How to glue an aquarium at home: choice of means and rules of implementation

If you love fish, and you are attracted by the elegant transparent houses of their habitat, through the glass of which you can observe their life activities, then you are at the right place.

The modern market offers a wide variety of aquariums of various shapes and sizes, but even so, the buyer cannot always find exactly what suits him. Let's look at how to make an aquarium with your own hands, which will not only be several times cheaper than production ones, but also meet your needs in terms of dimensions and prices.

Fish care for beginners

After you have prepared the aquarium for use, populated it with plants and introduced fish, let’s figure out what are the basics for caring for fish that a beginner needs to know:

take an interest in all the available information about your fish so that you can create comfortable conditions for them;
watch your neighborhood, avoid fighting fish;
create a favorable atmosphere for your pets specifically for them;
monitor the stability of the microclimate inside the aquarium, it should be constant;
regularly feed your fish with food suitable for them;

Various crustaceans are used to feed the fish, such as gammarus and daphnia.

do not allow your fish to overeat, as overfed fish consume a much larger amount of oxygen, which simply may not be enough for it;
the food left in the water rots;
feeding should be regular and at the same time of day;
they feed the scaly ones twice a day: in the morning, after aerating the water about half an hour before feeding, and in the evening, a couple of hours before dark;

Keep the aquarium clean and prevent it from getting dirty;
To clean the aquarium from large particles, all kinds of filters and special antiseptics are used. Read how to use water conditioners such as Methylene Blue and Malachite Green.

change the water on time, but never change the whole thing, otherwise you will damage the established microflora;
Check your fish regularly to ensure they are in good health so you don’t miss the first signs of illness.

So we looked in as much detail as possible at the main points that a beginner needs to know before starting an aquarium for the first time. If you carefully follow the instructions and do not rush to start up your home biosystem for the first time, then your underwater world will soon delight you with the greenery of densely overgrown plants and the active “dancing” of fish.

Adviсe

Having learned about the types of sealants and properties, before repairing the tank, you should familiarize yourself with the advice of professionals and experienced aquarists:

If there is excess glue in the aquarium being glued together, the smudges can be easily removed with a rag soaked in a vinegar solution.
Before repairs, fish and other living creatures are removed from the reservoir. Even if repairs are required at the top of the container, unnecessary movements will frighten and cause stress to your pets.
When gluing the film, it is useful to know one trick, how to glue the background to the aquarium without bubbles and firmly: it will attach securely if you lubricate the surface with vegetable oil.
Before applying sealant to the seams, remove the old layer. To do this, use a razor blade.

Aquarium sealant is a tried and true product that has helped fix many tanks, saving owners money. When choosing a silicone adhesive mixture, it is important to pay attention to products that do not contain aggressive and toxic components, and be sure to check the expiration date.

Aquarium glue

Gluing an aquarium yourself requires choosing the right adhesive. It must contain silicone.

When choosing, you should carefully study the packaging. Aquarium glue must be designed specifically for this product. It should not contain antibacterial substances that are harmful to fish and plants.

Glue for aquarium glass can be of several colors:

colorless;
white;
black (looks great in large aquariums).

For those who are gluing a product for the first time, it is better to choose transparent aquarium glue (waterproof). For ease of use, it is recommended to purchase a special gun that helps squeeze out the product.

Silicone sealants are considered the most versatile product. Their advantages:

long service life;
elasticity;
the product provides reliable adhesion to any surface;
silicone is easy to use;
non-toxic;
does not emit harmful substances.

In addition, aquarium glue hardens quite quickly, in just 20 minutes, and within a day the polymerization is completely completed. The seams are very durable. At the same time, silicone retains its elasticity. Before using the sealant, make sure that the surfaces to be treated are clean, dry and grease-free.

In addition to silicone, you can use epoxies. However, they are more fluid, harden for a long time and require more thorough cleaning of the surface.

Easy to use cold welding. This product is chemically inert and sets in a few minutes.

Cyacrines are also good, only when gluing the aquarium there should be small gaps between the parts.

If you cannot find an aquarium sealant, you can purchase a product that is intended for water pipes or dishes. Only it should not contain antifungal additives.

Sealant color

What color sealant should I choose: transparent or black? Anyone who sets out to glue an aquarium on their own faces this question. On the one hand, transparent sealant is less noticeable and looks more modern, but, in fact, over time (after about a year) it acquires a dull white color.

In addition, various fish treatment products (for example, methylene blue) give transparent seams a poisonous blue tint, which greatly spoils the appearance of the aquarium. Black sealant has no such disadvantages.

Instructions on how to glue a glass aquarium

The first step is to cut the glass to the required size. If you do not have experience in this matter, it is better to use the services of professionals.

There are two ways to glue glass. The first is that the walls are installed on the bottom, the second is that the walls are glued around the bottom. The two designs have no fundamental difference. But some craftsmen still prefer the second way, citing the fact that the tensile fixation of the sealant is stronger.

Prepare a place for the process of gluing individual parts into one whole. It must be a hard, level and stable surface.

So, the action plan:

Degrease the surfaces on which the glue will be applied. This can be done with alcohol or an acentone-containing substance. Use lint-free rags.
To avoid contaminating the edges of the glass with excess aquarium glue, cover the walls with strips of masking tape at a distance of the width over which the sealant will be applied - from 3-4 to 5-6 mm. Without masking tape, it will be impossible to completely clean dirty glass.
First, install the front wall. Apply a layer of silicone glue to the junction of the edges, and placing it on the bottom, lightly press down. To prevent the wall from collapsing, install a support, which you can use wooden blocks or cans filled with water.
Fasten the side edges in the same way, while lubricating the vertical ribs.
Repeat the same manipulation with the back wall.
Leave the assembly to dry for several hours (see the sealant instructions for the exact drying time).
After the specified time, apply another layer of sealant to the joints.
After an hour, remove the protective mounting tape and clean the seams.
The aquarium dries out within 24 hours, after which check it for consistency by filling it with water. If no liquid leaks, your aquarium is ready!

