Hey guys, Im a modder/scratch builder from Canada. A few of you might recognize me from other forums. My last build was called Massively Dysfunctional (MDF)  Heres a few pics:




Build log here: http://www.coolitsystems....ld-up-and-running.html

Well I was going to take a few weeks off from the stresses of modding but an opportunity to build a system Ive been dreaming about for awhile now has happend.

I am super proud to announce that EVGA will be sponsoring this build. Now this isnt how people usually announce there sponsor but I would like to take a second to explain how this happend because it speaks volumes for there service.

It started out as a RMA gone wrong. Long story short... I was put in touch with Joe Darwin (marketing director). He offer me compensation for my bad RMA (Very cool of them). Our convo turned to a competition @ NewModCity Im in. After seeing some pics of MDF we worked out this deal.

Every company/person makes mistakes, its how them mistakes get handled that speak for there character. Not only did they take 100% responsibility for there mistakes, they cross shipped me new card, offered a bunch of goodies and in the end became a sponsor. Damn fine company. Joe is a super great guy and Im 1 mega happy customer.

And of course my bros from CoolIT are hooking me up with enough cooling power to keep ya chilly on a hot summer night. Huge thanks to Barry Reicker and Jon Stanley, there the guys that make everything possible for me. 



Here we go. 

Alright my idea is to submerge a running system into a 75+ gallon working freshwater aquarium. Complete with fish.

Im not the best at 3D models but this will help you get the idea.

Im going to seal a plexiglass compartment into the back of the tank to house all the components. Fish will be able to swim on three sides of the plexi. A 22"screen will be mounted into the front of the stand.


I will have intake/exhaust fans on the rear of the tank for components. Depending on humidity I will have a dehumidifier under the tank plumbed into the plexi compartment. (remember this is just a very rough sketch)

Nothin beside the sketches right now. I have a small tank setup with a few small fish. I want to get the fish for the build as soon as possible so I can be sure Im putting healthy fish into the system. I plan to have a Cichlid tank with this build and will be buying them and introducing you all to them as the build goes on.

So this will be something alittle different from your regular build. You might learn alittle about setting up aquariums and taking care of fish.

Every modder goes through a ton of stress thinking of and building there mods. They say an aquarium is 1 of the best forms of stress relief. I wonder if this will be a stress free build. 

Hope every1 enjoys my build and maybe learn a few things. It will take place over the next couple months so pull up a chair. If you guys have any questions at anytime fire away. Im not 1 of them secretive builders with my techniques. The more us modders share, the bigger modding will get. 

Ive seen one submerged in a fishtank pc before
However i like your touch of the LCD in the front.
Besides, its gonna be EVGA parts!! SO its gotta be better!
anyways subscribed!

Hmm really? Ive searched a ton for a system submerged before. All Ive ever found was a few systems build into the stands.

You wouldnt have any clue where I could search for this. I would love to see it just to make sure Im not doing anything similar. I have a few ideas for how Im going to make the system in the tank that are extremely different just incase of this.

Thx bud.

While I can't be 100% sure I think he is talking about the submerged ones that are put in to oil. They literally take all the parts except the HDD and the optical drive and put it IN a tank full of oil. It is not electrically conductive and it conducts the heat relatively well. You get higher idle temps but it doesn't go up much during load. 

http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php

This will give you an idea.

I like your idea better, just put the case IN a take. Not the parts but the entire assembly. Can't wait to follow this.

Wow, that is pretty neat. The fans will mesmerize the fish...lol

@ Fendulon. Yup I know all about them. I have a plan for a mineral oil build down the road. Ill have a few small tanks left over once Im finished this build so it might possibly be my next 1. Another story for another time.

The fans will mesmerize the fish...lol

Ill have some LEDs for the fishies too.

Haha yeah, I was just letting you know that I think that's what eppopipe was referring to. I'm loving your idea though. 

I'll be doing my first ground up build here when the funds come around. 

Looks like this will turn out interesting! Subscribed.

Are you going to fill the PC compartment with mineral oil or will it be open air?  Because you can use mineral oil and add another cool effect to the tank.  It would look like even the computer is submerge in water.

