GB2498098A - Aquarium with compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

Aquarium with compartments that allows culture of plants and small animals to produce a viable food chain or food source to allow a higher animal (fish) to exist in the self-sustaining environment. The aquarium comprises one main chamber 7 and at least one, preferably two, smaller subsidiary chambers 1, 2 which are used as farming compartments. The main chamber is connected to each subsidiary chamber via at least one aperture 4 dimensioned to allow passage of water and water fleas but to prevent passage of fish. The subsidiary chambers are connected by a hole. The aquarium is either provided with a Growlamp or is placed on a windowsill. A partial lid (3, fig 2) heater 10, oxygenator 9, fish hide 6 and algae bag 15 may also be provided. The aquarium can be used to house water fleas (daphnia) 12, filamentous algae, snails 14 and fish 13 amongst other things.

Description

Title: Roberts Lamp/Roberts Microworid.

Patent application number OR1 1225 1S.2 Date of filing is 30/12/2011.

This isa second, re-edited, version of my patent. Priority date 3011212012. First application date 30/12/2011.

Countit GB 1 have decided to take the third option you gave me.

3) To file a new application claiming priority from my present application. The original detail will still be entitled to the filing date of my original application (termed the priority date) and any new information that I add would be entitled to the filing date of my new application. I will need to do this by 30(12/20 12. 1 will also have to withdraw my present application at a later date (please tell me when).

Introduction (what has gone before) The search.

CA2 139054 (Kenny) This patent just describes a swamp compartment whereas my system just describes one insect food source. This swamp idea will not remain stable. Mine will, because there is no competition and it is fuelled by the sun, on a windowsill or by a hydroponics light. This makes the use of Hydroponics lights a much simpler design of ecosystem possible. Allowing a more complex target animal -Fish. With my design, containing algae and Dapbnia, fish can live on both -generally, fish are mostly omnivorous. Also, with my system, it differs from this current patent, in that Daphnia are more prolific than insects from the swamp area. I have found Copepods and Inf'usoria to be less virulent than Daphnia.

CN2840666Y -This is one of a couple of working ecosystems. Both of them appear to be working ecosystems. However, they will work for a while but eventually the system fails because one animal or plant in the system will become dpleted by another plant or animal, which can become too successful. With my ecosystem Daphnia, aquatic insects, have their own compartment with which the target animal cannot get to and so allows them to thrive untouched and to fuel the system. My idea makes the system more robust and the insects more prolific -leading to a more infallible ecosystem that is more self-sustaining. My use of a farming compartment means greater stability.

My ecosystem, unlike my competitors, can be used for a much higher animal, fish which can be encouraged to breed. My competitors have so far been unable to breed with their simple animals -small shrimp three or four millimetres in size. The Ecosystem market is a small but growing one. There are one or two books about Nan tanks -small.tanks of fish. But there are no actual Ecosystems available, apart from the small very basic ones I mentioned earlier. My idea brings aquatic life in all its glory into the home environment and educates us in animal husbandry. Now, with the Roberts Lamp, we can learn a lot about keeping pets that otherwise wouldn't have been thought of before.

A'so on the market is a similar system but does not have a grow lamp, Hydroponics! (CA2 139054). It does not include a farming' compartment that feeds off the grow lamp. It merely has a swamp environment which becomes depleted due to a lack of a grow bulb to fuel it, Your search highlighted three or four patents with compartments, mainly American patents. All of these patented conipartnients do not have a remit of farming insects. They are not concerned with a self sustaining environment From what I gather all of these are simply concerned with providing a safe place for fish fly to reside, where they won't be eaten. There was one different patent highlighted by your search. It was a means of feeding young fish to larger fish over a period of time, In other words, put simply, it is a mechanism where you don't have to feed them every so often -a holiday, fly food dispenser, which needs to be stocked every so often. This design is not self-sustaining in any way. In all these patents I see no potential for a successful Ecosystem, my patent, however, does do this, because I have developed it to do this, over a fifteen year period.

CA2 139054 (Kenny) while this complex system uses filters to keep it clean, fuse snails to recycle nutrients and keep it clean. While my system is (belied by a light this patent relies on a swamp type environment that over time can become depleted. There is also no need for a pump. The pump can become clogged.

In the brief description of the drawings it states figure 1 is an isometric view of a combined aquarium arrangement for use in forming a substantially self sustaining aquarium eco system according to the present invention.' Here! query the words substantially self-sustaining' -this means perhaps it is not a completely self-sustaining system, whereas my invention is. This doubt of a self-sufficient system is backed up buy the words! system according to the present invention.' These problems bring about, in my eyes, a system requiring extensive intervention making it no longer a self-sustaining ecosystem. When I use the term self-sustaining I mean an environment with a light source a bit like animals and plants in the outdoors with a sun -a working ecosystem. My design is a specific working ecosystem. My invention uses a grow light that gives the ecosystem its self-sufficiency and fuels plant growth which fuels animal growth. This invention I am refernng to gives mention of a light source but not a grow lamp with a frequency to stimulate plant growth and fuel the system. That is another reason why the swamp compartment won't work. Effectively this swamp compartment wouldn't work because all the random insects would have is a limited supply of detritus with no energy * input -all but one type of insect would die from competition and the final type of insect would die from lack of nutrients in the detritus. My system, however, uses an available light source -a hydroponics lamp or sunlight, instead of a depleting swamp environment.