How to make a lid

To give a new piece of furniture a completely finished look, make a lid for it. The simplest solution is a lightweight plastic sheet about 3–5 mm thick, installed on the stiffeners and end walls.

You can cover the tank with organic or silicate glass, and even install lighting. Use glue to attach it. To prevent damage to the glass, make a soft silicone layer of sealant with the addition of polystyrene foam.

Attach the hinges to grip and lift the lid using glue or bolting. To make your homemade aquarium look aesthetically pleasing, the lid must match its size in detail.

What you need

To make an aquarium yourself, you do not need any complex tools or rare materials. If you want to make your own container, in addition to glass, you will need:

glass cutter;
aquarium silicone or silicate glue;
glue gun with dispenser;
glass cutter;
a roll of masking (construction) tape;
roulette;
substrates that help create a gap between the glasses;
metal corner;
small spatula;
stationery knife;
metal ruler;
sponges;
natural soft rags.

Special clamps-holders for glass are also useful. With their help, they are additionally fixed until the walls of the glued reservoir dry out. These devices are desirable, but not required. Special glue is used. Otherwise, it’s easy to poison your pets with substances that are released into the water from the wrong glue. Knowing how to make an aquarium with your own hands, it is easy to create an optimal home for your pets. All tools should be collected in advance, and not start looking for them during the work process.

Where should I put the fish?

Decorative fish and other living creatures must be evacuated immediately. If there is a spare housing for aquatic inhabitants (even if of a smaller capacity), then the problem is solved quite simply: water from the faulty aquarium is poured into a spare one, the plants are moved to a separate container (a jar, for example), and the soil is removed.

You can start troubleshooting. If you have a thermal bag for transporting fish, then it will also be suitable as a temporary home for fish. As a last resort, you can use an ordinary three-liter glass jar.

Requirement: the same conditions must be maintained in the temporary container (the aqua must be saturated with oxygen, and its temperature must be maintained within normal limits).

Any aquarium can be repaired - it has been tested by experience, and repeatedly! The complexity and type of aquarium repair is determined by the nature of the destruction.

First way. The easiest way is to glue a new bottom over the cracked one. And when gluing, apply a continuous strip of aquarium sealant to the place of the crack to prevent leakage. Along the perimeter of the aquarium, flush with the new bottom, it is necessary to stick a strip of glass 4-5 cm wide (glass thickness 4-5 mm) - this serves as reinforcement and provides an additional guarantee against leakage. Subsequently, the strip can be decorated by gluing a self-adhesive film or decorative tape onto it, and it will not attract attention at all or look like something alien, rather as if it was intended that way.

Note:

Pet stores or household chemical stores sell special silicone sealant for gluing and repairing aquariums. Be careful when purchasing it; it should be written on the packaging that it can be used for aquariums. You can glue it without draining the water; it is harmless to the inhabitants of the aquarium. To seal, you need to bring the sealant to the crack, dispense it and smear it with your fingers in the crack. Once the sealant has cured (usually 24 hours), you can carefully remove the excess using a razor blade. It is necessary to monitor the area where the crack was for several days, as water may begin to seep through. In this case, it is necessary to repeat the procedure.

Method two. Place a glass patch in place of the crack, which will cover the entire damaged area. If the aquarium leaks along the seam, you will have to re-glue this entire seam. To do this, you will need to remove the old silicone from the entire seam, since the silicone of the new gluing does not stick well to the old silicone. Then let the aquarium sit for 4-6 days. Next, soak for a week (drain the water twice a day and refill the aquarium again) and you can again place your fish in their usual environment.

Note! If any of the walls of the aquarium are damaged, the entire damaged glass must be replaced.

The third, more complex option is replacing the bottom - a long process in technical terms, because it may require disassembling half of the aquarium.

Special additions for aquariums

This section contains information about special equipment. You can create some products yourself. Others are better purchased in the store.

In a specialized trading company, in addition to a good assortment, you can take advantage of official guarantees and free professional advice

UV sterilizer

For disinfection, water is treated with ultraviolet radiation. A lamp (of the appropriate spectrum) is placed in a sealed casing through which a flow of liquid is passed.

After familiarizing yourself with the principles of operation, making such a UV sterilizer with your own hands will not take much time.

Automatic feeder

This device ensures that a portion of feed is dropped when the electric drive is turned on.

The desired result can be obtained by installing the platform at a slight slope and ensuring the movement of bulk substances using vibration. To create such an automatic feeder for an aquarium with your own hands, you will need an old mobile phone. It is attached using rigid fastening. Enabling the “vibrate” call will create the necessary mechanical impacts. Such a device can be controlled remotely.

How to make a sump for an aquarium with your own hands

This term refers to a separate container that is used directly for the correct preparation of the aquatic environment.

Professional design

When creating a sump for an aquarium with your own hands, you need to determine exactly the necessary processing steps. As a rule, several stages of filtration are used. In the last compartment, a heating element with a thermostat is installed to maintain the nominal temperature level.

Aerators and sprayers

To make a simple aquarium sprayer with your own hands, make the required number of small holes in the tube

When looking for the right solution, you need to remember the need to create free passages for air and ease of cleaning. Make sure that the compressor power is sufficient. The weight eliminates unnecessary buoyancy for this part.

These materials are also used when creating an aquarium aerator with your own hands:

dense polymer sponges;
sandstone, other porous minerals;
a branch of rowan or other suitable tree cut at an angle.

aquarium aerator

Specialized aquarium airlift

This device moves water from depth upward. Useful actions are performed using air bubbles. Such designs are used in filtration systems. To create an airlift for an aquarium with your own hands, you need to take a wide tube. Holes are made in the lower part. It is immersed in a sponge, which will prevent the penetration of mechanical impurities. Compressed air is supplied to the middle of the structure through a special pipe by a compressor.

