Making an aquarium from plexiglass with your own hands

Here is a succinct overview of your piece:

For any aquarium enthusiast, building an aquarium out of plexiglass can be a satisfying project. It lets you create a tank that precisely suits your requirements and available space.

Plexiglass, sometimes referred to as acrylic glass, is an easy-to-work-with material that is robust and long-lasting. It is the perfect material for a custom aquarium because it is lightweight and has excellent clarity.

You can create a stunning aquarium that will serve as the focal point of your house or place of business with the correct equipment and a little perseverance. This tutorial will lead you through each step of the process, from selecting the appropriate supplies to building and caulking your tank.

Advantages and disadvantages

The synthetic material Plexiglas is made of thermoplastic resin. Only formally is it referred to as glass. Its characteristics and uses are unique from those of ordinary glass and are determined by its chemical makeup.

• weighs 2-2.5 times less than silicate glass, with the same thickness;
• easily heated and reshaped, and after cooling is retained in a given form;
• shock-resistant material;
• resistance to moisture, microorganisms;
• easy mechanical processing (cutting, drilling, grinding, gluing);
• high light transmittance – at least 90%.

Compared to silicate, organic glass is warmer. Without a heater, the water temperature in a plastic aquarium stays constant.

We must not overlook the drawbacks of plexiglass:

• tendency to clouding, yellowing;
• surface damage (scratches, microcracks);
• easily flammable;
• releases a harmful substance during pyrolysis;
• the hardness of the product decreases near heating devices.

Take note! An aquarium made of organic glass must be kept away from heat sources like radiators and strong incandescent lights to prevent deformation.

If you’re an aquarium enthusiast looking for a hands-on way to create a unique underwater environment, building an aquarium out of plexiglass yourself is a rewarding project that lets you learn essential DIY skills and customize the size and shape to fit your space.

Preparation for work

An acrylic aquarium is far simpler to assemble at home than a glass one. During processing, the polymer becomes more flexible and doesn’t need extra attention. Prior to beginning the construction of a fish vessel, you must choose the design, determine the size, and gather supplies and equipment.

Types of designs

The size and form of a homemade aquarium are determined by the owner’s skills, the intended use, and the quantity of fish to be kept. Large tanks are made of plexiglass because it’s a relatively lightweight material, but there’s a chance the structure won’t hold up to the water pressure. Large boats allow you to arrange beautiful floral arrangements and ornaments, as well as introduce a variety of aquatic species.

The following are plexiglass aquariums:

1. Decorative. Used to decorate the interior. Available in the most bizarre shapes: curved, rectangular, triangular. Can be built into furniture, framed with plastic, wood or metal elements. Such aquariums are decorated in accordance with the design of the room.
2. A screen is a flat vessel. They are often installed in the center of the room to create the illusion of a gap and zone the space. The aesthetics of the design are high, but there is a risk of lack of space for maneuvers.
3. A rearing aquarium is designed for fry. It is small in size, with the width being less than half the length, and the height being even smaller than the width. In such a vessel, the water column is low, due to which it is better saturated with oxygen.
4. Frameless – a simple organic glass tank, assembled without additional parts. The plates are connected using special glue. Design features – transparency, freedom from unnecessary elements, ease of assembly.
5. Frame – reinforced aquarium. Organic glass is placed in a body made by welding or soldering. It is considered the most reliable type of "cans" for fish. Designed to contain a wide variety of aquatic inhabitants.

Calculation

You must first plan the aquarium’s dimensions and draw a sketch of it in order to better visualize the upcoming work. Whether a frame is used or not determines the design parameters. The walls of the tank should be thicker the longer it is. It is advised to prepare organic glass that is 10 mm thick for a large vessel. The best material is "aviation" or acrylic glass. Five millimeter thick plates work well for medium and small capacities because they are easier to bend or cut, and the assembly’s reliability won’t suffer as a result.

Necessary tool

Approximately what is needed in accessories to put together an aquarium:

• plexiglass plates;
• adhesive construction tape;
• cutter;
• sealant;
• grinding machine;
• sandpaper;
• acetone.

Without personal protective equipment (goggles and gloves), you cannot begin working. You run the risk of getting tiny fragments of the material in your eyes when you cut organic glass and grind side cuts. Additionally, you should wear a respirator when gluing parts because some sealants have a strong smell.

