Aquarium glue, how to glue it at home with your own hands

On the shelves of pet stores you can find a wide range of aquariums of different sizes and shapes. But more and more amateur aquarists want to assemble a container to create a sea corner at home with their own hands. A mandatory component of such an assembly is aquarium glue. It will help not only connect structural elements, but also repair cracks, chips, and divergent seams that form during operation.

Why make an aquarium with your own hands?

It’s easier to buy any design for your home. However, many craftsmen want to try their hand at assembling something unusual with their own hands. Homemade assembly has the following advantages:

Experience is gained that may be useful in the future.
You don't need to spend a lot of money.
During a homemade assembly, the master does exactly what he wants. He does not need to search for the model of interest around the city.

To make a homemade structure, you need to know how to glue an aquarium with your own hands from individual elements.

Advantages and disadvantages of plexiglass

Organic glass is easy to process. Such material is cut, sawn, drilled, bent, sanded, and glued. Therefore, it is easy to work with him.

The disadvantage of plexiglass is that the material is easy to scratch. This can happen during the manufacturing process of a product, and even when using a ready-made design.

Plexiglas has a low heat capacity. Therefore, when making bent parts, the material can only be heated to 60 degrees.

How to glue a glass aquarium or choice of glue

Knowing what glue to use for aquarium glass, you can make a reliable design yourself. It will withstand high water pressure without deforming. A special sealant is used to connect the glass plates.

He must have the following qualities:

Increased elasticity. High water pressure will destroy the extra strong adhesive once it dries. The seam needs to adapt to changing pressure.
Resistance to changes in loads and temperatures.
No toxic components. The seam should not emit toxic substances that could kill the inhabitants of the homemade structure.
Antibacterial substances contained in some adhesives can harm fish.
Aquarium glue should not contain dyes.
Safe compounds for living organisms are obtained based on neutral compounds.
Glue resistance to UV radiation.
Strong adhesion to non-porous materials.
The glue is water resistant and also vibration resistant.

Gluing an aquarium can be done using several types of sealants:

Acrylic compounds are used extremely rarely due to their low resistance to moisture.
Butyl mixtures - their low strength makes them unpopular.
Epoxy glue – you can glue an aquarium with this compound; it is safe for fish. But problems arise while working with it.
Silicone aquarium adhesive - its high elasticity makes this adhesive the best option for gluing glass plates. Connects different materials well.

Silicone adhesives have a number of strengths over other compounds:

There is no release of harmful substances during contact with water or air.
There is no need to wear protective equipment when carrying out work.
Easy to use.
The hardening process takes about 20 minutes.

The finished seam can withstand a load of up to 200 kg.

Selecting a sealant

Glue plays the main role, because it is thanks to it that the entire structure is fixed and further retained. There are many types of substances that can be used to connect pieces of glass to each other. But with regard to aquarium glue, the following requirements are put forward:

non-toxic;
high strength;
elasticity;
presentable appearance;
relatively fast setting;
ease of application;
long service life;
high degree of adhesion.

Sealant for aquariums
Silicone sealant has all these properties. But when purchasing, you should pay attention to the fact that it is 100%, without impurities and not antibacterial, otherwise the living creatures will simply die. Today there are three main colors available: white, transparent, black. If you use the first one, the aquarium will have the appearance of a certain incompleteness. The second is well suited for products up to 100 liters. Anything more is best glued with black. Small structures with it look very bulky, but in large ones, on the contrary, it emphasizes the lines and gives elegance. The choice of those who have been assembling aquariums for some time often falls on Dow Corning 911, KNAUF 881 or Kleiberit Suprasil 590E.

Typically, manufacturers themselves indicate that a particular type of sealant is intended for the manufacture of aquariums. But be sure to look at the ingredients.

Aquarium glue brands

To find out more precisely what you can use to seal an aquarium at home, you need to consider the most popular manufacturers on the market:

Soudal is an aquarium glue from Belgium, which is intended for self-assembly and repair of aquariums. In terms of quality, it ranks first among other representatives. Silicone base.
Okyanys Kimya - adhesive composition from Turkey. Advantages: reliability, durability. Consists of silicone and fillers.
Tytan is a Polish glue that is suitable for working with aquariums. Works well when joining large glass sizes. Silicone compounds are used for glazing.
Krass – aquarium glue from Poland. According to reviews, the best representative in terms of price/quality ratio. Silicone sealants are produced in several colors: clear, white, gray and brown
Moment Germent is a specialized adhesive that can withstand high loads. Transparent sealant, 100% silicone. Will withstand contact with sea water.
In addition to the above, feel free to add here: Jaba glue, Chemlux 9011 glue, JBL AquaSil schwarz, Reef construct glue, TUNZE glue, ORCA CONSTRUCT, JBL Haru black, Bubble-Magus Magic-puddle, JBL AquaSil transparent glue, JBL ProHaru Universal, Acrifix 190 glue , Penosil AQ sealant, Montagefix-AQ adhesive.

