How to Build a Custom-Sized Aquarium

Build a custom-sized aquarium to fit the exact needs of your aquarium's location. Although there are a number of different sizes and styles of aquariums available, you can't adjust stock aquariums to meet the needs of your particular space. Build a custom aquarium for your unique space.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Calculate the thickness of the aquarium glass. Consult a glass calculations chart at your local aquarium store.

2. Increase the safety factor of your glass by adding a 4-inch wide glass brace from the front to the back of the top glass. This saves money on overall construction without purchasing thicker glass.

3. Purchase glass at your local home supply store. Home supply stores cut glass to your specific measurements.

4. Use aquarium silicone to join the pieces of glass.

5. Apply only enough silicone to work with for 3 to 5 minutes. Silicone hardens quickly, so applying too much can become unmanageable.

6. Use a ¼-inch bead of silicone along the joints of your custom aquarium. Try not to have any bubbles or gaps. If you do, remove the silicone before it gets too hard and try again.

7. Install brace glass pieces in tanks that are larger than 30 gallons. Sandwich two pieces of glass together and place at equal distances from each end of the tank.

Tips & Warnings

• Use acetone to clean any unwanted silicone from the aquarium glass.
• Purchase high-quality duct tape to secure the glass while the silicone is drying.
• Keep a single-edge razor blade on hand to scrape away any dried silicone from the edges of the tank.