How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Marie5656 · 06-30-2006, 11:03 AM

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How to Convert an Old TV Into a Fish Tank
Have you discovered a dinosaur of a TV set in your attic? It sure can't compete with today's flat-panel units, but it doesn't have to head straight for the junk pile--if you're creative. Here's how to make it do something those plasmas will never pull off: Turn into a fish tank!

Steps

1. Rebuild the cabinet out of MDF/Craftwood so that it allows for a flip lid.
2. Stain it with an acrylic estapol satin stain.
3. Attach the original legs to the new cabinet.
4. Stain or lacquer all the surfaces multiple times to ward off any effects of condensation (the formation of water droplets) in the enclosed space.
5. Build in some ventilation at the back to discourage condensation within the cabinet.
6.

Click for a better viewGet a custom-sized tank built that is slightly wider and taller than the screen. Make sure that you leave enough room for the reflector/light (about 6 cm). A remote ballast light is a good idea, as it takes up very little room and you can get the tank and water level higher than the top of the screen.
7. Mount the powerboard outside the cabinet at the back (in case of water spillage or condensation issues).
8. Place the air pump inside the cabinet to suppress the noise. It can be mounted outside if there is not enough room.
9. Fill and cycle the tank properly and introduce the stars of your show--the fish!

Tips

* Make sure you have finished building the cabinet before you start inserting the tank.
* Wire the light for the fish tank through one of the controls on the original television. This may require you to take out one of the original controls.
* Build the tank to exceed the width of the screen rather than just cover it, and you will have a larger volume of water and be able to hide the filter and heater.
* Use the extra space inside as storage space for the food and cleaning tools.
* Cool backgrounds are the key to a great T.V. aquarium. You can use an underwater scene (which can be found at most fish-pet stores), or you can make a custom one of a television show you like. (Get the measurements and the picture, then head to your nearest print shop and have them print it for you.)
* For colder areas, insulating the box is a good idea. This will help maintain a constant temperature.

Warnings

* You may want to take the old TV to a repairman and have him remove the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The amperage that the capacitors retain may be enough to seriously hurt or kill you!
* If you use your existing TV stand, make sure it is strong enough to cope with the weight of the water.[

Marie5656 · 06-30-2006, 11:06 AM

Here is a link to the page I got it from, as there were some neat pictures.

http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-an-Ol...to-a-Fish-Tank

06-30-2006, 11:20 AM

I miss my gourami.

chonsigirl · 06-30-2006, 11:39 AM

That is a very cool idea!

Sheryl · 06-30-2006, 12:21 PM

I came across one of these being given away for free in the area Thrifty Nickel. of course when I went to dial the number, it wasn't a working number.

cookster670 · 07-15-2006, 02:30 AM

well..what a coincidence. This is actually my tank, i did this in 2003 and posted it in an aquarium web site and kinda forgot about it.

Just recently i did a search on it and found it on a few places on the web and here !

It looks a bit different now, more and different plants, but basically the same

Edit:

I just tried to post a link but I can't as i haven't made 15 posts

but basically it's the July 03 tank of the month on the aquahobby web site

Marie5656 · 07-15-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookster670

well..what a coincidence. This is actually my tank, i did this in 2003 and posted it in an aquarium web site and kinda forgot about it.

Just recently i did a search on it and found it on a few places on the web and here !

It looks a bit different now, more and different plants, but basically the same

Edit:

I just tried to post a link but I can't as i haven't made 15 posts

but basically it's the July 03 tank of the month on the aquahobby web site

So, you are saying that your TV Fish Tank brought you to our Garden? Interesting! Welcome!!

07-15-2006, 09:51 AM

Oh great idea

06-30-2006, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marie5656 What? Me worry? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,694	How to convert an old Television into a fish tank Home * > * Categories * > * Crafts How to Convert an Old TV Into a Fish Tank Have you discovered a dinosaur of a TV set in your attic? It sure can't compete with today's flat-panel units, but it doesn't have to head straight for the junk pile--if you're creative. Here's how to make it do something those plasmas will never pull off: Turn into a fish tank! Steps 1. Rebuild the cabinet out of MDF/Craftwood so that it allows for a flip lid. 2. Stain it with an acrylic estapol satin stain. 3. Attach the original legs to the new cabinet. 4. Stain or lacquer all the surfaces multiple times to ward off any effects of condensation (the formation of water droplets) in the enclosed space. 5. Build in some ventilation at the back to discourage condensation within the cabinet. 6. Click for a better viewGet a custom-sized tank built that is slightly wider and taller than the screen. Make sure that you leave enough room for the reflector/light (about 6 cm). A remote ballast light is a good idea, as it takes up very little room and you can get the tank and water level higher than the top of the screen. 7. Mount the powerboard outside the cabinet at the back (in case of water spillage or condensation issues). 8. Place the air pump inside the cabinet to suppress the noise. It can be mounted outside if there is not enough room. 9. Fill and cycle the tank properly and introduce the stars of your show--the fish! Tips * Make sure you have finished building the cabinet before you start inserting the tank. * Wire the light for the fish tank through one of the controls on the original television. This may require you to take out one of the original controls. * Build the tank to exceed the width of the screen rather than just cover it, and you will have a larger volume of water and be able to hide the filter and heater. * Use the extra space inside as storage space for the food and cleaning tools. * Cool backgrounds are the key to a great T.V. aquarium. You can use an underwater scene (which can be found at most fish-pet stores), or you can make a custom one of a television show you like. (Get the measurements and the picture, then head to your nearest print shop and have them print it for you.) * For colder areas, insulating the box is a good idea. This will help maintain a constant temperature. Warnings * You may want to take the old TV to a repairman and have him remove the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The amperage that the capacitors retain may be enough to seriously hurt or kill you! * If you use your existing TV stand, make sure it is strong enough to cope with the weight of the water.[ __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Last edited by Marie5656; 06-30-2006 at 11:05 AM. Reason: adding a link
Local Time: 03:46 PM Local Date: 11-21-2008

06-30-2006, 11:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Marie5656 What? Me worry? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,694	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank Here is a link to the page I got it from, as there were some neat pictures. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-an-Ol...to-a-Fish-Tank __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Local Time: 03:46 PM Local Date: 11-21-2008

06-30-2006, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
SnoozeControl Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank I miss my gourami.

06-30-2006, 11:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
chonsigirl I think, therefore I post Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nirvana Posts: 28,502	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank That is a very cool idea!
Local Time: 03:46 PM Local Date: 11-21-2008

06-30-2006, 12:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sheryl doobie doobie doooo Supporting Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 8,428	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank I came across one of these being given away for free in the area Thrifty Nickel. of course when I went to dial the number, it wasn't a working number. __________________ If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. James Madison Ron Paul 2008
Local Time: 02:46 PM Local Date: 11-21-2008

07-15-2006, 02:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
cookster670 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank well..what a coincidence. This is actually my tank, i did this in 2003 and posted it in an aquarium web site and kinda forgot about it. Just recently i did a search on it and found it on a few places on the web and here ! It looks a bit different now, more and different plants, but basically the same Edit: I just tried to post a link but I can't as i haven't made 15 posts but basically it's the July 03 tank of the month on the aquahobby web site
Local Time: 06:46 AM Local Date: 11-22-2008

07-15-2006, 09:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
onsekiz Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How to convert an old Television into a fish tank Oh great idea

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