2.
1 CONSTRUCTION OF GLASS AQUARIUMS
2.1.1 Materials/Equipments used for the Construction
Glass sheet of measured size
Plan ahead before cutting the glass by drawing a good schematic. If you do
not feel comfortable with cutting glass, have a professional glazier cut and
prepare pieces for you.
There are 5 pieces of glass to be cut, 2 for the front and back, 2 for the sides
and a base.
Use precise measurements to ensure a proper fit and help avoid leaks.
Non-toxic 100% Silicone sealant
Measuring tape
Glass cutter (if you are doing the glass cutting yourself)
Methylated spirit or cleaning agent for glass surface
A piece of cloth
Temporary marker
Dulling stone/ Emery cloth or sand paper
Silicone gun
Masking tape
Sellotape/ Sealing tape
Hand gloves (if necessary)
2.1.2 Method of Construction
Building a fresh or saltwater aquarium can be fun as well as challenging. Using the
materials listed above, pre-assembly instructions and following steps gradually will make it easy
to construct a good aquarium.
Getting Ready to Assemble: Before starting assembly of the aquarium sheets, you need to
get the materials ready and learn about the following important points of construction.
Prepare the Cut Glass Panes: Once the pieces of glass are cut, using the emery cloth or
silicon carbide sandpaper, buff all the raw edges of the glass just enough to take off the
sharpness. Clean all the glass pane joint areas and edges about 1/2 inch inward (any
place where silicone will be applied) with acetone on a paper towel.
Prepare the Duct Tape: Cut 16 strips of duct tape, about 5 inches long. Stick them to
anything close by within easy reach that has a clean surface to it, and that the tape
won't stick too much to, with at least half of the tape hanging down freely. If during
assembly you run out of pieces of tape, before installing another panel, cut some more
pieces.
Tip: If at any time during construction you have trouble with the tape not sticking to the
glass, just clean the area with some acetone on a paper towel and try again.
Installing Glass Panels
After all your glass pieces are cut and prepared, lay or arrange the pieces out so you
know which piece is going where. Once placement of the panes has been determined,
to help keep track of where each piece goes (which edge or side of the glass pane is
going to go up or down, inside or outside, etc.), mark them with words or directional
arrows using a washable felt tip marker.
Take the bottom base piece of glass, place it on a flat, non-abrasive surface, then firmly
press and stick eight pieces of the duct tape (two pieces on each side) to the glass from
the bottom side with the sticky sides up (see diagram view 1). Tip: This is easily done by
lifting up the glass from each side just enough to stick the tape pieces in place.
Install the Front Glass Pane: Begin by installing the front glass pane. This step is much easier
to do with an assistant to hold the front glass pane upright and in place while you complete
installation of the first side piece in the next step. Refer to diagram view 2 for installing the front
glass pane. You will use the same glass installation technique with each pane:
Apply a thin but adequate solid line of silicone to each inside edge of all areas to be
joined, then, at a slight forward angle, align and insert the piece of glass onto the
bottom glass pane, and slowly tilting it upright, press it lightly, but firmly down into the
silicone, fitting it solidly into position.
Do not wipe off any excess silicone that might squeeze to the outside edges of the glass.
This can be cleaned up or trimmed later on, once the silicone has fully cured.
Once the front glass is in place, fold the two bottom pieces of duct tape upward and
stick them to the front of the glass.
Install a Side Glass Panel
Using the same installation method with the silicone, install the first side panel
Fold the two bottom pieces of duct tape upward and stick them to the front of the glass,
and secure the side piece to the front piece of glass by wrapping 2 additional strips of
duct tape around the corner from one side to the other.
Install the Side and Back Panels
Following the same procedure as above, install the other side piece, and finally the back
panel
With all the pieces in place and the tank constructed, run a thin but adequate solid line
of silicone from one end to the other of each seam, preferably in one continos motion,
to smooth the silicone down and force it into the joint areas. (install the ‘braces’ here, if
adding one)
Curing and Completing the Tank Construction
Allow the silicone to cure for 24 hours
Fill the tank with fresh water and allow it to sit for at least 12 hours, 24 is better. This
gives you a god test period, and you will feel much more confident of success when you
finally fill the tank, put it altogether and add the inhabitants.
Fig. a hand completed aquarium glass with braces attached.
2.2 SETTING UP AN AQUARIUM
Setting up a custom glass aquarium is pretty straightforward. It is a matter of
selecting the size of the aquarium, glass thickness, and other materials you might
want to add.
Fig. completely set up aquarium
2.2.1 Materials used for setting up an aquarium
2.2.2 Steps involved in the setting up of a proper aquarium
2.2.3 Common errors to avoid while setting up an aquarium
