Materials used in the construction of aquariums
Materials used in the construction of aquariums
Most aquariums are built from glass panes glued together with 100% silicone sealant, others with plastic frames attached to the upper and lower edges for decoration.
The glass aquarium is standard for sizes up to 1000 liters. However, glass as a material is fragile and has very little resistance. Aquariums are made in a variety of shapes, such as cuboids, hexagons, slanted to fit into a corner (L-shaped), and bowfront (the front curves outward). Fish bowls are generally made of either plastic or glass and are either spherical or other rounded configurations.
The first modern glass aquarium was developed in the 19th century by Robert Warrington. During the Victorian era, glass aquariums typically had slate or steel bottoms, which allowed them to be heated underneath by an open flame heat source. These aquariums had glass panels attached with metal frames and sealed with putty. Metal-framed aquariums were still available until the mid-1960s, when the modern silicone-sealed style replaced them. Acrylic aquariums first became available to the public in the 1970s. Laminated glass is sometimes used, combining the advantages of both glass and acrylic. Glass aquariums have been a popular choice for many home aquarists and hobbyists for years. Once silicone sealant became strong enough to ensure a secure long-term seal, the need for a structural frame was eliminated. In addition to lower costs, glass aquariums are more scratch-resistant than acrylic. Although price is one of the main considerations for aquarists when deciding which of these two types of aquariums to purchase, for very large tanks, the price difference tends to disappear.
Acrylic aquariums are now the main competitor to glass. Before the invention of UV stabilization, early acrylic aquariums would discolor over time with exposure to light; this is no longer the case nowadays. Acrylic is generally stronger than glass, weighs less, and provides a certain amount of temperature insulation. In colder climates or environments, it is easier to achieve and maintain a tropical temperature and requires less capacity from an aquarium heater. Acrylic solvent cements are used to bond acrylic together. Acrylic allows for the creation of unusual shapes, such as the hexagonal tank. Compared to glass, acrylic is more prone to scratching; however, unlike glass, it is possible to polish scratches out of acrylic. For large aquariums, stronger materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastics might be used instead. However, this material is not transparent. Reinforced concrete is used for aquariums where weight and space are not factors. The concrete must be coated with a waterproof layer to prevent the concrete from breaking down and to avoid water contamination from the concrete.
Another material used for building aquariums is plywood. The reason for this includes cost savings, lighter weight, and better insulation. A popular thing to do with plywood aquariums is to keep them within a wall, where the use of plywood hides the interior of the walls; along with this, placing insulation behind the plywood helps with tanks that require heating.