My use of snails means organic material is broken down and the aquarium is kept cleat Also the plants I put in the main part of the aquarium keeps the water clear and stops it going green.

My system is simpler which makes it more sustainable and that simplicity allows for greater complexity of animals at the top of the food chain. It also makes it more robust.

No mention of a farming compartment with holes for self-sustainability'. It just says the zone generates a swamp like environment. My farming compartment is automatic, whereas, this patent requires the extraction of water leading to a complicated method.

CN2840666Y -This is one of a couple of attempts at a working ecosystem. Both of them appear to be working ecosystems but are not. They will work for a while but eventually the system fails because one animal or plant in the system will become depleted by another plant or animal, which can become too successful. With my ecosystem Dapbnia, aquatic insects, have their own compartment with which the target animal cannot get to and so allows them to thrive untouched and to fuel the system. My idea makes the system more robust and the insects more prolific -leading to an infallible ecosystem that is self-sustaining. My use of two farming compartment means greater stability.

1322862 -This is just a means to protect small fish and as such is not self-sufficient, as the fish require feeding by hand.

1275976 -This is just an aquarium accessory for breeding fish and does not relate to the true ecosystem market. It relates to just one type of fish, Betas'.

3,304,912 -This one is for isolating fish that need help. It is not a fanning compartment.

4,044,721 -This patent is lust for fish stimulation and is not a practical tate ecosystem, self-sustaining.

4,176,620 -This is not self-sustainable. The terrarium (not aquarium) is a good habitat for amphibians but they would require feeding. I know this because in the summary of the invention it is a setting to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the tank and to increase the useflulness of the tank. It doesn't mention self-sustainability. The text says although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.' This doesn't say what changes to make and it does not have the aim of sustainability. Whereas, my patent does explain how to produce a real working, sustainable ecosystem, the primary aims of * my product. This doesn't say how.

1,338,215 -This patent is concerned with a marine environment but is not concerned with self-sustainability. My system is freshwater or tropical and is self-sustaining.

US 2006/0081193 Al This patent does not say how to get a real self-sustaining enviromnent and as such cannot be counted as a self-sustaining ecosystem. They say it requires cleaning in the abstract, They use the term sustain life,' this is deliberately ambiguous and in its design the system could not happen without intervention. As far as I can tell this patent is for just a community tank where difThrent fish require different substrates.

US4176620 A (Kassos) Not self-sustainable, the terrarium (not aquarium) is a good habitat for amphibians not fish but also they would require feeding.

US404472 1A (Foley) This is just for fish stimulation and is not a true ecosystem, (1B1322862A (Quinn) This is just a means to protect small fish and as such is not self-sufficient, as the fish require feeding by hand.

0B1275976A (Aquariums) Is just an aquarium accessory for breeding fish and does not relate to the true ecosystem market. It relates to just one type of fish (Bettas).

US20061081 193A1 (Bennett) This would not work as a real ecosystem, a self-sustainable habitat. They use the term sustain life'. In this case, SELF-sustaining life could not happen without intervention -Whereas, the Roberts Lamp is self-sustaining.

US5970918A (Bargy) There is no mention of the culturing of'live food' (insects -Daphnia). It is a very real example of a habitat for some animals but it doesn't mention self-sustainability. All it is is a nice design for a habitat and only refers to the making of the aquarium/terrarium and has no remit regarding food' colonisation' (fanning) or self-sufficiency.

US7059270 B 1 (Loginou) This is a glorified feeder for holidays (not self sufficient like my tank, with a fanning compartment and reproducing aquatic insects). My ecosystem is the first of its kind, especially in tents of simplicity and the resulting complexity. Mine is also self-sufficient, unlike this one.

US3304912A (Hackman) This aquarium is for isolating fish that need help. A novel device for isolating particular fish within an aquarium. I quote -Por these reasons it is recommended to separate very small and sick fish from other fish in the aquarium'. No mention of self sustaining.

US32 88110 A (Goldman) This divider has the aim of separating fish and as such pays no mention to the use of a food source being cultured for the fish to eat. Without having the aim of farming the insects for the fish and does not mention self-sustainability -this patented thvider has the aim of having mote than one tank to allow for dual uses of heater and filters.

US1838215A (Declairmont) This is an environment that is not concerned with seif-sustainability. My system is self-sustainable.

US200727744 Aesthetics mainly -not a practical real ecosystem.

US2O 12103272 Beautifitily ornate but again not practical -no self -sustaining of life. It would require upkeep.

US704408 1 The doors are not automatic -requires intervention and does not have the aim of sustainability and is only for young fly.

US41 47131 This is an aesthetic aquarium with 110 practical true ecosystem. It is merely a way of displaying or holding different animals together in a pleasing way.

