How to Build Your Own Glass Aquarium

Building your own glass aquarium can be a fun and rewarding project. Not only does doing so allow you to customize your tank to your needs, but you have control over the quality of materials, which is beneficial for the health and well-being of your fish. But building an aquarium is definitely a project that requires careful planning.

Gathering Your Supplies

The first step is to determine the size and shape of your aquarium. The variables include size, quantity, and species of fish, as well as whether you're building a fresh or saltwater tank. In terms of equipment, your aquatic construction project requires:

• Glass sheets
• A good pair of gloves
• A measuring tape and ruler
• Cutting tools, such as glass cutter or circular saw
• Nontoxic silicone sealant, preferably products made specifically for aquariums

Since the most prominent material in an aquarium is glass, you'll want to select a high-quality material, like tempered glass. You'll also need to choose an appropriate thickness based on the aquarium's size. Your glass vendor can help with this as well as cut the glass for you. If you're cutting the glass yourself, remember to wear safety goggles and gloves. And as the adage goes: measure twice, cut once.

Assembling Your Aquarium

Once you have your glass sheets cut, you'll need to smooth the edges of the glass with sandpaper. Next, you'll glue the sheets together using the sealant. It's a good idea to wrap your tank in masking tape to hold the adhesive in place. When it's dry, you'll want to fill your aquarium with water and leave it for a few days. Once you're sure your tank is leak-free, you can fit it with rocks, decorations, plants and — finally — your pet fish.