Gumball Machine Fish Tank

What says 'I love you' better than the gift of a pet goldfish? I know it's not a fuzzy little kitten or a tiny soft puppy but it is a lot easier to take care of. Be unique on Valentine's Day and make a special fish tank that will be remembered for a lifetime.

This old dusty gumball machine I found in the basement needed revival and turned out to be a fantastic home for our new little fish!

You will need the following items to make this fish tank:

-gumball machine
-sheet of glass
-glass cutter
-breaking pliers
-sharpie marker
-glass grinder (or a file)
-safety goggles
-aquarium sealant
-decorative rocks
-aquarium plant
-goldfish!

Step 1: Disassemble Gumball Machine

Remove all inner workings of gumball machine (or what's left of it). All you need to have is the base, bowl and top cap.

Step 2: Cut and Grind Glass

Using a sharpie marker trace around the bottom part of the glass bowl (of your gumball machine) onto your glass.

Using a quality glass cutter score the glass along the traced line. If you don't have breaking pliers you can try to break the glass with your hands but I highly recommend the breaking pliers for breaking glass. It is easy to cut yourself otherwise.

Once you have a rough circle cut you will need to smooth the edges of the glass. A glass grinder is the fastest and easiest way to do this, however, you could use a file. Either way, make sure all the edges are smooth and not sharp anywhere. You don't want your significant other slicing their fingers when it comes time to clean the tank!

Once the glass circle is cut and edges are smoothed lay it on the bottom edge of the glass bowl to make sure your cutting was accurate. Make adjustments if necessary. The last thing you want is to seal the pieces together and then it doesn't fit on the gumball machine base!

***Wearing safety glasses is always a good idea when dealing with glass. Small glass shards are often times flying around, especially when using a grinder.

Step 3: Seal Glass

Once your glass circle is cut you will need to seal it onto the glass bowl.

Using aquarium sealant lay a thick bead along the bottom edge of the glass bowl. Carefully line up glass circle on top of the sealant and press firmly to get a good seal. Clean off excess sealant with a paper towel. Let dry according to sealant package.

Step 4: Finish Fish Tank

Add decorative rock and aquarium plants to the bowl. Fill with water and add goldfish!

Give to your loved one for Valentine's Day!

**Please note - a goldfish will eventually outgrow a fish bowl and will need a larger home to stay healthy. However, I was assured by the store I purchased the goldfish from that it will be safe and healthy for about six months (maybe longer) before needing to be moved. This was based on the size of goldfish purchased and the bowl. Make sure the tank is properly cleaned at least once a week.

Comments

[Pattymouth]

I think this is adorable. I've owned lots of fish that have lived long lives in small bowls. If you're worried about size, move him to a bigger bowl when he gets bigger. I don't mean to be insensitive - really - but it's not like you're keeping a brain surgeon locked in a closet. It's a goldfish. If he has any 'thoughts' at all, they will probably be that he's happy to be away from the nasty tank and tapping, gawking kids at WalMart and in his own cozy apartment.

[jazziejazz]

couldnt agree more.

[stellamerteuil]

I really like this idea, but I worry it's too small for a goldfish. I'd recommend a betta.

[Average aquarist]

betas need more water than you might think.... at least 5 gallons

[vinsslaurie]

Nice concept, I've always liked original aquarium/vivarium ideas, especially when it involves recycling.

Having worked with fish and exotic animals for two years now, I will support everyone who's told you this aquarium is unfit for a goldfish though. Switch your fish for a betta fish instead, they don't require filtered water and can manage to live in a smaller area than a goldfish.

[Average aquarist]

I'm fairly certain any aquatic creature requires filtered water.......

[grannyjones]

A wonderful setting for a single betta.
They live very well in small bowls--just don't put TWO in the same container!

[Average aquarist]

betas need at least five gallons if water. They do not like small aquariums

[awesomness2002]

High five this is great. Does it work for betas as well?

[Average aquarist]

do not use this for bettas! They need at least five gallons of water and a heater to survive! Research before you buy!

[SydR1]

I may sound dumb with this question cause there obvious air flow... Lol so I'll apologize in the beginning! (It's late after a few margaritas ?).. Anyways, I have owned many Betta fish growing up, all living in fish bowls.. With this type of bubble gum tank/environment, where does the fresh air circulation come from? Was there a step I over looked?

Thinking this idea would be great for my boyfriends kids!!

Appreciate any insight into doing something cool like this.. His first Betta died right away and I want to cheer him up with a cool unique idea.

Thanks guys ?

[Average aquarist]

sorry this is 4 years too late but bettas need at least a five gallon tank to survive, this is really not a good idea at all, partially because of airflow, but also because of size

[raytho23]

I want to try this but my friend says it’s a bad idea. I see where she is coming from with it is a small space and it’s just not a good environment. But I don’t see how it is a problem because many people keep their fish in fish bowls and I don’t see how it is any different, the fish bowls are actually made for fish and this is the same concept. The chemicals in the plastics could be harmful to the fish, was another point of hers but I was thinking you could just replace the actual ‘bowl’ part of the gum ball machine with and actual fish bowl this way it would be literally the same thing as many people have but with the gum ball machine stand. Also if you were worried about size 1 just don’t get a fish that shouldn’t be in a small tank in the first place. Yes, fish will live a happier life if in a larger tank but most don’t. They wouldn’t make a fish bowl a concept if it was a terrible idea, and 2 if the fish outgrew the tank or was clearly unhappy with no place to move, just relocate it. With the proper filtration system, bubbler, and good enough sized bowl, I don’t think this is a problem, it sounds like a very cool and fun project to do and would also look good!

[Average aquarist]

Fish need filters, heaters and proper ammonia/nitrate levels to survive. In a small tank its super hard to keep the fish in a proper environment. If you read litteraly any fish forum the dont recommend you use fish bowls. They are made purely for profit because big companies like pet smart make more money when you constantly have to buy more fish because they died.

[Nasubi77]

I have to chime in on the "THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA" camp because goldfish need sooo much more room than this, but that is only a fraction of the issue.

Any tank or container should be cycled before you add fish and after it is cycled, you have to keep checking the water for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates to make sure they are all within the correct parameters. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep within these parameters, ESPECIALLY with goldies since they are so messy.

And comets do not average 6 inches...more like 12" or more.

Please people, do your research BEFORE you ever get your first fish. It is not as easy as putting them in a bowl with some water. These are not disposable pets.

[TwrtleFish]

agreed. Fish also need filters, heaters, etc

[TheFishGirl]

This is SO in humane.... I have 4 guppies in a ten gallon tank. Bettas need more room than that! Please research before you get an animal!!!

[TwrtleFish]

I also agree. I have 9 guppies and a gourami in a 36 gallon. The goldfish will need at least 20 gallons.

[DIYPetKeeper18]

please don't put fish in this! Goldfish need a minimum tank size of 20-40 gallons depending on the breed you have (look it up) and bettas need a minimum tank size of 2.5 gallons. And how does air get in??? If you want to put something in this, put some fake decor in it or better yet, gumballs! That's what the dang thing was made for! Not fish!!!

[TwrtleFish]

agreed