Snail trap

To automate the cleaning of the aquarium, different plastic containers are used.

The main component of the system is cucumber bait

A do-it-yourself snail trap in an aquarium should be equipped with a device that provides freedom of movement only inwards. In this project, such functions are performed by combs made of flexible polymer threads (marked with arrows).

Aquarium refrigerator

To reduce the temperature of the flowing liquid, you can purchase a specialized device

A DIY aquarium refrigerator project is created taking into account personal preferences and capabilities. Air conditioners and other household appliances, water and air cooling circuits are used.

Maintaining optimal temperature conditions using a heater

Schematic diagrams and calculations of do-it-yourself aquarium heaters

Here the temperature of the liquid increases with the passage of electric current. You can obtain the desired resistance by changing the concentration of the saline solution.

Improving fish keeping conditions using a nutrient substrate

Creating a high-quality nutrient substrate for an aquarium with your own hands is a difficult task even for experienced aquarists. When choosing suitable components, it is necessary to ensure the presence of a sufficient amount of organic substances necessary for the harmonious development of plants. At the same time, it is necessary to block dangerous decay processes. The good solubility of useful ingredients is complemented by the absence of “emissions” that pollute the aquatic environment. Manufacturers of specialized products keep their recipes secret. Published methods have poor repeatability.

As a rule, the substrates contain:

Clay that retains trace elements and other beneficial components.
Peat – with its help, an optimal level of acidity is created in the area of root systems.
Fertilizers, microelements.
Activated carbon, which accumulates the products of decay processes.
Neutral filler (sand, gravel).

What you need to know to make a skimmer for an aquarium with your own hands

Such devices are used independently or as part of filtration systems. They collect foam along with contaminants in a special container for subsequent removal.

To make a skimmer for an aquarium with your own hands, you can use this circuit diagram

How to make a “sand fall” in an aquarium yourself

This drawing explains the operating principle and design features

The most difficult part of making sandfall in a DIY aquarium is the bed. Not only the relief matters, but also the angle of inclination. Optimal parameters can be selected during testing. The ability to change the pressure by adjusting the pump performance will be useful.

How to make an aquarium with your own hands: necessary materials

There are many models of ready-made aquariums available for sale, but a large selection does not always mean that you can find an option that suits your wishes and capabilities. If you plan to make an aquarium yourself, you need to prepare all the necessary tools and materials in advance.

What you will need:

Glass or plexiglass of suitable thickness.
Glass cutter.
Measuring tool.
Silicone for aquariums and a gun for applying it.
Masking tape.
Small spatula.

Additionally, you need to prepare a rag for wiping glass, a sharp knife and a building level. It is advisable to carry out all work on a flat, durable surface suitable for the size of the future aquarium.

In addition to increased strength and moisture resistance, it has a safe chemical composition. Conventional sealants are not intended for such work, because the chemicals in the composition can cause the death of fish.

Materials for work

To make an aquarium with your own hands, you first need to stock up on the necessary materials and tools for the job. For construction you will need:

Silicone glue gun.
Grindstone.
A sharp blade or thin knife.
Paper napkins, sponges and clean cloth.
Degreaser.
Ruler or tape measure.
Glass cutter.
Masking tape.

In addition to these items, you will need newspapers on which the structure will dry, and glass clamps that will firmly fix the walls of the container until it dries. Having prepared the necessary parts, all that remains is to choose the right glass and glue to create a homemade product.

How to glue a large aquarium

Bonding large aquariums requires certain requirements to be met. The seams should be thick, the best option is two to three millimeters.

A mandatory step is degreasing.
To avoid the formation of bubbles, you must first install all the glass and only then introduce the silicone.
Squeeze out the glue until silicone flows outside the seam and there are no bubbles inside.
The glass of a large aquarium is secured on top with corner clamps; a simple support is sufficient from below.
Place a board of appropriate width inside and hold the glass.
At this time, the second person presses the silicone.
When the silicone is pressed into the seam, the excess is carefully removed from both sides.

If you are interested in how to glue a large aquarium together, remember that it requires ties and stiffeners. But they can be glued only after the glue has completely dried.

VIDEO

If you decide to enliven the underwater landscape with the help of stones, you will need information on how to glue stones for an aquarium. As a rule, silicone glue is used for this. To ensure the strength of the structure, you need to lubricate all points of contact.

When creating large compositions, it is better to pre-glue individual stones with silicone sealant. This way you will protect the aquarium from cracks and glass splits due to falling stones.

Repairing cracked aquarium glass

1.Remove old glue

We take a utility knife and place it against the glass with the old glue line. Using light pressure, we draw along the glass to cut off the old glue. We repeat the procedure on the reverse side. It is more convenient to pick up the adhesive by moving the knife from bottom to top. After this, the cut strip can be easily torn off by hand.

Using this algorithm, we remove glue from all corners of the aquarium.

REPAIR VIDEO

2. Degrease the surface

We degrease the seams that have just been cleaned of glue residue. To do this, soak a cotton cloth in rubbing alcohol and rub it along the seams. Leave the aquarium for 10 minutes to dry.

3. Glue the damaged aquarium

To glue the seams again, we use special glue for aquariums (for example OBRASIL K-95).

The stores offer adhesives of different colors - choose the one that suits the design of your aquarium. We begin to squeeze it out of the syringe, moving up from the corner at the bottom along the wall of the aquarium.

We take a small board (for example, you can take part of a wooden clothespin), apply it to the place where you started squeezing out the glue, and lift it up along the seam to remove excess glue and level the glue seam. Spread excess glue over the top of the glass.

We perform gluing for all the walls of the aquarium.

