Magnetic mounting aid for corals

Abstract

Magnetic mounting aid for corals, characterized by this, that it consists of a first sub-element (1) and a second sub-element (2), wherein the sub-elements (1, 2) consist of a cured epoxy resin, wherein permanent magnets (4) are cast into the first sub-element (1) in a circular and point-symmetric arrangement, wherein permanent magnets (6) are cast into the second sub-element (2) in a circular and point-symmetric arrangement, which ensures automatic centering of the two sub-elements (1, 2), wherein a coral or a coral fragment is attached to the first sub-element (1) with a suitable adhesive, and wherein the second component (2) is glued into the reef at the desired coral position using a suitable coral adhesive.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a magnetic fastening aid for corals according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Magnetic fastening aids for corals according to the preamble of claim 1 are known from DE 20 2010 010 654 U1, DE 20 2013 009 678 U1, US 2019 / 0 364 854 A1, US 11 185 058 B2 and US 9 545 085 B1.

[0003] The current state of the art for attaching corals or coral fragments in a saltwater aquarium involves gluing them with coral glue. However, once the glue has cured, it is no longer possible to remove or reposition the coral, as the bond is not non-destructive. When directly gluing a coral to a reef structure using coral glue, it often happens that with large, tall, or long corals, and especially with angled overhangs, a permanent and durable bond does not form after pressing the coral firmly into the reef. It is possible for the coral to detach underwater from the glue and the reef structure. This is a common problem when using putty or gel adhesives underwater. The cause is the excessive weight of the coral exerting pressure on the glued area during the curing process. This problem is exacerbated with angled gluing positions.If a coral begins to detach underwater, the user is forced to reapply the coral adhesive in the seawater. This causes it to atomize, again exposing the corals to chemical stress. To remove the corals for maintenance, rearrangement, or to create coral frags, the strong adhesive bond to the reef must be broken. This requires the user to exert force that can be difficult to control in certain confined spaces in and around the aquarium.

[0004] Based on this, the invention aims to construct a magnetic fastening aid for corals in order to ensure non-destructive fastening of corals.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0006] By using the magnetic coral mounting aid, which consists of the first and second sub-elements (1, 2) with permanent magnets (4, 6) of the first and second mounting elements encased in epoxy resin, it is possible to attach corals non-destructively at any desired position in the reef. The permanent magnets (4, 6) of the first and second mounting elements are circularly and point-symmetrically embedded in the first and second sub-elements (1, 2) (See Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig.3) The individual magnetic fields and the circularly and point-symmetrically arranged force pairs generated in this way center the first sub-element (1) and the second sub-element (2) relative to each other. This ensures a uniform frictional force and perfect alignment between the first and second sub-elements (1, 2). Furthermore, the circular and point-symmetrical design of the first and second sub-elements (1, 2) allows the user to position the coral to be attached in several circular positions. To attach a coral to any desired position in the reef without damage, the coral must first be glued to the side with the marking on the first sub-element (1) using coral glue. Due to the functionality of the entire device, this can also be done outside the aquarium. Working outside the aquarium allows the user to shape the glued area to be visually appealing.To create the desired placement for the coral, the second component (2) must also be attached to the reef structure using coral adhesive. When attaching the second component (2), ensure that the marked side faces upwards. Otherwise, there is a risk of the components (2) being glued haphazardly within the reef structure. This could cause the second component (2) to repel the coral along with its attached first component (1) (the polarity of the magnets must be taken into account). The independent usability of the first and second components (1, 2) of the magnetic coral mounting aid allows for a much more controlled and technically critical gluing process. Using the magnetic coral mounting aid prevents the adhesive from detaching from the reef structure and the coral from coming loose.The likelihood of a stable bond between coral and reef is significantly increased, and the functionality of the first and second components (1, 2) means that coral glue is only needed once. No further chemical contamination from atomized coral glue occurs. This innovative solution allows corals to be removed from their original attachment point without tools or significant physical effort. Furthermore, the user can easily swap corals as needed. This might be useful, for example, if a coral needs to be repositioned for maintenance, keeping conditions (light and flow), or propagation purposes.

[0007] The magnetic coral mounting aid differs from conventional aquarium magnets in many respects due to its composition and functionality. Unlike typical aquarium magnets, this one does not consist of two magnets embedded in a large thermoplastic housing. Conventional aquarium magnet housings are made exclusively from waterproof thermoplastic materials. With thermoplastic materials, there is a risk that, after prolonged use, the necessary plasticizers will diffuse out of the housing, causing it to become brittle, crack, leak, and the magnets to corrode in the reef aquarium. For this reason, epoxy resin was used for the plastic housing of the first and second components (1, 2).Epoxy resin is a cross-linking, thermosetting plastic that, once cured, cannot be reshaped and does not tend to diffuse cross-linking components. Many mold negatives can be economically produced using thermosetting plastics in a silicone mold. The stability and lifespan are significantly greater compared to conventional housings, and the housings can be individually colored as needed. The magnetic coral mounting aid is lightweight, offers a large bonding surface, and, due to the material's similarity to coral adhesive, allows for strong diffusion. Conventional aquarium magnetic elements also differ in that they are not suitable for creating a stable and reliable bond with a reef using coral adhesive.The combination of a thermoplastic housing and a two-component epoxy coral adhesive does not offer the same diffusion properties as using a magnetic coral mounting aid with the appropriate adhesive. Commercially available aquarium magnets lack a centering function and are only suitable for holding any object to the aquarium glass. List of reference symbols: BZ 1 first sub-element BZ 2 second sub-element BZ 3 Plastic housing of the first fastening element BZ 4 permanent magnets of the first fastening element BZ 5 Plastic housing of the second fastening element BZ 6 permanent magnets of the second fastening element

Claims

[1] Magnetic attachment aid for corals, characterized by , that it consists of a first sub-element (1) and a second sub-element (2), wherein the sub-elements (1, 2) consist of a cured epoxy resin, wherein permanent magnets (4) are cast into the first sub-element (1) and are arranged in a circular and point-symmetrical manner, wherein permanent magnets (6) are cast into the second sub-element (2) and are arranged in a circular and point-symmetrical manner, whereby an automatic centering of the two sub-elements (1, 2) is ensured, wherein a coral or a coral fragment is attached to the first sub-element (1) with a suitable adhesive, and wherein the second partial element (2) is glued as a fastening element in the reef at the desired coral position using a suitable coral adhesive. [2] Magnetic fixing aid for corals according to claim 1, characterized bythat a partial element (1) and partial element (2) have an end-face epoxy resin wall thickness in the thickness direction of 1 mm to 5 mm and an outer diameter D of 10 mm to 60 mm for their suitability for use in a visually appealing reef structure.

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