An aquarium allows everyone to create a relaxation corner in their home. The beauty of underwater life is mesmerizing and calming. This is why people are happy to buy aquarium fish and organize comfortable conditions for them in their home. Organizing and maintaining an aquarium home corner is not cheap for hobbyists. In addition to the aquarium itself and its inhabitants, you need to spend money on many additional items to care for the fish and feed them. But all these concerns initially fade into the background, because first you need to arrange the habitat - by placing the aquarium on a cabinet.
Organizing and maintaining an aquarium home corner is not cheap for hobbyists.
The choice of a cabinet comes down not so much to aesthetic aspects, although this is important, but to functionality. The cabinet for the aquarium must have the correct dimensions, withstand the necessary loads, be easy to use and moisture resistant.
But all these concerns initially fade into the background, because first you need to arrange the habitat - by placing the aquarium on a cabinet.
Not only spatial possibilities and aesthetics are taken into account, but also technical equipment.
Not every fan of the aquarium world understands why they spend money on a bulky structure in the form of an aquarium cabinet. It takes up a lot of space, and let’s just say it’s not cheap. In addition, not all manufacturers can vouch for the strength and durability of this design. So is it worth buying?
The cabinet for the aquarium must have the correct dimensions, withstand the necessary loads, be easy to use and moisture resistant.
Having a ready-made drawing of the future design, and having decided on the materials for the work, you can safely begin to further implement the project.
The final touches after assembling the furniture product are the correct installation of the bedside table.
Experienced aquarists will definitely answer in the affirmative. There are exceptions to the rule - aquariums with a capacity of up to 50 liters can be placed on any piece of furniture. For small containers you can fit a table, a bedside table, or place them on durable shelves. All glass structures exceeding the specified volume require specialized stands - cabinets. This factor is not due to the desire of furniture manufacturers to sell an additional product, but to the safety of the aquarium itself and the surrounding space. The slightest crack in the glass can lead to the destruction of the aquarium, the death of fish, and damage to property that will be flooded with water from a broken flask.
Making a cabinet with your own hands is not only economically profitable. Manufacturing homemade design can solve a lot of issues.
- Product customization.
- Harmonization with the interior.
- Accurate calculation of strength.
- Quality.
By making an aquarium cabinet with your own hands, you can be sure that it will last a long time and will not bring any unpleasant surprises to the owner.
Not every fan of the aquarium world understands why they spend money on a bulky structure in the form of an aquarium cabinet.
If you have a serious metal frame, you can also use glass to decorate the doors in the bedside table.
Let's make a project
The basic basis of any work in the manufacture of furniture is the creation of a drawing. The design of the future cabinet is based on the size of the existing aquarium. It is recommended to create a design in which the tabletop will match the parameters of the glass flask or slightly exceed them. The increase in the stand should be insignificant; you should not leave extra centimeters on the sides.
The main purpose of the cabinet is to hold the weight of the aquarium, which means the total mass of the aquarium itself, the water in it and additional elements. Therefore, when creating a project, it is necessary to take this value into account and create a drawing that will cope with this task.
The height of the furniture product is also of great importance. Here you should consider in what position the person will watch the fish - sitting or standing. If it is meant that this is a relaxation room where people usually sit, then the height of the bedside table along with the legs should be limited to 70 centimeters and no higher. Placing the aquarium in the bedroom allows you to reduce the height.
The drawing must take into account the further functionality of using this furniture product. It can provide shelves not only for special aquarium equipment, but for books, newspapers or decorative ornaments.
In addition, not all manufacturers can vouch for the strength and durability of this design.
It is better to plan the partitions inside the cabinet every 40 centimeters.
Everything that concerns decorative finishing in the form of doors on a bedside table or handles on drawers, it all depends on the taste of the master and the desired final effect
Deciding on materials
When selecting materials for work, you must remember that the very purpose of the cabinet implies contact of the furniture surface with water. Therefore, it is recommended to use only waterproof materials. In this case, laminated MDF or chipboard is perfect. It is better not to use wood, because it is difficult to make it waterproof, and solid wood will also increase the weight of an already large structure.
Counting required amount materials, you need to take into account that, unlike bedside tables or chests of drawers, an aquarium cabinet requires durable back wall. It will bear most of the load. The thickness of MDF or chipboard for the back wall must be at least 22 mm. It is recommended to make it not solid, but to build it between the side and internal partitions. Thus, the strength of the structure increases.
It is better to make the frame of the cabinet for the aquarium metal. If this is not possible, and the structure frame will be made of wooden beam, then you should choose durable and not thin elements. It is better to plan the partitions inside the cabinet every 40 centimeters. This design allows you to avoid sagging of the tabletop.
The tabletop for the aquarium is made of high-strength material. When attaching it, it is important to check the level around the perimeter of the entire surface. The tabletop should be perfectly level and not have even minimal discrepancies. The thicker the countertop material, the better.
The legs for the cabinet are selected for strength. You should pay attention to metal legs with a large surface or wooden, stable stands.
Everything regarding decorative finishing in the form of doors on a bedside table or handles on drawers, it all depends on the taste of the master and the desired final effect. You can visually lighten the design a little by adding carving elements to external facade. If you have a serious metal frame, you can also use glass to decorate the doors in the bedside table.
The basic basis of any work in the manufacture of furniture is the creation of a drawing.
The tabletop for the aquarium is made of high-strength material.
Let's get started
Having a ready-made drawing of the future design, and having decided on the materials for the work, you can safely begin to further implement the project. To make a cabinet with your own hands, you need to follow the following steps step by step.
- Cut chipboard or other selected material. You can do this yourself, if you have space and the necessary tools. Sawing can also be ordered at any furniture workshop or store by purchasing chipboard sheets. For an additional fee, you can also order tape sizing along the cut edges. This service will significantly save future assembly time and reduce the amount of waste in the room.
