47" wide screen tv aquarium

Grand Marquis · 08/26/2010, 01:41 PM

Well what else am I supposed to do with a rear projection tv that costs more to repair than to buy?

The fun part is designing the tank that will fit the tv screen (and where I need the most help). The rest of it is just disguising the tank and stand with tv skin.

I have no experience with acrylic (or glass, for that matter). I expect to hear that I’m mad, but there’s a fine line between madness and genius.

So, I thought I could make an acrylic tank and cut the cost in half if I did it this way. Let me know what y’all think after I describe it a little with this picture...

That’s a 3/4” front panel and this isn’t pictured, but I figured to screw it to the plywood with a screw every 2” or whatever. I’d countersink holes about 3/8” from the edge on the front panel to meet the center of the 3/4” plywood walls (and bottom). Will this give enough strength that silicone would seal it, or would solvent welding still be necessary?

The walls are made of 1/4” acrylic backed with plywood. I suppose I could go with thinner acrylic for the walls, but I don’t know.

Let me know what you think, and how it might be changed to make it work.

Flanders · 08/26/2010, 01:43 PM

I think you've gone mad! I like it!

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/26/2010, 01:46 PM

Do some reading on here or on fingerlakesreef.com about wood tank construction - there are some tried and true methods that (IMHO) are worth following if you're venturing down that path.

Grand Marquis · 08/26/2010, 02:28 PM

Thanks der_wille_zur_macht, I'll look through that forum, but I figure I won't go with a wood frame that the glass sits behind (if that's what your pointing to) because I want to hold the front of the tank as close to the front of the tv screen as possible.

But I'll change that if I have to, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the help.

trb · 08/26/2010, 03:08 PM

Interesting idea! We have a 46" projection TV that is in a custom built in corner cabinet surrounded by shelves, and my wife suggested putting a tank in it's place. Luckily the TV was repaired for about $280, but it would be a nice little project for the future.

Good luck on it!

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/26/2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Marquis

Thanks der_wille_zur_macht, I'll look through that forum, but I figure I won't go with a wood frame that the glass sits behind (if that's what your pointing to) because I want to hold the front of the tank as close to the front of the tv screen as possible.

Understood. Your criteria are definitely unique. But, I do not know of a tried and true method to bond an acrylic or glass panel onto the "face" of a "frameless" wood box as you're proposing. Something tells me that bonding the front panel to the 1/4" acrylic liner you are showing inside the wood box won't be sufficient, and driving screws into the viewing panel scares me.

Pickupman66 · 08/26/2010, 03:21 PM

Illl add to this. you shoudl also consider some sort fo brace around the rim of the tank to prevent bowing of the front panel

Grand Marquis · 08/26/2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

...onto the "face" of a "frameless" wood box... ... and driving screws into the viewing panel scares me.

Ok, now I hear you. When you put it that way...

All else aside, if I give it the strength do you think silicone can give a water seal to the acrylic?

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/26/2010, 06:54 PM

Silicone can form a water-tight seal between acrylic and other materials as long as it is absolutely NOT structural and both the acrylic and the supporting structure are rigid enough to avoid flex under pressure. This is why wood tanks are made the way they are - the silicone used to glue in the viewing panels essentially acts like a gasket, not a structural bonding agent, since the force of the water is compressing the viewing panel against the outer wood frame.

Your tank has dimensions that would be easy to get away with a small face frame for the viewing panel - 3/4" plywood would probably be overkill, you might be fine with 1/2" as long as it was well bonded to the sides and bottom, and there was a substantial brace on the top.

You seem to have your heart set on acrylic for the viewing panel. If you're doing a wood tank, I'd vote for glass. It's more rigid, and silicone will actually form a strong bond to it. Both have been used, but glass has a better track record for wood tanks than acrylic.

Also, about that acrylic lining in the tank - for wood tanks, a pored epoxy liner is much more common. To my knowledge, no one has built a wood tank lined with acrylic.

All of my comments are based on the "conventional" school of thought for wood tanks, which - again - is a proven method that will ensure your success. If you want to venture into uncharted territory, that's great - but make sure you test and/or validate your ideas!

diaz2010 · 08/26/2010, 11:44 PM

Looks very cool!! Good luck!!

Grand Marquis · 08/27/2010, 03:24 PM

Trb, maybe you won't have to take the tv out when you add the tank (just the guts

. It will be the nature channel 24/7.

XSiVE · 08/27/2010, 04:46 PM

What are you planning to do for a stand / support?

csarkar001 · 08/28/2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

You seem to have your heart set on acrylic for the viewing panel. If you're doing a wood tank, I'd vote for glass. It's more rigid, and silicone will actually form a strong bond to it. Both have been used, but glass has a better track record for wood tanks than acrylic.

+1

wood and acrylic are a tough combo. in fact, acrylic and anything non-acryilic are a tough combo. still, i hope you figure out a way and share it with us. could come in handy down the road ...

lgndrympterry · 08/28/2010, 10:49 AM

good louck, but if i were you id get an acrylic tank that fits into the wood frame and then youd be great. Or check out glass cages. com to see if they have any ideas.

Grand Marquis · 08/28/2010, 07:55 PM

XSiVE, I haven't come to that yet. The stand will be dependent on the tv face parts. But it should have about 24" underneath it. I have a 40 gal breeder that was going to be my main tank, but it has too many scratches. Now, i suppose, it will be my sump.

lgndrympterry, thanks for the link. I was looking at the starphire glass. Is it worth it? I was interested in acrylic because of the clarity and lower refraction, but it scratches easily.