The glue should be as close to the seam as possible. Then the updated aquarium will be sealed and will last for many years.

Author of the article - Kristina Sekushina

Spectacular decoration: special devices and design elements

You can use any items to fill the aquarium. In any case, it is necessary to ensure safety for fish and plants. This requirement is not limited to the penetration of harmful contaminants. The retail chain offers moving, too bright and other devices “for aquariums”. Some of them provoke stressful situations. Others are not suitable taking into account the behavioral characteristics of certain species of fish.

Decorative elements are created from different materials. They are covered with various protective layers. When choosing, be aware of potential hazards. For example, some natural minerals can significantly change the chemical composition of water when immersed. Calcium and magnesium components increase the level of hardness. Phosphate compounds have a negative effect on the health of fish. Safe are: basalt, granite, pumice, quartz rocks. But artificial stones intended for aquariums definitely do not contain any harmful components.

Creating a DIY aquarium backdrop can be overwhelming

But such designs are distinguished by a high level of realism. Inside you can hide tubes and other technological parts of the structure.

It’s much easier to make decorations for an aquarium with your own hands using printing technologies

On a computer you can create a unique drawing with the desired resolution and certain aesthetic characteristics. To apply it to a suitable base, you can use the services of a specialized service center. The finished picture is glued to the back of the glass, which provides good protection from adverse external influences. At the same time, contamination of the aquarium water is prevented.

For your information! Using appropriate techniques, it is possible to create a three-dimensional image in 3D format.

Choosing the right soil for an aquarium: you can create the optimal composition with your own hands

This is the most important component of the aquarium and performs aesthetic and practical functions. It contains beneficial bacteria. It is the basis for securing the root systems of plants. When danger arises, some aquarium fish create shelters in the ground and dig holes to lay eggs.

Backfills based on sand, crushed minerals, polymers, and glass are used. In the latter option, pieces of material are treated with high temperature to smooth out the protrusions. When creating nutritious soil for an aquarium with your own hands, special ingredients are added to it to solve the following problems:

normalization of environmental acidity;
absorption of harmful chemical compounds;
plant stimulation;
treatment and prevention of fish diseases.

Specialized stores offer a wide range of aquarium fillings.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the following information:

Some natural components have a significant impact on the chemical composition of water.
It is necessary to create and maintain a porous layer so as not to interfere with metabolic processes.
Sand grains up to 2 mm in size are raised by water vibrations, which form large fish as they move. Contaminants enter the filtration devices and damage them.
To eliminate such manifestations, gravel is poured. But you need to understand that it is only suitable for plants with strong roots.
Dark shades are suitable for tropical aquarium fish.
Bright colored paints should be used in limited quantities.
If the colors are too light, the natural color of the fish gradually fades.

For your information! To eliminate potentially harmful components, experienced aquarists personally process soil mixtures from the store. They are thoroughly washed and calcined. Similar actions are performed if river sand and other natural materials are used.

Do-it-yourself potassium supplement for aquarium is used if plants begin to lose leaves. Iron deficiency appears as light spots. In the absence of nitrogen, the protein production mechanism is disrupted. Magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, and other trace elements are required in small quantities.

These tablets are created specifically for feeding aquarium flora.

They are immersed in backfill. The exact amount of drugs and methods of application are described in the manufacturer's instructions. Similar products are also produced in liquid form.

DIY driftwood for an aquarium: a beautiful and durable product

With the help of these elements, not only exclusive compositions are created. They are necessary to create a comfortable environment for certain types of fish. If you plan to make a driftwood for the aquarium with your own hands, pay special attention to its preparation. The selected wood is cleaned of bark and dirt and boiled in water for at least two days. Only a product prepared in this way will be protected from rotting and possible “blooming”.

If you figure out how to make driftwood for an aquarium with your own hands from stained wood, you can saturate the water with tannins and acids of organic origin. This environment is comfortable for carp and some other fish species.

The appearance of artificial driftwood is no different from its natural counterpart, even in small details

Even experienced aquarists prefer these artificial products. They do not contain any hazardous substances.

Aquarium grotto

When creating a grotto for an aquarium with your own hands, you can use the remains of ceramic products

The general rules outlined below will help you choose decorative details without errors:

Basic materials and coatings of such elements should not contain potentially hazardous substances or soluble compounds.
Sharp edges and protrusions should be excluded.
In grottoes and other shelters, 2 or more holes are made with dimensions sufficient for the free movement of the largest fish.
Massive objects are installed directly on the bottom, or through special damping pads.

Economical and reliable lighting

Previously, halogen and gas-discharge lamps were used to solve such problems. Nowadays, when creating a lamp for an aquarium with your own hands, preference is given to semiconductor devices:

LEDs are produced in a wide range, so it is not difficult to choose the optimal technical parameters for the project (radiation intensity, spectrum).
They perform their functions economically, without generating much heat.
These products are resistant to changes in temperature, humidity, and network voltage.
They retain their original characteristics for several tens of thousands of hours of continuous operation.
Low voltage circuits can be used for connection, which increases the level of safety.

For your information! As production expands, the cost of LED devices decreases. They are not damaged under difficult conditions of use and frequent switching on. Such products are well suited for creating modern automated lighting systems for an aquarium with your own hands.

For approximate calculations, three gradations are used (in lumens per 1 liter of aquarium volume):

From 10 to 30 is the minimum level. This lighting is suitable for shade-loving plants.
The range of 30-50 is universal.
More than 50 units are used with caution to avoid discomfort for the fish.

From several LEDs you can assemble a source with an optimal distribution of the spectral range

When setting up the lighting for an aquarium with your own hands, set the correct operating mode. The duration of photosynthesis, taking into account artificial and natural sources, should be at least 8 hours a day. It is not worth increasing the range, as this may provoke excessive algae growth.

