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How to Strengthen Acrylic Glass

Acrylic glass is used in aquarium tanks to contain the water. The pressure of the water in the tank requires a certain structure durability to prevent any leakage. To strengthen the acrylic glass of an aquarium, employ supplies purchased from a hardware store. The procedure does not require any special equipment; tools that can be acquired from the hardware store, if not already in the home's tool kit, can be used.

Things You'll Need

Newspaper
Acrylic glass aquarium
Soft cloth
Silicone tube
Scissors
Wooden stir stick
4 plastic braces
8 cross braces

Instructions

- 1
  Place sheets of newspaper on a work surface. Place the empty aquarium that is constructed from acrylic glass on the newspaper.
- 2
  Dry the inside and outside of the aquarium thoroughly, including all of the seams, with a soft dry cloth.
- 3
  Cut the end off the tube of silicone with scissors. Squeeze the tube from the bottom to dispense the silicone along the length of the seams inside the tank. Run the edge of a wooden stir stick along the length of the seams to smooth the silicone down. Let the silicone set for the amount of time specified in the instructions before continuing.
- 4
  Lay one of the braces that have been cut to the same length as that of the aquarium flat on the newspaper. Place the edge of the brace against the bottom of the tank on one of the horizontal sides. Draw a line along the edge of the brace on the side of the tank with a grease pencil.
- 5
  Stand the brace up. Apply silicone along the length of the top edge. Place the brace inside the aquarium. Line up the silicone side of the brace with the grease pencil mark. Press the brace against the side and hold it there for a minute.
- 6
  Repeat this procedure on the other side of the aquarium, with the other brace that is the same length as that of the aquarium. Let the silicone set for the amount of time specified in the instructions.
- 7
  Apply a line of silicone down the length of the brace one inch in from each end. Place a cross brace perpendicular on each silicone line. Press the cross brace against the silicone. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the aquarium, with the other cross brace. Let the silicone set for the amount of time specified in the instructions.
- 8
  Rotate one of the ends of the aquarium toward you. Repeat the entire procedure with a brace that is the same width as the end and then with the cross brace. Repeat the procedure on the other end of the aquarium.

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