Aquarium filling by vacuum.
3 years ago I developed a system for filling inverted aquariums by applying a vacuum to a "schreider" non-return valve adapted to fit on the aquarium.
I was looking for a supplier of extruded clear plastic tube to produce a commercially available system for aquarists.
"Thanks" to a gentleman in Singapore using the principle I developed to manufacture inverted aquariums, a tremendous interest has been generated world-wide. The problem is, despite my explaining in detail how to build this system, people not associated with the refrigeration/air conditioning industry don't understand how to make the vacuum.
I need some feed back. If someone phoned you with a request to "vac their aquarium", what would you charge?
Your main consideration is to stop the vacuum before the water is drawn into the pump.
Now If you want to see this system in operation, go to "youtube" "The Romaurie-Effect" for video clips of this and Mr. Ho's "Fishfreedom" aquariums.
Romaurie.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
sorry about boosting my post count like this
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Romaurie, I've looked at least 30 minutes to all sort of youtube movies and also the Koi Pearl.
How I should do it (just an idea coming up now but this principle is also used in my vacuum cleaner which can suck also water): install in some sort of vertical enclosure a water floating ball. Suction of the pump on the top: as soon as water enters, the ball will start to float and close the suction opening. Then a LP can switch off the pump Or just a simple float which engages a switch to shut off the pump.
I'm almost sure you can use a normal household vacuum cleaner to lift up the water.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
There have been quite a few developements in the vacuumed aquarium system.
Removing the air "orally" works, but is hard work on a large aquarium. A venturi from a good water pump can be used to remove the air form the tunnel or inverted aquarium.If you check "YouTube" "Romaurie Effect" many modifications have been posted.
My personal preference is using a home-made vacuum pump on a process timer to give a 2 minute vacuum every 2 hours.3 small hole on the water line of the inverted aquarium allow air to be pulled in.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Would I be correct in saying the following:
1) Take the tunnel and remove it from the aquariums
2) Turn it up-side-down
3) Fill it with water
4) Seal both ends
5) Place it back on the aquariums with sufficient water levels to seal both capped ends
6) Remove the seals under water
Then it's simply a matter of orally vacuuming once a week or once a month to maintain the vac.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
why not use a pre-evacuated cylinder then charge for evacuating the cylinders. This way an arrangement of cylinders on a manifold in conjnuction with a float valve and solenoids can be utilised for self maintaining the system.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
romaurie
3 years ago I developed a system for filling inverted aquariums by applying a vacuum to a "schreider" non-return valve adapted to fit on the aquarium.
I was looking for a supplier of extruded clear plastic tube to produce a commercially available system for aquarists.
"Thanks" to a gentleman in Singapore using the principle I developed to manufacture inverted aquariums, a tremendous interest has been generated world-wide. The problem is, despite my explaining in detail how to build this system, people not associated with the refrigeration/air conditioning industry don't understand how to make the vacuum.
I need some feed back. If someone phoned you with a request to "vac their aquarium", what would you charge?
Your main consideration is to stop the vacuum before the water is drawn into the pump.
Now If you want to see this system in operation, go to "youtube" "The Romaurie-Effect" for video clips of this and Mr. Ho's "Fishfreedom" aquariums.
Romaurie.
Romaurie I have made my own up side down fish tank, the only problem I have is the front glash keep busting and it happen twice. I am using 10mm glass. I am using the refrigerator machine to pump the air out after all other test this pump work the best. My question why is the glass keep busting ? do you thing I have to make smaller tank? what is the best measure for 10mm up side down fish tank?
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2QCZZZghvA
The largest inverted aquarium I have is 45cm x 45cm x 60cm height.
The base is even so it stands on marble blocks to give a 7cm gap for the fish to enter.
The vacuum is only about 1.5 inches of vacuum on a standard refrigeration gauge to hold the water.What are the dimensions of your aquarium?
Generally speaking, a glass thickness table for aquarium volume should be a good indication as what size/thickness glass is required.