It is important to know! There are many silicone sealants on sale that are used for glazing; they cannot be used for mounting the frame of an aquarium.

These adhesives contain

fungicides, and are most often designated as sanitary. You should pay attention to neutral adhesive sealants that do not contain acid or alkali. Sometimes it is still possible to use such adhesives; after hardening and some exposure, the dangerous substances evaporate and they become harmless. You can also find those that, among other things, are recommended for contact with food.

The best option is to take those brands that directly produce glue for the repair and production of aquariums.

The choice here is huge. You can't skimp on glue. The reliability of the connection of individual structural elements, and especially the viability of fish and living organisms, will depend on its quality.

Calculation

Before you start assembling such a “can,” you need to calculate the thickness of the plexiglass using a calculator. The fact is that this artificial material is more plastic than ordinary quartz glass, and under water pressure it can bend greatly. That’s why the longer the aquarium, the thicker its walls should be.

For example, for lengths over 80 cm, experts recommend using plexiglass with a thickness of at least 10 mm. If possible, it is better to purchase special (aviation) acrylic glass.

Let's consider several options for making aquariums yourself.

What is important to know and be sure to take into account

There are two methods for gluing an aquarium with your own hands. These include:

Installing glass plates on the bottom. The method is suitable for assembling small structures.
Fastening glass around the bottom. A popular method that allows the manufacture of structures of any size due to its high strength.

To make reliable seams, you need to work with adhesives correctly. To do this, you need to take into account a number of features:

Clean future gluing areas from dirt and dust in advance. Wipe with a cloth moistened with medical alcohol, acetone or gasoline to degrease the surfaces.
Excess glue is removed using a rag soaked in vinegar.
While the structure is being repaired, the fish need to be transplanted into separate jars.
Sealing up an aquarium is sometimes more difficult than buying a new glass panel. If the damage is serious, you need to purchase a new part.
Do not use adhesives that have expired.

Before sealing the aquarium, it is advisable to draw a sketch of the finished structure. It is important to choose the right shape so that it can be conveniently placed among other interior items.

What you need to prepare before starting work

Not many people know how to glue a glass aquarium together. To do this, you need to prepare materials, glue (sealant), and perform work in certain stages. The quality of the assembly depends not only on the selected consumables, but also on the accuracy of the work.

Before starting work, you need to prepare tools and materials. The basis is glass. His choice will be discussed below. Additionally, you will need silicone in a tube and a mounting gun for applying glue. Details decorating the interior space are selected individually depending on the preferences of the owner of the apartment or house.

Third-party items that will be needed during assembly include:

Masking tape.
Liquid for degreasing work surfaces.
Stationery knife.
Level.
Clamps.
Square.

Don’t forget about the rags you use to wipe the gluing areas and remove any remaining glue.

Tools

Tools and materials for assembling an aquarium
After the main expenses are completed, you can begin preparing the necessary tools, and you will need the following elements:

silicone gun (also called a skeleton);
metal corners;
small clamps;
small-width masking tape;
stationery knife with a retractable blade;
small spatulas;
substrates to create a gap.

Metal corners and clamps can be replaced with corner clamps. But if you will not use them in the future, then there is no point in spending money on purchasing them.

For assembly, it is better to choose a flat surface; it must be stable, and its size must allow all the components to be placed freely.

Which glass to choose

Knowing how to seal an aquarium is not enough to assemble a quality product. To do this, you need to choose the right glass. Possible materials of manufacture include:

Plexiglas - this material can be used to create different shapes due to its flexibility. The disadvantages are low strength indicators and clouding over time.
Acrylic is a durable, flexible material. It is inferior to glass in terms of durability, it is easily scratched due to which the appearance deteriorates.
Tempered glass is considered the best option for making structures of complex shapes. This is due to a certain strength, wear resistance, and preservation of appearance for a long time. Not really suitable for high pressure aquariums.

Installation in place

Gluing or assembling plexiglass for an aquarium is only the main part of the matter, but not the whole. It is also important to place the aquarium in the right place. It is best to do this at the side wall, at a distance of about 1-2 meters from the window or opposite it. If you install the structure against the wall, then its background will be wallpaper or what is behind the aquarium. This is worth remembering when choosing the location of the structure. True, the wall can be covered with material of the appropriate color. The aquarium is installed on rubber or foam rubber on a flat horizontal surface.