This diagram explains the dependence of surface illumination depending on the height of installation of the device

How to make a product more durable?

You also need to know how to make an aquarium more durable. To do this, you need to use stiffeners. Only by installing them can we consider that our work on making a structure with our own hands is done from start to finish.

For the stiffening ribs, samples of the same glass that was taken for the aquarium itself are taken, with a width of 6 to 10 cm. The ribs must be glued to the top of the vertical walls. If the ribs are 4 or 6 cm shorter than the length of each wall, they will ensure uniform pressure distribution over the entire surface of the aquarium.

It is possible that the aquarium may then need to be repaired if there are small leaks, but those who did everything themselves know how to seal the aquarium. The same aquarium silicate glue that was used from the very beginning for aquariums is suitable for this. You should always have glue in reserve, because no matter how well the work is done, there may be leaks, and sealing them right away is much easier than taking the product for repairs or wasting time.

According to the scheme used, many people could make their own aquariums at home for their fish, select the required glass thickness, and make ribs inside the aquarium using high-quality aquarium silicate glue. This requires a minimum of equipment, but you need to have all the tools listed and preferably have good skills in making such things. It is not difficult to calculate how much glass is needed and how thick it should be. You can even use hints and tips.

In addition to the finished aquarium, you can make an aquarium lid. Here it is not necessary that only the best glass for all M1 qualities will be suitable, which is recommended to be used for the manufacture of the device itself; for the cover you can choose organic glass, plastic or silicate glass.

For small aquariums, a lid made of construction plastic with a thickness of 3 to 4 cm is suitable, but such a lid is not recommended to be placed on glass edges. For this purpose, the edges of a small product are made of plastic. For this purpose, strips with a width of 6 to 10 cm can serve. The length of such strips will be determined by the length of the walls around the perimeter. This frame can be glued together with plastic glue or resin. At the corners, such an edge can be reinforced with a metal corner. And only after that you can cover the product with a lid.

A polyvinyl chloride cable duct can be used to make edges for the upper edges. We select it so that the side walls of the aquarium can be inserted into its grooves. You need to remember the thickness of the glass and, in accordance with this value, look for a cable channel that has a groove of the same size as the thickness of the walls of the aquarium. It is best to glue the joint lines with silicone aquarium glue. Then the lid is attached to the back wall using hinges. Hinges are usually either glued or bolted on. A square hole is also made in the lid, with which you can lift or tilt the lid or give food to the fish.

Preparing the glass

Before cutting the old aquarium, you need to remember where and which side each glass was placed. This process can be greatly simplified by numbering the glasses using a waterproof marker.

Cutting up an old aquarium

Next, use a utility knife to cut the seams of the aquarium. Please note that the glasses can be glued very tightly to each other - and the blade will get stuck. Don't use too much force to avoid damaging the edges, but just try a thinner utility knife. During this process, carefully hold the glass, because after cutting the vertical seams, they may fall.

Removing the remnants of old sealant

After you have cut the old aquarium, you need to very carefully clean off the remaining old silicone from the edges of the glass. This is conveniently done using a set of blades for a stationery knife.

I would like to note that this is a very labor-intensive process that took me about an hour, despite the fact that the aquarium I was fiddling with is quite small. The blades quickly become dull (especially when you run them along the end of the glass), so it took 5 or 6 of them to clean all the glass. But this is a very important process: the remnants of old silicone must be completely removed. After this, the glass should be thoroughly washed and dried.

How to glue an aquarium

Artificial reservoirs for keeping fish come in different sizes and shapes, but for the first time you should give preference to a rectangular aquarium, the manufacture of which is simple and convenient. There are two ways to glue an aquarium at home:

The walls are glued to the bottom of the tank.
The glass is glued around the bottom.

Both methods do not differ from each other in terms of reliability and service life. Having chosen the first method and prepared the necessary materials, you can begin gluing the parts.

How to properly glue an aquarium:

The first step is to sharpen the edges of the glass so as not to get hurt during assembly. To do this, the glass faces are transferred to a bathtub, the bottom of which is covered with a soft and clean cloth, the container is filled with water and the glass is placed

Having moistened the sharpening stone, they carefully process the edges. The cut must remain intact, otherwise the silicone sealant will not be able to adhere tenaciously. Having completed the processing of the edges, carefully remove the glass and wipe dry with a clean towel.

After this, the edges are treated with a disinfectant. As preparation is completed, they begin responsible actions - gluing surfaces. The bottom of the future tank is carefully laid on the newspaper, then sealant is applied to the end of the front wall using a gun, and the glass is carefully placed on the bottom of the tank, gently and lightly pressing. If excess glue appears, then there is no need to remove the sealant - a double seam is used for strength. The side walls are glued in the same way, except that their vertical ribs are lubricated with sealant. The resulting structure is left to dry for 24 hours, but sometimes it takes more time for the glue to set well. After the sealant has dried, clamps are installed to glue the aquarium together if an impressive container is being built. A day later, after all the parts are securely glued, the excess adhesive mixture is eliminated using a sharp knife or blade. The assembled aquarium is checked for reliability and leaks. To do this, fill the container with water and carefully inspect the joints. If there is still a leak, you can try to fix it by pressing a little glue into the weak spot. After this, you can begin to launch an artificial reservoir and stock it with fish and shellfish.

When assembling the fish tank, safety precautions should be observed by wearing protective gloves during installation and manufacturing.

Aquarium cover

The aquarium lid is an element without which the design cannot be completed. The coating provides protection for energetic shellfish and active fish that jump to the surface and fall down to die. The simplest and most economical version of a homemade lid is a thin plastic sheet that is installed on the stiffeners.

If the owner wishes, a protective covering can be constructed from silicate glass or durable plastic by installing lighting. For convenience, a handle is attached to the lid to conveniently open/close the tank. To avoid damage to the top edge of the glass, construct a soft layer of sealant. In addition, it is important to first measure the parameters of the aquarium so that the lid fits in size and looks harmonious.

