thickness to withstand the water pressure. For a sidewall of 1 meter (40 inches) tall the glass should be 13mm ( ½ inch ) thick. Tanks Built in tanks need not be made from all glass. They can have fibre-glass or concrete walls with glass fronts.

Tank Position

The actual position of the tank is very important. There are many places where a fish tank's position is either unsuitable for the aquarium or could be unsuitable for the aquarium owner. Places where you should not place a fish tank are close to a window that will receive direct sunlight as this may change the water temperature in both summer and winter and promote the growth of algae, on shelves or tables. The tank should not be placed next to doors or at the bottom of stairs. An ideal place is next to a chimney breast or in a quiet corner. The aquarium must be easily seen and accessible. There should also be power available. The site must be level and smooth. If you are mounting onto an existing surface then you should lay some polystyrene between the tank and the surface. These problems will significantly reduce the life span of the tank as stresses will be applied to the glass structure. Many tanks can be purchased with a stand; this is normally worth the extra expense. If you plan to build a very large tank then ensure that the weight is spread out evenly, this principle should also be used if you are going to put a tank into an alcove or in walls or unused chimneys.