- Assembly of the product begins with the frame part. Beams or metal slats are assembled. Proper fastening of frame parts will ensure the strength of the future product. All angles are verified and must not deviate from the drawing. A roll of even one degree can lead to distortion and deformation of the product, and, accordingly, the aquarium itself. External walls and internal partitions are attached to the frame. Fastening is done using Euroscrews and a screwdriver. Confirmats are not self-tapping screws and require pre-prepared holes in the materials. When choosing a drill bit for a drill, you should proceed from the size of the selected confirmations minus 1 mm.
- It is better to fasten the tabletop in several stages. First, two holes are made at its diametrically opposite corners. After fixing the tabletop, the level is adjusted and, if there are no flaws, the final screwing is carried out. For this reason, it is better not to make preliminary holes over the entire surface of the table, but to drill holes after preliminary measuring the level.
- Next, horizontal shelves are installed, drawers are assembled, and doors are hung. For drawers, it is very important to properly secure the guides, which will allow them to be used unhindered. Hinged doors are attached to furniture canopies. When securing them, it is better to use closers that will allow the doors to open and close correctly and softly.
- After complete assembly, the product lies on its side, after which the legs are attached. They should be attached strictly along the edges of the frame structure to prevent subsidence and deflection. Heel pads should be placed on the attached legs to avoid scratching floor surfaces.
When calculating the required amount of materials, you need to take into account that, unlike bedside tables or chests of drawers, an aquarium cabinet requires a strong back wall.
It is better to make the frame of the cabinet for the aquarium metal.
Assembling the product with your own hands allows the craftsman to provide any details. Therefore, the final step will be to drill through the back wall to accommodate electrical cables and water or air vent hoses. Holes should be made only after a clear definition of the purpose of each hole and its functionality.
The main purpose of the cabinet is to hold the weight of the aquarium, which means the total mass of the aquarium itself, the water in it and additional elements.
When selecting materials for work, you must remember that the very purpose of the cabinet implies contact of the furniture surface with water.
In this case, laminated MDF or chipboard is perfect
Finishing touches
The final touches after assembling the furniture product are the correct installation of the bedside table. The floor surface must be perfectly flat, otherwise it will nullify all the efforts of the master. Considering the weight of the bedside table itself, plus the aquarium with all its contents, one should be aware of the impossibility of moving this monumental composition. Therefore, you should first select a convenient location for installation. Not only spatial possibilities and aesthetics are taken into account, but also technical equipment. The aquarium is connected to the power supply, so it is necessary to provide electrical outlets within walking distance.
When creating a project, it is necessary to take this value into account and create a drawing that will cope with this task.
You can provide shelves not only for special aquarium equipment, but for books, newspapers or decorative ornaments.
The height of the furniture product is also of great importance.
If it is meant that this is a relaxation room where people usually sit, then the height of the bedside table along with the legs should be limited to 70 centimeters and no higher.
The drawing must take into account the further functionality of using this furniture product.
VIDEO: DIY aquarium cabinet
People of all ages are interested in observing the inhabitants of the water. Often, adults keep fish and buy aquariums so that their children can admire sea creatures and learn how to care for them. Thus, the younger generation is taught responsibility and love for all living things. Today we want to figure out how to make a cabinet for a 300 liter aquarium.
DIY aquarium cabinet
This is a decorative corner in the apartment, which radiates goodness, beauty, comfort and positivity. The most common desire of the owner of an aquarium with fish is for it to last as long as possible and create coziness and tranquility with its presence. And this fact, as a rule, depends on how firmly it stands and on what. Therefore, it turns out that a lot depends on the cabinet: beauty, interior, stability and safety of the aquarium.
Requirements for a do-it-yourself corner cabinet
It is necessary to choose a good base that can withstand the high constant pressure of the aquarium. For these purposes, a support made of thick materials is usually used that can cope with the heavy weight of the aquarium without breaking. For purposes such as making an aquarium cabinet, The following materials can be used:
- natural wood;
- chipboard;
- fine wood fraction;
- plywood boards.
It is these materials that can withstand the high load of an aquarium, but only if the design is made correctly.
Firstly, you need to know that the back wall of the cabinet must be sealed. According to the standard, it is made from chipboard, but in the case of using a cabinet for an aquarium, this option is not suitable. It is worth making the back wall of the cabinet from the same material as in the manufacture of the lid and side walls.
Secondly, do not forget that the box under the aquarium must have reinforcing elements vertically under the lid. This is done so that the lid does not sag due to the weight of the aquarium.
Third, for large volume containers (more than 300 liters) you need metal carcass, which will take on the entire load.
And fourthly, making the most durable box does not relieve the responsibility of having a decent and aesthetic appearance. The box should be in harmony with the overall interior of the apartment and room.
Structure and dimensions of the cabinet
The size of the top surface of the box is often similar to the bottom of a glass fish house. Figuratively, an option of this size makes the aquarium and the cabinet one whole, moreover, it looks elegant and solid. The height is determined taking into account such things as frequent water changes and general cleaning of the aquarium. And for this reason, the stand will be too high impractical to use. As a rule, the combined height of the aquarium box should be such that you can easily look into it from above without additional assistance.
When purchasing containers up to one hundred liters, you can, if desired, use a cabinet with a larger surface area than the bottom of the aquarium, and use the remaining area from the aquarium for other purposes. Purchasing a container with a volume of more than two hundred liters will require you to create an individual box for the aquarium.
Making a cabinet with your own hands
The process of building an aquarium cabinet is similar to making a regular chest of drawers. This means that the same circuits, fittings and materials are required.