Of course how the base sits is important.Low frequency sound can cause resonance in the water causing damage to fish swim bladders and possibly the aquarium.I mention this because one was placed in a pub where the sub-woofers were so powerful, you could feel your stomach e vibrating.It also killed some goldfish.
Laurie
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
This is the largest version of a vacuumed tunnel to date.It is in Oita, Vietnam and is a marine system with feeding ports for the fish.Apparently, it was inspired by a test I demonstrated on YT of how to use a vacuum pump to pull fresh air in small holes on the waterline. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-PBj4_z1-U
I discovered that the maximum height a full vacuum will lift a column of water is close to 7.5 meters in Denver Colorado.There is a formula which incorporates the atmospheric air pressure at the location you need to lift the water.The example was for Denver.If you really want to read the formula it is on Yahoo search.
Just to show it is not all "high-tech" here are two examples of "pulling the vacuum" without special equipment.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTDjcXfQnww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_36LhwEzFU
When I joined the refrigeration industry in 1973 Bournemouth Southern England, all the engineers had "home-made" vac-pumps on board.It seemed to be a competition for who could build the most aesthetic carrier.Stainless steel, polished oak carrying cases to name but 2.The company, Prestcold, had 2 large vacuum pumps but we only took those for the big jobs.
If I hadn't made a few of of these from discarded 1/4-1/2 H.P. compressors, I wonder if I would have got so keen on this vacuumed aquarium thing.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Romaurie I have made my own up side down fish tank, the only problem I have is the front glash keep busting and it happen twice. I am using 10mm glass. I am using the refrigerator machine to pump the air out after all other test this pump work the best. My question why is the glass keep busting ? do you thing I have to make smaller tank? what is the best measure for 10mm up side down fish tank?
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
Didie 1227, why you repost your question?
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
It would be better if you could upload a picture of your aquarium and give the height, depth and width.You already stated it is 10mm glass which, if the aquarium is assembled correctly on a firm base would support a 60cm x 60cm x 60cm or sizes that would give the same volume.
romauriehttp://thumb12.webshots.net/t/58/758...2PiCJBn_th.jpg
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIx0IJNtf5s
Now this guy must be really fit.He sucked all the air out!
His video of the construction method shows how to D.I.Y. it.
romaurie
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbDuI23GYpc
This the first tunnel I built in 2004.I didn't realise at that time that if you didn't clean all surfaces to be siliconed with acetone or alcohol the vacuum would pull a poor joint away from the glass and suck in bubbles of air.
I just kept on applying more silicone untill the leak stopped.I recently stripped off the original silicone and thoroughly cleaned the surfaces before re-applying the silicone.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
When I first tried this idea, I thought a simple plastic tunnel could be sold over the counter of a pet shop for people wanting to connect 2 aquariums together.At that time I had only made the vacuum with a vacuum pump.In fact, when I entered the refrigeration profession in 1973, all the engineers at Prestcold Bournemouth had “home-made” vac-pumps.To a new-comer, it seemed to be a competition for who could build the smartest set-up.Stainless steel, varnished oak cases to carry the 1/3 or ˝ H.P. re-cycled “condemned” hermetique compressors formed the base unit for the pump.For domestic or small refrigeration systems these were light easy to carry.For the “Big Jobs” 2 5cu ft/ min. units were available.
A couple of years later someone made the comment on an Aquarium forum that you could “suck” the air out with a plastic tube.That sparked an interest for other methods.water-pump venturis. Air pumps to suck the air through , vacuum cleaners.
As a vacuum pumps are so familiar to us, it seemed the logical and most readilly controllable method.I use a defrost process timer to switch the vac-pump for 2 minutes every hour.This in turn sucks fresh air into the inverted aquarium by small holes drilled exactly on the water-line of the inverted aquarium.Now, I will admit this idea is a little O.T.T. for the average aquarist wanting to build an unusual aquarium.But, well within the capabilities of us Kiroorniks, to use a local colloquial expression.
