My DIY iMac Planted Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

Marc118 · 05-20-2006, 03:17 PM

Well today I started my iMac aquarium, this will be a piece for my office so I thought a computer would fit best.

There is a lot more room in the case then I had thought, should be good for a nice 5g tank. Here are a few pics to start off, Ill be taking more measurements and ordering the acrylic today.

P.S. I have NEVER done a FW tank, I have always had SW, so any tips would be appreciated.

Edit: Could someone please move this to the DIY section?

GlitcH · 05-21-2006, 11:04 AM

Interesting .........cant wait to see how this progresses.

Jchillin · 05-21-2006, 01:27 PM

*Thread moved to DIY as requested*

That will be interesting. Do you have a particular theme in mind?

Marc118 · 05-21-2006, 01:47 PM

No particular theme in mind, any ideas? I do want plants for sure.

Jchillin · 05-21-2006, 02:46 PM

The size of the tank will limit your fish stocking options. I'd consider doing a psuedo SA biotope, with a small South Pacific flavor. A few cardinal tetras, a bristlenose (or other dwarf pleco) will probably do ok.

As for plants, java ferns, java moss and probably a compact sword.

czcz · 05-21-2006, 06:22 PM

You've probably thought this out already, but using the leg in the back with some supports to make the shell more upright should help with keeping the water line above the screen top but not so pressed against the shell's curvature. Perhaps a main tank near the front of the shell with a sump area in the back, so you use the curve to your advantage while hiding filtration and heaters? Like a nano cube. Ultrabright LEDs in the ventholes and apple logo at the top of the case might be the most elegant solution for lighting.

I have an old Bondi Blue iMac running Debian as a terminal and streaming client in the garage, and also find it otherwise useless: will be tracking this with interest!

Marc118 · 05-21-2006, 06:27 PM

Mine was also a debian server ( IRCd ). But has since been replaced.

Here is the site I got the idea from. There is plenty of room inside there. I plan on having an airpump, co2 reactor all back there. I plan on wiring the light switch to the mouse as well.

http://imacquarium.cool-mac.com/index.html

czcz · 05-21-2006, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the link. Mouse as a light switch is extra cool.

mp3z24 · 05-22-2006, 02:23 PM

last week, i pulled apart a blue imac to do a nano SW tank. i havent put any work into it since, but ill be keeping an eye on yours in the meantime.

good luck.

~mike

Alshain · 06-05-2006, 11:07 AM

You know, if you have the CPU chasis, you could put gut it and put shelves in it and use it to store your food and equipment.

05-21-2006, 11:04 AM	#2
GlitcH Aquarium Advice FINatic Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: RI Posts: 618 Images: 4	Interesting .........cant wait to see how this progresses. __________________ 92G Corner Planted Community - 46G Bowfront -90G behind my bar - 20G Planted Shrimp Tank

05-21-2006, 01:27 PM	#3
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Thread moved to DIY as requested That will be interesting. Do you have a particular theme in mind? __________________ _________________________________

05-21-2006, 01:47 PM	#4
Marc118 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 766	No particular theme in mind, any ideas? I do want plants for sure. __________________ Come Join The Dark Side

05-21-2006, 02:46 PM	#5
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	The size of the tank will limit your fish stocking options. I'd consider doing a psuedo SA biotope, with a small South Pacific flavor. A few cardinal tetras, a bristlenose (or other dwarf pleco) will probably do ok. As for plants, java ferns, java moss and probably a compact sword. __________________ _________________________________

05-21-2006, 06:27 PM	#7
Marc118 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 766	Mine was also a debian server ( IRCd ). But has since been replaced. Here is the site I got the idea from. There is plenty of room inside there. I plan on having an airpump, co2 reactor all back there. I plan on wiring the light switch to the mouse as well. http://imacquarium.cool-mac.com/index.html __________________ Come Join The Dark Side

05-22-2006, 02:23 PM	#9
mp3z24 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 317	last week, i pulled apart a blue imac to do a nano SW tank. i havent put any work into it since, but ill be keeping an eye on yours in the meantime. good luck. ~mike __________________ 55gal [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], [acronym="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym] stand and Hood, AquaC Remora, Coralife Lunar Aqualight (4x65W), 60 LB Hirocks Base Rock, 40 LB [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym] 50/50 Keys/Gulf 150 LB Playsand (~3-4 in [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym]) 2 x Blood Red Fire Shrimp, 2 x Cleaner Shrimp 2 x Black and White Percula Clown, 1 x Orange Spotted Blenny, 1 x Red Stripe High Fin Goby

06-05-2006, 11:07 AM	#10
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	You know, if you have the CPU chasis, you could put gut it and put shelves in it and use it to store your food and equipment. __________________ Remember to vote For AA! 55 Gallon Planted Tank

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