Brand and selection of glass

Most companies and manufacturers deal with the M1 brand for aquarium glass.

When making aquariums, they also use denominations of 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 19 millimeters. Tempered glass is stronger than raw glass, but much more brittle to deflection and becomes slightly curved after being treated at very high temperatures. This affects the build quality.

After choosing the material, you need to choose the optimal thickness. To do this, you can use online calculators or use the ratio of height and thickness:

Walls up to 30 cm high - optimal thickness 5 mm.
Height up to 60 cm – 10 mm.
Height up to 80 cm – 20 mm.

It is important to check the integrity of glass panels before purchasing. They should not have cracks, scratches, chips, abrasions, air bubbles, or unevenness.

The edge of the glass must be polished to a gloss with a perfectly smooth surface. This is the only way to ensure a truly strong and reliable connection when setting with glue (sealant).

Manufacturing frameless

The frame design is undoubtedly reliable and durable. However, aquarists often use the frameless method. Thin glass is not suitable; sheets 8-10 mm thick are required. You also need glue in the form of a mixture of acrylic and chloroform. Plexiglas plates are cut in the same way as for the frame structure. They are glued together like this:

The bottom is placed on a rubber mat, and the windshield is placed against it.
A thin wire is placed at the joint, and glue is poured there.
The wire is removed.
Using the same technology, the side sheets and the back wall are glued.
Stiffening ribs and spacers are used to prevent the structure from bending.

The finished aquarium is dried for 3 days, then checked for leaks (filled with water).

On a note! Along with chloroform, dichloroethane or acrylic oxide can be used. When performing work, the room must be ventilated, as these substances are toxic.

Aquarium shapes

Before gluing the glass of the aquarium yourself, you need to prepare a drawing that will indicate the dimensions and shape of the structure. There are several types of products:

Classic models. They are rectangular-shaped structures. The length should be twice the height. The optimal volume is 125 liters.
Panoramic models. The back and front walls bend in an arc so that you can view the underwater inhabitants from any angle. They look more beautiful in large rooms.
"Fatted" models. They are low products that are suitable for breeding a large number of fish and other underwater inhabitants.
Round models. Products that are suitable for small spaces. But you can put a small number of fish there. Convex walls distort the image.
Semicircular or corner models. They save space in the room; in addition, the front curved wall makes the view of the interior visually larger.
Built-in models. Products installed in wall recesses. Separate plasterboard frames can be assembled under them.

Depending on what form is chosen, materials and their quantities are selected.

Design options

Additionally, you need to understand the connection angles. They can be fastened in three ways:

Rectangular connections.
Obtuse connections.
Acute combination.

The first connection method is considered the most popular due to its simplicity during manufacturing.

Glass cutting

Before gluing a glass aquarium together, you need to prepare the glass plates. They need to be cut to size. When purchasing glass, it is most often cut to the required dimensions, and the cost of the service is included in the total price. It is advisable to entrust the cutting to glaziers who work with special machines.

If you cut with a glass cutter, the edges will not be so smooth. Additional processing will be required.

Preparing glass parts

After cutting the glass panels, it is necessary to prepare them for further work. To do this, use a rag soaked in acetone, gasoline or medical alcohol to wipe the working surfaces to degrease them. Next, you need to seal the areas around the ends with masking tape so as not to stain the glass while working with the sealant.

Strengthening the walls

When we glue an aquarium with our own hands, the process naturally cannot be accomplished without strengthening the structure. To do this, you need to use homemade stiffeners.

Mandatory for large capacity products.

They are made from glass plates up to 8 cm wide. They are fixed with glue between the upper parts of the walls of the structure.

Plexiglas cutting

In order for the walls to be glued together without difficulty, the ends of the plexiglass must have even ends. This effect can only be achieved by processing the material on a milling machine.

As a last resort, you can use a homemade plexiglass cutter - you can find many videos on hosting sites on how to make it. In this case, it is necessary to carry out the procedure very carefully, since PMMA is easily scratched. Apply a metal ruler to the intended cutting location and mark a “groove” with a slight movement of your hand. Then run the cutter along the bend a few more times and carefully break off a piece of organic glass.

If you need to cut thick plexiglass, it is better to use either a circular saw or a milling cutter.

Still, we recommend turning to specialized plexiglass cutters, since it will be more profitable for you in terms of time and labor costs. Moreover, already at the stage of purchasing plexiglass, you can ask the seller to cut it to the size you need.

