View Full Version : Fish tank conversion


Steve K
04-01-2016, 07:37 AM
I bought this DuMont last year at the ETF and I finally got around to working on it. When I got it home I realized that I couldn’t find the Sam’s for it and it was full of odd oil filled capacitors and had a strange looking CRT. I plugged it in and just got smoke. I figured without a schematic I couldn’t get it working. I know that a lot of people repurpose old TVs so I figured this would be a good candidate because the cabinet was so nice.

I threw out the chassis as it didn’t look like it had any usable parts. I only had a small fish tank to start with and I had to prop that up on a box. I will get a 5 gallon tank later. To make it easier to feed the fish I put a hinged lid on it. After cutting it out the edges got chipped up so I painted the edges of the opening white to hide the bad parts. I have yet to glue on the knobs. I think it turned out nice.

I decided to save the CRT before the trash men came and turn it into a unique flower vase to put on top of the set. Unfortunately it imploded when I tried to cut the neck off and I had glass everywhere.

Steve

Chip Chester
04-01-2016, 07:53 AM
Hey, at least you put the chassis in the recycling bin!

;)

Chip

CoogarXR
04-01-2016, 08:27 AM
What a travesty... leaving the wood natural like that... you should have painted it faux-aged green first! ;)

Crist Rigott
04-01-2016, 08:27 AM
Ha, Ha, April Fools!

Kamakiri
04-01-2016, 08:40 AM
:lmao:

hi_volt
04-01-2016, 08:43 AM
Actually, camouflage would be a better choice for the finish. You could also change the grille cloth to tie dye.:D

RetroHacker
04-01-2016, 09:02 AM
Nice work - but, you should at least endeavor to keep it partially original. You need to find some monochrome fish. Those brightly colored ones just don't fit.

tubesrule
04-01-2016, 09:16 AM
I like it! You're going to get years of enjoyment out of it now instead of that crappy old B&W TV. Nice job and hopefully this inspires others :lmao:

oldtvsandtoy
04-01-2016, 09:22 AM
Looks like a Sanjarali job.:D:D:D:D

John Marinello
04-01-2016, 10:52 AM
I like the banana peel touch...

Electronic M
04-01-2016, 12:21 PM
I'd have gotten a bit more use out of the chassis by whacking those dud glass bottles off of it with a golf club. :D

April Fools!

Steve D.
04-01-2016, 12:35 PM
Had me for about 2 seconds:lmao: April fools.

-Steve D.

Phil Nelson
04-01-2016, 01:45 PM
I still prefer my CT-100 fish tank.

http://antiqueradio.org/art/temp/CT-100Fishtank.jpg

But the Hallicrafters SX-88 took up too much room, so it had to go out with the trash.

http://antiqueradio.org/art/halli0914.jpg

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

MRX37
04-01-2016, 02:03 PM
ya the CT-100 never really produced a bright picture. My Funai set beats it hands down

SwizzyMan
04-01-2016, 02:11 PM
You could surely light up the entire house with that gigantic light bulb in the center of the chassis! :stupid:

ohohyodafarted
04-01-2016, 11:11 PM
I gotta give Steve a lot of credit for going through this much work to do an April fools prank. Must have run out of something constructive to do ;-)

Sandy G
04-02-2016, 09:50 AM
i still prefer my ct-100 fish tank.

http://antiqueradio.org/art/temp/ct-100fishtank.jpg

but the hallicrafters sx-88 took up too much room, so it had to go out with the trash.

http://antiqueradio.org/art/halli0914.jpg

phil nelson
phil's old radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

oh..... Dear... Gawd....

markdi
04-02-2016, 06:46 PM
I hope this was all Photoshopped or something

me want halicrafters radio :D

Phil Nelson
04-02-2016, 06:54 PM
After I finished restoring my SX-88, I staged that scene for the photo and wrote a little prank article:

http://antiqueradio.org/dumpster.htm

Note the carpet square under the radio and the folded newspapers protecting its top against scratches from the speaker. Since that photo was taken, the radio has rested on my bedside table.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html