To start It’s worth drawing up a drawing of future furniture and indicate the dimensions of all parts, as well as their quantity and thickness. Whether to make a cabinet with a rigid frame or not is decided when purchasing an aquarium and determining its size. If the container is small (about one hundred liters), then it is quite possible to do without a frame. In this case, it is very convenient to use chipboard. And to strengthen all the parts, you can duplicate the elements, that is, connect the chipboard in two layers. This tip works best for side walls and roofs.
On the market building materials The choice of particle board is large and varied. You will be able to choose a shade of particle board that will ultimately harmonize with all the frame furniture in the house.
And also don’t forget about the fittings and connecting parts for your cabinet.
Please note that there is a high probability of water getting on the cabinet. And in this case, there is significance in the use of materials, resistant to water ingress.
Construction of the frame
Owners of large containers are forced to make the cabinet more thoroughly. Because in such cases a metal frame is needed, which will prevent bending of the cabinet and its complete deformation. The most reliable and durable is steel frame. But the difficulty in its manufacture lies in the fact that without special equipment and premises, as well as without skills, it is almost impossible. But there is a way out of any situation; in our case, the metal frame can be assembled with bolts. Only in this case does the amount of welding work increase.
An alternative to a metal frame can be wooden beam. At correct calculation and connection, it can compete with a metal frame in its strength, since the wooden beam is very static and does not involve shocks. The next advantage of a frame made of wooden beams is that wood materials are easy to process, they can be glued together effortlessly and with great effect. And the thickness of the wooden beam is a disadvantage compared to the thickness of the metal frame.
Algorithm for assembling all the parts of an aquarium cabinet
If a frame is present:
- Assembling the frame according to the required dimensions.
- Cutting parts for cladding.
- Cutting holes for self-tapping screws.
- Frame cladding.
- Installation of shelves, doors and fittings.
If there is no frame:
- Cutting all parts: walls, lids, doors, shelves, bottom.
- Cutting holes for self-tapping screws.
- Connection of all structural parts.
- Door canopy.
- Installation of shelves.
Advantages of making a stand for an aquarium photo at home
The cabinet furniture sales market is quite rich. But not all companies and stores can satisfy the needs of consumers and please in such details as: size, color, material of manufacture or simply design.
More often it's easier to do it yourself rather than spend a lot of time searching for the ideal cabinet, especially if you need a corner cabinet to install a corner aquarium. The second advantage self-assembly is saving you money. Since you will only spend on materials and accessories.
Stores cannot satisfy all the wishes of customers. Since some need drawers, others need shelves, some need glass doors, others solid wooden ones. And this is not the entire list of controversial issues when buying a cabinet for an aquarium.
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An aquarium cabinet is an indispensable item for any fish lover. Firstly, this will help to fit your pets into the interior of the room in the most ergonomic way. Beauty is not the last place in this matter. And secondly, a strong cabinet is needed to support a very difficult water tank. In addition, you can hide various wires and equipment in it.
Features of aquarium stands
Today in stores you can often see an aquarium with a stand that comes included. Such models, for example, are offered by the Tetra company. This option is very convenient, but costs a lot. On the other hand, small aquariums (up to 50 liters) can also be placed on the desktop. However, if your water tank is larger, then you cannot do without a reliable cabinet. Moreover, a regular TV stand will not work here. The fact is that the constant pressure of an aquarium can cause the surface of a simple table to sag. And this will lead to cracks in the glass.
If you can’t spend money on a special cabinet or you can’t find a suitable one, then you can make it yourself. Moreover, in this case you can choose the main parameters yourself. It is especially beneficial to make corner cabinets, but the aquarium will also need to be found in the same shape.
DIY cabinet
So, how to make a cabinet for an aquarium? For large containers you will need a high-quality stand. The surface will be pressed not only by centimeter-thick aquarium walls, but also by water, soil, decorations and equipment. Therefore, you need to choose high-quality material and approach the work with full responsibility. Only then can you be proud of a hand-made cabinet, and it will last for a very long time.
Preparing for work
A bedside table for an aquarium is usually adjusted to an already purchased tank. Regardless of the dimensions of your stand, it will be made according to the same pattern.
First you need to select a model and sketch its drawing. The more detailed it is, the easier the work will be. You can use a ready-made diagram, but most likely it will still have to be customized. Aquariums have a fairly wide variety of dimensions, which in our case is not very convenient.
Now you need to prepare the material. For the cabinet, it is better to choose laminated chipboard, carpentry or MDF board, 1.8 cm and 3.8 cm thick. The first will be used to create shelves and walls, and the second, thicker, will serve for the frame. You will also need piano hinges, screws, dowels, etc. This list may vary depending on the chosen model.
You need to prepare the tools:
- Drill;
- Milling machine;
- Circular Saw;
- Clamp.
Things to remember
Making a cabinet for an aquarium begins with sawing wooden or wood slabs in accordance with the dimensions indicated in the diagram. Do not forget that aquariums are usually equipped with various equipment with cords, and a special hole will need to be made for them.
The stand must have stiffening ribs. They are installed at a distance of 40 cm. This will make your structure stable and will not allow it to bend. If you do not install stiffening ribs, the weight of the aquarium will press down the doors of the cabinet, and you will not be able to open them. Not every drawing has descriptions of such nuances, but you need to know about them.
If you have a very heavy aquarium, then the cabinet is made without legs and installed on a flat floor. Any distortion may damage the glass. The top of the stand should be the same length as the aquarium, or better yet, exceed it by a centimeter.
Aquarium cabinets are usually assembled by two people, since someone needs to hold some parts while you screw in the fasteners. First you need to make special grooves in the bottom and sides for the back and top walls.
If you are just planning to get fish and have not bought a tank for them, look at the aquariums that are suitable for you and measure the one you like. Make a bedside table under it.
