General Aquaria Discussion • inventions

[sublimerjm]

I work for an engineering company that is looking to create its own unique product, and thought I would take advantage of this site. I know there has to be a number of things that the fish community could want that isn't widely available. It doesn't really matter what it is just toss it out there. Given you won't be seeing to much in the way of a monetary return but if ends up happening I'll hook you up with one.

[Ispintechno]

I want snap together piping that connects all my tanks so I can watch the fish swim from room to room. It must be cheap, strong and impregnated with an algea resistant resin

I'll take a 100ft worth or so

[naegling23]

cheap protein skimmer for freshwater that would attach to any filter setup.

[Ispintechno]

oh, also a fish ball. Like a hamster ball but for fish, with a walking handle and clear paddles inside the ball to aerate the water as you walk down the street.

Hopefully less stupid - a light switch for fish. Inside the tank there could be a small square stuck to the glass the fish could swim up too and bump it with there nose/mouth to turn on/off tank lights (I'm sure a clever fish with some mass could get it). I've fell asleep on the couch before with the tank lights on, woke up and felt bad these little guys with no eyelids got no sleep what-so-ever...

[Bmay1011]

Maybe it's out there and I haven't found it yet, but I'd like a simple programmable heater that can be used to create a natural warming/cooling cycle. I think a natural, controlled temperature change would be a nice feature. Given the progress that's being made with day/night lighting solutions, I think it's natural progression. Having a static aquarium temperature seems a little "unnatural" to me.

This product may have good applications for tanks that need to have seasonal temperature swings as well, like many SA Cichlids.

I know this can be accomplished by using separate temperature controllers, but I'd like to see it delivered in one reliable, high quality device.

Basically, a heater with a programmable thermostat.

-Brad

P.S. Is this a purely mechanical idea or are electrical and other ideas acceptable?

[TheeMon]

how about a Under Gravel Jet or UGJ or an eggtumbler?

[Toby_H]

I like Theemon's idea...

A UGJ... with short rectangle "pipe" (maybe 1/2" high @ 1.5" wide) that connects the jets to the compact submersible pump (even better if you designed the pump with attached fake plants to hide it)...

I have an insertable filtration design but after I put it through a test or two I may try to get it patented myself... so shhhhh....

[Alex0607]

When ever I have to clean the gravel, I always dread the task of siphoning out the poops. I wish someone would just invent something that will zap the stuff away or direct them nicely into my filtering system once they come off the back of the fish.

But I am looking at setting up a system for water changes. I get tired of hauling pails of water from the bathroom to the tank in my living room. Not to mention the body aches I get.

[a_c_arnold]

Ispiintechno, my aquarium lights can be activated by remote control. I don't even have to get off of the couch, yeah I know I'm lazy.

[kornphlake]

Some kind of plastic that is clear like glass but stronger, more resistant to scratches, easy to drill and cut, works with high strength adhesives and can be purchased for pennies a pound. 300g tanks shouldn't cost more than $200.

A low cost HOB sump.

[Marduk]

Make a fish net nearly invisible to fish.

[yogurtpooh]

something that eliminates nitrates

[Marduk]

Glass that won't let algae grow on it.

[Donfish]

Some kind of plastic that is clear like glass but stronger, more resistant to scratches, easy to drill and cut, works with high strength adhesives and can be purchased for pennies a pound. 300g tanks shouldn't cost more than $200.

I think you want Aluminium oxynitride although it ain't cheap at 10 to 15 bucks a square inch. Darn near Scotty's transparent aluminium.

Aluminium oxynitride

[Desi<3]

Ooooooh I have to best one yet!
A ROBOT that will feed the fish, clean the tank, AND pay for any new $50 fish you want (you know coming out of it pocket not mine)!
No really could you do that?