How to Convert an Old TV into a Fish Tank

You can liven up the look of your aquarium with this simple project. With a little effort, you can take an old TV and turn it into a fish tank. When you’re done, your fish will have a new home and you’ll have a cool decoration.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Old TV
• Aquarium
• Tools

1. Get an old TV console. Check with friends or at garage sales. You could even check for any for sale in the newspaper or an online auction.
2. Take the back off the TV so it can be gutted. Gutting an old TV can be dangerous, so be careful. Even if the TV hasn’t been used in a long time, there can be a buildup of electricity. If you aren’t comfortable dealing with this part, hire an electrician. If you do gut the TV yourself, take your time.
3. Properly dispose of the tube, wires, and pieces removed from the TV.
4. Check the base of the TV console to make sure it can hold the weight of the fish tank when it is filled with water. Reinforce the floor and legs as needed.
5. Saw off the top of the console and add hinges to make a flip-top lid. This will give you easy access to the tank.
6. Apply felt to the edges on the inside of the flip top and along the edges on the top of the base.
7. Measure the height, width, length and depth of the TV console so you can buy your aquarium.
8. Attach the light (and hood if it fits) to the lid. You might want to run the wires inside the console to come out the back to hide the cords.
9. Put your fish tank inside the console and set up your aquarium.

Tips & Warnings

• The tank should exceed the width of the screen. This way, you won’t see the top or sides of the fish tank when it’s filled.
• For an exact fit, have a tank custom made. Keep in mind that this could be quite costly.
• The TV tube and other material in the TV can have built-up electricity in them. Be extremely careful when removing them.
• Dispose of all hazardous waste correctly. You will probably need to take the TV tube to a hazardous waste facility or recycling center. Check with local agencies.

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