If during assembly there are parts that need to be glued together, use only wood glue for these purposes. All structural elements must be securely fastened if you want to use the stand for a long time.
After the assembly is completed, the cabinet will need to be varnished in several layers to protect the wood from water. The liquid will, one way or another, get onto the stand, so it needs to be secured.
Corner cabinet
A corner cabinet for an aquarium is suitable for those who want to use space economically or simply do not have enough free space to accommodate a rectangular tank. But for such a stand you will also need corner aquariums, and this can be confusing at first - is it possible to find such a container? This is, in fact, the key question.
Before you start creating a corner support, you need to find a suitable aquarium. You may have to order it. Or you will be offered an option with a stand. Here the choice is yours - this option will cost more, but you will save your time and nerves. Again, you should not take on the task of assembling the structure yourself if you have no carpentry experience at all. This is not something that can be done clumsily. If you miscalculate the size a little, the aquarium and your pets will be in jeopardy.
As for corner cabinets, they are often made to order according to your measurements. This is very convenient for owners of small apartments. But if you have experience working with wood and you are confident in your abilities, then you can make a stand yourself. The main thing is to draw up the drawing correctly and strictly follow it.
It is interesting to learn how to make a home aquarium and make it with your own hands. Master classes, step by step photos will teach this. Another tutorial shows how to create different styles of fish houses.
How to make an aquarium table with your own hands?
To make you want to make a fish house, watch this unusual master class first. Here the aquarium also serves as a table.
First, the master made the aquarium itself from durable glass. You will learn a little later about how to choose glass and create such a base. Since the aquarium has the shape of a trapezoid, expanding at the top, the stand for it is made according to the dimensions of the lower part of the aquarium.
It must be strong enough to withstand a container filled with water.
There are voids in the shaped sidewalls so that hoses and wires can be hidden here. Now you need to put a sheet of foam plastic on the bottom of the table and place an aquarium on top. Soil and stones are placed in it, the container is filled with water, filters and a device for supplying oxygen are lowered here, and fluorescent lamps are placed outside. This is such a wonderful house for fish.
If you are not yet ready to implement such a grandiose plan, you can look at how to make a regular-style home aquarium. You can design it according to your measurements, make it such a size that the fish house fits on the bedside table or takes up other free space.
The thickness of the glass is of great importance. It depends on what size your finished product will be. To make it easier for you to understand, please review the following table. At the intersection of the desired width and height, you will find the required glass thickness.
Symbols will make it easier to perceive this information: H - height of the aquarium * - with ribs; ** - with rack ribs. L is the length of the aquarium.
In this case, the aquarium has dimensions of length, width and height of 900x360x600 mm. The volume of such a structure is 194.4 liters. Looking at the table presented, you will understand that you need to take glass whose thickness is 8 mm. But it’s better to play it safe and take a little thicker glass. In this case, its thickness is 1 cm.
Here's how many glasses and what size you'll need:
- 2 pieces for front and rear glass measuring 600 by 900 mm;
- 1 piece for the bottom measuring 878 mm by 338 mm;
- two sidewalls 600 by 338 mm;
- for the upper ribs, a rectangle measuring 30 by 848 mm;
- for the lower ribs - 50 by 236 mm;
- for other lower ribs 50 by 878 mm.
If you are planning to make a large home aquarium, then you need to install crossbars or, as they are also called, ribs. These elements will need to be glued longitudinally at the bottom and top of the aquarium. This will make it more durable and reduce glass bending.
If you have the tools and skills to cut glass, you can cut it yourself. If this is not possible, then contact a glass workshop.
It is better to sand the sharp edges of the edge, but leave the cut itself uneven, then it will be easier to fasten the elements with silicone. But first you need to degrease the joint using a rag soaked in acetone. Now try not to touch the joint so as not to leave greasy stains on them that will interfere with gluing.
To prevent silicone from staining a large area, you need to glue the edge of each glass around the perimeter with adhesive tape, departing 7 mm from the edge.
When purchasing silicone, make sure that the sealant is designed specifically for aquariums. This should not contain harmful additives that are contraindicated for fish.
To prevent the bottom of the aquarium from sticking to the floor, first place a sheet of plywood here and newspapers on it. Now apply sealant to the side stiffeners and glue these elements to the bottom of the fish house.
Now apply sealant to the sides and bottom of the front glass and press it onto the bottom glass.
Make sure that the sealant seam is continuous and that no voids appear in it.
Now apply sealant to the bottom of the sides and glue them to each other, also to the bottom. Then you can attach the rear window in the same way.
To make the seams smoother and the silicone not to stick to your fingers, run a soap solution over this adhesive composition. At the same time, you will remove excess silicone.
Now you need to be patient and keep the aquarium for two days so that the silicone completely dries. Only after this time has passed can you pour water into the aquarium and see if it flows out. This also takes some time. If everything is satisfactory, you can bring life support systems here, fill the aquarium with the necessary elements and introduce fish.
Aquariums in the wall look beautiful. Look at the principle of making such fish houses.
How to make a home aquarium in the wall?
Such a device will help to significantly save space, since the aquarium does not need to be placed on a table or on a windowsill and take up space.
The master built this wall himself. For this I used boards, chipboards, and metal wall profiles. The opening must be made in such a way that the length of the aquarium is no more than one and a half meters, height up to 70 cm, and width up to 40 cm. In this case, these dimensions are as follows: height 68 cm, length 1 m, width 25 cm.
Having decided on these dimensions, the master began to mount the wall. At the top and bottom he used profile guides similar to the letter P. The width of such elements was 3 cm. They had to be fastened to each other, focusing on the depth of the niche.
Next to the niche, the opening was lined with edged boards and chipboard. Where the aquarium will be installed, it is necessary to lath the walls with boards for reinforcement. When carrying out such work, use a level to ensure evenness.
