be toxic to them and they will die.
Pick thematic scenery. Colored gravel and stones, castles, pirates, scuba divers, sunken treasure and just about anything else that tickles your fancy can be found at most pet supply stores. Or you can opt to go a more natural route and use unpainted ceramics. This is all a matter of taste and personal style. Plastic plants provide shelter for shy and smaller fishes. They also come in a variety of colors, from realistic to bright neon. Live plants require a bit more care, but they provide necessary oxygen as well as giving your fish a more natural home to live in. Another theme is the biotope aquarium. Biotopes mimic naturally occurring environments like riverbeds, ponds, lakes and ocean floors.
Research your fish. Make sure they are compatible species so they get along before you buy them. Have the proper know how to care for the tropical fish you have chosen for your custom tank. You don't want to accidentally harm them because of unintended neglect or ignorance of their needs. Take into consideration the normal size of the adult fish, as most fish for sale are not fully grown. Overcrowded tanks will result in fish leaping out of the water and possibly landing on your floor. The size of the tank will dictate how many fish it can hold. Limit the number of fish to 1 inch of adult fish per gallon of water or 1 inch of adult fish per 12 square inches of surface area.
Purchase fish care supplies You will need fish food, an appropriately sized net, thermometer, tank water heater and a water pump with a filter that can adequately handle the size of your tank. Some tropical fish species require specific temperature ranges and don't tolerate large fluctuations in them. A thermometer and a tank heater can help prevent this from occurring and sending your fish into shock.