Acrylic
Acrylic fish tanks are a great choice for many reasons, and they are lightweight as well. This makes them easier to move and set up, which is a great benefit. Anyone who has owned multiple aquariums knows how awkward and difficult it can be to move everything around. The lighter weight also makes moving the equipment safer. Many people have had experience breaking or hurting themselves when moving glass aquariums. By opting for an acrylic tank, you can avoid this hassle!

Acrylic is also easier to mold and allows for more creative aquarium designs. The material can be molded to almost any shape, allowing for a wide variety of shapes. Glass, on the other hand, can distort the shape of the fish, resulting in an unnatural appearance. Acrylic is also more impact resistant than glass, so heavy objects will not break and damage your fish.

Glass
If you are in the market for a glass fish tank, you have a couple of choices. The first option is to divide the tank into two equal parts. You can install a brace at the top of the tank to divide a 4-foot tank into two 2-foot tanks. The brace will support the top center of the front and back glass panes.

Then, you can use the safety factor to calculate the thickness of the glass. The safety factor is 3.8, which accounts for the inherent variability of glass during the manufacturing process. It is also important to use a thin joining compound to cover the glass edges.

Glass versus acrylic
There are some important differences between acrylic and glass when it comes to custom fish tank design. For one thing, glass is more expensive and harder to move than acrylic, so you might end up spending more money on transportation. Glass also does not change color over time because it is inert, meaning it will remain clear and colorless.

Acrylic is also more translucent than glass. However, this makes it more susceptible to UV light, which can eventually weaken it. Glass is not affected by UV light and is much more stable.

Plastic formed braces
If you're considering a custom fish tank design, one option is to use plastic formed braces. These braces are designed to be installed between the front and back panels of the tank at a height that will be level with the top of the tank. A good brace width is about three inches. However, you may need to adjust the width if you're going to use a glass canopy. Alternatively, you can combine two narrower braces for extra strength.

In addition to reducing the open space at the top of the tank, these braces also allow for a more secure design. They can be a cost-effective solution for custom fish tank designs, allowing you to save on the weight while maintaining the same safety factor. They can also be used to turn a four-foot tank into two smaller tanks by utilizing a front-to-back brace.

Insert aquariums
When designing your custom fish tank design, you will need to decide where to place your aquarium. Whether it's the center of a room or a large portion of the wall, aquariums are a great way to draw attention and subtly manipulate the room's layout, light levels, and overall dynamic. Choosing an aquarium shape is important, as well, because it will determine its placement and size.

Glass is the ideal material for most custom fish tanks. Glass is durable and scratch-resistant. It's the perfect choice for busy commercial settings. Acrylic, on the other hand, is more malleable and can be harder to clean than glass.