BE822636 This one has gone some way to provide a natural habitat but is in no way self-sustainable. To have a real working ecosystem you would require a far larger habitat, perhaps as big as a room -not practical. This invention does not mention seif-sustainability so as such cannot be regarded as one.

GB 1322862 This invention is just for the protection of small fish. A similar nest' type object is incorporated into my design but my nest' is less complicated. Self-sustaining is also not mentioned or a farming compartment.

GB 1275976 This, as far as I can tell, is about breeding Siamese Fighting fish. No mention of a successfiul ecosystem (not self sustainable).

CN2O 1142881(Y) This is an observation implement and although the habitat could be used to observe eating and reproducing. It cannot, however, be sustainable in the long term without intervention. There is no mention of a permanent habitat or design of a working ecosystem.

DE10200702 1502 Makes no mention of a viable ecosystem.

US200608 1193 Uses the term sustain life' but it is not self-sustaining' and requires cleaning.

JP2004 105061 This invention is a sustainer for ponds and as such it wouldn't work in an aquarium ecosystem. It requires input from the outside natural ecosystem. The only reason why it works is the fact that food animals come from elsewhere, outside the pond.

FR28329O1 This is not a true habitat and makes no mention of a sustainable food supply.

KR200200l82l8 This is a way of culturing plant material and relies on the fact that it's outside and thus without insects coming from elsewhere it wouldn't work. This is a natural ecosystem from outside -one that cannot be replicated in an artificial setting, it cannot be captured, in essence. It relies on Mother Nature and so is such that nature fitels this ecosystem and is not self-sufficient'.

SF2002 102884 No mention of seif-sustainability.

SF101 13092 This just involves the segregation of fish and not an ecosystem.

US5 183004 This is just a water/land based habitat and is not a true ecosystem.

USS 135400 No mention of sustainable food source and is therefore just an over complicated observation unit. Also would not work all year round without intervention.

US5C)54424 Makes no mention of farming insects to create a viable ecosystem.

KR2O 100028780 (A) This is for visual and emotional effect. Requires feeding.

JP9I 17235 This patent is purely about using temperature. It doesn't mention a self-sustaining' culture of plants and animals.

US1263391 This is not practical and is purely aesthetics.

US7059270 This patent refers to a feeder device that feeds the small fish in the tank. With this you still actually have to put the food in the tank manually and again no mention of a fhrming compartment to create self-sustainability.

JP2000I 112372 No farming compartment. This compartment is just for baby fish to swim freely -no self-sustaining food supply.

US6O 19064 -This is not a practical permanent habitat. It is for observation and requires food to be put in the tank. No farming compartments for self -sustainability.

US5056463 No thrming of insects and no seif-sustainability.

US4787336 No culturing of insects or any food source.

US4754571 Looks like a good habitat but not practical without intervention. No farming compartment. No mention of Algae (which is more prolific than plants).

US3304912 Not self-sustaining and no farming of a food source.

US3255731 Not self-sustaining.

US2O 11088632 This is for aesthetics and it is not self-sustaining. Also, no farming compartment.

US2002 148409 No farming area to contribute to seif-sustainability.

US2O 11107977 No mention of farming or seif-sustainability.

DEl 0200902024823 Again, no mention of seif-sustainability KR20090039367 No mention of seif-sustainability. This is just a method of keeping the water cleam In my system, the water is cleaned by Algae and snails.

KR20080052437 No mention of self-sustainability and is merely a method of keeping aggressive fish.

KR20040072236A -This patent is merely a way of having either a large tank or two small ones.

JP2004 121130 -This is an aesthetic environment. Not practical as a self-sustainable ecosystem.

US6474265 -No mention of a self sustaining fish ecosystem -it is just a way of stimulating fish.

Wi 1308940 -Not self-sustaining and has no farming compartment.

DE197 18621 This is made to nurture young fish and stop them being eaten. My system also does this but is also a true, captured ecosystem.

JP10 191828 -Not self-sustaining. Would require manual feeding -no farming.

JP9205926 No farming of animals which allows seif-sustainability.

US5640929 This is just a landscaped environment which would require specific animals and plants (not mentioned) to be fainted. No mention of farming compartment or light source (a Cftowlamp). I use the tenn light source to mean Ci-rowlamp or sunlight.

JP8238037 This invention is for breeding fighting fish -not an ecosystem C1B2268383 Not a self-sustaining system and no farming compartment.

US5090357 Just an aesthetic habitat. Not a practical self-sustaining environment -would require manual feeding.

US5040489 Not a practical self-sustaining true ecosystem, captured or discovered.

SU120585 1 Not a self-sustaining true ecosystem.

US4 120265 Is just a means of separating fish and is not self-sustaining.

CN201263355 -is a tool for breeding many different fish -no farming compartment and no aquatic insects mentioned (for fanning).

JP2003304774 This is not self-sustaining and as such the use of a skimmer means it can never be self-sustainable, as it would suck up the insects (preventing them being farmed).

US5 144908 -This is just a way of separating fish and is not a viable ecosystem.

US4029050 -This is an apparatus for segregation of fish therefore not relevant to ecosystems (self-sustaining).

