Majority of aquariums available in the market are made from glass, but of course you can always decide to have your acrylic custom aquarium and it offers many advantages. Designers of large aquarium prefer acrylic aquarium because the material is stronger and can be easily shaped, aside from its strength and flexibility. And more importantly, it is easier to create your own acrylic aquarium because it takes lesser amount of special equipment and is easier to construct.
Materials and equipment
Before you begin your project, it is advisable to prepare all the materials and equipment you will need. You will need an acrylic sheet at least 1/4 inch thick. Decide the size of the custom aquarium you want and carefully measure the sheets before you cut them. Buy an acrylic solvent to bond together the acrylic sheets using a syringe with 18-gauge needle. Keep a sandpaper, clamps and wood planks ready in assembling the tank.
Preparing the materials
Remove the protective film on edges of the acrylic sheet for proper bonding. Carefully sand the edges of the sheet but try to avoid rounding the edges then, with the use of a clean cloth, clean the areas that you will bond. Remove all obstacles in your working area and ensure that the area is clear. Lay down a blanket or sheet on a flat surface.
Assembling the aquarium
Using the acrylic solvent, bond together two pieces of the acrylic sheets to form a right angle with the vertical piece on top of the horizontal piece. The wood planks and the sheets can be used to keep the attached sheets together. Apply a generous amount of solvent into the joint, but be careful not to destroy the surface. Allow the solvent to stand for 24 hours to dry. Turn the bonded section to allow you to attach another sheet and using the wood planks for support~{Now that you have two sides attached, get another sheet and attach it to the bonded section making use of the wood planks for support}~Glue the next sheet to the attached section. To support the attached sheets, you can use the wood planks~With two sheets already attached, you can see that your aqurium is starting to take shape and attach another sheet}~Attach another sheet to complete your aquarium. Use the wood planks to support your project~{Now that you have two sides attached, get another sheet and attach it to the bonded section making use of the wood planks for support}~Glue the next sheet to the attached section. The wood planks will be very helpful for support~With two sheets already attached, you can see that your aqurium is starting to take shape and attach another sheet}. Just repeat the process of attaching the sheets using the solvent until you finished all the sides and the bottom.
Finishing touches
Allow at least 48 hours for the joints and solvent to dry before filling the tank with water to check for leaks. Apply solvent to any leaking areas and repeat this until all leaks are sealed. Wash the tank to remove any toxicity from the solvent. You can use decorations to beautify your custom aquarium.
Filed under Fish and Aquarium Care by on Jan 28th, 2010. Comment. 
Made of SeaClear sparkling acrylic, this show aquarium combines a modern design with the benefits of acrylic construction. It’s less than half the weight of comparably sized glass tanks and its exceptional clarity allows unobstructed views of the underwater world you create.Acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass and other commonly used aquarium materials.SeaClear Aquariums are all acrylic, with no degradable sealers. Seams are molecularly bonded and heat polished, not joined with glue or sealers. This means your SeaClear Aquarium will be virtually leak and breakproof.Because acrylic is impervious to the corrosive effects of saltwater, SeaClear Aquariums are safe for both fresh and saltwater use.This aquarium is manufactured to fit stands and canopies from other manufacturers.Includes a UL listed fluorescent light fixture (bulb not included) and manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty.
Filed under Bowfront by on Jul 11th, 2009. Comment.
These ready-to-run systems offers the ultimate in convenience. An efficient wet/dry filtration system is built right into the back of the sparkling acrylic aquarium.
Filed under SeaClear by on Mar 16th, 2009. Comment.
About This Clear for Life AquariumThis acrylic aquarium features a hexagonal design which will bring a pleasant visual to your living space. Choose between two acrylic tint options to get the look you want. Sizes range from 20 to 125 gallons based on availability.Clear for Life Aquariums are made from acrylic which offers greater aesthetic beauty than glass. Acrylic aquariums are also 50 percent lighter 40 percent brighter and 17 times stronger than glass giving them a distinct advantage.Complete your fresh water aquarium system (scroll down to purchase accessories):Filter – This keeps your aquarium clean. Use a hang-on style filter for aquariums under 50 gallons; consider a more powerful canister style filter for larger aquariums.Heater – Many tropical fish require the water to be above a certain temperature. The wattage of the heater you need depends on the size of aquarium and the number of degrees you need to raise the water temperature from the current room temperature. Click into the details of the heater you're interested in (featured below) to determine the size you need.Thermometer – We've found digital thermometers to be the most accurate.Light Fixture – Many aquariums come with empty hoods so you need to install a light fixture on the inside of the hood (most people choose a standard fluorescent light kit). This is an easy job that can be done in minutes with a screwdriver.Light Bulb – We recommend a bulb with color-enhancing phosphors to provide full-spectrum lightAquarium Stand – Stands not only complete the look of your aquarium but also provide storage for supplies and external filters for larger tanks.We also offer a wide assortment of plants rocks coral and figurines on our Aquarium Decorations aisle.Click on the link below to learn more about Aquarium Dimensions.
Filed under Flat-Back Hexagon by on Aug 10th, 2008. Comment.
Stylish and distinctive in appearance the Designer Aqua Vision Single Dome is sure to become the highlight of any room you place it in. Made entirely from acrylic this single dome aquarium holds up to 40 gallons of fresh water and comes in a choice of flat or bubble domes.This aquarium comes complete with: high-capacity filter lighting extension cord decorative plants under-gravel filtration and air pump.
Filed under Other Shapes by on Aug 10th, 2008. Comment.
