HOW TO: TV Aquarium

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This is a video on how to build a TV aquarium.
Using an old fashion floor model television, i turn it into a fish tank!
Using the original front glass of the TV tube for this build makes it the first of its kind.
This video was mainly for fun, and should serve as entertainment only. There are risks involved. Please do your research on CRT tubes prior to doing any modifications to one.

[@Fairlane500skyliner]

A word of advice - ground out the CRT (Check out my video for it) BEFORE cutting the red EHT anode wire. Even if the set has been unplugged for a long time, the anode voltage (up to 32kV, though low capacitance) can still bite. Trust me - 26kV from a CRT is not fun. Some people claim to have been thrown across the room from a CRT - luckily I wasn't.

[@ryanbaruah8220]

You've got tons of exciting videos on your channel🤘🏼 Would you mind putting up the link to ground out the CRT

[@phcoh]

Another tip, at the end of the tube neck, there is a plastic ring with pins, in the center is a small nipple of glass, this is where the air was vacuumed out and the glass melted shut, take a hard pin like a masonry nail a tap tap tap until you hear the air starting to hiss into the tube, then go and have a beer as it may take 20 mins to fill. If it accidentally gets broken now it wont implode showering the area with shards of glass.

[@DocFuglyMark]

Your disclaimer is not worded nearly strong enough. People have been seriously injured, blinded and even killed from mishandling a Cathode Ray Tube. The tube is a hard vacuum, if it implodes the glass and components can rebound as dangerously sharp shards, the shell acts as a capacitor that can store a charge as high as 30,000 volts and the whole thing uses coatings that are highly toxic. They should be handled with extreme care.

[@fullertiltphil]

I love your older DIY videos, I would love to see an updated video now that you know more!

[@0rgazmatron]

hey joey i just bought a retro 1950's tv and looking forward to converting it to an aquarium your video has helped me out in many ways thanx again troy :-)

[@apersonsharingstuff9223]

you are so lucky to be ok Joey! those old fashion TV have enough voltage in their caps (electricity storage) to liquify you instantly if you touch it. I know an electrician who is scared of them.

[@Steph-jd4um]

I was looking to take out the insides of the tv and just leaving the glass to put some plants etc... In it, do you think it's bit a good idea safety wide?

[@Steph-jd4um]

Wise*

[@conormaguire690]

Not completely true but yes if you were to touch the capacitor if it was charged it can deliver quite the punch especially if it was through both hands which would direct the current through your heart, 30milli amps is all it takes to stop your heart, to be fair he isnt an electrician

[@ethand4784]

@@Steph-jd4um I know it's been 3 years but yes it's safe, you just need to make sure the TV is discharged properly

[@thewizard7099]

There’s nothing in the caps after 25 years of no use

[@HowardDeMarzo]

Love the ideas. I have a new planted tank and and looking to maximize it so you have great info. just a small tip tho, the beginning of the videos are a little hard to get thru, dont worry about "sounding professional" just be yourself. You might have more fun making the videos also. I know did. Keep up the good work! love the tv tank! Jealous!

[@OneFreedomForever]

I do mine weekly, no matter the size of tank... Due to ammonia build up. I do a 25% to 50% weekly depending on how stocked the tank is :)

[@bmike3000]

you 100% skipped over discharging the tube. this video is reckless and will get someone electrocuted

[@LandRunProductions]

Exactly. This is what happens when you get cute without being informed beforehand.

[@iheartwaffles91]

Thank you so much for this video. I plan on converting my fathers old Curtis Mathis tv into a dog house for my mothers Wiener dog. My biggest concern so far has been how to gut the tv. I've read plenty of websites but your instructions were clearer to me and gave good tips on how to be cautious. Your project looks great and good idea for keeping the screen! I thought the same thing... putting a fish tank in a gutted out tv looses the effect. I am trying to keep the buttons and the speakers on the right side of the tv because I feel the same way.... they add to the effect of it being an old tv. Anyways subscribing and thanks for the help!

[@gsandoval1909]

Hello, I would really appreciate that you tell me how to cut the front of the screen, it is a very thick glass. Thanks

[@a178design]

Nice work mate, I have two fish tank TVs, the first one is simply the tank inside a TV box, not the look I wanted, as you explained, but the front glass part was securely adhered to the back tube, I didn't even think of cutting the back off like you did Doh! but it still turned out well enough. The second project (still in pieces) I got lucky as this particular TV had a separate bowed glass piece to the tube WOOT, this one will be an awesome fish tank TV!

[@Tormentousss]

Ingenious! Well done Joey!

