Betta Fish Aquarium: Reuse An Old Coffee Maker

A betta fish aquarium can be an attractive centerpiece for your room. After all, this colorful little fish is one of the most popular aquarium fishes. Betta fish are also very easy to care for. They can live in small containers, like the carafe of your old coffeemaker. Here’s how you can transform your old coffee machine into a functional fish tank.

Step 1 - Detach Carafe from the Coffee Maker Assembly

You need to remove the carafe from the coffee maker. You will work on these two parts separately.

Step 2 - Cut Off Burner Plate Wiring

Using an ordinary screwdriver, unscrew the bottom of the coffee maker. Find the electrical wires that are connected directly to the burner plate. Remove them using a utility cutter. Not only will these wires be useless for a betta fish aquarium, they can also be reused later on as wiring for the aquarium light fixture.

Step 3 - Cut a Hole on Carafe Lid

Make a hole on the carafe lid. It should be about 3 inches in diameter. Just make sure that the hole will be at the center of the lid. For this step, you can use a hole saw or a small craft iron.

Step 4 - Cut a Hole in the Coffee Maker Basket

Swing out or pull the coffee maker basket. Typically, this part crudely resembles an inverted triangle found at the upper portion of the machine. It’s where you place the filter and coffee granules. Create a hole at the base of the basket. Make sure that the size of the hole matches the one on the carafe.

Step 5 - Seal the Basket for Water Leaks

Now, line the base of the inside portion of the basket with aluminum foil. Apply some aquarium water sealant to secure the foil in place and protect it from water. This part will contain the lighting fixture of the betta fish aquarium.

Step 6 - Create a Smaller Hole on Top of the Coffee Maker

Again, do this using your craft iron. This hole is where you will run the electrical wires that will connect your aquarium light fixture to the power cord.

Step 7 - Insert Lighting Fixture

After all the holes in the coffee maker basket and the carafe lid have been made, it’s time for you to insert the aquarium lighting fixture and light bulb through the holes. Make sure that the fixture will be hidden in the coffee maker basket. The light bulb should pass directly through the hole on the carafe lid.

Step 8 - Secure the Wiring with Wire Nuts or Glue

Go back to the top portion of the machine where you have created the holes for wiring. Gather the wires and secure them in place with wire nuts or glue.

Step 9 - Test Your Lighting System

After all the wires have been secured in place, test your lighting system to see if it works. Tweak the fixture and recheck the wiring connections if the light fails.

Step 10 - Decorate the Carafe

Next, put into the carafe the decoration and accessories for your betta fish aquarium. Make sure that there is ample space for your fish to swim.

Step 11 - Add Water and Put In Fish

Finally, when everything checks out, you can add water and put in your pet. You now have a unique betta fish aquarium made from an old coffee maker.