US4323032 -Not self-sustaining, no use of farming with a compartment.

JP2007 159456 This is not a practical ecosystem and is merely a way of observing fish, JP2007068455 Not self-sustaining and no use of farming compartment.

US5 144909 Just for breeding and observing fish (Fighting Fish) not self-sustainable.

US275 1880 -Is just for display and is not a true captured ecosystem.

US53 13912 Not an ecosystem and without self-sustainability. No farming compartment.

US5000 11 S Is just a means of display and as such is not practical as a self-sustainable ecosystem.

EPOSO3 190 Is a way of culturing plants but does not include the farming of animals or the self sustainability of fish as a viable self sustainable captured ecosystem.

CA244 1466 -An aesthetic environment not a self-sustaining environment and does not include a farming compartment.

No where in these highlighted patents does any of them mention, specifically, a self sustaining ecosystem and also neither do they say how the ecosystem can be done -the Farming compartment' is key to my patent and to the Self-sustaining Ecosystem. Also not mentioned, for a viable Ecosystem, is the use of a Grow Lamp, used also, for seif-sustainability.

Note -The only ecosystem that comes near to being effective as an ecosystem is patent number CA2 139054 (Kenny). This ecosystem, however, would sustain itself for a while but without an automatic fuel source the system becomes depleted and at that point it will require assistance -so not a potentially continuous environment.

Background:

The actual title of my invention is the Roberts Lamp -but I cannot use my name in the title, so I give it here. The previous name for my Roberts Lamp is the Roberts Microworld and I am hereby informing you that it has changed. The previous name of my invention was called the Roberts Microworld but is now, hereby, called the Roberts Lamp.

This idea has been developed over a period of over fifteen years. It stemmed from when I was looking after Terrapins and later Stick Insects. I had the idea of putting growing plants in with the Stick Insects so as to make the aquarium look like a miniature scene from the dinosaur era Then later! had the idea of having a self sustaining environment for the stick insects. I tried over five species of stick insect and some praying mantis. The system proved unmanageable, they were too prolific, even though I had read that some stick insects could achieve this, it would have to be on a large scale. Subsequently I let my membership to the phasnrid study group subside. My dream of a self sustaining ecosystem was renewed when I came across a book on culturing insects. I read around the subject and found many different insects I could potentially culture to feed to many fascinating, higher more complex pets. So I started from the ground up. Itaught myself to culture the smaller animals first, before I chose the target animal for the actual ecosystem. I learned much in that three or four years. I cultured four different types of Worm, Giant African Snails, Escargot (edible) Snails, Silk Wonns, three types of Mealworms, Grindel Worms, Fruit Fly's, Whiteworms, Been Weavels, Springtails, two types of Woodlouse, Crickets, Waxworms, Cockroaches, Copepods, Daphnia, Rotifers and Paramecium. I am now in the position of having enough knowledge of culturing animals and breeding target animals, so as to allow a list of viable ecosystems for patent including a framework from which to work with.

Statement of Invention:

My invention framework has three essential fimctions.

The first is as a specific aquarium that supports a handfiul of fish and involves the natural growth of a specific plant -Hair (Filamentous) Algea. It includes some green water and includes some small animals, I call critters, which are Dapbnia or water flees. I have a list of fish which the system itself supports. These include -A few guppies, mollies, swordtails, dwarf puffer fish, Rasboras (to which shoal and relax the owner) Rose Barbs, Killifish, Dwarf Gouramis and Cichlids. Basically, this device will work with most freshwater and tropical fish -especially herbivorous and omnivorous fish, which includes most fish. This allows for a large scope of creativity with regard to the target fish to be looked after by the aquarium.

The second function is that of either a full lamp with a grow bulb or as an ecosystem without the lamp -to which sits on a windowsill with sunlight. It can provide some good lighting depending on where you put the Lamp. It is an interesting part of the furniture.

The third function is as a general ecosystem, never before has this complexity of ecosystem been achieved.

Advantages: Often when you have a pet, a list of do's and don'ts are given so as to took after it. This patent idea does away with all that. The aim of my ecosystem idea is to have a working habitat that doesn't fail once it is set up. My idea is to provide a practical system that is not only ingenious in its design but is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can be considered a work of art in it's revolutionary, complex and advantageous design. The Roberts Lamp, as a finished product, can be a central focal point which takes away attention from the TV and which includes usefhl lighting for the home, or it can be an understated part of the Feng Skid as a windowsill attraction.

This invention encourages the looking after of animals with the goal of establishing the automatic care of the animals with no maintenance. This system is so well developed that it doesn't require cleaning; the Snails eat the algae that adheres to the glass and keep it clear for you to observe the fish.

As in any ecosystem in the wild there are different layers to the food chain. The same is true for animals suitable for the Roberts Lamp. It could be especially interesting for children and can be profitable in schools, hotels and garden centres as well as private homes.