[@Fairlane500skyliner]

And for your information, it is not gas being released. It is the tube filling up with air. For CRTs (and valves, light bulbs etc.), a vacuum is required inside the glass envelope for it to properly function. CRTs also contain mercury, cadmium and phosphors, as well as lead in the glass.

[@h2so4hurts]

TV tubes are vacuum tubes. There's no gas release, it's not under compression. It's a vacuum. The noise you hear is air rushing in, not gas rushing out.

[@MrRvbrown]

That's so retro!! lol Great job looks good!!

[@theozz81]

ok, im building an tv aquarium, got the front glass out, and cleaned it off and it seams to be textured/sand blasted, did you experience this? a friend thinks its a coating but its not coming off and to me looks textured/sand blasted... i really wanted to use the original glass for the shape and overall original look, but i guess i can use a flat panel of glass and just do some body work and mold the existing frame to it.. the tv is a 1970 zeneth 22"

[@AquaPorn]

Hi Joey, I would like to try this build making my own tank out of acrylic. Do you think I could use the existing tube as a mold in order to get the "bow" effect?? Or, will it shatter from the heat? Thanks man....and thanks for the DIY inspiration.

[@DougReynolds85]

I think that is awesome great job

[@gtariman03]

Found the website. It's called glasscages. If you scroll down, you'll find MISC on the left side. Just click on "Tank Frames". It costs 15 bucks. Not bad for a free aquarium. If you want to go the cheaper way, just find some scrap STRONG metal and bed it using heat. Dustinsfishtanks has a video of it here in KZbin when his friend's bowfront aquarium's frame broke. Again, I'll rather be safe than having 55 gallons of water inside my house. If you need any help, join DIYfishkeepers forum.

[@manoslykos]

Very nice video pal !!!!!!!!

[@TheRoninkin]

Pretty awesome! Btw.. I would suggest as a add on you could cut the top and add some joints and some arms like a turn table for easier access to the tank.

[@Truckguy41]

i love your videos keep them coming i have a quick question i was given a free 55gl fish tank but the plastic cross brace in the center is broken off at the edge of the glass on both ends , would it be safe to use or is it repairable or should it be just used for non fish use

[@Ironwarpigg]

Hey joey, nice vid. Keep it up. Had a question for you. I have pretty much the same tv. Hitatchi I think and wanted to do the same thing to it. Its been gnawing away at me to do it for a few years. This really makes me want to do it. Was just wondering, do you think I could use the actual tube as an aquarium. Do you know if the lead is on the inside or outside? Thanks

[@dudev]

Small tidbit, the small tube sticking out the back of the larger main tube is the electron gun, which is what produces the electron beam.

[@unambitious]

There is phosphorous lining the screen... not to be like the whiners. I really like this guys work.

[@Barneyveld93]

Very nice Joey,! I've a blue imac g3 and i want to make a macquarium and i want to use the original screen glass from the imac. You taked the whole tube outside and came back with a single screen. How did you get the tube away from the glass and the "screw points" Did you use a saw to cut to whole tube of or something else?? Thanks Niels

[@NickMach007]

Fun project. Nicely done.

[@gtariman03]

They sell aquarium braces online. Not sure where, but google's your friend. I'm not sure how much they cost, but they should be cheap. If you don't use a brace, the weight of the water will create pressure to the silicone which makes the edges waterproof. If you fill it up right now and the aquarium doesn't break, it will eventually. I'll rather spend money on a new brace rather than having 55 gallon of water inside that might damage something and end up repairing for a lot of money.

[@MarshyMakes]

Been watching these pop up for a while in my feed but never subscribed! Loved going back through your vids and you have inspired a few projects of my own. Keep it up dude!

[@ZachZottoTV]

Nice! Gonna need to do this sometime!

[@keithnoble5988]

i did this in the 60s. looked pretty good to!

[@LandRunProductions]

If that dude touches the capacitor, it's a whole different video. ZAP.

[@jonasnilaus]

Damn! I just followed your excellent tutorial but only to find out my front screen is not completely see-through! It's kind of dim even after a good cleaning, double damn...there goes my 60'ies kinky red tv-aquarium...

[@thekingofdiy]

***** Once filled with water and lit up... you wont notice it. Looks really good. Mine had a similar tint. (sorry im late)

[@scsi_joe]

If I don't like what's on, can I change the channel?

[@shoebkhan8459]

Great instructional video! Definitely going to try this. Would you recommend using a bow front aquarium? I'm worried about whether or not the bow on the television screen combined with the bow of the aquarium will effect the display. Thanks in advance!

[@thekingofdiy]

A bowfront could work sure!

