Floating aquatic structure

Abstract

Provided is a floating structure for use in an aquarium or other aquatic setting, having a manufactured hollow body with a top side, a bottom side and sidewalls extending between the top side and the bottom side. The hollow body is weighted so as to have a stable floating position in water such that the hollow elongated body predominantly remains submerged beneath the water's surface, but an outer surface of the top side consistently remains above the surface of the water.

1 . A floating structure for use in an aquarium or other aquatic setting, comprising: 
 a hollow elongated body that has been manufactured so as to have a top side, a bottom side and sidewalls extending between the top side and the bottom side,    wherein the hollow elongated body is weighted so as to have a stable floating position when placed in water, such that the hollow elongated body predominantly remains submerged beneath a surface of the water, but an outer surface of the top side consistently remains above the surface of the water.    
   
   
       2 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body is configured so as to replicate a natural hollowed-out log.  
   
   
       3 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the stable floating position of the hollow elongated body is such that the outer surface of the top side is capable of providing a stable above-water platform for two turtles, each having a shell diameter of 4 inches.  
   
   
       4 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the top side of the hollow elongated body is substantially flat.  
   
   
       5 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body is configured so as to facilitate a turtle climbing out of the water and onto the outer surface of the top side when the hollow elongated body is floating in the water.  
   
   
       6 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body has a front end and a rear end, and wherein each of the front end and the rear end is open.  
   
   
       7 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are provided with at least one hole.  
   
   
       8 . A floating structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one hole has a width of at least ¾ inch.  
   
   
       9 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the top side is provided with a hole.  
   
   
       10 . A floating structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said hole has a width of at least ¾ inch.  
   
   
       11 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body has a length that is not greater than 16 inches.  
   
   
       12 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body has a length that is not greater than 10 inches.  
   
   
       13 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the bottom side is substantially flat.  
   
   
       14 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said hollow elongated body is floating within an aquarium having a capacity of not greater than 300 gallons.  
   
   
       15 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom side has an overall mass density that is greater than the overall mass density of the top side.  
   
   
       16 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body has a center of gravity that is at or near the bottom side.  
   
   
       17 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body is configured as a substantially straight tunnel.  
   
   
       18 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body is configured so as to replicate a natural object.  
   
   
       19 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body defines an interior tunnel having a width of at least 1 ½ inches.  
   
   
       20 . A floating structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated body also defines a secondary tunnel having a width that is substantially smaller than the width of the interior tunnel.