The Lamp cai' be of many different sizes but the range of sizes will normally be 30cm 30cm long by 30cm height by 27cm width, which will sit on a windowsill, will support around two or three small sized fish from an Aquatic shop or Garden centre. The largest in the range is 60cm height by 60cm long by 60cm width. Although I will be selling other dimensions for the aquarium. This largest tank can support a small family of Dwarf Ciclilids (two females and a male + young. For that reason I put a nest included in the larger ecosystems, for the fly's protection). But I reserve the right to make it in any size. These sizes mentioned are just a rough guide.

Education -This product enhances students knowledge of our planets delicate natural Ecosystem and highlights the need for sustainability. It would be a powerful tool for study, particularly in Biology or Science. It can also be available in garden centres for the enjoyment of hobbyists or for anyone requiring the latest gadget.

Conservation -It is my opinion that these ecosystems are ultimately good for both us and the animals. Some wildlife programmes in the UK are prohibitive when it comes to endangered animals, like the some Killifish and Cichlids, this in my opinion is wrong. I believe that if we are to save the endangered species of fish then we must learn to look after them, the Roberts Lamp can help here with culturing endangered species of fish.

An object worthy of a good imagination -as with any object that sparks a child or adults interest, the Roberts Lamp has use-ability and also longevity of use. If my patent is successftd then I hope to provide a service in making ecosystems to order, either with a grow bulb or without, sunlight. In short, it has novelty value and also maintains it's attraction for a long time, it has mileage. What gadgets today can say this.

Breeding -It is often said that an animal that breeds is happy in its environment. These ecosystems are an important tool for the breeding of animals, to which I have had experience of.

U

Hassle free -a successfiul Lamp can be left on its own without interference. This would allow you to have pets and go on holiday without worry.

Space -Because space travel is in vogue my Roberts Lamp is also in vogue. At some stage we will be required to look after plants and animals and culture them for the journey for somewhere else entirely, for our habitat to be made mobile.

My invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

A brief summary of invention

This is an environment that cultures plants and small animals so as to produce a viable food chain or source to allow a higher animal (Fish) to exist in the self-sustaining environment. The Microworid is relevant to education and more generally for fun for the aquarium hobbyist. So much so that the Roberts Microworld!Lamp will open up a market that will allow people to buy what has not been realised yet. The sale of the complex Ecosystem. It is the culmination of over a decade's hard work, trial and error and the building of knowledge around a subject that I am developing. This provides a framework for a whole new hobby.

A written description of the invention

The Roberts Lamp, in its most basic form is an aquarium with a light source. The light source can be either a chow-Bulb or it could be an aquarium on a windowsill where sunlight is used.

Note -A relatively newly developed technology that wasn't available when I first started fifteen years ago, is the actual Grow bulb or otherwise known as, Hydroponics. In the early days the ones available were either a relatively weak light source, in the form of a strip lighting bulb that were just not strong enough, or at the other end of the market were expensive sodium lamps that used a large amount of electricity. Now, though, there are many different potential bulbs to use, available on the market, which would suit the requirements of the Roberts Lamp. I am currently using a 48 Watt bulb. I suspect that if you want a arger number of fish in the tank then a larger Watt bUTh would more suit the system, by growing more green water to feed the critters, Daphnia (water flee). This is dependent on the size of the aquarium and the size of the farming compartment and the strength of the grow lamp or amount of sunlight.

There are other features. The main one is compartmentalising the aquarium. This is where there is one large space for the animal to be conserved and smaller subsidiaries, fanning compartments that will allow for the culture of the fishes food, Daphnia. The subsidiaries do this by growing tGreen Water', by using the Grow lamp. (Note -in the larger tanks the fanning compartment is divided in two with a small hole in the divider, to allow more sustainability if one side of the compartment gets low on the food animals, Daphnia). These Daphnia increase in number, thus feeding the target fish. The subsidiaries are made from glass partitions and include holes within the glass partitions. So included in the design of the subsidiaries or partitionings are holes leading into the main area. The purpose of the holes is so as to allow the food animals to swim through. The main part of the patent -the farming compartment is unique in its design and purpose. It is for farming insects (Dapbnia) supplying the fish in the main tank with a self-sustaining source of food. This finning compartment is unique, specifically to my invention.

The main advance proposed in my systems and no-where else is the compartmentalisation of an aquarium used for a potential food source area to provide a steady stream of small animals such as Daphnia. There are more than one compartments in the aquarium. This adds more stability to the two fanning compartments. The way I invented the compartments was whilst I was building what's called a brine shrimp hatchery' for a marine aquarium. A brine shrimp hatchery is a way of hatching a food source called brine shrimp otherwise known as sea monkeys. It requires a two litre plastic bottle. Air is bubbled into the hatchery and the dried eggs then poured into the salt water. This is an accepted way of making a food source where the newly hatched shrimp are poured into the marine tank. Whilst carrying out this task I realised that it was possible to put the bottle in the aquarium and have a hole in the bottle, in order to have The shrimp swim through into the tank of fish. On thinking about this method I realised an easier way would be to have the hatchery as a built in compartment to allow a permanent solution for hatching brine shrimp. For me this was a breakthrough for a potential hassle free aquarium, which is. what I was hoping to produce in some way. At this time I was also breeding freshwater insects or critters' and so I wondered if it was possible to use the compartment method to actually breed animals like Daphnia. This innovation proved a winner. I have decided to use two holes in each compartment with one hole linking the two compartments.