To avoid sagging, foam for the ceiling panels should be placed under the bottom of the future aquarium.
It was also necessary to install a switch and a socket of several components into the wall in order to be able to turn on the lighting, oxygen supply, and filtration for the fish.
In order not to have to worry about installing the hatch, it was enough to simply hang a picture of a suitable shape in this place, and it perfectly hides the opening with the supplied communications. When needed, you can simply remove it and then hang it back.
The plasterboard wall should be covered with wallpaper, and the plastic corner that covers the gap between the wall and the body of the aquarium should be decorated with stone and shell chips.
On the corridor side, the master covered the joints between the wall and the aquarium with a door casing.
In the evening, you don’t have to turn on the main light, since a lit aquarium will still add it. It’s a very impressive sight to look at the underwater world while sitting at the table of a cozy kitchen.
Not everyone has the opportunity to make such global structures. But if you still want to occasionally admire the artificial fish and their house, consider the following ideas.
Making a fish house with your own hands
Make this craft with your child. Perhaps he will like it, and when he grows up, he will know how to make an aquarium himself and will make one. First prepare what you need, this is:
- a suitable transparent container with a lid;
- plastic fish;
- modeling mass is self-hardening;
- thick needle;
- thin fishing line;
- thin wire.
First you need to twist a wire frame for the future coral. Then mix green and yellow modeling compound and make a stand for it. Use the tips of the scissors to make the structure looser to make this accessory more realistic.
Cover the frame with a self-hardening red mass. You can glue more small parts to it to make the coral more branched.
If you are making small underwater grasses and seaweeds, then you can build them without using a frame.
Leave these crafts for a while to dry and become harder. At this time, you will make a mount in order to hang the fish with it. To do this, take a piece of the blue mass, roll it into a ball and glue it onto the lid. Make a hole in this piece through which you will thread the fishing line. And on the other side attach a fish to it.
To make the bottom of the pond, mold it from yellow and green mass. Then the yellow one will turn into sand, and the green one will turn into plants.
Place this not yet dried craft on the bottom of the aquarium and attach it here with a pencil.
Make a hole in the back of the fish with an awl and insert the fishing line here. Tie it into knots, and thread the other end of the fishing line into the hole on the ball. Stick it here again and don't cut it. Then you can make the length you want and vary it.
You can fill the aquarium with water or leave it dry. Since the glass is thick, it will still appear that there is liquid in the container. Screw the lid on the aquarium and see how delighted your child’s new toy will be.
If you don’t have a filter, compressor and other devices for breeding fish, but want to have a corner of the underwater world, then you can still create it. More unpretentious animals, such as aquatic snails, can live here. They will feed on algae and do not require special care.
How to make a simple home aquarium?
You can make such a home for underwater animals if you take:
- glass container;
- pebbles;
- aquatic plants;
- tweezers.
First, the container and pebbles need to be rinsed well with water, and then these small pebbles should be poured into the aquarium. Now take tweezers and plant aquatic plants here. If you don't have such a tool, do this carefully with your hands.
To make a simple aquarium, grow the most unpretentious aquatic plants in it, such as cabomba and hornwort.
Regular tap water contains chlorine, which is harmful to plants and snails. Therefore, first you need to settle the water or use boiled water. Place the aquarium near a window or on a windowsill to provide light to your creation. If you want to place it near your desk or in another place far from the window, then turn on artificial lighting.
If you don't have a suitable container for such a creation, but have a light bulb, then you can still make your dream come true. To do this you need to take:
- light bulb;
- pebbles;
- aquatic plant.
Remove the base from the lamp. And carefully remove the glass parts from this container.
Here's how to make a simple light bulb aquarium next. Sharpen the edges of the flask with a file, rinse the container and add small pebbles or aquarium soil. Plant the plant carefully. Fill the container with water and close the light bulb with the base.
How to decorate an aquarium with your own hands?
If you have little space, you can make another original aquarium, but very small size. Perhaps you will be inspired by the idea of Stanislav and Anatoly Konenko, who made a very small fiberglass aquarium.
But algae grows in it and real fish swim. These are zebrafish fry, measuring 4 mm.
The aquarium container holds only 10 ml of water. To ensure the viability of the fish, the craftsmen even made a microcompressor, which turned out to be the most difficult part of this work.
There are several styles. Decide which one you like best and decorate the aquarium in that style.
If you like the Dutch landscape, you can take this into account. For this style, plants of different sizes are used, which differ in color, size and shape. Tall plants with thin or small leaves are planted in the background, with larger foliage in the center, and the smallest bushes are placed in front. Then a feeling of multi-tieredness is created.
You can use red, yellow, dark and light green seaweed. Plants need to be planted quite close to each other so that such flora resembles the green landscape of Holland. An even more rosy picture will be provided by small brightly colored fish swimming past the algae.
If you want to decorate an aquarium in a Japanese style, then you can make a rock garden and place a bonsai tree in the center of the composition.
Since the usual one will not grow under water, aquarists use some tricks.
So, to make a bonsai tree like this, they use Java moss. It is unpretentious and grows on rocks and snags. Therefore, you can place a driftwood at the bottom of the aquarium, fix it and plant moss here, which will become the crown of a tree.
Java moss grows well on driftwood and rocks, so it doesn’t even need soil. This plant will not only help decorate the aquarium, but will also allow fish to spawn in the crown of these algae.
In order for this plant to have supports, they are made from cotton threads or thin fishing line.
To make a bonsai tree, first plant the desired shape of driftwood in the aquarium soil. Secure it with stones. Now place Java moss on top of this driftwood and give it a crown shape. Use it to decorate stones and the surrounding area as well.
