How to Build Your Own Aquarium

The sight of beautiful fish, swimming in a natural background, is a very relaxing experience. Watching some bright and slimy fish glide through the decorated water is much more than a pastime for many of us. Keeping and maintaining an aquarium at home has become an obsession for some. There are many advantages, like less attention and care, in case of aquarium fish as pet, which attracts people towards it. But, is it possible to build your own aquarium? Yes! It is. Here's all you need to know.

Things Required

• Plywood Sheets
• 3/8" glass sheets
• Screws
• Sandpaper
• Glue gun
• Tape measure
• Varnish paint
• Silicone seal

To place your aquarium at a proper displaying height, you need a stand. Now you can build your own aquarium stand or go for a cast iron or wooden stand, which is easily available in the market.

Steps

Step #1
First step is to decide the size and shape of the fish tank you're about to build. This should depend on the volume of water, that it should be able to hold. On an average, most of the aquariums these days can hold about 100 to 150 gallons of water. However, choose a smaller size, a capacity of 60 to 80 gallons max, as it would be a more convenient size for a homemade aquarium.

Step #2
Start by cutting the glass in to five pieces, one each for bottom, front, back, left and right side. You will have to take the help of a professional glass cutter. While getting it cut, you should keep in mind that the side pieces of the glass would be directly glued to the bottom piece. Ask the glass cutter to smoothen off the edges as you would not want your hand to have cuts all over.

Step #3
Now that you have four cut sections, it is time to build the aquarium tank by starting with the basic structure first. Take the rectangular base and lay it on a flat, dry area. You can place a varnish painted plywood sheet on the stand and keep the glass base on it. Now, use the glue to paste two side panels perpendicular to the two shorter sides of the base glass. Now stick the back glass panel, so that it is placed between the two side panels and it rests on the base section. Using the same technique stick the front panel, so that you have a topless glass cuboid.

Step #4
This is an important step before proceeding. Slowly fill this glass container with water to its maximum capacity and leave it for some time. While doing this, all the flaws in the basic aquarium structure will be revealed. Leakage at any place or weak adhesive, if any, can be mended using the silicone seal, before it is too late.

Step #5
The next step is to build aquarium lighting. An aquarium has to be sufficiently lighted as a dark dim aquarium can be very depressing. By lighting, we mean that the aquarium should have its own light from inside and not the light of the room where it's kept. There are many waterproof lighting equipment available in various fancy patterns. Make sure the lighting is properly insulated or else your fish may get a 'shocking' welcome!

Step #6
One important feature of aquarium care is a filter. It is not advisable to build your own aquarium filter, as it is mechanical device using complex techniques. It is also a vital component of an aquarium as it filters and gets the aquarium water rid of toxic components by helping algae control. It is important for a healthy life of the fish inside.

And there you have it, your homemade aquarium! Another addition might be a cover on the top. You can use the wooden ply sheet to make to your liking. If you love sea fish you may want to build your own saltwater aquarium.