Gallon Aquarium Tank - What Are They Made From?

Written By Chouhab on vendredi 9 janvier 2009 | 08:25

By The Aquarium Lady

A gallon aquarium tank, if you intend to keep one as a hobby, needs to be properly cared for, so that you are able to provide the right environment for the fish and marine life which live in it. But before you can actually get your hobby started, you need to first go out and get a gallon aquarium tank and then set it up.

What you will soon discover, either when you visit your local pet or aquarium supply store, or by going online, is that there are many different kinds of gallon aquarium tanks you can choose from. Today they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and also no longer are you restricted to their being made from glass.

What Is The Framework On A Gallon Aquarium Tank Made From?

Those aquariums which are made from glass, will generally be surrounded by a metal framework to help the panes remain in place, and the metals used for this will be either angle iron or stainless steel. The metal frame will be welded together at the various corners, and the glass then gets slotted into it.

To prevent the gallon aquarium tank from leaking, putty aquarium cement, acrylic or silicon sealant, is placed between the edges of the metal framework, and the glass of the aquarium. Also it is important that the surface on which the aquarium stands, is level, because if not, stress can be placed on the framework causing it to bend, which could result in the glass cracking.

On occasions, the framework for a gallon aquarium tank may be made from wood, such as a plywood, because it is far less likely to warp if it comes in contact with water. Just as with the metal framework, an epoxy sealant needs to be used to seal the edges between the frame, and the tank's glass to prevent water from escaping. One advantage that this kind of frame has over the metal type, is that you can cover it in material, paint it or varnish it so that it actually matches the decor of the room where the aquarium is going to be kept.

Gallon Aquarium Tank - Other Materials Which Can Be Used In Their Construction

Often aquariums will be made from glass, but other materials such as acrylic are now proving to be very popular as well. The reason for this being that it weighs less than glass, and can be molded into a variety of different shapes. However, the downside of the acrylic type of gallon aquarium tank, is that they cost more to buy.

Yes acrylic gallon aquarium tanks do weigh less than the glass ones, so they are not as prone to cracking, but they do become scratched more easily. If you don't take good care of your acrylic tank, then the sides can become marred, and being able to view the inhabitants within, becomes more difficult and you may find yourself having to replace the tank completely in the future.

Another material which is often used in the construction of gallon aquarium tanks is Vitrolite, that is similar to glass, but comes in some very strange and wonderful colors. Often this material will be added to a tank afterward, to the sides and back, and because it is opaque, it is used as a way to hide all those unsightly wires and equipment.

It is important that you spend some time learning about the various different types of gallon aquarium tanks you can buy, before you spend your money. Read as many reviews as you can on those that you are interested in. The best place to get the information you need, is by going online where you can also compare the prices for the models you are interested in at the same time.

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