Making an aquarium at home for the first time may seem daunting, but with patience and detailed instructions, assembling the tank is not difficult. The main thing is to choose high-quality materials so that the structure becomes a reliable refuge for colorful fish, exotic shellfish and underwater flora. Having gotten your hands on making artificial ponds, you can turn this hobby into a profitable business by starting to produce aquariums at home.

How to make an aquarium with your own hands

Before starting work, make sure you have:

Particular attention should be paid to sealant and glass.

metal corners;
scraper;
acetone or alcohol;
small clamps;
lint-free cleaning cloths;
gun for silicone;
glass blanks;
masking tape;
scraper blades;
stationery knife;
aquarium silicone;
small spatulas.

Let's look at the features of their choice in more detail.

First of all, you will need glass and adhesive material

Selecting silicone adhesive

As a sealant for gluing, choose a silicone option, characterized by:

high resistance to mechanical stress;
ease of use;
high-quality adhesion to the surface;
safety and absence of toxins;
elasticity;
quick setting;
long service life.

When choosing a product, pay attention to:

Compound. Additional impurities are detrimental to aquarium inhabitants. The packaging must contain a note indicating that the glue is suitable for gluing aquarium glass.
Color. The color scheme determines the purpose, easily soiled: black – bulky structures with clear contours; white – designer designs that fit well into the interior; transparent - small structures not exceeding 100 liters.

Transparent glue is the best choice for beginners, allowing them to hide imperfections that arose during gluing.

Professional silicone glue for aquariums Chemlux 9011 black up to 400 l.

Glass selection

Among the most popular types are:

tempered glass, characterized by a long service life, low susceptibility to any mechanical damage and clouding, but poor flexibility, which prevents the creation of unusual shapes;
acrylic, characterized by flexibility, strength, as well as a short service life and high susceptibility to damage from scratches;
plexiglass, which is flexible and easy to process, but quickly becomes cloudy and collapses under high pressure.

The thickness is determined by the pressure exerted by the height of the walls and the total volume of water. When building a homemade 100 liter aquarium. with a height of 30 cm, the thickness should be 6 mm.

When purchasing, pay attention to:

the absence of bubbles that violate not only the aesthetics, but also the strength of the product;
irregularities and deposits that interfere with working with sealant.

Don't try to save money by using old glass from the garage or an inexpensive piece from a storefront.

During long-term storage, sodium ions, which are responsible for strength, are lost.

If you have no experience in cutting glass, seek help from specialists.

Any unevenness of the edges reduces the reliability of gluing. If cutting yourself, keep the following points in mind:

The side windows are fixed to the bottom sheet of the structure.
The walls of the aquarium are divided in pairs: 2 lateral, 1 rear and 1 front.
The length of the pair, consisting of rear and front, is equal to the bottom glass.
The difference in the length of the bottom and side windows is equal to the edge of the bottom in its favor. If the length of the future bottom is 30 cm and its thickness is 6 mm, then the size of the side walls will be 29 cm.

When choosing glass, pay attention to the thickness

Gluing process at home

After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, proceed to direct gluing:

Choose a stable surface that allows you to fit all the elements of the aquarium and eliminates unevenness.
Place a sheet of glass intended for the bottom in the center of the surface. Place the remaining parts of the aquarium next to its edges.
Degrease the surface with acetone or alcohol. Dirt interferes with adhesion, causing leaks and structural failure.
After making sure the edges are clean, apply masking tape to prevent contamination with the sealant.
Squeeze a thin bead of sealant (3mm thick) onto the work surface.
Connect one of the side windows to the bottom one, avoiding strong pressure. To form an even angle, use metal corners and clamps to glue evenly. Place a corner on the outer edge, make a lining from cardboard and secure the structure with a clamp.
Step by step, assemble and secure the remaining glass and remove any remaining glue using a scraper.
After joining all the walls, remove the masking tape and let the aquarium dry.

Do not move the drying structure. Otherwise, the seams of the aquarium will come apart.

The process of gluing an aquarium with your own hands

What kind of glue is needed

There are many choices of glass glue, but most formulations contain components harmful to underwater inhabitants. You should not listen to seasoned professionals who claim that they glued the aquarium with simple construction glue and “everyone is alive and well.” They were just lucky.

A good aquarium glue must meet the following requirements:

do not contain dangerous compounds;
ensure high strength of connections;
the structure of the glue must be elastic;
color can be transparent or black;
without impurities, including antibacterial ones.

Products that are approaching the expiration date should not be purchased. You can no longer expect strong seams from him. The best option in this situation is silicone sealant. It will reliably glue glass and withstand mechanical loads of up to 200 kg per square centimeter of area. This is relevant when gluing large tanks.

On a note! Black sealant looks stylish if the aquarium volume is 100 liters or more. If you are not sure that the seam will be perfect, it is preferable to choose colorless glue.

Choosing glass for making an aquarium

When choosing the quality and thickness of glass for making a glass container, you should take into account its dimensions: the larger the container, the thicker the glass should be. For example, with a glass thickness of 6-8 mm, the maximum permissible width is 1000 mm, and the height is 500 mm, with 10-15 mm, respectively, 1000 mm x 1000 mm, but always with stiffeners. If you want an aquarium up to two meters in length, then you need to use transverse ties and longitudinal stiffeners.

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The material for making the walls can be either plexiglass or ordinary glass with a homogeneous structure. The walls must be free of bubbles or other defects. Otherwise, the water and lighting in the aquarium will indicate any errors in appearance. Polymer glass bends easily and does not affect the composition of the liquid in the aquarium. But it also has significant drawbacks: it quickly becomes cloudy and is easy to scratch when cleaning the walls.

