DIY AQUARIUMS

Finally, I found the website that gives specifications and instructions for building your own aquarium out of glass or acrylic. Go to about.com, and type aquariums and stands into their search engine.

That is pretty cool. There are a lot of pretty cool ideas.

If you were serious about building a large aquarium from acrylic, you could probably order material off the net. It may even be possible to have the material professionally cut to size. One of the articles in that website even talks about bending the stuff, so you could make some unusual shapes.

I think it would make a really neat project. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time or space now to devote to it. Someday I definitely will. Hopefully, I will be living somewhere that has a good acrylic/plastics store. Then I could have them cut it there and not have to pay shipping. I imagine shipping would be quite a lot for a 5-ish foot long piece of acrylic. Still, if I am not in a place like that I don't think the shipping price would stop me.

Although Phoenix is now a big city, I've been unable to find a local seller of acrylic suitable for making a large aquarium. Maybe the local home improvement stores would be a good source. Otherwise, it's the net. But what a great project that would be.

Just FYI...

Sign shops, especially Neon shops, will stock or be able to order, and custom cut to size.

I use a lot of what I call plexiglass... which is actually acrylic... I order it from a supply house in Nashville, TN... Advanced Plastics.

Hope this info helps anyone that's interested in doing something like this.

Thanks for the information. I'm trying to get up the nerve and energy to build an acrylic aquarium and figured it would be even better with a DIY hood and stand.

I want to see pictures!!

If I ever manage to get off my ancient posterior and build one of the things, I'll for sure post pictures. I'm thinking it would be best to start with a smaller aquarium and have all the disasters happen before water volume gets very close to 100 gallons.