[@MrPizzaMax]

***** Can i do this with an old pc monitor????? Its for a school project!

[@swatunit4]

Hi Joey, I recently built a 5ft stand using your design, it works great, my next project will be this for sure! I will post a video of my design, give it a couple of weeks :) Cheers.

[@wilbeckj]

question! I am building a sump for my aquarium and I oicked up that exact same silicone, and I went about zhalfway through the first bottle and noticed really fine print that said not for use under the waterline or dod aquariums, and it is the identical silicone you are using.....is there a reason behind it before I return the rest of my silicone for more expensive stuff?

[@bobc4d]

in another life I was a video game repair tech, yes tubes do hold a charge for quite some time and should be discharged. a way to do this is to wrap a wire around a screw driver and to the metal frame of tube and slide it under the sealant of the HV line. even after doing this, a tube can recharge its self, so would be wise to redo it periodically.

[@titosantiago7986]

Nice diy 1 qustion can this be done with a none floor model tv would be neat if possible i would take old tv out of closet and try this.

[@dissidify]

I'm wondering if it would be better to cut the base glass of the aquarium to the shape of the screen, since the glass is free and the sealant is not, would loose some capacity though

[@tracillewellyn6611]

By any chance do you sell any of your items on here, sorry if I didnt catch it or see it I have bad hearing

[@phcoh]

Discharge CRT is easy, should be first step in this video, strapped across the back of the tube is a thin braided metal strap, this is the ground to prevent possible shock from any static build up, wrap a length of wire round this then round the shaft of a screwdriver then push the screwdriver tip under the HT cap on the top of the tube back into the middle, if you hear a loud crack its done, if not its been off a long time. 22" around 20kv, wont kill you (high V low I ) but dam it hurts lol

[@weishanshan8]

you're very creative, so nice!

[@alexcantlow2920]

How do you angle the glass as I would fill the hole space more volume custom fitted around all the other bits like filters and that as wouldn't mind building one out of a projector flat screen that would be ok for a couple of fancies or more

[@eskashoo]

Great video. Watched most of them tonight. Just a hint: keep your talking at minimum and you have the best videos. You got a lot of unnecessary explanations which could be avoided. Thanks.

[@sebastian748100]

how do you change the channel? great job!

[@domoniquemignon2563]

that tube of silicone..any kind is safe for fish or is that a particular kind?

[@Ironwarpigg]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll probably end using glass like you did.. Though I'm tempted to water proof the whole cabinet and use the whole thing as an aquarium.

[@VattenDemonen]

Really cool work those types of tv's dissapeard in the 70's where I live

[@dogheartchucky902]

this tv tank and the plywood thank is the boom ,cool keep it coming

[@jhash5]

No way I dreamed of this since a child

[@jpollonais]

hey joey. you mentioned using urethane to seal the inside. is urethane aquarium safe? like for instance, if i spray the inside of a wooden aquarium cover with it to protect from water damage and water splashes up under the cover from an air stone or water being thrown in by the inflow and the water drips back into the aquarium will the fish be effected??? hope you understand what i am trying to say.

[@AquadesignAquascaping]

Saw tv tank before but yours in definitely the best. How I would love to have something like that in my living room.

[@ViliamJakubek]

They contain a vacuum, no air or gasses inside. The only bad stuff is the back glass containing lead and the phosphor coating on the front glass inside. Good video tho.😊

[@heyimjessie]

Hello! I wanna pull this DIY on my old TV heh. Couple of questions. First, I'm not a huge fan of people able to see the inside of the TV through the tank, can I make a tank out of mirror glass instead? Or does that have some sort of negative side affect? Second, I can't find the video where you show how to cut glass, can you direct me? Thanks :D

[@latieplolo]

I've been wanting to do a computer monitor tank for a long time, this is perfect!

[@recyclechica]

Do you know how to put in speakers in an old suitcase and a dock for an ipod at the top? thanks. still not sure how to do the fish tank part. wish you had an in person class so that I can make it there...

[@karenslaboda]

how did you get the bowed front of the aquarium to connect and be water proof to the bottom piece of glass?

[@Ipsissimus]

How did you get the coating off from the inside of the lens?

[@OneFreedomForever]

What about the CRT charge?? Everywhere I read said you have to discharge it... Even take precautions to ensure it has been discharged.... Since some TVs can hold the charge for days to even years...

[@jcmtz0814]

Lol u are awsome, can't keep up with all your ideas lol great vid.!

[@gtariman03]

I don't think it would shatter. Glass can tolerate high temperature, but if it shatters, the tv is not that expensive. There are actually old box TV's that has a flat screen. They're not the vintage kind, but similar to the box TV's 10 or 20 years ago.