Aquarium cover

Special attention should be paid to the lid of the aquarium. First you need to select the material.

It could be:

Plexiglas.
Silicate glass.
Plastic.

Lid making procedure:

If the product is large, choose sheets more than 5 mm in thickness.
On the back of the selected material, attach two loops that need to be glued to the wall of the aquarium. They will allow the lid to open.
Cut a notch on the front for the hand.
Attach LED strips to the inside of the lid that will illuminate the space underwater.

Additionally, you need to make holes in the cover for the wire. You can paste it over with colored paper and secure the print.

Repairing leaks

The finished aquarium may have several errors. It has been proven through experience: there is no need to get rid of a defective product; the defect can always be corrected. The question is, with what effort? Here you need to look at the situation. MirSovetov will give basic examples. Example A.

Error - leak in the corner. Solution: use your finger to forcefully smear the silicone into the corner from the inside. You can cover up leaks directly in the water. If the leak cannot be eliminated, you will have to cut the seam completely, and you need to cut out two walls of the aquarium. Carefully clean the silicone from the joints with a blade, re-coat and glue.

If you have smeared your finger in silicone, then no matter how you clean it off your hand, when you touch the glass, a mark will remain. Such mistakes are removed with a blade. Carefully, leading parallel to the glass.

Example B.

Error - leakage at the seam.
Solution: You can try cutting out a piece of the seam. Press glue into the gap. If it doesn’t work, cut off two walls as in example A. Example B.
The error is a series of small bubbles.

Solution: If the aquarium is not leaking, do nothing. In practice, such aquariums stand without problems.

Little secret. If you started to set up a tested aquarium and only now you notice a leak, a small one, it’s not a big deal and you don’t have to re-glue it. The microcrack will soon become clogged with tiny particles of soil and other components of the aquarium microflora.

Everything is much easier than it seems at first glance. The main thing is to do everything clearly and accurately. And one last thing. When you finish your work, of course, you will begin to examine your creation in detail. You will probably notice small bevels, inaccuracies, and blots. Don't find fault with yourself and don't get upset! Here are three reasons that will console you.

Even in the best workshop it is impossible to cut glass perfectly evenly.
Even a pro's hand can tremble.
In a functioning aquarium, all this is invisible.

How to glue a large aquarium

You can learn how to glue an aquarium yourself from training videos and step-by-step instructions. Having prepared the materials and tools, you need to start assembling. To do this, you need to perform a number of steps in a certain sequence.

Step-by-step instruction:

Place the glass plates on the work table, having previously covered it with oilcloth or newspaper.
Load the mounting gun with sealant, degrease the working surfaces, and clean them from dirt and dust. Cover the edges of the glass with masking tape.
Place the front glass panel against the end of the bottom and glue it with a gun. Secure it with spacers so that it does not move.
Secure the back wall of the aquarium in the same way and glue it with a gun.
Install side panels between the front and back walls. Seal them at the base with sealant. The gun must be moved slowly to ensure an even seam.
Install spacers at each of the walls, and additionally cover them with masking tape.

After 3 hours, apply an additional layer of sealant along the seams. Using a metal plate, remove the protruding parts of the adhesive. After 1 hour you can continue working. The masking tape is carefully removed and the supports are removed. The blade is used to clean the areas where the sealant has come into contact.

The seams of a large structure will experience high loads during operation. To maintain their integrity, it is necessary to further strengthen the product. Carrying out work:

It is necessary to cut strips of glass 10 cm wide in advance.
Glue them to the edges of the structure to evenly distribute water pressure over the glass surfaces.

Additionally, the corners can be strengthened with metal corners, however, this is considered an ineffective solution. First, holes must be made in the walls of the product through which wires for internal equipment will be connected.

Aquarium repair

During operation of the product, various problems may arise due to which the integrity of the structure is compromised. Knowing how to repair an aquarium at home, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and the death of underwater inhabitants.

Leak test

Initially, it is necessary to determine the place through which water leaks out. To do this, the following steps are taken:

Wash the aquarium from different sides.
Wipe the glass surfaces dry with a cloth or terry towel.
Apply toilet paper to dry corners. The leak will appear as a wet spot.

If a leak is detected, you need to check the remaining seams. Small cracks will lead to repeated repair work.

Removing old sealant

Before starting repairs, it is necessary to relocate the fish to separate banks. The larger the size of the underwater inhabitants, the larger the container you will need. Place decorative elements into separate containers. Boil water before putting them back into the aquarium.

