How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

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Marie5656
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Joined: Tue May 09, 2006 10:10 am

How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post by Marie5656 »

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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.[
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Marie5656
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Joined: Tue May 09, 2006 10:10 am

How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post by Marie5656 »

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

http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-an-Old-T ... -Fish-Tank
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chonsigirl
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How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post by chonsigirl »

That is a very cool idea!
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Sheryl
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How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post by Sheryl »

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. :rolleyes:
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"

my son
cookster670
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Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 1:26 am

How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post 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
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Marie5656
Posts: 6772
Joined: Tue May 09, 2006 10:10 am

How to convert an old Television into a fish tank

Post by Marie5656 »

cookster670 wrote: 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!!
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