Mother novel advance is the growing of Hair or Filamentous Algae and Green Water' using a Grow Bulb as a source of light to stimulate growth within the ecosystem. Without these new ideas an ecosystem would be very difilcultindeed. Never before has ecosystems of this level of complexity been made available to buy. The Roberts Microworld is truly revolutionary in its potential, using grow lights and firming methods.

Note -The Filamentous Algae is seen as a headache to most aquarists but it is essential for my ecosystem.

Daphnia -Aquatic Insect. An outline The lifespan of a Daph.nia can be up to a year. Sometimes Daphnia may be used in certain environments to indicate toxins on an ecosystem in the wild. It is also handy because of it's short reproductive cycle and reproductive capabilities. They are also a popular live food for tropical and freshwater fish. However, they are not farmed' in any of the patents highlighted by the search but in my patent they are uniquely Tanned'. They are kept in two compartments with holes in. The holes allow a steady stream of Daphnia.

Definition of Light Source The definition of the light source includes a Grow lamp that is the correct wavelength of light, for plant growth, or if is a window dweller tank that feeds directly off the light from the sun.

Note -this second option is for smaller ecosystems, designed to sit on an average windowsill.

Definition of Ecosystem An ecosystem in this case is a system that mimics both the Sun and the Faith and this planets ecology. It exists as a simpier system via a Grow lamp or direct sunlight but on a much simpler, smaller scale. This illustrates life in the wild but with less complexity. It is an automatic method requiring no intervention or maintenance and achieving self-sufficiency. It is an enclosed system but not hermetically sealed and it sometimes has a bubbler for the larger tanks/aquariums. It is self-susustaining in that it uses light and farming compartments to achieve a working ecological food chain that compliments the animals and plants to be an effective system that is often more healthy than feeding fish manually, as often they are over fed. If manual feeding the food often builds up at the bottom of the tank which means it can build up leading to the need for cleaning. The manual feeding also often leads to overfed fish.

My ecosystem means healthier fish as fish flakes are often high protein rich food that doesn't do the fish any good. Effectively the word Ecosystem' refers to the captivation of nature in an artificial environment from the outside ecology of the world. However, there are a couple of times where I use the term ecosystem to refer to the planets ecology. In these cases I point out that it is the natural ecosystem rather than the artificial ecosystems.

How to set-up the Ecosystem 1) Put the empty aquarium in your chosen area. Note -If you have a tank requiring Sun (not a Grow light) then put it on a windowsill with a lot of sunlight. My non-Growlamp systems should fit on an average sill but the smallest will definitely fit. If you have a larger aquarium requiring a Growlamp (note -either are available, Sun or Growlamp) then it can go anywhere that is sturdy enough to take the weight of your chosen ecosystem, when it is fill of water.

Generally your surface will be sturdy enough (for the largest tank) if it can take two adults of average weight.

2) Next, fill the aquarium with water, up to near the level of the dividers of the fhrming compartments. As close to them as possible.

3) Add the bottle of nutrients to the main area of the aquarium.

4) Add each one of the two bottles of plant infused green water' to each of the farming compartments.

5) Put the bubbler stone (for the larger aquariums) into the main tank until it touches the bottom and then plug the bubbler motor into the mains ellectricity supply.

6) If you are using freshwater ignore this task. For tropical fish you need to know the fish's optimum temperature. Find this out when you buy your target fish. Then set your aquarium heater to that temperature.

7) Put the Filanientous Hair Algae into the provided netting and put it in the main tank near the farming compartments so as to get maximum light.

8) Put the nursery device on the bottom of the tank with a stone on top to prevent it floating.

9) Add two of the salt vials into the main tank and each of the remaining salt vials into each of the farming compartments (one in each of the compartments), This helps fish stay healthy.

10) Do tasks 1) to 9) in the first day of receiving your equipment from the first delivery.

11) Leave your tank to stand with the bubbler and or with either the Growlamp on for a 12 hour for every 24 hour cycle or leave it on a windowsill with direct sunlight. Leave it then for a total of 2-3 weeks. If you get cloudy water you need to start again with fresh water (once it has stood for 24 hours) as this is an algal bloom that is problematic.

12) Afier 2-3 weeks the water will have the correct nutrients in with no hannfiil ones. You can double check if your tank has Cycled' correctly by taking a sample to your local aquarium fish dealer. Effectively the Nitrites are required to become Nitrates.

13) 1 will send you (after 3 weeks) 2 bags of Daphnia to go in the farming compartments. Put them in and leave for two more weeks (with the holes blocked with sponge) until the system has enough Daphnia growing in the compartments. Then unblock the holes. Then add your chosen target fish. I suggest, maybe two for a small aquarium and up to five or six small fish for a large tank. Note -If you are using tap water for your ecosystem it must always stand for a day before pouring it in and exposing the fish to it. This is because fish can't tolerate chlorine and if you don't leave it to stand for a day then the chlorine won't be neutralised and it will burn the fish. I also provide you with a hand punipto allow you to quickly empty the tank.

