Hi Candy, an aquarium can be made out of any glass container that is strong enough to hold water. There’s just a few essentials:
For every “inch of fish”, you need a square inch of surface area (the top surface of the water). Surface area is how the water absorbs oxygen. Fish need oxygen just like us. They just breathe it differently. :) So, if you have 12 fish that are an inch long, you will need a square foot of surface area. A good filtration system (see below) can reduce this requirement a bit.
You also need a system to filter and circulate the water. These can be simple undergravel filters that suck the poop and leftover food down into the gravel to keep the water relatively clean. The filter also keeps the water moving which circulates the oxygen absorbed from the surface.
Also essential is a water conditioner. Most fish can not tolerate tap water. It destroys the protective slime coating they have on their bodies. Usually one tsp of conditioner (Start Right is a good one) will remove the chlorine from a gallon of tap water).
Other than that, once a week you will need to stir up the gravel, clean the filter, and replace 25% of the water with clean, conditioned water. By following these steps, we were able to keep a beautiful aquarium for years and years. I hope this helps!
Making your own aquarium is not worth the trouble. Places like Petco have a dollar a gallon sale, I would get one at that time. It is not easy to put them together yourself, get them square and get the marine silicone on and have it waterproof and square at the same time. It is worth the expense to purchase one already made. I have had aquariums since the eighties from 5 gallon to one hundred and fifty gallons, both fresh and salt water. I would never make one from scratch. You can make the stand for the aquarium yourself, as long as it is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the water, gravel, etc. If you need help setting up your aquarium, etc. just ask once you have an idea how you want the seascape to look and what kind of fish you want. I am sure that there are a good number of us Hometalkers that have or have had aquariums, Candy and can help you.
I agree with the others. I have had tanks for over 20 yrs both fresh and salt. Watch on used sites for 1 for sale often people tire of them and sale them cheap many already with need filters and such. The area to spend the most $ is on the filter, the better the filter the easier your job of keeping the eco system clean and healthy. Treat water or fish die!! Making 1 from scratch can become a nightmare at the most inconvenient time and damage other things in your home. A small pin hole or missed seal area can cause a sudden and large flood of the water as the pressure builds all around the glass. I love my tanks, and can watch the fish and relax for hrs. it brings so much peace and enjoyment. also remember they will need to be cared for just like any pet when you go away.
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I love aquariums! They are so peaceful yet full of life.
Do you have the aquarium yet? Is it sitting on a stand or a tabletop? Saltwater or freshwater?
Doesn't matter where you got it, ot needs cleaning before you use it. Take it to the shower and use hot water to rinse it out.
Dry off the outside, set it where you want it.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/learning-center/getting-started/how-to-setup-an-aquarium.aspx
This is an excellent link to help you and answer questions. My go to for fish questions.
Enjoy.
Hi Candy, an aquarium can be made out of any glass container that is strong enough to hold water. There’s just a few essentials:
For every “inch of fish”, you need a square inch of surface area (the top surface of the water). Surface area is how the water absorbs oxygen. Fish need oxygen just like us. They just breathe it differently. :) So, if you have 12 fish that are an inch long, you will need a square foot of surface area. A good filtration system (see below) can reduce this requirement a bit.
You also need a system to filter and circulate the water. These can be simple undergravel filters that suck the poop and leftover food down into the gravel to keep the water relatively clean. The filter also keeps the water moving which circulates the oxygen absorbed from the surface.
Also essential is a water conditioner. Most fish can not tolerate tap water. It destroys the protective slime coating they have on their bodies. Usually one tsp of conditioner (Start Right is a good one) will remove the chlorine from a gallon of tap water).
Other than that, once a week you will need to stir up the gravel, clean the filter, and replace 25% of the water with clean, conditioned water. By following these steps, we were able to keep a beautiful aquarium for years and years. I hope this helps!
Making your own aquarium is not worth the trouble. Places like Petco have a dollar a gallon sale, I would get one at that time. It is not easy to put them together yourself, get them square and get the marine silicone on and have it waterproof and square at the same time. It is worth the expense to purchase one already made. I have had aquariums since the eighties from 5 gallon to one hundred and fifty gallons, both fresh and salt water. I would never make one from scratch. You can make the stand for the aquarium yourself, as long as it is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the water, gravel, etc. If you need help setting up your aquarium, etc. just ask once you have an idea how you want the seascape to look and what kind of fish you want. I am sure that there are a good number of us Hometalkers that have or have had aquariums, Candy and can help you.
I would buy one - you can find them used at Goodwill and other thrift stores.
I agree with the others. I have had tanks for over 20 yrs both fresh and salt. Watch on used sites for 1 for sale often people tire of them and sale them cheap many already with need filters and such. The area to spend the most $ is on the filter, the better the filter the easier your job of keeping the eco system clean and healthy. Treat water or fish die!! Making 1 from scratch can become a nightmare at the most inconvenient time and damage other things in your home. A small pin hole or missed seal area can cause a sudden and large flood of the water as the pressure builds all around the glass. I love my tanks, and can watch the fish and relax for hrs. it brings so much peace and enjoyment. also remember they will need to be cared for just like any pet when you go away.