[@MrQwerkles]

54 people never owned a CRT :p Awesome job Joey.

[@GuiPedreira]

Hey man, isn´t that gases (and the tube itself) toxic, with heavy metals, like lead?

[@chewy3141]

Yes, which is why he got rid of it, also using something like seachem prime will remove traces of heavy metal.

[@Aylmayomeme]

+Chewy HD It's actually a vacuum The front of the TV is curved to stop it from imploding, once again, no gas, just a vacuum

[@JeremyGilbrech]

Shouldn't the tube be discharged first? I was always under the impression those could hold a deadly charge for quite some time.

[@MasterCutters]

Good point! Thanks for the heads up!

[@HolyShitADuck]

joey, can you do a tour of all your tanks?

[@bourko1109]

I was thinking of getting a big piece of glass and replacing the thin plastic screen and then build a tank inside the TV.

[@bdnjv21]

Hey i was just wondering on how is the upside down tank doing with the saltwater? I'm thinking about making one for my saltwater tank

[@heintje2001]

Hi. I am trying to get in touch with you about using (small parts of) the audio of this video in one of the songs by our band, but nothing seems to work. Can I contact you in any way?

[@zoofergee]

when copper scrap was high i had tore tons of these old tvs apart how we relesed the gas was by removing the small ciruit board on tube place a small towel over the tube and grabing with pliers on the nipple where they closed the glass and twist gentley

[@colinrob6662]

use GE silicone 1, let it cure properly and you will have no problems, I would imagine the fine print on the bottle is so youll pay $20 for the exact same silicone with a different label at your lfs.... same with coral glue just use cyano acrylite gel and its exact same as what they sell for $20 at your lfs

[@buzzrsa7149]

Did you use the original screen

[@oscarlover131]

Great idea, it must have been tricky dealing with the odd dimensions. Are we gonna see an update of the ray tank? The facebook clips are too short.

[@divlles]

one thing ill say to do before discounting ever thing on the tv but after cuting the power cord is cutthat red wiere that on the sid of the tube keep it long that leed to the capater and you take it and you tap it alog the end of the toob and it will dicharg any charg stord in it then prseed to remove the rest

[@kellrayable]

Loved it!

[@bowenwhittington9896]

6 years later and I can't find a TV like that anywhere nearby

[@HowDeliciousIsIt]

Bowen Whittington me either

[@cristiangarcia7473]

what kind of silicon did you use that is fish safe

[@cdtelting]

Since you are always doing fish tanks. How about a little bit of a change. Design a mineral oil computer cooling tank...

[@badassissimo]

Some crt tvs actually have led in the tube. You need to make sure to stress that care is taken to smash it outside in an open area and stay venitlated. Blow a fan or something.

[@kentimusmaximus]

No offense i did this without the front glass and it looks great. Yours looks a little crappy. But i like your idea of keeping the front glass. I would have kept the front glass and just dropped a tank in behind it. It would of looked great . ( I did love the video.) Your videos are great. Just a little constructive criticism.

[@izitfish4182]

nice vid Joey

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

its a vacuum

[@VeganSanatani]

Andy Coakes well its a cathode ray tube...

[@danicam8027]

I did not see how I removed the layer of phosphorus that has the glass behind. Did not you have any danger in removing that layer?

[@cdtelting]

TV tubes don't release gas. They are under vacuum so they absorb air.

[@kevinsadrummer44]

I was wondering that too, he mentioned making sure it's unplugged but didn't address that issue.

[@kimmysweet]

Can you do a microwave fish tank?

[@Phougi]

What channel was that at the end..

[@ilmazronaldo8917]

What kind of tv I can use again

[@Redsox4life33]

How often should I do freshwater tropical fish water changes

[@Holaizify]

how long does new freshwater need to settle down and have appropriate nitrates for the average freshwater fish

[@Wolfybitchh]

Can you do an update on your tanks ?

[@RaffleReefer10]

I wish you had a twin that did this but for vivariums lol!

[@hagsisvs2874]

I'm getting some blue peter vibes here anyone else?

[@patsne1212]

Couple of questions , 1 how did you filter it , 2 how so you clean it ,

[@killercricketman]

How much would you sell something like this for?

[@ediklionel6490]

Turkiyeden veya Azerbaycandan izleyen varmidir

[@musaatal4y675]

Ben varım la 😀😀

[@gibigibi9628]

edik lionel bende burdayim turkiyeden

[@TheFugu604]

you could turn it into a turtle tank/terrarium

[@william661991]

Update on that huge tank you did please?!

[@CatalinIonut98]

of course and put it on medium power for 30 secs please!