How to Build a Custom Aquarium
An aquarium vibrant with fish and plants makes a beautiful focal point for any room especially if you build one custom for your needs. If your design calls for an unusual size or shape, then you can still make it happen by building it yourself. This is a relatively simple project which, can be accomplished in a short time.
Begin by sketching out your aquarium. Measure the space carefully and assign those measurements to your sketch. Now go to your local home store to purchase the glass. They will have a chart to consult regarding the required thickness of the glass, which is based on the height and width that you require. The home store will cut the glass panels for your aquarium.
Before you begin to assemble the tank, wear rubber gloves to work with silicone and acetone. The two side pieces will fit into the front and the back and the all will fit into the bottom of the aquarium tank. Use aquarium silicone to join the pieces of glass together. Put a quarter inch of silicone along the full length of the joints and press together. Make sure there are no bubbles or gaps. If there are, remove the silicone before it hardens and repeat the process. Take a razor blade and remove the excess silicone before it hardens. Use acetone to clean any silicone from the aquarium glass. Hold the glass walls together with duct tape until the silicone hardens completely and then remove the duct tape.
Finish off your aquarium by installing a lighted hood on the top. Make sure not to fully cover the top with either glass or metal, as the ecosystem that you are creating will require the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the top for the survival of the fish and plant life inside. Now you can enjoy your new aquarium and the life that it brings to your room for many years to come.