Mr. Darwin is a great guy :>

The PC compartment will be open air. I am going to need to cut holes out of the fish tank in the compartment for fans and wiring so it wouldnt hold liquid.

Also Im going to be using Thermoelectric cooling by way of a CoolIT Boreas. With the amount of heat TEC produces it would heat the mineral oil to very high temps quickly.

I see where you are coming from.  I have noticed that Puget Systems has pulled it off and the system has been running for over 2 years now.  They are using a radiator with fans to cool the oil and it is keeping the system at 50 degrees under full load.  This is a core 2 quad setup.  Also they are using a motherboard tray from Lian Li to mount the motherboard to with the ports located at the top of the tank.  Take a look, it is a pretty good read.

Puget Systems Submerged Computer

Yup, Ive seen them before and have plans for 1.... Read the comments above you, we were just talking about this.

Sorry man!  I just read the cover of the book.  I am very interested in how this is going to turn out.  Keep us posted.  Subscribed!!

Thia ia an awesome idea, can't wait to see finished.

Talk about creative, wow.  Looking forward to seeing the worklog pics...

youeffsee


Hmm really? Ive searched a ton for a system submerged before. All Ive ever found was a few systems build into the stands.

You wouldnt have any clue where I could search for this. I would love to see it just to make sure Im not doing anything similar. I have a few ideas for how Im going to make the system in the tank that are extremely different just incase of this.

Thx bud.

Actually im not talking about a minernal oil submerged pc :)
I WAS talking about a computer built into a fish tank, it the middle actually, with real fish swimming all around it.
I saw the thing in real life, and again somewhere online.
Ill try to see if i can dig up a pick for you.

And on another note, i think your build would be much better if the computer enclosure was in the middle instead of the back.
with the exhaust and all ports pointing down into the stand.
then just put some exhaust fans in the wood part :)

Hope i can help! ill try to get you some pics!

Thanks eppopipe... Hmm, Id really like to see this. Do you know what size his tank was? Or the shape.

At the beginning when I 1st thought of this idea my plan was to put the computer dead center of the tank. But after looking at 100s of tanks I decided on mounting it on the back wall. The whole reason for this is that any pre-made tank under like 200gallons is 2 feet or less in width.

I need at least 10" for the system leaving 12-14" for the fish to swim... If I mount the tank dead center than that only leaves a 6-7" area for the fish on both sides. I already have 4 convict cichlids that are about 4-5" in length. So that size of space would just be cruel for them. They love to fight with each other and need a ton of room to swim. The 12-14" will be perfect for them and still leave me enough room to build them a couple caves in the front. (cichlids love caves)

Ive looked into building my own tank for this reason but for anything over 2feet depth will need 1/2" plexi(expensive) and will still bow out roughly 1/2" when over 2foot depth, plus other things like plexi will discolor quicker than glass. Lexan would be my best bet but its like twice the price of plexi. Pros and cons are against me for building my own tank.

This is a cool idea - but are you concerned about the thermal transfer into the water?  What about the poor fishy?

Dude this looks simply amazing. I can't wait to see more. Good luck!

I am excited to see the finished project!

If he can make sure the water doesn't become too hot then I think it will be an interesting idea. I'm waiting for final pics on this one!

Thx guys.

@ Shane... Ive picked cichlids on a large part for there environment. Both African and South American cichlids like warm water. They like temps upto about 30c. I will not be using a heater in this aquarium, instead I will use the Boreas to heat the water. It puts out a ton of heat on full blast, but next to no heat when set at 40%. I should be able to get the perfect temp with the right OC/Boreas setting. Some people OC for records, some for fun, Ill be OCing to keep my fishies happy.

As for the rest of the system, if I can keep it under 30c than all should be good.

In case you do not know, Cichlids are very messy fish.  You will need very good filtration to keep your tank clean.  Also, I hope you know not to mix South American and African cichlids with each other, or cichlids with most any other fish.

Good luck on your build!