Which glass to choose

A significant step in creating a house for marine life is the choice of glass. For this purpose, take silicate glass, and not organic glass, since it is plastic that emits harmful chemicals that will kill fish. Also, plexiglass is easily damaged during the operation of the aquarium, becomes cloudy and quickly loses its presentable appearance.

There are several types of silicate glass: display glass and window glass. To glue an aquarium, you will need exactly the first, and the highest grade - M1, which does not contain unwanted impurities and invisible air bubbles. Only in rare exceptional cases can you resort to M2 class glass.

Preference should be given to glass with unpolished edges, because it is with them that the sealant interacts best, or to sheets with perfectly smooth edges. Such fastening will ensure high quality and prevent liquid leakage.

Purchase material from trusted specialized stores; do not take glass that has been in stock for a long time, even if it is new, much less used. With prolonged contact with air, sodium ions evaporate from them, and this, in turn, leads to a decrease in strength.

The next important step is to determine the thickness of the walls of the aquarium. Calculations are made using a simple formula and a special table. First of all, calculate the volume of the container being manufactured V=l*a*h, where l is the length, a is the width, h is the height. Then determine the desired parameter using the table.

Note: * - with stiffening ribs; ** - with ribs and ties.

How to buy an inexpensive aquarium in an online store: market overview

Manufacturer/Model	Volume, l	Dimensions, mm	Glass thickness, mm	price, rub.	Notes
Biodesign/Q-Scape	6,5	190 x 190 x 230	4	890-950	Backlight is not included as standard.
Biodesign Q-Scape
Tetra/ Betta Bowl	1,8	—	—	1500-1620	Miniature model with built-in LED lighting.
Tetra Betta Bowl
Biodesign/Classic 30	27	400 x 200 x 340	4	2200-2580	The buyer can choose the color design of the plastic parts.
Biodesign Classic 30
Aquarius	60	600 x 250 x 46	6	3480-3930	A lamp is installed in the cover of the structure.
Aquarius Aquarium
Aquael/LEDDY 80	105	750 x 350 x 400	—	7200-7650	The kit includes: filter, lighting, heating element, hole for feeding fish.
aquarium Aquael LEDDY 80
Biodesign/ Diarama 150	100	850 x 600 x 520	6	12400-13400	Corner model with cabinet.
aquarium Biodesign Diarama 150

aquarium Biodesign Diarama 150

Direct gluing of the aquarium is carried out in several stages:

Protect the glass from dirt by covering it with masking tape. Leave a distance from each edge equal to the thickness of the glass. The glass that will be the bottom is also covered.
All surfaces must be degreased. To do this, wipe them with alcohol or an acetone-containing product. Use a lint-free cloth for this.
The adhesive seam should be as smooth as possible. You can do it as follows: apply a small amount of silicone to the end. Once it has hardened, cut it off with a blade, leaving a small overhang above the glass. It will help you make an even seam.

How to choose glue?

Construction stores offer a wide range of different products. But when choosing what you can use to glue glass to glass, you need to take into account the specific use for aquariums. Firstly, the product must provide complete waterproofness for obvious reasons, because if the aquarium is leaking, it means it is not suitable for use.

Aquarium glue

Secondly, before deciding which sealant to glue the aquarium with, you need to think about the design of the future structure, which is why they come in black and transparent. If this is your first attempt to assemble a tank with your own hands, then, of course, you should use a colorless product - this way possible mistakes will not be visible. Black waterproof aquarium glue, on the other hand, works best on larger tanks and requires some experience, skill, and extreme care to apply.

Now directly about the choice. Many beginners in the aquarium hobby ask the question: “Can I use silicone sealant?” Need to. This is the only suitable solution for the future tank, so the answer is obvious. Silicone glass adhesive has all the necessary properties, first of all, excellent insulation. You should not experiment and choose other means, for example, epoxy aquarium glue is not the best option, because its purpose is completely different.

What is the best aquarium sealant? We'll help you decide on a purchase. Here are the most used among specialists:

Dow Corning 911 is the undoubted leader;
Tytan - has excellent properties, but has an unpleasant odor that will disappear for several days;
Soudal Silirub AQ – has proven itself;
Chemlux 9013 – German made.

Suitable aquarium silicone will ensure a reliable design and a comfortable life for aquatic inhabitants. It should be remembered that all work must be carried out with gloves, not

Glue selection

How to glue a glass aquarium is an important question, since the strength and durability of the structure depends on the correct choice of the adhesive mixture. There are many types of glue that can be used to connect glass edges together. But to make the aquarium durable and reliable, the adhesive must meet the following requirements:

Safety.
Strength and elasticity.
Aesthetic appearance.
Rapid grasping.
Ease of use.
Durability.
High degree of adhesion.

Silicone sealant meets these requirements, thanks to which you can make a durable and reliable tank. Before gluing the aquarium with silicone sealant with your own hands, it is important to pay attention to the composition of the glue. The composition should not contain impurities, and the substance itself should not be antibacterial, otherwise the fish may be harmed.

Silicone sealant is available in three colors:

White – When using this shade, it is important to note that the design may appear unfinished.
Unpainted - used to create small tanks with a capacity of up to 100 liters.
Black – used for gluing bulky structures, it looks elegant and noble.

The following brands of sealants are considered the most popular and reliable:

Dow Corning 911.
Tytan.
Soudal Silirub AQ.

Interior arrangement

First of all, you should take care of the bottom layer of the aquarium. The most successful solution to this issue is fine gravel or small pebbles. Some species of fish need places to be alone. They are made from natural stone: granite, basalt, cobblestone. Decoratively placed stones will create the necessary cavities, grottoes and caves.

Wood driftwood can be made from non-coniferous wood. The snag should not contain damaged areas: rotten, damaged by bark beetles. Suitable driftwood is boiled for 10 hours in salt water and then soaked in clean water for a week to remove the saltiness. At the same time, the water is changed daily.

