How to properly glue an aquarium at home
People often wonder how they can stick an aquarium at home. To achieve a reliable and safe design, you need to take into account a number of recommendations. First of all, it is worth choosing the right adhesive composition. The choice of glass for the aquarium is also important. It is also imperative to properly prepare for work and strictly follow a certain sequence of actions.
Preparation for work
Before carrying out any work, be sure to grind the edge of the glass to avoid damage when assembling the structure. To do this, the glass will need to be placed in a bathtub covered with a clean, soft cloth.
The container should be filled with water and, after moistening the whetstone, carefully process the edges. The cut must remain intact. Otherwise, the sealant will not be able to fix the surfaces.
After processing the edges of the glass, it is recommended to carefully remove and wipe. Then wipe the edges with a disinfectant.
Adhesive Selection
There is a wide selection of products in hardware stores. To find an effective remedy, you need to focus on the specifics of using substances for aquariums. First, the product must offer full water resistance.
In addition, it is recommended to take into account the design of the future structure. Clear and black sealants are commercially available. If such work is planned for the first time, it is better to use a colorless substance. This will avoid possible errors. Waterproof black glue works well with large structures. However, its use requires certain skills.
The best option for gluing the aquarium is silicone sealant. It offers excellent insulation and a firm hold. When buying a substance, you should carefully study its instructions. Some formulations contain antifungal agents that are harmful to fish and plants. It is important to take into account that it is recommended to carry out all work on gluing the aquarium with gloves, observing safety measures.
How to choose glass
The glass must meet aesthetic and functional requirements. It is important that it provides good visibility and can withstand water pressure. With the wrong choice, you will not be able to achieve good results.
When buying glass, it is recommended to follow these rules:
- The glass should be silicate. Organic materials are not suitable as they are considered synthetic and can produce chemicals. They will negatively affect the development of fish and plants. In addition, the appearance of such glass leaves much to be desired.
- Silicate glass is divided into 2 types. They differ in the quality of processing. You should not use ordinary window glass. It has a fragile structure, has irregularities and distorts the image. Showcase glass is best used for your aquarium. It is well polished and has a smooth surface.
- The type of glass is of great importance. There are 8 varieties in total. To make an aquarium, you need to use M1. If this is not possible, it is permissible to use M2. The M3 is considered an extreme option. Lower grades should not be used.
- When buying glass, you should carefully examine its surface. There should be no flaws on it. Even small cracks can have undesirable consequences.
Gluing Instructions
To glue the aquarium, you need to follow these steps:
- Lay the bottom of the future tank on the newspaper and apply putty to the end of the front wall. This should be done along the contour with a gun. Then, gently fix the glass and gently press. Removing excess glue is not recommended. For greater strength, it is worth using a double seam.
- The side walls must be fixed in the same way. In this case, it is better to lubricate the vertical ribs with a putty. The finished structure should be left to dry for a day. However, sometimes it takes longer.
- When the sealant is dry, it is worth installing clamps to secure the aquarium. After a day, excess glue is cut off with a sharp knife.
- The assembled aquarium will need to be checked for reliability and the presence of leaks. To do this, fill it with water and inspect the condition of the seals. If there is a leak, it is worth adding a little glue to the weak point. After that, it is allowed to bring animals into the container.
Manufacture of blankets
To complete the design, it is important to provide an aquarium cover. The lid helps protect shellfish and fish that can jump out of the water and kill them.The simplest lid option is a thin sheet of plastic. It must be placed on stiffening ribs.
If desired, the coating can be made of durable plastic or silicate glass. Lighting can be placed on the lid. For convenience, a handle is attached to the product. This opens and closes the container. To avoid damage to the glass top, it is recommended to make a layer of soft putty. Before making the lid, it is worth measuring the dimensions of the container. Thanks to this, it will look harmonious.
How to fix correctly
If cracks or other damage appear on the glass, do not despair. To solve this problem, you need to follow simple recommendations.
Remove cracked glass
With a stationery knife, it is worth drawing along the glue joints. It is recommended to do this externally and internally. Then pick up the adhesive and peel it off around the perimeter of the damaged glass. He must be detached.
stencil making
Place the aquarium on the sheet of paper with the side from which the damaged glass was removed. From the inside, draw a thick marker along the outline. Take the sheet to the workshop, where the glass will be cut using a stencil.
Degreasing
A cotton napkin should be moistened with alcohol and run along the seams to be glued. After thorough degreasing, leave the aquarium and new glass for 10 minutes. It must dry completely. Then you need to place the new glass on a flat surface and place the aquarium on it. It is recommended to do this with the damaged side. Coat the container around the perimeter with special aquarium glue. To remove excess glue and align the seam, it is best to run a wooden board over it.
Aquarium care rules
It is recommended to fill the aquarium with clean, settled water. Fish are allowed to start 2 weeks after the container is assembled and filled with liquid.
Proper aquarium maintenance will keep the water clean and the inhabitants healthy. In this case, it is recommended to respect the following rules:
- periodically check the condition of the pumps and the filtering system;
- clean the filters when they become dirty;
- clean the sides and bottom of the container.
It is recommended to use a magnetic brush to clean the walls. This device can be controlled from the outside. To do this, simply move the magnet over the glass. To determine the need for cleaning, a simple procedure should be followed. To do this, you need to run a stick through the bottom of the container. If air bubbles appear, cleaning procedures are recommended.
This requires a special siphon. It includes a pear, a hose, a plastic expander. The last element is completed with a mesh. For this reason, during the cleaning process, small fish do not enter the structure.
Before carrying out cleaning procedures, it is recommended to remove large stones from the container. It is also worth getting rid of plants that do not have roots. Then immerse the expander of the siphon on the bottom and create a constant stream of water by exerting pressure on the bulb. Then it remains only to gently drive the expander along the bottom and collect sludge and dirt. In this case, the water will be drained into a prepared container, which is below the water level in the aquarium. If there is an excessive amount of dirt, the expansion screen will need to be cleaned from time to time.
It is recommended to equip the aquarium with an ultraviolet lamp, since fish and plants need lighting. To glue the aquarium yourself, it is important to choose the right glue and the right glass. Not insignificantly important is the precise implementation of a certain sequence of actions and observance of the rules of procedure.