Note -In no other aquarium patent has it been made possible for Daphnia to reproduce unchecked (without competition) and thus to allow a steady stream of food that is sustainable. I use of my original idea of a farming compartment' with a viable energy source (a Hydroponics light) or simple sunlight to produce an ecosystem. So because of the energy source and also my farming compartments it is self-sustaining (or self-sufficient) and looking at the searches you provided me with, I cannot see any patents that are able to accomplish a true self-sustaining ecosystem, requiring no intervention. With this invention I have managed to capture a small ecosystem based from the wild and made real in an artificial environment. It can be used as an object worthy of study (using different target fish) to highlight food chains, evolution and the sheas beauty of our world. It also illustrates just how delicately balanced it really is. It highlights the shear force of life and its tendency to replicate and prevail if certain conditions are in place. it is in effect a quick snapshot of all the myriad of different key' environments. It also encourages students to take a keen interest in the classification of animals by asking them just what they can achieve and what fish they can use in this ecosystem apparatus also included in this is new undiscovered ones, a new hobby made real by me and no-one else. It opens up the study of artificial ecosystems right up, enabling this new science or hobby to flourish. In general it will, I hope, bring about a new form of study/hobby and knowledge of animal husbandry. My idea goes someway into leading this new field into an exciting and imaginative new direction.

Describe Invention (include reference to diagrams).

In theory my business idea is to produce the Roberts Lamp with the capacity for any particular size. The suggested desigii for some of my ecosystems is of a complexity never before achieved.

The Ecosystem could be made with a custom built aquarium, made from glass. The light will be fixed to a twenty four hour timer for twelve hours of light per day. The light will grow Hair Algae in the actual main chamber and also grow the green water in the farming subsidiaries for the critters to filter, eat and reproduce. I use Dapimia because they have proved prolific. One other possible design feature is that of a glass lid that stops the fish (eg Killifish) from jumping out and prevents evaporation and stops the Growlight from falling in the tank.

The final design feature for the ecosystem is that of a small nest type object that sits on the bottom upside down. It looks like a small dome with small spaces in. This allows the younger fish to get away from the aggressive adults. A nursery for the younger ones to be safe.

Also, included in the package is bird seed net which houses the Filamentous Algae. This allows fish to eat said plant without this algae growing out of control.

Notes about the Drawings Drawing I Sections 1 and 2 -the fanning compartments.

Each farming compartment is the depth of the tank, for which both will be filled with water.

Living in these partitions Will be Green Water (which get stimulated to grow by the GTowlamp, Hydroponics) or sun and Daphnia, (see Daphnia oultffiie).

Sections 1 and 2 -(with Items 5, glass partitions) will contain (Items 4) holes in each compartment, two leading into the main tank area (Section 7) and one between the two farming compartments. Also contained in each of these sections 1 & 2 are two snails in each fanning compartment, Apple or Ramshorn or other aquatic snails (items 14) which are able to breed and live off the algae on the aquarium walls but not the green water, plus item 12 -Daphnia.

Section 7 This is the main tank area, for whichever species of fish is chosen to be kept within.

Contained within section 7 are; items S a plant (optional), items 14 -Apple or Rainsliorn snails or other aquatic snails, items 15 (a net, a bird seed net, in effect, for Filamentous hair Algae), Item 6 is a protective area for baby fish to swim safely. This is such that only small fry can swim in on account of the babies nest' only having small holes in. This stops the fry from being eaten and gives them the chance to grow.

Section 7 is the main living aquarium area.

Item 8 Is plant material (such as Canadian Pond Weed) and or Moss (sphagnum or Java Moss), optional.

Item 9 is an air bubbler -this provides oxygen for the fish and also displaces the water enough to encourage the Daphnia into the main tank, particularly at night when there's no light.

Item 10 is a heater (optional depending on the type of fish) but required for tropical fish Items 11 are the plugs for bubbler and heater, to which are plugged into an eleeffic socket. Note -the grow lamp (not shownhere but shown in diagram 2) is plugged into a twenty four hour timer and set to go on a twelve hour cycle and this in turn is plugged into the mains (unless it is a windowsill aquarium, which runs on daylight).

Item 13 is the target fish species you have chosen.

Item 15 is an algae bag, this contains the Filainentous Hair Algae and stops it growing too prolifically, taking over the tank.

Item 14 are two snails(a pair of hermaphrodites as all snails are) which reside in each of the three compartments (items 1, 2 and 7) Also included is item 3, diagram 2 (sliding glass lid).

Drawing 2 Item I is a hydroponics (grow) lamp which is placed over Item C and D. These Item C and I) is divided off the main tank (Item A) and they are called farming compartments. Mother divider (item B) splits the fanning compartment into two smaller parts. Within the dividers (items A and B) of the two compartments are two holes in each compartment and one hole between the two (item 2). The single hole between the two add stability between the two compartments. The two holes in the divider (item A) -put differently, the two holes in each of the two compartments allow the Daphnia to swim through into the main tank. The holes are placed thus. They are placed oii divider item A. Two holes either side of divider item B, at the edge of Compartment (items C am! D) facing into the main aquarium chamber.

