Adhesive for the aquarium. How to glue an aquarium?

Having an aquarium at home is very useful. According to psychologists, watching the fish, a person calms down, relaxes. Yes, and the kind of colorful, beautiful fish, quickly moving around the aquarium, always happy!

Today, the market for pet goods is quite diverse. Therefore, beginner fish breeders often purchase a ready-made aquarium. But aquarists with experience, as a rule, prefer to do them on their own. After all, this is how you can achieve the desired size and volume.

Selecting glass for the aquarium

In order to independently glue the aquarium, it is necessary, above all, to prepare the necessary materials.

It is better to order the glasses in the workshop, because the machine is cutting there (the cutting accuracy is higher in this case). When ordering, be sure to clarify that you need glass for the aquarium. It must be silicate, only of the highest grade and 8-10 mm thick, since the thinner can be insufficiently strong and can not withstand the water pressure.

All the glasses are divided into 2 groups - window and polished. The first have more affordable value, but for the production of aquariums they can not be used. The characteristic waviness and greenish shade will have a negative effect on the appearance of the finished product. The polished glass has no such drawbacks, it provides a perfectly flat surface.

Ways to Build

Before you glue the aquarium, you should choose the method of assembly. There are two of them:

1. Vertical sides are placed on the bottom. So small aquariums are glued, but this method is rarely used.
2. The walls are glued around the bottom. This method ensures the strength and reliability of the finished product.

Adhesive for aquarium

Self-adhesive bonding of the aquarium assumes the correct choice of the adhesive. It must contain silicone.

When choosing, carefully examine the packaging. Adhesive for the aquarium should be designed specifically for this product. It should not include antibacterial substances that are harmful to fish and plants.

Glue for glass aquarium 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 (water resistant). For ease of use, it is recommended to purchase a special gun that helps squeeze out the product.

The most universal means are silicone sealants. Their advantages:

• Long service life;
• elasticity;
• The means ensures reliable adhesion to any surface;
• Silicone is easy to use;
• Non-toxic;
• Does not emit harmful substances.

In addition, the glue for the aquarium freezes quickly enough, in just 20 minutes, and after a day the polymerization is finally complete. The seams are very durable. In this case, the silicone retains its elasticity. Before using the sealant, make sure that the surfaces to be treated are clean, dry and free from grease.

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.

Cold welding is easy to use . This remedy is chemically inert, seizing in a few minutes.

Also good are the cyacryls, only when gluing the aquarium between the parts there should be small gaps.

In case you can not find the aquarium sealant, you can buy a product that is intended for water pipes or dishes. Only in its composition there should be no antifungal additives.

Bonding the aquarium

The work is carried out in several stages:

1. To protect the glasses from contamination, they are pasted with a paint tape. From each edge leave a distance equal to the thickness of the glasses.
2. All surfaces are degreased - wipe with acetone-containing product or alcohol.
3. Adhesive joint should be made as even as possible. To do this, apply a little silicone on the end. After solidification - cut it with a blade, leaving a small protrusion over the glass. It will help to perform a uniform suture.
4. Bonding is carried out on a firm and level surface covered with polyethylene. First glued glass, which will be located in front, then - side and all other parts. Excess adhesive for the aquarium from the glass should be removed with a cloth previously moistened in a solution of water and vinegar.
5. After about an hour, the joints should be smeared with silicone and leave the product to dry. The aquarium is ready for use.