Lexan has some great properties for use in aquarium tank construction. The most compelling
feature is that it doesn't distort light passing through it as much as glass, acrylic or plexiglass
enabling a very clear view of the tank interior. Another advantage I've discovered is that
algae simply doesn't grow on it - which means less cleaning and an unobstucted view of
your fish. Oh yeah, it also happens to be bullet proof - so if you live in a bad part of town,
at least your fish will be safe :)

They said it couldn't be done: Sources on the Net, petshops, and friends in Chemestry all
told me that they didn't think Lexan would be suitable material for tank construction because
it wouldn't be possible to adequately waterproof the tank. Well, I'll grant that it wasn't easy
- but, where there's a will, there's a way - and so, I figured out a way. What doesn't work:
Aquarium silicone, glue gun, super glue, silly putty and caulking. What DOES work?
Determination mostly - more specifically: melting the pieces together for strength and sealing
the seams with Funtack. I melted the lexan sections together with a soldering iron and then
filled in the gaps by lining the inside seams with Funtack which is a product designed to stick
posters on a wall withouy leaving a sticky residue. On a side note, the silly putty worked for
a while - until stuff started growing in it and quickly stared to disintegrate.

Fluorescent light activated by Mac keyboard

The CAPS LOCK key on the Mac 128 keyboard is a mechanical switch - so I took advantage
of this fact and used it to switch a fluorescent light I installed in the case. Minor rewiring in
the keyboard was necessary. I'll put up the details if I get any requests.

Halogen light activated by Mac mouse button

I wanted to have a nice, bright source of illumination in the tank to show off the colours of
my fish better than the fluorescent light could. Since I didn't want a hot bright halogen
lamp left on in the small MacQuarium tank for any great length of time, I decided the best
way to do so was to take advantage of the momentary switch within the mouse button.
That way, when you took your finger off the mouse button, it would turn off - saving the
denizens of the tank from becoming fish soup. It works well.

Self-regulating heater for Tropical fish

No need for a thermometer for this one - just set the temperature and go.

Undergravel filter for low maintenance and esthetics

I initially used a disposable cartridge filtering system - but it got annoying to constantly
replace the filter and always making sure I had a supply of them on hand. The filth builing up
in the filter wasn't great to look at either. The solution: an undergravel filter. It looks great,
requires less maintenance and conserves all that good bacteria every aquarium needs
for its biological filtering process.

Air stone for aeration

Looks cool, and it helps oxygenate the water.

Treasure Chest - because ya gotta have a treasure chest :)

What's an aquarium without a sunken treasure chest?

Air pump to run the above 3 items

I got the most powerful one I could find that would fit in the case. A 3-way air-flow regulator
(which fits nicely in the disk drive port in the back) alows me to get just the right airflow to
the filter, air stone and sunken treasure chest.

Cool backdrop - embossed signatures of Steve Jobs et al. on the inside of the case

I spray painted the inside of the case silver to highlight the signatures inside the case
of the Mac 128. Steve Jobs' is dead centre (of course - Mr. Ego) and the Woz has his near
the bottom right (again, very telling).

Origianl Mac power switch turns system on

I wanted to use as many original parts as I could. That's why I wired the MacQuarium to
draw all its power from the single original Mac power cord and use the original power switch
to power up all the devices. The mouse, which is used to turn on the halogen lamp, was not
modified in any way and can even be unpluged for use in a working Mac.

Integrated design - everything fits inside the case!

Aside from the mouse, keyboard and power cord - the whole unit is self-contained! Inside,
I have the tank propped up by 4 old Atari 2600 catridges (hey, they were the right size).
In the remaining space I jammed an air-pump, 5 outlet power strip and all the associated
power cables and tubing. The fluorescent light and ballast is attached to the front of the
case, just under the screen. The compact halogen lamp is suspended near the front of the
case just over the top of the screen.