The Aquarium Container
51
typical sizes of container are given below.
Up to
18 X 12 X 12
in.
—
32 02. (8.9 mm)
,,
36 x 15 X 12
in.
—
1/4"
(6.4 mm)
,,
48 X 24 X24
in.
—
3/8"
(9.5 mm)
The
silicone
rubber
sealant
used
should
not
contain
fungicide
additives and it should preferably be used in an open, well ventilated
space.
After cleaning all edges of the glass with methylated spirits,
joint 1 is made (see Figure 14). The silicone rubber is applied to
the base plate and the side pieces are then placed upon it, and
supported in position for at least 2 hours. joint 2 is then made
throughout in order to seal all inside corners. As before, all surfaces
must be cleaned with methylated spirits, and a neat finish can be
achieved by running a finger along all joints to push sealant into
the
corners
and
to
remdve any excess. The finishedpontainer
should be left to air—cure for 48 hours. It should be noted that
fumes from the sealant may reach toxic levels in a very confined
space. This type of aquarium can be easily made in almost any
shape or size, is inert chemically, even with salt water, and does
not conduct electricity.
Various other types of aquaria are available and are described
below. However, none of them is strongly recommended, and the
only advantages they offer relate to price or decorative appear—
ance.
The old—fashioned, metal—framed painted aquarium is now being
superseded, and with it the fears of leaks and rusting. Poly-coated
aquarium frames are available, and are cheaper than nylon—coated
frames, but there is some doubt as to their suitability for marine use.
Certainly after a period of time some of them show a tendency for
the coating to split and peel away from the metal beneath, possibly
because of the presence of rust on the frames before the coating is
applied. Anodised aluminium frames, with either glass or plastic
sides and base, are usually of a far flimsier construction than the
preferred types and are comparatively expensive. Stainless steel
frames are similar, and sometimes are not in fact rustproof, particularly with salt water. For reasons of economy, both of these last
two types seem to be made with as little metal as possible at the
expense of rigidity and strength.
All—plastic aquaria are widely available, either as a plastic frame
with transparent sealed-in sides or as a one—piece moulding. Plastic is
not
as
transparent as glass, particularly in thick sections, and is
51
typical sizes of container are given below.
Up to
18 X 12 X 12
in.
—
32 02. (8.9 mm)
,,
36 x 15 X 12
in.
—
1/4"
(6.4 mm)
,,
48 X 24 X24
in.
—
3/8"
(9.5 mm)
The
silicone
rubber
sealant
used
should
not
contain
fungicide
additives and it should preferably be used in an open, well ventilated
space.
After cleaning all edges of the glass with methylated spirits,
joint 1 is made (see Figure 14). The silicone rubber is applied to
the base plate and the side pieces are then placed upon it, and
supported in position for at least 2 hours. joint 2 is then made
throughout in order to seal all inside corners. As before, all surfaces
must be cleaned with methylated spirits, and a neat finish can be
achieved by running a finger along all joints to push sealant into
the
corners
and
to
remdve any excess. The finishedpontainer
should be left to air—cure for 48 hours. It should be noted that
fumes from the sealant may reach toxic levels in a very confined
space. This type of aquarium can be easily made in almost any
shape or size, is inert chemically, even with salt water, and does
not conduct electricity.
Various other types of aquaria are available and are described
below. However, none of them is strongly recommended, and the
only advantages they offer relate to price or decorative appear—
ance.
The old—fashioned, metal—framed painted aquarium is now being
superseded, and with it the fears of leaks and rusting. Poly-coated
aquarium frames are available, and are cheaper than nylon—coated
frames, but there is some doubt as to their suitability for marine use.
Certainly after a period of time some of them show a tendency for
the coating to split and peel away from the metal beneath, possibly
because of the presence of rust on the frames before the coating is
applied. Anodised aluminium frames, with either glass or plastic
sides and base, are usually of a far flimsier construction than the
preferred types and are comparatively expensive. Stainless steel
frames are similar, and sometimes are not in fact rustproof, particularly with salt water. For reasons of economy, both of these last
two types seem to be made with as little metal as possible at the
expense of rigidity and strength.
All—plastic aquaria are widely available, either as a plastic frame
with transparent sealed-in sides or as a one—piece moulding. Plastic is
not
as
transparent as glass, particularly in thick sections, and is