Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Do you have an old TV gathering dust in your attic? One with wood panels and round knobs instead of buttons? It is unlikely to be able to compete with modern LCD panels, but do not immediately write it off. With a little imagination, you can turn your old TV into an exclusive aquarium. And our advice will help you with this.

Steps

1. 1 Take an old wooden TV.
2. 2 Disassemble the wooden TV cabinet. Usually, the back cover is removed for TVs, but on some models the cover can be located on the side.
3. 3 Remove all electrical parts.
   • Be careful not to break the transmission tube. Old models can hide serious danger... Read the Warnings section carefully.
4. 4 If necessary, remove the inner dividers. If you do not intend to use them in the design, disassemble the internal compartments to free up additional space.
5. 5 The round adjusters can be removed or left on. Depending on the model, the controls may rest against the wooden case. Since we need to make room in the case for the aquarium, we may need to remove a couple of regulators. And if they are all on the same side, then you can leave them in place and hide the unsightly internal parts of the aquarium in this cramped corner, which you cannot do without (for example, an air compressor).
6. 6 Measure the usable space inside the TV.
   • If necessary, measure the space for the aquarium itself and its external components separately.
7. 7 Purchase the necessary aquarium components. Knowing the internal dimensions of your TV, buy an aquarium and all the necessary accessories, including a filter, compressor, overhead light and hoses. The aquarium should be wider and slightly taller than the screen. Be sure to leave space above the aquarium for overhead light, which your fish and plants simply cannot do without, because the aquarium will be located in a dark enclosure.
   • For noise suppression place the compressor in the housing... If there is not enough space inside, then you can place it outside.
   • If there is not enough space inside the case to install the overhead light, it can be replaced ballast lamp.
   • If the standard size aquarium does not fit into your TV, you can use suitable custom aquarium.
8. 8 Place the aquarium inside an empty TV. Place it inside the TV cabinet and make sure there is room for all the necessary components. Do not fill the aquarium with water yet.
9. 9 If necessary, drill holes in the rear wall for the cord and / or hose. If possible, make additional holes to improve ventilation and prevent condensation.
10. 10 Make a lid on top. It is best to cut the existing top panel along the seams.
    • Fasten the hinges and make the cover hinged. Alternatively, you can remove the existing top panel and replace it with a new hinged cover after pre-staining the wood to make it look like old wood.
    • Replace the back cover.
11. 11 If necessary, reinforce the lower case. If you believe that the existing lower part of the case may not withstand tens of liters of water, then it can be replaced with a stronger wood or reinforced from below with wood or metal.
12. 12 Cover all surfaces with several coats of waterproof material. Use a waterproof coating (such as polyurethane) to protect the enclosed space from water damage.
13. 13 If necessary, install a surge protector outside the rear cover. If you need to run the cable from the aquarium to the power source and it does not reach the wall, attach the protective device with a long cable directly to the dry back wall to cover the required distance without cluttering the space.
14. 14 Assemble the aquarium inside the enclosure. Attach the compressor, filter and hoses, then set up the aquarium itself. The water in the aquarium can be fresh or salty.
    • Before starting the fish, fill the aquarium with water and check that everything works. If humanity is not alien to you and you want your fish to live longer than one to two weeks, necessarily fulfill this condition.
15. 15 The aquarium is ready.

Tips

• The light cable can be passed through a hole in one of the controls on the TV. This may require removing the regulator itself.
• The aquarium must be larger than the width of the screen to provide more water and to hide the filter and heater.
• For cold areas, you can insulate the enclosure. This will help maintain a constant temperature.
• The remaining space inside can be used to store food and tools for cleaning the aquarium.
• It is important to choose the right background for your TV aquarium. You can use the underwater landscape (sold at almost all pet stores) or make your own from your favorite TV show. (Knowing the right dimensions and having a suitable image, go to the nearest printing house)

Warnings

• Make sure the enclosure is capable of withstanding the mass of water.
• You can go to a repair shop to have the CRT (cathode ray tube) removed from your TV. Usually, the contents of a CRT are not dangerous, but if the thin glass is cracked or shattered due to the vacuum inside the tube, small glass fragments can fly around the room. (Until 1960, television tubes were not equipped with explosion protection, so they are extremely dangerous. All other tubes should have a sticker that says something like this: “This tube has built-in explosion protection.” If the tube does not have such a sticker, then it is better to she's not joking)
• The radiation shield and other components can have very sharp edges.
• Capacitors and other electronic components can retain a charge for years since they were last used. Be careful when removing and disposing of electronic components, as the danger of electric shock is very real.
• Think twice if you are ready to take charge and get some fish. They require much more maintenance than they might seem at first glance!
• Place the aquarium in a completely finished enclosure.