Carrying out cleaning:

Drain the water, remove decorations, fish, plants, stones.
To remove the layer of old sealant, use a sharp knife or blade. Using gentle movements so as not to scratch the glass, it is removed from its surface.

After removing the old sealant, the surface is wiped with solvent.

Sealing the aquarium

When the preparatory activities are completed, the main repair work can begin. Glass gluing procedure:

The edges are covered with masking tape. A free gap is left to create a seam.
Apply the sealant slowly with a gun to ensure an even seal. Remove excess with a metal plate or rag.
Using a nail file, push the glue deeper between the glass plates.

Install spacers; additionally, you can use small clamps. Remove fastenings after 3 hours.

Subsequent stages of work

When the seams are ready, you need to wait a day and check:

The container is filled with water.
After 20 minutes, toilet paper is applied to the joints. If after 15 minutes no wet spots appear on it, you can pour out the water that was tested.

All that remains is to fill up the soil, let the fish back in, secure the filters, heaters, and lighting.

Leaking in an aquarium when the glass is cracked

Mechanical damage may cause cracks to form. You need to know what to use to seal leaks in an aquarium in order to continue using it. Large cracks in glass cannot be repaired. You need to buy a new glass panel, remove the remaining walls, and replace the broken part. While the structure is disassembled, it is advisable to replace the old sealant with a new one.

A corner of the aquarium is leaking

If any of the corners are leaking, you need to do the following:

Drain the water and move the fish into separate containers.
Pull out the soil and stones.
Visually inspect the corner.
Apply a layer of sealant to the inside. Try to push it deeper with a metal plate.

When the above actions do not produce results, it is necessary to disassemble the glass walls, clean the old sealant, apply a new one, and glue again.

The seam is leaking

Seams often leak if a low-quality adhesive is chosen, and there is no additional glass piping along the contour of the aquarium. To prevent a leak, you need to perform several actions:

Use toilet paper to check where the liquid is escaping.
Drain part of the aquarium if the hole is in the second half of the height. Cover the damaged area with sealant and use a file to push the mixture deeper.
If the damage is on the lower half, drain the aquarium completely and follow the same steps.

In case of severe damage, you need to understand the adjacent walls, remove the old sealant, and make a new seam.

Small bubbles

Often, owners observe bubbles on the surface of the water that appear from one or more seams. Aquarists are starting to think about how to seal a leak in an aquarium. However, moisture may not always be released if bubbles form. First you need to check if there is a leak. It can be removed with silicone sealant.

Design options

Depending on which configuration is chosen, the angles can be:

straight;
sharp;
stupid.

Bonding Process
Before applying sealant, it is very important to degrease the surface. You can use alcohol or acetone for this. The size of the seam is selected according to the load that will be exerted on the glass:

Up to 100 liters. A thin strip of silicone is applied. To make this easier, place the nose of the tube on your finger and place your finger on the edge of the glass and move from one end to the other. It's better to use gloves to avoid cutting your hands. After this, the glasses are joined. There is no need to press them hard. To ensure the correct angle, a metal corner is applied along the outer edge. Cardboard linings are made and everything is pressed together using clamps. For each corner you will need one profile and two clamps.
From 100 to 200 liters. An indentation of 2-3 mm is made from the edge, and a strip of masking tape is glued. Next, the resulting area is filled with sealant. During the application process, you will see how sagging appears after each press. To eliminate them, after complete application, you can take a small plastic strip or spatula and make a semicircular cut in it according to the shape of the seam. Now all that remains is to run it over the glue to even out its thickness. Next, the glass is raised to a vertical position and a second one is placed next to it (a limiter made of masking tape should also be glued to it). The angle and joining are carried out as in the first case. Excess sealant can be removed using a spatula or cut off after drying using a stationery knife. While the glue is fresh, the pasted strips of tape are removed.
To secure glass, clamps
from 200 liters are used, as well as for obtuse angles. As in the previous case, a restrictive tape is glued with an indentation of 4-5 mm from the edge. Before applying the sealant, both glasses are secured using a metal angle and clamps. In this case, it is necessary to provide a gap between the planes. To do this, a small bar is laid. Final fixation is made and the lining is removed. Silicone is applied from top to bottom. This must be done so that it fills the provided gap well. After this, the protruding excess sealant is removed, as well as the masking tape. If the angle is obtuse, then it is necessary to prepare in advance a profile that will match the configuration. Everything is fixed in exactly the same way, the fixing composition is applied. But in the end we will need a small spatula with which we can form a round seam on the inside of the aquarium. From the outside, everything can be done flush.