THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO DIY AQUARIUMS: GLASS THICKNESS, WATER & FISH TRANSPORT

 LETTER FROM AQUARIST II

The following letter touches on several of the most common challenges faced by those new to the aquarium hobby.

The Letter:

 "I AM a beginner, and I have tried to build a tank on my own, but then I've been having a lot of problems. The major one is the cracking of the tank (24x12x12), probably due to the 3 millimeters thickness of glass used. Please tell me, how do I know the right thickness of glass and the best type of aquarium sealant to use?
 I wonder if my fish will survive in tap water? If the answer is no, how do I treat the water, or can I use borehole water from our neighborhood?
 Assuming I want to make a 9-hour journey, how can I transport my fishes? Is there any special tank, or a bucket is just enough, provided it is half filled with water?"
 — AKOJI ONEKUTU, Markudi.

Our Expert Advice
Dear Akoji,

The cracking of your aquarium glass is one common mishap that happens to amateur aquarists using the wrong glass thickness and non-flexible sealant. A 5 mm-thick glass will suffice for your tank.

Any silicone-based sealant would be appropriate, provided that the casing looks new, since sealants seldom expire.

Source: Akfix

Fishes are affected by the chlorine used in treating pipe-borne water; it is therefore necessary for you to let the water ‘age’ for at least 24 hours before placing fishes.
From personal experience, I have found out that many borehole supplies produce hard water, which makes a host of choice fishes uncomfortable since many prefer soft acidic water. So if you have to use borehole water, boil the water for 10 minutes and allow it to cool before use.

When you buy fish from a pet shop, placing the fish in a cellophane bag containing a little water with entrapped air will suffice for short distances not exceeding 3 hours. A pure oxygen replacement will be necessary at the pet shop for journeys exceeding 4 hours. You will also have to place them in a custom medium like expanded polystyrene to prevent the vibrations accompanying moving vehicles from jolting the fishes.

We hope this advice proves helpful. We encourage all aquarists to write in with their experiences and challenges.
Location: 22 Adewale Close, by Abesan, Aboru - Abesan Link Brg, Ipaja, Lagos 102213, Lagos, Nigeria

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