Custom Made Cylinder Fish Tanks
Cylinder shaped aquariums are a favorite of interior designers and architects around the world for a number of reasons. Firstly they allow a 360 degree view into the aquarium which make them a great feature to position in the middle of a busy space. They are also a cost effective way to provide a tall aquarium which, when well illuminated and filled with brightly coloured coral and livestock, creates a mesmerizing display.
Our on-site custom acrylic aquariums construction expertise is backed by decades of combined experience in building all types of aquariums. From manufacturing to shipping and installation, we’ll handle it all for our clients. Over the years of experience, we have developed numerous unique aquariums using advanced aquarium construction techniques and technologies.
Acrylic cylinder aquarium displaying artificial coral in RedFin’s office
Glass or Acrylic Cylinder Aquariums?
RedFin’s cylinder aquariums are manufactured using high clarity, scratch-resistant acrylic. Acrylic is often referred to under brand names such as Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, Perclax, and Perspex, among several others.
It is much safer to build cylinder-shaped aquariums from acrylic over glass because acrylic has much higher impact resistance making it a far safer option for public settings. Acrylic also has other benefits including higher transparency and scratches can easily be removed by polishing.
Another benefit of acrylic over glass is that there is far less visual distortion looking through a curved acrylic sheet than a curved glass sheet. Fish will appear warped when looking through a curved glass panel but this is not a problem when the cylinder is made from acrylic.
Large Cylinder Aquariums Installed in a Shopping Mall
Jellyfish Cylinder Aquariums
RedFin has also developed a system allowing jellyfish to be kept in cylinder or tube-shaped aquariums. Water is moved around the aquarium in a circular pattern keeping the jellyfish suspended and away from any harmful corners or suction grills.
The jellyfish cylinder aquarium in the images below was custom built for an office in London, England. (Visit the RedFin aquarium project pages for more info). It was supplied on a custom fabricated 316-grade stainless steel stand which is resistant to corrosion caused by saltwater. The fish tank was also supplied with a custom build filtration, lighting and temperature control system designed especially for jellyfish.
Cylinder Aquarium Construction Techniques
There are two main construction methods when building cylinder aquariums out of acrylic. Bonded cylinders are created by joining two curved panels together. This technique is normally used to create large cylinders over 1m in diameter. Bonded cylinders have two lines which are faintly visible where the panels are joined.
Seamless cylinders are made from one piece of tube which has no bond lines. This technique is normally used for smaller cylinder fish tanks under 1m in diameter.
RedFin’s design team will specify the correct construction technique depending on the specific project conditions.
Cylinder Aquarium Filtration Systems
RedFin has developed a compact sump filtration system developed to fit in the tight space under a cylinder aquarium. The filtration system can be adapted to suit multiple species such as jellyfish, freshwater fish, seahorses or even jellyfish.
RedFin can ship and install aquariums of all sizes worldwide. Contact us today to discuss your project by clicking the link below.