Chester Hill
August 29th 04, 03:22 AM
I have designed a decorative aquarium/terrarium for a design course
that I am taking, and would greatly appreciate candid answers to this
little survey I have been asked to complete in fulfillment of the
course requirements.
Firstly, let me describe the design.
It is in a shape meant to resemble an Australian Blue-Tongue lizard,
but is quite a bit larger than the real thing. It is about 2.3 meters
(over 7 ft) long, with a mid-point diameter of around 50 cm (over
1.5ft). It is curved in the middle and somewhat tapered at the ends
(picture a croissant, but not quite so curved), and stands just under
1 meter (3 ft) from the top of the tank (at the middle) to the floor.
The tank itself is supported by steel legs with level-adjustments made
to resemble the legs of the lizard. The legs can be painted as
needed, and interior fitout is flexible, although I had thought of
using treated foam rocks.
The prototype is made from 3mm PET plastic (although that has proven
to be slightly too flexible -- I am considering other alternatives),
and has an access door (you can reach both ends with the access door
open) at the mid-point along the Lizard's body. Environmental support
equipment(e.g. aeration, filtration, heating) fits into a compartment
in the belly of the lizard. Water constantly circulates from the tail
(which is slightly higher than the head) down to the head, passing
through the filters and being aerated, by means of a small, quiet
pump.
The unit is roughly consistent with the proportions of a real
Blue-Tongue Lizard, so that they appear naturally balanced.
The unit is designed to accommodate amphibians, reptiles or fish, and
so can be filled with water to the appropriate level, exposing (or
covering, as the case may be) treated foam "rocks".
I have calculated that the structure will be strong enough be filled
almost to the top with water.
So, now my questions.
Based on the description (sorry, my lack of facilities prevents me
from posting a photo),
1. Is this design functional (would you be able to use it for
different purposes)?
2. From the sound of it (again, apologies for not being able to post
pictures), do you think it would be sufficiently attractive to be used
as a sculpture (that is, without living contents).
3. Does the design sound unique? Have you heard of, or seen, anything
similar?
4. Do you think it could be maintained easily?
5. Do you think it could possibly be an attractive alternative to a
more traditional aquarium?
6. Are there any comments or suggestions with respect to this design
that you could offer?
Thank you so much for your time and your constructive feedback. If
you would prefer to email a reply instead of posting to the newsgroup
(I'm very grateful for your help, so am not choosy about which you
use), my email is:
(remove the -dontspam).
Thank you again.
Regards,
Emily (aka Chester)
that I am taking, and would greatly appreciate candid answers to this
little survey I have been asked to complete in fulfillment of the
course requirements.
Firstly, let me describe the design.
It is in a shape meant to resemble an Australian Blue-Tongue lizard,
but is quite a bit larger than the real thing. It is about 2.3 meters
(over 7 ft) long, with a mid-point diameter of around 50 cm (over
1.5ft). It is curved in the middle and somewhat tapered at the ends
(picture a croissant, but not quite so curved), and stands just under
1 meter (3 ft) from the top of the tank (at the middle) to the floor.
The tank itself is supported by steel legs with level-adjustments made
to resemble the legs of the lizard. The legs can be painted as
needed, and interior fitout is flexible, although I had thought of
using treated foam rocks.
The prototype is made from 3mm PET plastic (although that has proven
to be slightly too flexible -- I am considering other alternatives),
and has an access door (you can reach both ends with the access door
open) at the mid-point along the Lizard's body. Environmental support
equipment(e.g. aeration, filtration, heating) fits into a compartment
in the belly of the lizard. Water constantly circulates from the tail
(which is slightly higher than the head) down to the head, passing
through the filters and being aerated, by means of a small, quiet
pump.
The unit is roughly consistent with the proportions of a real
Blue-Tongue Lizard, so that they appear naturally balanced.
The unit is designed to accommodate amphibians, reptiles or fish, and
so can be filled with water to the appropriate level, exposing (or
covering, as the case may be) treated foam "rocks".
I have calculated that the structure will be strong enough be filled
almost to the top with water.
So, now my questions.
Based on the description (sorry, my lack of facilities prevents me
from posting a photo),
1. Is this design functional (would you be able to use it for
different purposes)?
2. From the sound of it (again, apologies for not being able to post
pictures), do you think it would be sufficiently attractive to be used
as a sculpture (that is, without living contents).
3. Does the design sound unique? Have you heard of, or seen, anything
similar?
4. Do you think it could be maintained easily?
5. Do you think it could possibly be an attractive alternative to a
more traditional aquarium?
6. Are there any comments or suggestions with respect to this design
that you could offer?
Thank you so much for your time and your constructive feedback. If
you would prefer to email a reply instead of posting to the newsgroup
(I'm very grateful for your help, so am not choosy about which you
use), my email is:
(remove the -dontspam).
Thank you again.
Regards,
Emily (aka Chester)