Thx johnnyfive622

Im a fairly exp. with fish. I currently have a 55g and a 20g setup. Ive owned some sort of fish most my life. If done correctly its possible to mix. I have mixed African and south American before. And am mixing peaceful community fish with some extremely aggressive Convicts right now. If research is done correctly there are many fish that can live in the same water perimeters. The largest thing holding you back is the different types of food each fish will eat when mixing and then controlling the ph/ammonia levels from the different foods. This can all be controlled with a few extra water changes than usual. And of course make sure every cave has a back door and there is lots of small hiding places. You dont want a large fish to trap a smaller 1.

I have 4 4" male Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Convicts) right now in the 55g mixed with 5 Puntius tetrazona (Tiger Barbs), 5 Puntius titteya (Cherry Barbs) and a 4+"  Danio aequipinnatus (Giant Danio).

Both the tigers and the cherrys are still very small (1") but the convicts leave them completely alone. They all stay to there own breed and do there own thing for the most part. Every once and awhile they intermingle among breeds. When a small fish enters 1 of the convicts caves they will use the tops of there heads to push the smaller fish out as where if another convict even comes near the cave its a fight breaking out. 1 of my tigers thinks hes king of the tank and terrorizes all the fish (even the Convicts)

I find mixing isnt a problem, you just need to do your research 1st. And always have a backup Hospital Tank setup just incase.

Heres a pic...

Im all about a natural looking tank. I want to feel like Im scuba diving not at a circus when looking at my fish. Thats the  main reason I like to mix my fish... I find it much more entertaining to look into the tank and see an oceanic view. You dont see only 1 type of fish when scuba diving.

As for filtration I plan on using a Rena XP3 or the Eheim 2217 for the setup.

I will have an update tomorrow.

**Its The Ultimate Showdown @ NewmodCity. They have entered every build onsite ATM into 1 competition. The winner will have his build hosted on the sites home page for a full yr. (Great exposure)

I really want to win this 1 and as of right now basically a tie between 3 other guys and me.

I need your help.... vote here for Project: Massively Dysfunctional
http://www.forum.newmodci...303d5a6b769b45af055d3a

Thanks guys!!

I had the idea a while back of running a liquid cooling loop thru my turtle tank for multiple functions, 1 being to heat the tank for them which is something POSITIVE you can do with it other then just throw it into the room :)
I look forward to seeing this done.

Glad to see you know what you are doing with fish!  I have a 55 gallon tropical community tank, and a 75 gallon african cichlid tank.  The pic of the 75gal is before I added a backdrop.

Alright, its update time!

Due to the price of tanks, my plan was to use a tank around 75gallons. Even a 2nd hand tank of that size can be expensive. Like any modder, its the money that holds me back.

 During boxing day I was working in my shop when an add came on the radio for my local fish store. Everything in store is 70% off! I raced over and was amazed to see the prices. (Could have been a very bad day if I brought my credit card, would have bought half the store)
My 75gallon tank was only $99!   Oh man the deals. I have 3x that set aside for the tank. Decisions, decisions.

I ended up grabbing the biggest tank they had in stock, lol. So after renting a truck and clearing space in my living room, its home!




Oh, Im soooo happy. Its a 120 gallons and the final price with taxes was only $215. Now I dont need to worry about space inside the tank.

Time to get to work. Since 120 gallons of water weighs roughly 1000lbs Im going to make the frame out of 2x4s.



Im starting with a simple "stick and frame" construction. I built 2 of these.


All pieces are glued, drilled and screwed.






I joined them using a technique similar to patio building.






Now some support for the middle.

I chose 2x3s for my center "sticks" in order to give me an extra inch of space in the cabinet sides. Any1 with fish knows how fast you can pile up fish stuff. Ill take all the space I can make.


And last for the frame is a couple braces for the 22" monitor.


There we go, the support frame is done. Im happy it will hold much more than 1000lbs.

Thats all for today. Hope everybody enjoys!

johnnyfive622


Glad to see you know what you are doing with fish!  I have a 55 gallon tropical community tank, and a 75 gallon african cichlid tank.  The pic of the 75gal is before I added a backdrop.

Those are some beautiful cichlids, amazing colors.

I love your setups. Both look great. Very natural lookin.

Thanks for postin the pics bud.

That's such an interesting idea, I can't wait to see how it turns out! Great start!

*subscribes*