Interesting idea!

MarkS · 06-01-2002, 03:55 PM

I am in need of a computer desk. I also like to build aquariums...

Anyway, I was sitting on my couch and looked behind me. I noticed that my mother had put this empty 5 gallon hex tank in a little rescess in a small desk we have. My mind went nuts!!

What I came up with is a design for a desk, made out of oak plywood and solid oak that is divided into two sections. One for the computer/monitor and one for an aquarum. But knowing me, why stop there....

What I plan on doing is making the aquarium actually a part of the desk. Say 24" long x 15" high x 15" deep. The back and sides would be made out of the wood for the desk, coated in epoxy and the front would be glass or acrylic. The aquarium portion, while still taking up one half of the desk, would be sealed from the computer half to prevent the computer equipment from getting wet.

Beneth the aquarium portion would be a "bookcase" that would do two functions; Support the aquarium and provide a place for the sump and equipment. The front would be hidden with a door and look just like the the bookcase that you normally see under a cumputer desk.

Above the computer and aquarium would be the "hood". The side with the computer will have slots for CD jewel cases and the half with the aquarium will have lighting. This "hood" will be 8" tall with the entire front and top half of the aquarium part opening up on hinges to gain access to the lighting and aquarium. The inside of the aquarium hood will be completely sealed once closed and would have two 3" or 4" cooling fans in a push/pull configuration.

What I hope to achieve is a desk that look almost exactly like a regular computer desk, save for a built in aquarium.

Of course, all wood that is exposed to either water or water vapor will be coated in epoxy. I would probably use a 175 watt MH above the aquarium with PC's above the sump in a reverse daylight configuration. The only filtration would be a protien simmer in the base connected to the sump, which will probably be 5 gallons.

What thoughts does everyone have?

Thanks,
Mark

Elmo18 · 06-01-2002, 06:04 PM

I'm seeing a CAD drawing already

-Elmo

icemark · 06-01-2002, 06:15 PM

Salt water and salt creep do not generally get along well with electronics such as computers and TVs.

You may say... Ah but my tank won't leak...

But I will say," what happens when you change some water?". I don't know about you but I always have a least a couple of drops when I change water.

But yes cool idea, much like the 3 gal Nano I have on the shelves above my desk, that I can unplug and move when cleaning or changing water.

MarkS · 06-02-2002, 04:11 AM

Sorry Elmo, not this time.

My computer no worky right now!

If this were not the case I would have had plans drawn up in the first 5 minutes and be more than half way done with the 3D renderings! God I miss my computer! Wont be able to fix it for a couple of months... First have to fix the car. <SIGH> I hate Web TV! <DOUBLE SIGH>

Iceman, good and valid points. However, I would change the water from the sump and would rarely, if ever, remove water directly from the aquarium. This is still in the planning stages, so I will update this thread. We'll se...

Mark

Reinhold · 06-08-2002, 10:33 AM

I'd hope to God you never had to rearrange furniture in the room!

06-01-2002, 03:55 PM	#1
MarkS Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 1,799	Interesting idea! I am in need of a computer desk. I also like to build aquariums... Anyway, I was sitting on my couch and looked behind me. I noticed that my mother had put this empty 5 gallon hex tank in a little rescess in a small desk we have. My mind went nuts!! What I came up with is a design for a desk, made out of oak plywood and solid oak that is divided into two sections. One for the computer/monitor and one for an aquarum. But knowing me, why stop there.... What I plan on doing is making the aquarium actually a part of the desk. Say 24" long x 15" high x 15" deep. The back and sides would be made out of the wood for the desk, coated in epoxy and the front would be glass or acrylic. The aquarium portion, while still taking up one half of the desk, would be sealed from the computer half to prevent the computer equipment from getting wet. Beneth the aquarium portion would be a "bookcase" that would do two functions; Support the aquarium and provide a place for the sump and equipment. The front would be hidden with a door and look just like the the bookcase that you normally see under a cumputer desk. Above the computer and aquarium would be the "hood". The side with the computer will have slots for CD jewel cases and the half with the aquarium will have lighting. This "hood" will be 8" tall with the entire front and top half of the aquarium part opening up on hinges to gain access to the lighting and aquarium. The inside of the aquarium hood will be completely sealed once closed and would have two 3" or 4" cooling fans in a push/pull configuration. What I hope to achieve is a desk that look almost exactly like a regular computer desk, save for a built in aquarium. Of course, all wood that is exposed to either water or water vapor will be coated in epoxy. I would probably use a 175 watt MH above the aquarium with PC's above the sump in a reverse daylight configuration. The only filtration would be a protien simmer in the base connected to the sump, which will probably be 5 gallons. What thoughts does everyone have? Thanks, Mark __________________ 2 + 2 != 4 Two is only loosely associated with two by a plus sign and therefore doesn't enter the equation at all since it is only there by mere complicity. We shouldn't count it and leave well enough alone.

06-01-2002, 06:15 PM	#3
icemark Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rohnert Park, CA, USA Posts: 1,102	Salt water and salt creep do not generally get along well with electronics such as computers and TVs. You may say... Ah but my tank won't leak... But I will say," what happens when you change some water?". I don't know about you but I always have a least a couple of drops when I change water. But yes cool idea, much like the 3 gal Nano I have on the shelves above my desk, that I can unplug and move when cleaning or changing water. __________________ Play well Mark www.mazdamark.com

06-02-2002, 04:11 AM	#4
MarkS Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 1,799	Sorry Elmo, not this time. My computer no worky right now! If this were not the case I would have had plans drawn up in the first 5 minutes and be more than half way done with the 3D renderings! God I miss my computer! Wont be able to fix it for a couple of months... First have to fix the car. <SIGH> I hate Web TV! <DOUBLE SIGH> Iceman, good and valid points. However, I would change the water from the sump and would rarely, if ever, remove water directly from the aquarium. This is still in the planning stages, so I will update this thread. We'll se... Mark __________________ 2 + 2 != 4 Two is only loosely associated with two by a plus sign and therefore doesn't enter the equation at all since it is only there by mere complicity. We shouldn't count it and leave well enough alone.

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06-01-2002, 06:04 PM	#2
Elmo18 Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,514	I'm seeing a CAD drawing already -Elmo

06-08-2002, 10:33 AM	#5
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	I'd hope to God you never had to rearrange furniture in the room!

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