Item 3 is a split sliding lid with handle, this prevents evaporation and stops the light falling into the tank. Also the main chamber accounts for two thirds of the overall area and the famiing compartments account for the final third of the area.

Note -Items 2 in Diagram 2 are holes that allow Daphnia to swim through into the main tank area. These holes have a netting over them which is painted with Luminous paint. This attracts the Daphnia when the (TImwlamp gets turned off. The reason is that Daphnia are attracted to light. If you want more Daphnia to swim through then you can use the timer to turn on and turn off so as to recharge the luminosity. If you have a)arger tank then you might want to do this thek with the Growlamp more often.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMSI. An aquarium adapted to contain a substantially enclosed aquatic ecosystem, comprising at least one first compartment means adapted for the cultivation of water fleas as herein defined, and a second compartment means adapted for a plurality of fish to be kept therein, said first and second compartment means being connected by at least one aperture means dimensioned and configured to allow passage of water fleas from the first to the second compartment means but to prevent passage of fish from the second to the first compartment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An aquarium as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two said first compartment means, said at least two first compartment means being connected by aperture means dimensioned to allow passage of water fleas between said first compartment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An aquariwn as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, provided with illumination means adapted to promote growth of plants or algae within at least the or each first compartment means, and optionally also within the second compartment means, such that the aquarium may contain a filly enclosed aquatic ecosystem.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An aquarium as claimed in claim 3, wherein the illumination means comprises a grow lamp as herein defined.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An aquarium as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the illumination means is provided with timer means allowing selection of a desired illumination schedule.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An aquarium as claimed in either claim I or claim 2, adapted for solar illumination of at least the or each first compartment means, and optionally also of the second compartment means, such that the aquarium may contain an aquatic ecosystem enclosed except for input of solar energy.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising substantially transparent wall andlor lid means.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. An aquarium as claimed iii any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each first compartment means and the second compartment means are separated by dividing wall means, optionally substantially transparcnt dividing wall means.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second compartment means contains at least one net means adapted for filamentous algae to be grown therein, the filamentous algae extending outwardly therefrom to permit grazing of the filamentous algae by fishes kept within the second compartment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second compartment means contains enclosure means into which fishes kept within the second compartment may enter, said enclosure means acting as refuge means for said fishes.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture means between the first and second compartment means are covered by mesh means dimensioned to allow passage of water fleas but not fishes therethrough.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. An aquarium as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mesh means is provided with light-emitting means, such as a luminous or fluorescent coating, adapted to attract water fleas towards and through the aperture means.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture means between the first and the second compartment means are adapted to oppose passage therethrough of fishes having a maximum body diameter of 5mm or greater.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture means between the first and the second compartment means are adapted to oppose passage therethrough of fishes having a maximum body diameter of 2mm or greater.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each first compartment means contains a plurality of water fleas as herein defined, wgether with floating algae comprising green water as herein defined, edible by the water fleas.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second compartment means contains a plurality of fishes.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second compartment means contains at least one colony of filamentous algae, edible by fishes kept in the second compartment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each first compartment means aridlor the second compartment means contain at least one aquatic snail, such that the snail or snails may eat algal growth formed on the wall means of the respective compartment means, to reduce obscuration of an interior of the compartment means by the algal growth.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with oxygenation means aridlor heating means adapted controllably to adjust conditions within the aquarium, for example when setting up the aquatic ecosystem within the aquarium.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. An aquarium substantially as disclosed herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>21 A method of producing a substantially enclosed aquatic ecosystem, comprising the steps of providing an aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, introducing water into said aquarium, introducing a source of green water as herein defined into the or each first compartment of the aquarium, introducing water fleas as herein defined andlor water flea eggs into the or each first compartment of the aquarium, and introducing desired fishes into the second compartment of the aquarium.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the introduction of the fishes takes place after a period sufficient for the introduced green water and water fleas to have become established in the or each first compartment.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. The method as claimed in either claim 21 or claim 22, comprising the further step of introducing filamentous algae into the second compartment means, the introduction of the fishes optionally taking place after a period sufficient for the fitamentous algae to become established.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. The method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, comprising the further step of introducing at least one aquatic snail to the or each first compartment means and/or the second compartment means, optionally after the green water has become established in the or each first compartment means.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. The method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24, comprising the fUrther step of illuminating the or each first compartment means and optionally the second compartment means so as to promote algal growth therein.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A method of producing a substantially enclosed aquatic ecosystem substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. An aquariin adapted to contain a substantially enclosed aquatic ecosystem, provided with illumination means comprising a grow lamp as herein defined.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. An aquarium as claimed in claim 27, wherein the grow lamp is located and/or aligned to illuminate a selected portion of the aquarium only.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. An aquarium as claimed in claim 28, wherein said selected portion of the aquarium is adapted for algal growth.An aquarium as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, adapted to contain a fully enclosed aquatic ecosystem.</claim-text>