How to Build Your Own Acrylic Fish Tanks
- 1). Source a smooth work surface that is against a wall. Ensure that the work surface is dust-free.
- 2). Lay the five pieces of acrylic on soft towels on the work surface. Remove the protective film that is attached to each piece of acrylic.
- 3). Sand down the edges of each piece of acrylic, using the emery paper.
- 4). Wipe down each piece of acrylic with a clean cloth and return them to the clean towels.
- 5). Fill the syringe with acrylic solvent.
- 6). Lay the 36-inch-by-12-inch base pane on the work surface and stand the 36-inch by 15-inch back pane vertically on top of it, along the rear edge of the base pane.
- 7). Carefully tilt the back pane backward and, using the syringe, apply a continuous and thin stream of acrylic solvent along the entire joint area. Tilt the vertical back pane back down, onto the solvent.
- 8). Position this fused section, so that the vertical back piece of acrylic is flush against the wall. Tape the back pane to the wall, using 2 strips of masking tape.
- 9). Leave this fused section to cure for at least two hours.
- 10
Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the side-edge of the right hand side of the base pane. Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the side-edge of the right hand side of the vertical back pane. - 11
Position the first 12-inch-by-15-inch side piece next to both the base and the right hand side pane and fuse this side pane to both the base and back piece. - 12
Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the side-edge of the left hand side of the base pane. Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the side-edge of the left hand side of the vertical back pane. - 13
Position the second 12-inch-by-15-inch side piece next to both the base and the left hand side pane and fuse this side pane to both the base and back piece. - 14
Leave the fused four-piece unit to cure for at least another two hours. - 15
Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the top-edge of the base pane, along the front length side. Apply a continuous and thin stream of solvent to the vertical front of both the left-hand and right-hand side panes. - 16
Position the front pane in place. Leave the finished aquarium to cure for two days. Remove the tape. - 17
Fill the aquarium with water overnight. Drain this water and move your aquarium to its stand. Fill with water to be used for your fish.
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