Building a computer fish tank

Z

zedteamk2

yeah, this is an odd one.

I am thinking about turning an old 10gal fish tank i have sitting around into a computer.
My plan is to put a micro computer ( one of those small cube looking ones) in the back of the tank in a water proof section.
Then i want to make the front half of the tank would be a functional fish tank ( probably just some goldfish or something like that).

I've never built anything into a fish tank so this could get interesting.
Any suggestions on how to seal off a section at the back of the tank?
What kind of adhesive/sealent is safe to use around fish?

I've considerd taking arcrylic and bending it to make it the right shape, then glueing it in.
I also though that getting a smaller tank and cutting it size might work as well

Anyway, any suggestions would be great.

Thanks
 
Seen a lot go the other way:

Tank in the top of a tower: http://www.nobispro.com/aquatank/

Mac n tank: http://www.amherst.edu/~camiller/macquarium.html;
http://lowendmac.com/compact/macquarium.shtml

but none go this way.

Silicone in a glass panel (don't think I would risk an acrylic - glass - silicone break - into the back of the tank (spaced obviously to fit the computer.

Would be more interesting to build acrylic shelves in the back of the unit and have the components visible rather than in a case.

Glue mouting legs on the back of the added glass panel, mount the motherboard before siliconeing in the panel. Might want to build an acrylic box and mount it in there though.

Put the power supply, drives, and other stuff in acrylic boxes (glue bottom sides, screw on top with a rubber gasket to avoid drips) and wire.

Add the lighting folks use on the visible towers (like the one in the link above) to backlight the tank in blue.

Use black rock as the base, put in a bunch of 1/2 wide plastic plants (stalky at the bottom, widen out to leaf, full top to bottom height) and 12 - 15 neon tetras. They are cool when they move through the tank as a school.
 
I think the entire project should be made of acrylic, and then build it so that it can't possibly leak and flood your computer. :shock:
 
I like the idea of using acrylic. I've worked with it before and it is pretty easy stuff to work with.

It just seems to be somwhat more expensive than glass, and that is a major concern :).

I have found a local place that will cut glass and drill holes in it for me at a reasonable price, so glass is looking more attractive.

BTW, thanks to the guys at the Fish Man in denton, they have been a great help with this project so far.
 
Are you building this? Please share your design specs. You can get pre-built clear plastic boxes at Containers to Go and other places to contain the motherboard, drives, and power supply - or a small computer case.

You reallllyyy want to protect the electronics from water and you do reeeaaallllllyy want to plug this into a GFCI protected circuit.
 
not a bad idea ( the containers). But i wonder if they could handle the water pressure. I was thinking of using glass so that you can look through the water and at the computer. I was going to put some black lites in the computer case as well.

Definately going to have a good surge protector hooked up. I'm not going ot leave the computer portion plugged in when no-one is around.
 
@zedteamk2 wrote:
I like the idea of using acrylic. I've worked with it before and it is pretty easy stuff to work with. It just seems to be somwhat more expensive than glass said:
How much are we talking for the glass? Acrylic would give you a lot more flexibility. Cast acrylic would be better for viewing but extruded would be fine if it doesn't have to be perfect. You should be able to get a full sheet of 1/4" extruded for <$100. That should be more than enough to make it.
Click to expand...
 
the plae i've been talking to in Denton quoted me as $3 per sq foot of glass, and about $5 to drill a hole.

not sure exactly how much glass i will need but i am guessing less than 6 sq feet
 
Got the computer parts today
AMD 2400+ , 512mb ram, on board sound and graphics, 54g wireless, DVD drive, 80GB HD

Now to see how i am going to fit this in :)

and off to home depot for acrylic ( if i can find someone who can cut it )
 
Well, decided to go with plexiglass.
After a few designs that didn't work, finally got one that holds the water back. I'll post some pictures if anyone is interested
 
here's a pic or two

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/zedteamk2/DSCF0632.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/zedteamk2/DSCF0626.jpg

still having some leakage issues... so obviously i have not had the computer and water in at the same time
 
Mat,

Is that glass or acrylic you are using to partition the computer from the water. Edges in one photo look like acrylic which could be why you are having leak issues. Silicone does not bond well to acrylic. It might work at first, but I would not trust it to hold water away from my computer long term.

Lee
 
It's arcyrlic. I didnt know that silicone would not hold well, it definately works at the moment.
What would you suggest i use instead?.
I had problems finding glass that was strong enough for my tank, and i know how to work with acrylic so thats why i went with it.
 
Mat,

I would use glass (probably 1/4") for this (you can get pieces cut to size at a glass shop). You might be able to get away with using Weld On to bond the acrylic to acrylic and use silicone to adhere to tank (like an overflow), but silicone to join acrylic is not a good idea.

Lee
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top