Does anyone know about low iron glass and if there are any trade-offs for the clarity, as in strength and hardness? Maybe that's the way to go.

Thanks everyone for you help.

This is about the same as the one I have.

08/26/2010, 01:41 PM	#1
Grand Marquis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 8	47" wide screen tv aquarium Well what else am I supposed to do with a rear projection tv that costs more to repair than to buy? The fun part is designing the tank that will fit the tv screen (and where I need the most help). The rest of it is just disguising the tank and stand with tv skin. I have no experience with acrylic (or glass, for that matter). I expect to hear that I’m mad, but there’s a fine line between madness and genius. So, I thought I could make an acrylic tank and cut the cost in half if I did it this way. Let me know what y’all think after I describe it a little with this picture... That’s a 3/4” front panel and this isn’t pictured, but I figured to screw it to the plywood with a screw every 2” or whatever. I’d countersink holes about 3/8” from the edge on the front panel to meet the center of the 3/4” plywood walls (and bottom). Will this give enough strength that silicone would seal it, or would solvent welding still be necessary? The walls are made of 1/4” acrylic backed with plywood. I suppose I could go with thinner acrylic for the walls, but I don’t know. Let me know what you think, and how it might be changed to make it work.

08/26/2010, 01:43 PM	#2
Flanders Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 3,592	I think you've gone mad! I like it! __________________ Insert witty phrase, followed by explosive laughter Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef, two 175-watt MH, two vho actinic

08/26/2010, 01:46 PM	#3
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Do some reading on here or on fingerlakesreef.com about wood tank construction - there are some tried and true methods that (IMHO) are worth following if you're venturing down that path. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/26/2010, 03:08 PM	#5
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	Interesting idea! We have a 46" projection TV that is in a custom built in corner cabinet surrounded by shelves, and my wife suggested putting a tank in it's place. Luckily the TV was repaired for about $280, but it would be a nice little project for the future. Good luck on it! __________________ Thomas member of MARSHreef - the Marine and Reef Society of Houston. Current Tank Info: 60+ Gal top reef display + 29 gal non reef safe lower display + 29 gal sump

08/26/2010, 03:21 PM	#7
Pickupman66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winchester, TN Posts: 3,714	Illl add to this. you shoudl also consider some sort fo brace around the rim of the tank to prevent bowing of the front panel __________________ What a Pretty day to stick your head in your tank and stare at your corals. 15 years reef keeping experience in old school simplistic ways. /><{{{{"> Archon BETA Current Tank Info: 66 Gallon SCA Rimless, Custom 40 Breeder sump, DC pumps, Lumentek Pro 240 controlled by my Archon

08/26/2010, 02:28 PM	#4
Grand Marquis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 8	Thanks der_wille_zur_macht, I'll look through that forum, but I figure I won't go with a wood frame that the glass sits behind (if that's what your pointing to) because I want to hold the front of the tank as close to the front of the tv screen as possible. But I'll change that if I have to, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the help.

08/26/2010, 06:54 PM	#9
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Silicone can form a water-tight seal between acrylic and other materials as long as it is absolutely NOT structural and both the acrylic and the supporting structure are rigid enough to avoid flex under pressure. This is why wood tanks are made the way they are - the silicone used to glue in the viewing panels essentially acts like a gasket, not a structural bonding agent, since the force of the water is compressing the viewing panel against the outer wood frame. Your tank has dimensions that would be easy to get away with a small face frame for the viewing panel - 3/4" plywood would probably be overkill, you might be fine with 1/2" as long as it was well bonded to the sides and bottom, and there was a substantial brace on the top. You seem to have your heart set on acrylic for the viewing panel. If you're doing a wood tank, I'd vote for glass. It's more rigid, and silicone will actually form a strong bond to it. Both have been used, but glass has a better track record for wood tanks than acrylic. Also, about that acrylic lining in the tank - for wood tanks, a pored epoxy liner is much more common. To my knowledge, no one has built a wood tank lined with acrylic. All of my comments are based on the "conventional" school of thought for wood tanks, which - again - is a proven method that will ensure your success. If you want to venture into uncharted territory, that's great - but make sure you test and/or validate your ideas! __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/26/2010, 11:44 PM	#10
diaz2010 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 74	Looks very cool!! Good luck!!

08/27/2010, 03:24 PM	#11
Grand Marquis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 8	Trb, maybe you won't have to take the tv out when you add the tank (just the guts. It will be the nature channel 24/7.

08/27/2010, 04:46 PM	#12
XSiVE Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Waterford, MI Posts: 790	What are you planning to do for a stand / support?

08/28/2010, 10:49 AM	#14
lgndrympterry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Gainesville, Fl. Posts: 116	good louck, but if i were you id get an acrylic tank that fits into the wood frame and then youd be great. Or check out glass cages. com to see if they have any ideas.

08/28/2010, 07:55 PM	#15
Grand Marquis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Canton, Ohio Posts: 8	XSiVE, I haven't come to that yet. The stand will be dependent on the tv face parts. But it should have about 24" underneath it. I have a 40 gal breeder that was going to be my main tank, but it has too many scratches. Now, i suppose, it will be my sump. lgndrympterry, thanks for the link. I was looking at the starphire glass. Is it worth it? I was interested in acrylic because of the clarity and lower refraction, but it scratches easily. Does anyone know about low iron glass and if there are any trade-offs for the clarity, as in strength and hardness? Maybe that's the way to go. Thanks everyone for you help. This is about the same as the one I have.

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