Another style in aquarium farming is collector style. To implement it, you need to plant 15 or more types of algae. Over time, they will grow and create the effect of a neglected English garden, which is what is required.
To do this, you need to take fairly spacious aquariums and combine tall and low plant species that differ in color.
If you want to place a fish house in a children's room, then give it a fairytale look. Another style of aquarium design is called Disney World.
Make your fish house look like something out of the movie Finding Nemo.
You can buy or DIY the following items to achieve this style of underwater makeover. This:
- shells;
- grottoes;
- corals;
- sunken treasure;
- locks;
- intricate shells.
An aquarium with wooden driftwood also looks great. You don’t need to buy them, but you can find them on a walk.
But before you put these items in the aquarium, they need to be properly processed. First, such things are boiled for 2 hours.
Use driftwood and branches that are already dry and will not release water, resin and sap. Also, conifers and oak are not suitable for an aquarium, as such materials will make the water darker or more acidic.
If you want to use natural stones, then they also need to be properly processed first. If you find such a specimen, you need to wash it, boil it, and then check whether the stone contains lime. To do this, drop a little vinegar on it; if it sizzles, it means that such a stone cannot be used. It will be harmful to fish and plants.
Before laying the stones, even if you bought them in a store, you need to clean them with a stiff brush and pour boiling water over them. If you have cyclids living in your aquarium, then they need grottoes. You can create these contraptions by stacking sandstone stones on top of each other and sealing them together with silicone sealant that is harmless to marine life. At the same time, leave space so that cyclids can settle here.
If you have shrimp living in your aquarium, then place the pebbles so that there are many small caves between them, which the inhabitants of the underwater world will certainly like.
Once you have decided on the style of your aquarium, you need to fill the container correctly. But first, prepare the stones and driftwood, process the dummies as was just described. Install the equipment that will be located at the bottom of the aquarium.
Fill the soil here and level it. Now you need to install a pump if you want to make a small waterfall. Pour some water onto the soil and plant the plants here. If you plant java moss at the bottom of the aquarium on driftwood, secure it here with fishing line or thread. Then fill the water again and carry out the next stage of landscaping, when this tier is completed, fill the aquarium with water and connect the necessary equipment. After this, you can launch fish and admire the underwater inhabitants.
In conclusion, all that remains is to show you videos in which you will also find information about aquarium farming. If you are interested in how to make a home aquarium, then check out the first video.
The second story will help you understand the question of how to make a small compressor with your own hands.
Regardless of whether you buy an aquarium or make it yourself, its appearance will not be complete without a cabinet designed specifically for it. It happens that when buying an aquarium, you are told that the manufacturer does not offer a cabinet for this model, or having glued the aquarium at home, you are faced with a similar problem: either look for the most suitable cabinet in size in the store, or make it yourself. I will say in advance that there is nothing difficult to do it with your own hands, the main thing is accuracy and adherence to assembly technology, as well as the presence of a small amount of tools.
Here is a little theory on how to make a stand for an aquarium with your own hands, and then an example with a photo report will follow.
Nowadays, cabinets are made from various materials, but laminated chipboard is most often used; it is this material that is most suitable for making a cabinet at home. Chipboard of at least 18mm is suitable for us, because... 16mm is already thin. Our cabinet will sometimes come into contact with water, so it is advisable to order high-quality chipboard, for example from EGGER, and trim it with PVC (BETTER ABS) edge.
First you need to make a sketch of your future cabinet on paper, the dimensions should be based on the following parameters:
- The height of the cabinet should be such that it is comfortable for a sitting person to view the aquarium; also do not forget that the adjustable legs have a height of 50-100 mm. The cabinet I made has a height of 600 mm.
- The width and depth of the cabinet will depend on the similar parameters of the aquarium; the cabinet looks very nice if its tabletop is either equal to or slightly larger than the dimensions of the bottom of the aquarium. In my case, the width and depth of the aquarium were 415 and 412 mm, i.e. It’s almost a square, so the tabletop of my cabinet is 420x420 mm, it’s worth leaving a couple of mm in reserve.
After you have figured out the dimensions of the cabinet, you need to decide the number of internal vertical partitions and doors. There’s no need to sweat too much here; for every 30-40 cm of the length of the cabinet, install an additional vertical partition. True, if the depth of the aquarium is about 50 cm, then it is advisable to use chipboard no thinner than 22 mm.
The tabletop of the aquarium deserves special attention; it should evenly distribute the entire load on the bottom of the aquarium and not cause local stresses on the glass. Despite the fact that the aquarium is installed on the tabletop through a pad made of soft material, which promotes better weight distribution, and the chipboard sheet itself has a relatively flat surface, over time the tabletop may bend slightly in the middle. This problem can be solved by additional vertical partitions, but to be more sure, if the aquarium volume is more than 150 liters, I would recommend making the tabletop from 22 mm chipboard.
Back wall. This is almost the main difference between an aquarium cabinet and any other cabinet in your home. For an aquarium, it is made ONLY from chipboard, and serves to prevent all your vertical side panels from folding like dominoes under the weight of the aquarium and other equipment. I believe that the best option is to secure the back wall between the outer side walls, and not on top of them.
Legs. There is only one thing you need to know about them: they are not plastic and not thin aluminum. It is better to use either steel legs or thick aluminum for aquarium cabinets, and the more of them, the better. In a furniture store, choose the strong legs you like and ask the seller for their maximum weight, then calculate the quantity.
The number of legs should not be less than 2 pieces for each vertical partition.
Having understood a little about the brief theory, I will show you a photo report on a stand I made for a 70-liter aquarium, made by myself.
First of all, I figured out the dimensions of the cabinet, 600x420x420.
