Coralline And Tough Algae Remover For Fish, Corals And Invertebrates Aquariums

Abstract

The main invention for this application is the submersed algae killer for fish and corals keeping aquariums. The traditional method of removing hard algae such as coralline alga is just to scrape them off from the glass surface. Not only is scraping hard to perform with existing scrapers on the market, it can also likely to scratch the tank and spread the algae to other parts of the tank. My invention uses two steps to perform the task without getting the hobbyist's hands and arms wet. The algae are being killed first by heating them with boiling water right at the vicinity of the infection. Once the algae are killed, they are not stuck onto the surface as tight as when they are alive. By using the submersed scraper, the second component of the invention, dead algae on the inner surface of the tank can be easily dislodged. Since the algae are dead, the hobbyist does not have to worry about spreading the algae to other parts of the tank. Since the algae have already lost most of their gripping ability, the process of scraping dead algae is much less likely to scratch the tank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] My invention applies to fish, corals and invertebrates keeping hobbies. It can be utilized into making a device to remove annoying coralline and other tough algae from the inner surfaces of an aquarium. [0002] To maintain a successful reef aquarium where reef building stony hard corals such as acropora corals are kept, the most important element in the water is calcium. Hobbyists use varies methods to maintain calcium concentration in their tanks to be similar to that in the ocean to about 420 ppm (parts per million). In the nature, there exists a desirable pink / purple alga called coralline alga that also utilizes calcium for its growth. Hobbyists are delighted to see coralline alga grow on rocks and back wall of their aquariums. But inevitably, some of the alga would grow onto the front and side surfaces of their tanks blocking the views into their beautiful aquariums! Since this kind of algae is mainly composed of calcium, it is hard and bound firmly...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Component 3, which is a low voltage output switching power supply, delivers electric current to the heating element through the power cable that runs into the heating element. The outer surface of the heating element becomes very hot and heats up the thin layer of water quickly. Water there shoots up to the boiling point within a few seconds. Any coralline and other tough algae on the inner surface and within the surface area of the heating element will be killed instantly. For coralline alga, it turns from pink / purple based color into greenish white color. Once the alga is dead, it loses most of its gripping ability and can be scrapped off easily by using the fourth component of my device.

[0006] The fourth component is the magnetic coupled scrapper. It is a rectangular box with elevated edges on the bottom side to help dislodge loosen dead algae. The box also contains a couple of very strong magnets made out of rare earth material like neodymium. When the scrapper box is dropped into the inside surface of the tank, it is attracted by the strong magnets outside the tank such that elevated edges are pressed firmly against the inner surface of the tank. Maneuvering the submersed scrapper to the dead coralline or tough algae spot and by moving the outside magnets back and forth, the dead algae will be dislodged from the glass and fallen into the bottom of the tank.

Problems solved by technology

But inevitably, some of the alga would grow onto the front and side surfaces of their tanks blocking the views into their beautiful aquariums!

Unfortunately, not only are these scrappers uncomfortable to hold for more than a couple of minutes and hard to apply pressure, they are also difficult to use for deep tanks and hard to reach spots.

During the scrapping chore, the hobbyist″s hand and arm are in the water all the time causing uncomfortness and it is also likely to scratch the inner surfaces of the tanks, especially, if the tanks are made out of acrylic material.

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