Method of rapid bio-cycling of an aquarium

• US 20020039782A1
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barrington A. Morris, Eric A. Goulbourne Jr
• Original Assignee: Barrington A. Morris, Eric A. Goulbourne Jr
• Inventors: Goulbourne, Eric A. Jr., Morris, Barrington A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,939,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/260
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/04 Preserving or maintaining viable microorganisms immobilised microorganisms C12N11/00

Abstract

A method of rapid biochemical cycling of aquariums using naturally preserved granular marine substrate material, such as sand or aragonite, to rapidly denitrify the aquatic environment and to establish biochemical conditions that are favorable to the survival and viability of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, and other marine aquatic life. The method includes the steps of harvesting and packaging marine sand such that marine microorganisms, in the form of biofilm attached to the sand, are preserved with an optimal amount of water and air in retail packaging specifically dimensioned and configured for maintaining ammonia oxidizing bacteria in a state wherein the bacteria are capable of metabolic and physiologic activity after prolonged periods at room temperature. Harvesting and packaging marine microorganisms according to the disclosed method allows for widespread distribution to consumers through conventional retail sales channels. Rapid biochemical cycling of an aquarium is achieved by introducing the contents of the packaging into an aquarium whereby marine microorganism biofilm instantly contributes to establishing a healthy aquatic environment by reducing harmful ammonia levels and through denitrification.

Claims

1. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of marine aquariums to establish a chemically balanced aquatic environment capable of supporting marine life, said method including the steps of:

harvesting marine sand from a natural submerged marine environment, said sand containing marine microorganisms in the form of natural organic biofilm;

depositing said sand in a container with a volume of seawater and a volume of air;

said volume of seawater consisting of between 2 fluid ounces and 12 fluid ounces of seawater for every 1 pound of said sand;

said volume of air consisting of between 5 cm³ and 100 cm³ for every 1 pound of said sand;

sealing said container in an airtight manner, whereby said seawater and air provide a suitable environment for maintaining said marine microorganisms bio-actively viable;

depositing said sand into a marine aquarium, whereby said marine microorganisms are effective in biochemical cycling of the aquarium environment and stabilizing ammonia levels thereby resulting in an aquarium environment which is suitable for supporting aquatic life.

2. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 1, wherein said volume of seawater is between 4 fluid ounces and 6 fluid ounces for every 1 pound of sand.

3. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 1, wherein said volume of air is between 10 cm³ and 50 cm³ for every 1 pound of sand.

4. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 1, wherein depositing said sand in a container includes distributing said sand in a generally uniform layer having a maximum depth of three inches.

5. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 1, further including the step of adding a microorganism enrichment solution to said container.

6. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes a pH buffer.

7. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes vitamins.

8. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein s aid enrichment solution includes proteins.

9. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes amino acid.

10. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes sugar.

11. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes trace elements.

12. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes NaNO₃.

13. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes NaH₂PO₄H₂O.

14. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of a marine aquarium according to claim 5, wherein said enrichment solution includes Sodium Phosphate.

17. A composition for use to effect rapid biochemical cycling of marine aquariums according to claim 16, wherein said generally uniform layer has a depth of approximately three inches.

18. A composition for use to effect rapid biochemical cycling of marine aquariums according to claim 16, further including an enrichment solution, said enrichment solution contains at least one of the following:

vitamins, amino acids, sugar, pH buffer, NaNO₃, NaH₂PO₄H₂O, trace elements.

15. A method for rapid biochemical cycling of marine aquariums to establish a chemically balanced aquatic environment capable of supporting marine life, said method including the steps of:

harvesting marine sand from a natural submerged marine environment, said sand containing marine microorganisms in the form of natural organic biofilm;

depositing said sand in a container with a volume of seawater and a volume of air, such that said sand forms a generally uniform layer having a maximum depth of three inches;

said volume of seawater consisting of between 2 fluid ounces and 12 fluid ounces of seawater for every 1 pound of said sand;

said volume of air consisting of between 5 cm³ and 100 cm³ for every 1 pound of said sand;

sealing said container in an airtight manner, whereby said seawater and air provide a suitable environment for maintaining said marine microorganisms bio-actively viable;

depositing said sand into a marine aquarium, whereby said marine microorganisms are effective in biochemical cycling of the aquarium environment and stabilizing ammonia levels thereby resulting in an aquarium environment which is suitable for supporting aquatic life.

16. A composition for use to effect rapid biochemical cycling of marine aquariums to establish a chemically balanced aquatic environment capable of supporting marine life, said composition including:

harvested marine sand obtained from a natural submerged marine environment, said sand containing marine microorganisms in the form of natural organic biofilm;

said sand being disposed in a container with a volume of seawater and a volume of air, such that said sand forms a generally uniform layer;

said volume of seawater consisting of between 2 fluid ounces and 12 fluid ounces of seawater for every 1 pound of said sand;

said volume of air consisting of between 5 cm³ and 100 cm³ for every 1 pound of said sand;

said container being sealed in an airtight manner, whereby said seawater and air provide a suitable environment for maintaining said marine microorganisms bioactively viable, such that depositing said sand into a marine aquarium is effective in biochemical cycling of the aquarium environment by stabilizing ammonia levels thereby resulting in an aquarium environment which is suitable for supporting aquatic life.