I made a drawing of the cabinet in the BASIS FURNISHER program in order to obtain the dimensions of all chipboard panels and quickly calculate the approximate costs of this chipboard. This program can be found on the Internet, it is easy to understand and will help you quickly draw cabinets and cabinets of any design, BUT you can easily do without it!
I went to the nearest furniture factory and ordered chipboard from them and cut it, here is the list of panels:
420x420 2pcs
364x370 1 piece
564x390 2pcs
564x364 1 piece
558x395 1 piece
I also ordered PVC edging, the total cost was $26.
I received this on the second day. I decided to take inexpensive, Ukrainian, 18mm chipboard. The cabinet is small, so the design will be simple. I also took some melamine edging because... there was a desire to trim the hidden surfaces.
The table top and the bottom of the cabinet were covered with PVC edges on all sides. This was done with a PVC edge, not a melamine edge, so that random drops of water falling on the end of the table top and bottom would not soak the chipboard.
I cut the side walls from the front and back; in general, only the open areas were cut. I didn’t order any edging for the back wall, so I decided to do the edging myself with melamine edging.
First, we tear off the edge strip so that at least 2 cm hangs down on each side of the end of the chipboard, fix it by hand and press it tightly with an iron along the entire length. It is better to use an old Soviet iron with a flat sole without any coating. I don’t have one, so I struggled with a new iron.
After we have gone through the iron, we immediately run a rag along the entire length of the edge, pressing it firmly, i.e. We squeeze out excess glue, improve the quality of gluing and cool the edge.
We tear off the hanging pieces of the edge on both sides and cut off the excess edge along the entire length. I use a regular spatula for this, because... it is not sharp enough to damage the laminate on the chipboard, but it cuts paper perfectly, the main thing is to choose the right angle and the edge will be neatly rolled up like a ribbon.
To achieve maximum quality, you can walk more fine sandpaper on a bead around the perimeter of the gluing. The main thing here is not to rub too much, 2-3 movements with moderate pressure, I use 300-grit sandpaper.
After the edge is ready, you can proceed directly to assembly, this is the tool that will be useful to us:
- zhmenya confirmats;
- screwdriver with attachment for confirmations;
- drills for 4.8-5 mm, 7 mm (you can use one confirmed drill);
- pencil and ruler;
- corner clamps.
The quality and accuracy of the assembly depends on which assembly sequence you choose. I decided that it would be better to do this: first fasten the side panels and the back together, then secure the shelf and only then install the tabletop and bottom.
I fastened everything with four corner clamps (the clamps cost me only 2.5 dollars apiece), while all the walls are fastened with clamps, they can be moved and adjusted, then when everything is accurate and neat, you can start drilling holes for the confirmats.
So that the walls would not sag while I was drilling them and so that the angle would be exactly 90 degrees relative to each other, I inserted the future shelf inside.
I mark the holes for confirmations as follows:
- indentation 100 mm from the edge;
- a distance of 9 mm from the end of the chipboard (if the panels are placed flush with each other), in this case my back panel was recessed by 2 mm, so I retreated 11 mm.
First, we drill with a 4.8 drill to the depth of the confirmation; if the drill is long, you can wrap it with electrical tape or paper tape to the length of the confirmation + 5mm in reserve. I didn't wrap it because... my drill was a little longer than the confirmat. If the hole is less length If confirmed, then you risk ruining the chipboard when screwing it in.
When drilling, be sure to hold the drill vertically above the drilling site so that the drill does not move to the side and it does not come out through the side of the chipboard
With a 7 mm drill we do everything according to technology. For those who have never worked with chipboard and do not know its properties: if you neglect drilling with a 7mm drill, then when screwing in the confirmat, you will split the chipboard and your hand-made cabinet will be damaged.
We tie everything together with confirmations. When finished, remove the clamps. But during the drilling process, constantly check that the panels do not slip and your entire structure is not warped, because... in the end it will be too late to fix your aquarium cabinet.
Beauty! Then the caps from the euroscrews (confirmats) can be covered plastic plugs or self-adhesive circles, the main thing is that the screws are screwed in flush.
If you are not satisfied with this option, there is an alternative assembly method. You can make a cabinet using eccentric ties and dowels, it is more labor-intensive, but in the end there are no traces of any fastenings or other things on the outer walls, the aesthetic appearance is much better than when fastening with confirmations .
Many people try to invent all sorts of nonsense and sometimes fasten them with plastic and metal corners. FORGET about plastic and metal corners, they do not add rigidity to the structure, your cabinet with an aquarium will fall apart, if not immediately, then very soon. Even if the cabinet assembled at the corners is strong and durable, it will never have high rigidity, it will have mobility, unsteadiness, which will only increase over time.
One finished section of the cabinet on which our aquarium will be located.
There is nothing difficult about installing a shelf. First, on the outside of the cabinet we mark the middle with a pencil, then using a tape measure we install the shelf in the cabinet exactly in the middle and secure it.
I screwed in one confirmat from the sides and 2 confirmats from the back wall. Thanks to this installation of the shelf, the cabinet became even more rigid.
If you are more interested in practicality, then the shelf can simply be installed on shelf holders and can be removed from the aquarium cabinet at any time.
The upper part of the cabinet, i.e. The table top and bottom are made of the same chipboard and are also installed in the same way. First, let's put a chipboard panel on our frame. The design and dimensions of my cabinet are such that the bottom and top protrude from the sides by 10 mm, from the front above the door by 10 mm, the thickness of the door is 18 mm, so the protrusion without the door will be approximately 30 mm.