Using coconut as a decoration is possible after boiling it for 10 minutes in salted water and soaking it in boiled water for 24 hours. Clay and ceramics are used if you are sure that they do not contain harmful impurities.

It is possible to make a three-dimensional background in an aquarium from PVC plates, stones, wood or ceramics. Decorative elements are attached to a PVC plate using silicone sealant.

Important! Be sure to purchase a filter to keep your aquarium clean.

Aquarium shapes

Containers for fish come in a variety of shapes. Each of them is suitable for certain inhabitants, interior, displacement. Highlight:

round shapes;
square (cubic) ones hold large volumes of liquid, small cubes are used as shrimp tanks;
rectangular;
panoramic ones allow you to increase the viewing angle;
corner ones fit well in small spaces.

Choosing fish

Start your journey in aquarium keeping with small, unpretentious aquarium fish. Beautiful, unpretentious fish suitable for the role of first aquarium pets:

viviparous (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies);
catfish (Ancistrus, Corydoras);
zebrafish;
cardinal;
lalius.

These fish live in different temperatures and water conditions, making them a must-have for a beginner.

Feeding

Grains of food for the inhabitants of the upper layers of water should not fall to the bottom. Special dry balanced food is sold for different types of fish. Diversify your diet with plant foods and frozen food.

Treat food with boiling water; for small fish, serve chopped food. Large aquarium inhabitants are given large granules. Feed the fish at the same time, create a diet based on their needs.

Brief overview of sealants

On store shelves and Internet sites there is a wide selection of sealants from different companies and companies. The following brands are considered the most popular and in demand:

Tytan - products are manufactured by a Polish company, supplying goods to more than forty countries. The adhesive mixtures from this manufacturer are durable and harmless to fish and other aquatic inhabitants. The cost of one copy is about 350 rubles.
Krass – Krass brand sealants are produced in Poland. They are considered an affordable option: the cost of the product does not exceed 200 rubles, and the quality corresponds to the declared one.
Soudal is a sealing mixture originally from Belgium. Ideal for tank repairs: safe for pets, free of dyes and toxic substances, fits perfectly and holds tightly. The price of this brand does not exceed 350 rubles.
Domestic manufacturers produce popular sealants: Germent, Henkel. The funds are considered proven and reliable.

How to make a structure at home?

First of all, you need to calculate which glass is better. M1 is considered the highest quality. The least successful option is plexiglass: it quickly becomes cloudy, damage appears when cleaning the product with a scraper, plexiglass is of lower quality and is almost never used for gluing aquariums at home.

Next question: how to glue a glass aquarium together? In no case will Moment glue be suitable for this purpose, as it is very toxic. It is better to opt for silicate aquarium glue

This glue is harmless and airtight, which is very important to prevent water from leaking from the aquarium. Now we know what kind of glue we will use to glue the aquarium glass.

First you need to process the selected glasses, in other words, prepare the selected glass parts for pre-processing. A do-it-yourself design will be successful if its volume is from 20 to 50 liters.

Now let's look at how to properly glue an aquarium. First you need to arrange the glass parts so that the bottom is inside the side parts of the aquarium glass. Silicone aquarium glue holds and bonds best in tension. First, in order to prevent possible damage to the glass by the sealant, the gluing lines must be covered on all sides with masking tape, leaving only the joints for gluing, that is, where they are directly gluing. They do everything as carefully as possible. Areas of the future joint can be pre-treated with acetone for a stronger and better joint.

You can calculate the thickness of the aquarium glass yourself, or you can select it from the tables given specifically for such work, where everything has already been calculated and the optimal and maximum values are given. If you count on your own, it is better to give here the formula for how to calculate the thickness of the glass.

You need to start gluing the structure by applying aquarium silicate glue to the joint line of the bottom glass. Then you need to let it dry and cut off the excess, leaving a thickness of 1 - 2 mm. In this case, you should follow the rule: avoid possible contact with other parts of the glass to avoid damage.

Now you can place the polyethylene on the table, put the bottom glass for the aquarium on it, to which the end sides are first glued, simultaneously securing it with masking tape for convenience. That is, we glue the aquarium in the following sequence: first we glue the bottom along the end, then we apply one end, then the second, then the side edge of the future aquarium, using masking tape for fixation. Then remove excess glue with a sponge. The bottom can often be double for greater reliability.

After this, you need to apply an additional layer of sealant to the joints to ensure the strength of the structure, wait an hour again for everything to dry, and remove the masking tape. Then you need to take a razor blade and clean the seams.

Detailed information on how to glue an aquarium at home can be found in the video, which best describes in the required sequence how, what and in what order to do it yourself. A glued aquarium with the right approach will hardly turn out worse than a purchased one, and its cost will be much lower.

Brand and selection of glass

Before you start selecting glass, calculate the volume of the tank: the length is multiplied by the width and height (using the formula: V = a * h * l). Then the result obtained is checked against a table that corresponds to the volume and thickness of the glass.

There are eight grades of glass, which are designated by the letter M. The M1 grade is suitable for assembly - it is the highest quality, has the fewest defects: air bubbles no more than one per 1 m2, thickness deviation maximum 0.2 mm. If it is not possible to purchase M1, you can make walls from M2, which is considered an ordinary mirror. As a last resort, M3 is used in design - technical polished; M4 is already considered window. If the glass material is of relatively low quality, large aquariums cannot be made from it, because there is a high probability that the surface will not hold up and will burst.

To strengthen the structure, it is equipped with stiffening ribs, which prevent the walls from bending under the pressure of the water mass and improve stability. They are additionally glued in front and back perpendicular to the side windows. If the length of the vessel exceeds 50 cm, reinforcement ribs must be installed, and if the length is more than 1.5 m, ties glued to the bottom must be installed.