How to Make Molded Plastic Tanks

Although you have a lot of options to choose from when selecting a brand-new aquarium, you might find that you're better off simply making your own. Perhaps you have a design in your head that you can't find in the store, or perhaps you are budget-conscious. Regardless, you'll find that it's actually very easy to make your own. Pet stores usually carry aquarium silicone for tank repairs, and you can get acrylic from any hobby shop. The trickiest part is finding a good mold to create right angles for your tank. A pair of simple L-shaped bookends fits the bill, however.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper
  • Gloves
  • Respirator
  • 2 acrylic sheets, 24x13x¼-inch
  • 2 acrylic sheets, 9x13x¼-inch
  • 1 acrylic sheet, 24.5x9.5x¼-inch
  • L-shaped bookends
  • 2 clamps
  • Methylene chloride
  • Paintbrush
  • Sink
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cover your work space with a layer of newspaper. Don a pair of gloves and a respirator. You will be handling methylene chloride, which, while commonly used for a number of industrial purposes, can be harmful if you inhale it or expose your skin to it.

    • 2

      Lay a sheet of 24x13-inch acrylic on the newspaper. Slide a bookend underneath one of the 13-inch edges and use a clamp to hold the acrylic tightly in place. The dimensions of the acrylic sheets listed are for a standard 10-gallon aquarium. If you wish to create a larger or smaller aquarium, you may do so using the dimensional guide in the resources section. However, if you plan to make a very large tank, you will need to use thicker acrylic.

    • 3

      Join a 13x9-inch acrylic piece to the clamped piece. To do this, slide the piece down over the remaining arm of the bookend so that two 13-inch edges meet at a right angle. Make sure that they are absolutely flush with each other or they will not form a strong joint. Clamp the 13x9-inch piece in place.

    • 4

      Paint a line of methylene chloride over the joint using a paintbrush. Methylene chloride causes acrylic pieces to chemically bond together. You can find it at many paint stores, as it is often used for stripping paint. Keep painting the methylene chloride over the joint until you can see it flow through to the other side of the acrylic. Let it cure for 48 hours.

    • 5

      Unclamp the two pieces and slide the bookend over the opposite edge of the 24x13-inch acrylic sheet. Clamp that edge to the bookend.

    • 6

      Set the 13-inch edge of the second 13x9-inch piece against the edge of the clamped sheet. Clamp it in place. Paint another line of methylene chloride over the seam and let it cure for 48 hours.

    • 7

      Unclamp the acrylic and set the bookend aside. You now have a rectangular acrylic piece with one long side missing. Lay the second 24x13-inch piece flat on your work surface. Place your bonded piece over it to complete the rectangle. Join the piece at both ends using methylene chloride. Allow it to cure for 48 hours.

    • 8

      Lay the last piece, the 24x9-inch piece, flat on your work surface. Take your rectangle and fit it on top of the sheet of acrylic, making sure that all the corners line up properly. Go along the inside bottom edges with methylene chloride to bond the base to the sides. Let it cure for 48 hours.

    • 9

      Squeeze a line of aquarium silicone over every inside seam and let it cure for 48 hours. You can get aquarium silicone at most pet stores. It is used to repair aquariums, but many companies also use it to hold aquariums together. Adding it will help strengthen your tank. Rinse your tank in a sink before you use it.