Having an aquarium at home is very beneficial. According to psychologists, observing the fish, a person calms down, relaxes. And the look of colorful, beautiful fish, quickly moving around the aquarium, always pleases!
Today the pet market is quite diverse. Therefore, novice fish breeders most often acquire a ready-made aquarium. But experienced aquarists, as a rule, prefer to do them on their own. After all, in this way you can achieve the desired size and volume.
Choosing glass for the aquarium
In order to glue the aquarium on your own, it is necessary, first of all, to prepare the necessary materials.
It is better to order glasses in the workshop, because the machine performs the cutting there (the accuracy of cutting is higher in this case). When ordering, it is imperative to clarify that glass is needed specifically for the aquarium. It should be silicate, only of the highest grade and 8-10 mm thick, since a thinner one may not be strong enough and not withstand the pressure of water.
All glasses are divided into 2 groups - window and polished. The former have a more affordable cost, but they cannot be used to make aquariums. The characteristic waviness and greenish tint will negatively affect the appearance of the finished product. Polished glass has no such drawbacks; it provides a perfectly flat surface.
Assembly methods
Before gluing the aquarium, you should choose a method of assembly. There are two of them:
- The vertical sides are set to the bottom. So small aquariums are glued together, however this method is rarely used.
- The walls are glued around the bottom. This method provides the strength and reliability of the finished product.
Glue for aquarium
Self-bonding of the aquarium requires the right choice of adhesive. It must contain silicone.
When choosing, you should carefully study the packaging. Aquarium glue should be designed specifically for this product. Its composition should not include antibacterial substances that are harmful to fish and plants.
Glue for aquarium glass can be of several colors:
- colorless;
- white;
- black (looks great in large aquariums).
For those who glue the product for the first time, it is better to choose a transparent glue for aquariums (waterproof). For ease of use, it is recommended to purchase a special gun to help squeeze the product.
The most universal means are silicone sealants. Their advantages:
- long service life;
- elasticity;
- the tool provides reliable adhesion to any surface;
- silicone is easy to use;
- non toxic
- does not emit harmful substances.
In addition, the glue for the aquarium hardens quickly enough, in just 20 minutes, and after a day the polymerization is finally completed. The seams are very durable. In this case, the silicone retains its elasticity. Before using sealant, make sure that the surfaces to be treated are clean, dry and fat free.
In addition to silicone, you can use epoxides. However, they are more fluid, harden for a long time and require more thorough cleaning of the surface.
Convenient to use cold welding. This tool is chemically inert, sets in a few minutes.
Cyacrins are also good, only when gluing the aquarium there should be small gaps between the parts.
If you can’t find an aquarium sealant, you can buy a tool that is designed for plumbing or utensils. Only in its composition should not be antifungal supplements.
Bonding aquarium
The work is carried out in several stages:
- To protect the glass from contamination, they are pasted over with a masking tape. A distance equal to the thickness of the glasses is left from each edge.
- All surfaces are degreased - wiped with an acetone-containing agent or alcohol.
- The glue line should be made as even as possible. To do this, apply a little silicone to the end. After hardening, cut it off with a blade, leaving a small ledge above the glass. It will help to make a uniform seam.
- Bonding is carried out on a solid and even surface covered with polyethylene. First, the glass is glued, which will be located in front, then the side and all other details. Excess glue for the aquarium from the glasses should be removed with a cloth previously moistened with a solution of water and vinegar.
- After about an hour, the joints should be greased with silicone and left to dry. The aquarium is ready to use.