New Tunnel to test principal of feeding hatches on public aquarium in Oita Marine Park Japan.

When I first saw this public aquarium in Oita, Marine Park Japan, I couldn't think how the vacuum would prevent the water coming out.Then I thought of those "bird drinking dispensers".The clear plastic tube, sealed at the top with a small bowl at the bottom.When the bird drinks from the bowl, the water level drops allowing air to enter the tube until the the water covers the entry point again.
The "test rig" shown was to see if these open hatches would "hold" on a tunnel.As you can see, they don't!But fortunately the lower tank is big enough to catch the water from the tunnel.
On careful study of the Japanese aquarium, you will see that the open hatches are on a line with the water level in the lower aquarium.
On my test, when I pull the rubber stopper out, the vacuum immediately pulls the small amount of water covering the hole, followed by air, thus displacing the water in the tunnel.
Now I sincerely hope that doesn't mean my "special area of knowledge" is "the bleeding-obvious"!
Since seeing this idea many moons ago in that article by "Bio-Elite" on the plastic tube linking 2 aquariums, I have spent a lot of time researching this idea.The first record of this principal is described in a U.S.patent issued in 1934 for linking 2 aquariums by plexiglass tube filled in a bath tub and placed open ends down on 2 aquariums.
In 2003, a U,S, patent was filed for and obtained in October 2005 for an aquarium enhancement system using a vacuum.Nothing built and tested, but very detailed drawings showing the ideas and concepts.Close to the "Romaurie Effect" but without the small details like how to make the connections to the aquarium for providing both a vacuum and fresh air inlet.The sort of detail that only comes from thorough research and development.
I only learnt about this US patent recently.And only after exhaustive research on the internet.My system was up and running 1 year before this patent was issued.But 2004 was a "special" year for this concept."Google" "The Fish Highway" for a book published [now out of print] on how to build an aquarium tunnel.The "Liquid Potion Coffee shop" Ohio with what must be the longest tunnel yet to link 2 aquariums.
Very small acrylic aquariums with a tunnel attached, now available with a plastic tube to suck the air out.
"Never a dull moment"!
It reminds me of a David Frost interview with the heads of a Japanese bearing manufacturer many, many moons ago.Somehow he got these guys cornered on his show and displayed the original British made bearings and packaging alongside their product,It was a direct copy.None of them would comment!
Now this marine park won't even acknowledge that they have the largest "vacuum-enhanced" aquarium in the world.
Can't really complain.They have this ability to take a western concept working on "plus or minus" half inch tolerances and "blue print" it to a fraction of a millimetre.Just look at the Triumph Bonneville 650cc twin along side the Yamaha 650cc twin.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Romaurie
• Effect//new
• concepts
• in
• aquarium
• design/Japanese
• public

[romaurie]

The feeding ports on the Oita system where inspired by the combination vac pump - air pump video I displayed.

It was only after careful examination of the Oita system that the holding tanks at the water line were the method of providing the ports.

My small set up was to test a few ideas together.Feeding ports, algae growth hatches for small fish and a "stand alone" tunnel in a single aquarium.

A number of these processes only become clear after running and testing.

[romaurie]

The feeding ports are under the tunnel in the vertical passages to the tunnel.They are also under-vacuum.See "The Romaurie Effect" Genesis for the 1st. test I made on this idea.

You might find the current tests I am making on drilling small holes on the water-line to increase aeration to inverted stand-alone" aquariums.The tunnels are not so dependent on additional air input as they can have a water flow through the tunnel.But the principal is the same.

[romaurie]

Now its probably lucky not many realise what I am waffling about.I just realised that the feeding ports are OBVIOUSLY under vacuum.If the top of the tunnel or inverted aquarium were open, atmospheric pressure would push the water out the ports.Because it is under vacuum, only if the water level drops below the ports will air be allowed in to displace more water from the vacuumed section until it again seals the ports.

[romaurie]

The guy who helped me cut the glass[I did it myself this time] 6mm safety glass for the lower aquarium thought that maybe we got it wrong.Their system might be "pressurised" or "sealed".But on careful examination of their pictures, I see the hatches are exactly on the waterline of the lower aquariums[holding tanks].You can see net on the top to stop the fish jumping out.They were interested in that idea I used to "pull" fresh air in through the small holes I drilled on the water line.

[AweSomo84]

great idea , and big bottum tank

[waterd62r]

feeding ports must be level with lower tanks operating water level.. why do people spend money building things without thinking about physics first?

[BPalaian]

i think that your feeding hatches are below the tunnel look at the first picture(the one directly after the puke green slide) more closely

[ABFireman]

I have an idea for how your plan may work. if your interested let me know I may try to make a 3D rendering of it to make it easier to understand. just a theory but could be cool

[zedhed]

aquarium in Oita, Vietnam

Due you have a link?

I have been playing with this stuff along time. I build tanks and own a large fish store in Tx.

I have played with tubes from one tank to another with clear hoses when i was a kid. thats when i figured it out. But your feeding hatch deal is interesting to me. I am going to try some things with some scrap acrylic. And would like to look at some pics you speak of.

Would be interested in speaking or emailing more about the subject on the effect.

[AlanMolstad]

if so, then there is no way to cut a hole in the water bridge above the water level of the lower tanks because that would be the same as adding a 3rd tank to the system.

Everything connected has to always have the same water level or it will try to even out and collapse all the water out of the bridge

[AlanMolstad]

QUESTION:

So I understand fully - if you connect 2 different tanks with this water bridge, and one of the tanks has a much higher water level than the other, they will always even out?

In other words...

Once all the air is sucked out of the bridge, if you dump more water in one tank the level of the water in the other also goes up?