DIY frame aquarium made of plexiglass

Thus, initial calculations and tool preparation have been completed for the plexiglass aquarium manufacturing process. Now is the time to get serious: gather a frame, break glass, and attach components.

Making the frame

The three most popular materials for aquarium bases are plastic, metal, and wood. The least practical type of panel is wooden, as it can swell and decay when exposed to moisture. Without specialized knowledge and equipment, assembling a metal frame can be challenging; a welding machine is needed. However, the simplest method for handling plastic components. The most important thing is to carefully check that the base’s shape ensures that the panels won’t move in relation to one another when the water weighs on it.

Preparation of exagger

If you don’t have a circular saw, you can use a homemade cutter to cut the aquarium slabs (see video). A polymer sheet is placed on a level surface, marked, and then the same line is cut repeatedly and firmly with a cutter. Cutting the glass slightly won’t break it off; instead, it will crack. To improve sealant adhesion, the cut areas undergo sanding, polishing, and degreasing.

Assembly

Once the frame, base, and side walls are prepared, you can move on to the next step, which involves putting the aquarium together by hand:

1. Glue the bottom to the frame supports, having coated its edges with sealant.
2. Install the side plates one by one, having treated the joints with glue in the same way.
3. Fix the tank in assembled form using spacers, bundles.
4. Leave the aquarium to dry for at least a day.
5. Cut off excess glue with a sharp blade, trying not to damage the glass.

The sealant should polymerize after three days, at which point you can inspect the "jar" for leaks. Fill the container with room-temperature water slowly. Check for leaks in the joints and the corners. Drain the water and dry the vessel if a leak is found. Apply glue to the crack and go through the last step again.

Making a frameless

Without a doubt, the frame design is dependable and long-lasting. But aquarists frequently employ a frameless technique. It is not appropriate to use thin glass; sheets 8–10 mm thick are needed. A glue mixture consisting of acrylic and chloroform is also needed. The method for cutting Plexiglas sheets is the same as that of a frame structure. Here’s how they are adhered to one another:

• The bottom is placed on a rubber mat, and the windshield is placed against it.
• A thin wire is placed in the joint, and glue is poured there.
• The wire is removed.
• The side sheets and the back wall are glued using the same technology.
• Stiffeners and spacers are used to prevent the structure from bending.

Following three days of drying, the completed aquarium is filled with water and inspected for leaks.

Note: Dichloroethane or acryloxide can be used in addition to chloroform. Because these materials are toxic, the room needs to be ventilated while working.

Care aquarium

The material plexiglass is a bit "capricious." If you clean it with hard sponges and scrapers, it is prone to scratches. Plaque should be removed from the walls more frequently with a gentle cotton cloth to avoid building up and hardening. Use antistatic wipes to remove dust from external surfaces and plexiglass polishing products to make your glass shine. The aquarium must be carefully cleaned on a regular basis in order to retain its aesthetic appeal.

In direct sunlight, plastic can turn yellow, and this is an irreversible process. Aim to prevent this kind of inconvenience by positioning the fish tank away from the window. Keep in mind that cheap, low-quality plexiglass eventually becomes cloudy or yellow even in the absence of sunlight.

Making your own plexiglass aquarium can be a fulfilling project. It enables you to alter the dimensions to precisely fit your area, providing your fish with a distinctive and cozy habitat.

Despite the fact that it involves meticulous planning and attention to detail, the joy of witnessing your aquarium come to life makes the process worthwhile. You can create a stable and eye-catching home for your aquatic pets with the correct equipment and supplies, a little perseverance, and patience.

By doing this project yourself, you can improve your overall aquarium-keeping experience in addition to saving money and gaining a deeper understanding of aquarium construction.

Video on the topic

Volume does not matter! | An aquarium for a TON can be glued from glass-five!

#BZDA №1 HOW TO MAKE A CHEAP AQUARIUM

Making an aquarium from acrylic for 500 l

Making an aquarium from acrylic

DIY GLUE FOR PLEXIGLAS. ADHESIVE FOR PLEXIGLAS WITH THEIR HANDS.

Aquarium from plexiglass. Acrylic glass.Shock resistance and super transparency!