A few years ago while perusing a local thrift store, I happened upon the most amazing retro console TV. It looked identical to this bad boy here:
I fell awe-stricken into a musty, old wicker chair and ogled it for at least 20 minutes. I knew I needed to have it, but for what? For once in my life, I had nothing. Not two days earlier had I promised my husband no more "junk." If I buy something it has to have an immediate purpose in our lives. Defeat. I dragged myself away trying desperately to contain myself. (I may or may not have waved good-bye and mouthed "I'll be back for you... wait right here for me." as I left.) The next morning in those few moments of clarity right after waking, it came to me. A FISH TANK! I practically floated back to the thrift store only to find it GONE. Such is my life.
A few months later I found another suitable for the job and though not as deliciously retro as the original, I knew it would work fine. Besides, at $14.99 it was practically a steal!
My fantasty of having the tank inside the actual tube TV was short lived. Yeah- apparently those tube TVs leak all sorts of radioctive fun, so we disposed of it fast. Hooray for not creating mutant fish :D
So here's how we did it:
- we gutted the inside and paid a small fee to dispose of it at the dump
- we snagged the perfect sized tank from Mimi & Papa's basement
- we built a small platform to hold the tank (to ensure the tank filled the entire viewing screen area)
- we slid the tank in
In order to feed the fish daily and for easy cleaning and changing water, we decided we would need to add some features- we popped off the top of the console, sawed it in half and installed hinges. Now to feed them we just lift the little lid we created :)
Though there's a shred of me that is still grieving over the original TV, I'm pleased with the way this one came out. If you happen upon an amazing little TV and decide to make one of these guys, send me photos!