Water Cooler Aquariums

• 1). Measure the inner circumference of the spout on a clear, plastic water cooler jug. Use a compass to trace the exact same measurement onto the top of your cork slab. Follow this guideline to cut a cylinder-shaped plug about 4 inches long with a utility knife. Pound the cork cylinder into the spout and seal it air-tight with silicone gel.
  
  
• 2). Turn the jug upside down and cut the bottom clean off about 2 inches from the end opposite the spout. Place the jug back into the water cooler base. Use clear packing tape or a few dots of hot glue to attach the decorative backdrop to the outside back of the jug. Ensure that the printed side faces inward to be viewed through the water.
  
  
• 3). Decorate the inside of the the jug with rocks, gravel aquatic or plastic plants and miniature aquarium statuettes. Fill the jug with room-temperature water up to about 3 or 4 inches from the top. Add only low-maintenance fish -- such as goldfish -- as this type of aquarium provides no filtration or heating system.
  
  

TV Aquariums

• 1). Gut out an old analog console television set. Use Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers to remove all screws from the back panel and all stationary parts inside of the console. Remove all electrical wiring and components as well as the entire picture tube. Measure the internal dimensions to establish the proper sized fish tank to install.
  
  
• 2). Use an appropriately-sized fish tank with a lighted hood to illuminate your aquarium. Your tank should fit inside of the console with about 2 inches of space above it and about 4 inches behind it. Ensure that when the tank is pushed flush against the inner front of the console it completely fills the open space where the tube once was.
  
  
• 3). Place the tank on top of the console just above the area where it will rest inside. Use a permanent marker to trace the exact shape of the bottom the tank onto the wood. Remove the tank and use a hacksaw to cut out the tracing and discard the cut-out wood. You have created an opening to feed your fish and clean your tank. Insert the tank back into the console.
  
  
• 4). Position the entire console in front of a wall. The back of the console should be facing the wall and the front facing an open vantage point. Try to place the TV aquarium near a working outlet to plug in your lighting and filtration systems. Avoid using extension cords if possible.
  
  
• 5). Insert an under-gravel filtration system into the tank and run the electrical cord out of the open back of the console. Pour your gravel over the filters and arrange your aquarium decor to your liking. Fill with water and fish and place the lighted hood on top of the tank inside the console. Run the electrical cord from the hood out of the back of the console and plug them into a nearby outlet.