Here is a link on “How to build your own vacuum pump”.Anything from plastic injection moulding to home “freeze-dried” garden produce have now been tried due to this video posted many, many moons after I left Prestcold.But thanks must go to that group of engineers that introduced me to the industry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dv9uUL80NQ
Good luck if you decide to try this idea.This video will self destruct in 10 seconds.
Re: Aquarium filling by vacuum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3CqMPX1PQM
This was a name we gave to an idea for a tall, narrow "truncated pyramid" shaped aquarium for a pub.The pub speacialised in lunchtime sessions for "trance" music.They had really powerful "sub-woofers" that turned your stomach over!You could feel the vibration through the aquarium.Point was, the goldfish kept "pegging-it".I kept checking water quality and oxygen content; everything normal.So I started a "search" on-line for effects on aquarium fish from low frequency vibrations.It turns out the "sub-woofers" damage the fishes swim-bladder.This is the inflatable membrane the fish uses to stabalise its position in the water.Same idea scuba divers use with a bouyancy compensater.
I had this aquarium working for 2 months before loaning to the pub.No problems at all.
Now I'm trying desert cooler spray pipes to deliver the water to the top of the pyramid.This in turn takes the well-oxygenated water from the lower open base aquarium.
Before the Vacuum-enhanced aquariums
Strange how you can drive along a main road for years and not realise what has been developing just a few hundred yards off that road.After the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan, a large area of the Arava desert that had been used for experimental agriculture was extended almost to the Jordanian border.The road that takes the workers to the many greenhouses also takes an increasing number of tourists along what in places looks like a small version of "Death Valley" U.S.A. At my last count there were 3 large lakes of water from bore holes drilled straight down under the desert sands.It was only when the refrigeration company I worked for in Eilat was contracted to build 2 large cold stores for sweet peppers in a settlement called Hatzeva I saw how big the farming project had become.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idan
It is within this project that 15 fish farms have been started also using bore hole water.The waste from the fish is harvested dried and used as a fertilizer for the greenhouses.
Israel has never allowed the collection of "native marine" life for either commercial or private aquariums.I ran into trouble some 25 years ago collecting a few small specimens for my marine system at home.The "Israel Nature Protection" made a "deal" with me as I was researching cooling systems for marine aquariums at the time.They said if I offered my services to the Hebrew University and was accepted, they could approach their head office in Jerusalem to get a letter authorising me to take certain fish to be agreed on for my home aquarium.
I was then approached by an American student at the University pursuing a doctorate for the study of the "White Bellied Damsel Fish".He required volunteers to dive at 2 hour intervals all day and make observations of this "fascinating" fish for his paper.They would fill my tank for free!4.30am until 6.30am. was my allotted time.For this I might have got a "letter" allowing me to have a home native marine aquarium.Now for a Brit. who had kept native marine aquariums in the UK, this was tempting.But I worked for a refrigeration/air conditioning company from 7am. till 4.30pm.Extremely hard work in the sometimes 45 Deg.C ambient temp.So I declined the offer and carried on with my marine aquarium until they attempted to "bust-me" for possession of protected marine life.
One very cold January morning, me and my Canadian diving buddy went on a collecting expedition.Nothing too ambitious.Had 2 gobies and a small squat lobster in the net.We decided to go back to the car and have cup of hot soup before moving the catch into a transport container.As we poured the soup, 2 "Shmorat Ateiva" cars came scorching into the car park blocking our car.They were talking to someone else who I noticed was up in the mountain behind us with high powered binoculars.They demanded to look inside the Pink coloured insulated container I had in the car.I said I wanted to see their search warrant.This they produced and I opened the container to show them the contents.1 flask of hot soup and some cheese sandwiches!They were extremely annoyed.They obviously knew that container was how I transported my catch home.If they waited another half hour we would have moved the catch into the container.They were showing some new trainees how exciting a career in the "Israel Nature Protection Service" [Shmorat Ateiva] in Hebrew could be.
But that was enough for me.I decided to switch my systems to freshwater and concentrate on the development of vacuum enhanced aquariums.
The Romaurie Effect, in fact.
Not a lot of people know that.
