From: davids@gardener.lanl.gov (David G. Simmons)
Subject: 128K Fish Tank (It always was...)
Originator: davids@feynman.lanl.gov
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 15:58:51 GMT


Okay, okay, the requests for how to turn a 128K Mac into a fish
tank have been pouring in, so I'll post, rahter than email to all
who have asked...

Now, to give credit where credit is due, I got these instructions from
Michael Schechter about a year or so ago, when I asked what could be
done with a 128K Mac.  I *HAVE NOT TRIED THEM* so your mileage will
*certainly* vary from mine (since I have no mileage...).  I just
haven't had time to do the fish-tank thing yet.

Anybody who succeeds in this venture, please email me your results
(no, not the mac, just how it went, how it looks, etc.).

Have fun (and thanks to Michael!!)!

--------------------------% cut here %--------------------------------

I've turned a 512 into a fish tank, here's how we did it:
1. break the back of the CRT off, by renmoving the whole
assembly, laying the front down on styrofoam peanuts, and
cracking the vacuam seal by pliering the socket pins.
(We didn't actually have to do this- the seal was shot, which
is why it was being fishtanked). Now, break off the neck of
the CRT with a hammer, then GENTLY work your way down towards the
front, breaking off little peices (1x2"). The front shoudn't crack-
it's quiote a bit stronger than the rest.
After removing all but the front-piece, sand the edges down, and
then replace in the case.

Now build a plexiglass 'frame' just around the outside of the screen.
We used 1/4" thick, except on the very top, where we had to use
1/16" for clearance. Attach this to the CRT& case with gobs of 
silicon. Now build a plexiglass box with an open top that
will slide-fit around the frame on the CRT. for an easy one,
the bottom should be level with bottom of CRT. (we build a deep
one with a well-bottom). Also build a wood or metal support that will
hold up the bottom of this and rest on the metal chassis. The rear/top
of this box will have to be slanted to accomodate the Mac's rear of case.

Modify the Mac's case by using a plastic-heat-cutting knife and cut away the
carrying handle on the inside. This is to prevent bumping into the
fish-tank. Now on, the mac back, see the nice 'cooling vents'?
CAREFULLY, cut one open along it's 'seam', doing it so it's undercut,
so you can put it back and it'll sit there nicely. This is your
fish-food opening.

Now, take your analog board, and cut all but the last 1" or so off it with
a bandsaw. stick this peice (cantaining the switch and power input) where
it should go on the case. epoxy it on there. Hook the switch and power
input up so that there's constant power for an air pump, and the switch
turns on the lights. (7W refrigerator bulbs stuck up the the rear corners,
backed by aluminum foil reflectors)

There you go.....

It's first use was to replace one of our Macs in our general use area
for our office christmas party.

Oops- i forgot, except for the bulbs,bulb reflectors, and tank itself(clear)
Paint the whole inside, everthying with wrinkle matte black spray paint.
That way, when the lights are off, it looks like a normal Mac.
(wrap the pump with foam insulation so it's silent. oh yeah- the pump gets
duct tape dto the chassis under the tank, and the air line just reaches up
'n over and down - it's best to glue it in a rear coner of the tank, so it
doesn't float around

-- 

David G. Simmons
	
	"Pollution is not the problem with our environment. 
	It is the impurities in our air and water." 
		--Dan "Vice-President-Rain-Man" Quayl(e)

If I said it, LANL didn't... 

-- 

David G. Simmons
	
	"Pollution is not the problem with our environment.