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. 
Aquatic Fundamentals 46 Gallon Bowfront Aquarium Stand – at PETCO.comState-of-the-art aquarium stands & canopies Quality aquarium furniture with moisture-resistant, powder-coat finish Sturdy aquarium stands feature metal-to-metal locking cam assembly Quality aquarium furniture lets your aquarium get the attention it deserves. Unlike “lip-only” stands that support only at the corners, these solid-top models support every square inch of your aquarium. Dense fiberboard core construction and a moisture-resistant, black powder-coat finish. Looks great in any room to give your aquarium a clean finished look. Powder-coat Finish The finish on these stands is created using state-of-the-art powder-coating process, which ensures that the end product is extremely durable and moisture-resistant. Solid Tops These tops offer greater versatility over those with mere “lip-only” construction. Solid tops allow each stand to be safely used with a variety of tanks, or other pet habitat. Fasteners Unlike low quality aquarium stands that simply use wood screws and glue in their construction, these stands use a metal-to-metal locking cam assembly resulting in a sturdier and longer lasting quality product.
Filed under Bowfront by on Jul 13th, 2009. 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.