We carefully and accurately place our panel on the stand, checking all dimensions with a ruler. There is nothing to secure it in this position; even clamps will not help. I did it simpler, I just sat on the cabinet so the table wouldn’t slide, checked all the dimensions again and started drilling. First I drilled 2 holes, screwed in the confirmations, double-checked them again and drilled the remaining holes. The main thing is not to rush, there is a lot of time, I spent about 4 hours making such a cabinet with my own hands. The error was only a couple of millimeters, it is not noticeable to the eye, and does not affect the characteristics and strength of the cabinet either.
I remembered another method that helps out in such situations: we use double-sided tape to accurately position the tabletop on the cabinet if it cannot be secured with anything. After making the holes, remove the tape and screw in the confirmations.
We do the same on the bottom side.
Now let's move on to the door manufacturing process. I just had 2 overhead GTV hinges with a closer lying around, I paid 1.5 bucks for each. The cup size for the loop is 35 mm. Speaking of hinges, they come in overhead, inset and semi-overlay, use the search to find what you need.
With such a cutter with a diameter of 35 mm we will drill cups for hinges. The cutter costs about 10 bucks, but some stores in my city rent them for 2 bucks a day, maybe your store has similar services. This cutter has a restrictive ring that prevents it from being immersed deeper into the panel than required, but I would not recommend pushing it all the way, because this ring may slightly damage the chipboard laminate around the cup.
The loops are marked as follows. The center of the cup should be about 100mm from the top and bottom of the door, the distance from the end of the door to the center of the cup should be 21-22mm. Although I once came across non-standard loops where a larger distance was required. After marking with a pencil, I usually drill with a thin drill with a diameter of 1.5 to a shallow depth. This is instead of capping.
Ready cup for loop.
Insert the loop perpendicular to the end, mark the holes with a pencil. I usually like to use a ruler to double-check the distances from the center of the resulting holes to the end so that they are the same, and then I drill with a 1.5 drill. In chipboard, even before screwing in the screws, you need to drill holes with a thin drill.
This is what the door should look like with the hinges installed.
Before installing the hinges, you need to loosen the screw that is shown in the photo under the screwdriver and move the strike plate to the left and install it as in the photo. This way we will set the minimum gap.
We place the door close to the end of the wall where we are going to mount it and trace the holes on the strikers with a pencil. In this case, the door must be adjusted in height quite accurately, because we will have a maximum of 2 millimeters left to “adjust” the height. then remove the door and drill in the middle of the resulting outlined ovals with a 1.5 mm drill for self-tapping screws.
Then we put the door back on and screw in the strike plate. We don’t move the door yet, our gaps are set to a minimum, now we need to adjust the hinges. First, loosen the screw under the screwdriver and move the door away. I set the gap between the door in this position at the end of the cabinet to be 33 mm; the gap is very easy to set with a piece of 3 mm fiberboard. Tighten this screw and you can close the door.
Now you need to adjust the door warp, this is done with the second screw. There is nothing complicated here, but you will have to play around to stretch out all the millimeters.
We purchased 4 legs for an aquarium cabinet made of thick aluminum and a handle. The legs cost me 1.8 dollars apiece, the handle 1 dollar. Also 20 4x16 screws to secure the legs, they gave them to me for free).
I decided to start by installing a handle on the nightstand door. I decided to retreat 6 cm from the top edge, 5 cm from the side, but now I see that the handle is asking for higher, I think 5x5 cm would be the ideal option. We mark the second hole below at a distance equal to the center distance of the handle; you can ask the seller for it or measure it with a ruler. As always, I first drilled the holes with a thin drill, and then with a 5 mm drill, because... The size of the screws on the handle is M4.
When drilling holes for the handle, there are several points to consider:
- Be sure to double-check all dimensions and apply them as accurately as possible, because... If you make a mistake even by 2 mm you can damage the door.
- It is advisable to drill holes from the outside, because... At the exit, the drill always moves a little if you drill with a rune drill and not on a machine.
- When drilling, BE SURE to place an unnecessary piece of chipboard under the future hole, this way you will get a beautiful and neat hole, if you don’t do this, then at the end the drill will break off the laminate with chipboard around the hole and the result will be just a terrible sight).
After installing the handles, I started installing the legs. I liked everything about them except their fastening system, the holes were located on two sides and not on 4, in principle this does not affect the strength. I decided to step back 8 mm from the side and rear edges and 20 mm from the front edge, so as not to often knock your feet on them). There is no need for special precision when installing the legs; you can estimate it by eye. But I did everything with a ruler). It is recommended to install the legs strictly under the vertical panels so that the entire load goes directly to them and is not transmitted through the bottom of the cabinet. T.K. The weight of my aquarium is relatively small, I decided to sin a little and moved them a LITTLE towards the middle.
By the way, you probably noticed that on many aquarium cabinets the top and bottom protrude slightly beyond the width of the main frame, this not only improves the aesthetic appearance, but also allows you to properly position the legs under the vertical panels, because if the vertical panel is flush with the end of the bottom, then position the leg It definitely won't work under it.
The legs are secured with screws and can be turned over and placed in a permanent place.
Do not forget that before installing the aquarium, the bedside table must not only stand steadily, but also be adjusted to the level.
There is one little thing left before installing the aquarium. You cannot install the aquarium on a stand without using a pad made of soft material that could distribute the load over the entire bottom area. I used a pad that is placed under laminate flooring, its thickness is 3 mm, it is quite rigid and is ideal for this purpose. We cut it to the size of the tabletop and lay it. Now you can install the aquarium!
Let's calculate the cost of making a cabinet, provided that necessary tool you already have:
- Chipboard, cutting and edge - $26;
- confirmations - $1;
- hinges with closer - $3;
- handle and 4 legs with screws - $8.5.
TOTAL: $38.5.
True, I also paid 4 dollars to the taxi driver to deliver the material home from the factory.
I hope you liked the article and it describes many little things that you need to know when making not only a stand for an aquarium with your own hands, but also the rest of the furniture in your home.