How to build your own Aquarium

Building your own fish tank or aquarium is not for the faint of heart but it can be an extremely rewarding experience.

This article explains how to build a reasonable sized aquarium for your tropical fish. Our aquarium will be of plywood construction (so it’s inexpensive to build) and have a single, large viewing window.

To make your own fish tank or small aquarium you will need several sections of plywood, an assortment of screws, sandpaper, a thick sheet of glass, wood glue, wood varnish and silicone seal.

It is recommended that the glass used be at least 1/4 inch thick. We will be building a tank which will hold between 60 and 70 gallons of water. This might not sound like a lot, especially when some professional aquariums are 200 gallon +, but it is a considerable weight of water.

Making the cut

The first thing that you need to do is to create your plywood sections. You’ll need four sections for your fish tank: A base section (24 inches x 48 inches x 3/4 inch), a back section (16 inches x 48 inches x 3/4 inch) and two side sections (24 inches x 16 inches x 3/4 inch). This will give you the basic components of a box structure with two large openings (located at the top of the tank for access and a the front of the tank for a window).

Once you have cut these sections it is important to sand them using the sandpaper to remove any splinters or other imperfections that could affect the integrity of your fish tank.

Now that your four sections are cut and sanded its time to start building the basic frame of your aquarium.

Lay the rectangular base section on a flat, dry area such as a table of concrete floor. Attached the two side panels at right angles to the two short sides of your base section. Use wood glue between each of the joints before securing in place with at least three wood screws.

Looking at your makeshift aquarium straight on it should look like the letter U.

Now add your back section, placing it between the two side sections and resting it on the base section; again placing wood glue between each of the joints before securing with wood screws.

You should now be left with a trough type structure with two large openings; one in the horizontal plane (the top) and one in the vertical plane (the window)

A window to an underwater world

The next step on your DIY aquarium is to create a frame (for your window) and a securing brace for the top of your tank.

Cut five further sections of plywood: an upper and lower window frame section (3 inches x 48 inches x 3/4 inches), a left and right window frame section (3 inches x 10 inches x 3/4 inches) and finally a top brace (12 inches x 22 inches x 3/4 inches).

Construct your fish tank frame by placing the four new sections in the shape of a rectangle, gluing and screwing as you go.

Now add your frame to the vertical opening of your aquarium structure, leaving the large opening on top. You should now be able to visualize your fish swimming in your hand made fish tank!

Waiting game

Before adding the glass or the top brace its important that you seal the wood with the waterproof varnish. This process may take some time as you need to apply several coats to ensure that your tank remains watertight. Leave the tank overnight before adding even more waterproofing in the form of silicone seals over all of your internal and external joints.

Leave your fish tank alone for another 24 hours to give the sealant chance to set. Now its time to place your glass window into position. Secure the glass on the inside of the tank structure, against the window frame, using more silicone seal. You don’t have to worry about using secure fastenings on your glass as the pressure from the water will ensure that it stays fixed firmly to your aquarium frame.

It might be advisable to leave your home made aquarium alone for another night to allow this new silicone seal to set and go hard.

Finally screw your top brace across the only remaining opening in your tank. This ensures that neither the back or front panels of your aquarium will bend or buckle when the water is added.

And there you have it! A fully watertight, hand made aquarium. If you have applied sufficient sealant to both wood and glass the tank should last for several years before needing major repairs.

Don't worry if it doesn't quite go to plan, you can always buy an aquarium. We deliver free for orders over £50 and you can earn points towards any future purchases from SwellUK. For help choosing an aquarium and advice on which aquarium supplies you might need call 08456 589 599