Aquarium with adjustable lighting

Abstract

An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium under various external lighting conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to provide the best viewing experience.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising:
 an aquatic tank; 
 a first light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the display of a fluorescent fish within said tank under a dark external lighting condition; 
 a second light source configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the display of the fluorescent fish within said tank under a bright moderate external lighting condition; and 
 at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said first and second light sources such that the first and second light sources may be selectively turned on/off. 
 
     
     
       2. The aquarium of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said first and second light sources based on said external lighting condition. 
     
     
       3. The aquarium of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said first and second light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor. 
     
     
       4. The aquarium of  claim 1 , further comprising a third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum having a maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first and second maximum peak emission wavelengths which enhances the display of the fluorescent fish within said tank under a moderate bright external lighting condition, said third light source operably coupled to said electronic control. 
     
     
       5. The aquarium of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second light sources are each an array of LEDs. 
     
     
       6. The aquarium of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off said first and second light sources independently of the other. 
     
     
       7. The aquarium of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time. 
     
     
       8. The aquarium of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluorescent ornamental fish. 
     
     
       9. The aquarium of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, food, curios, rocks, or ornamental features. 
     
     
       10. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising:
 an aquatic tank; 
 a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent fish under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting conditionand, a moderate external lighting condition, and/or a dark external lighting condition; and 
 at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said light sources such that an optimal lighting combination may be selected. 
 
     
     
       11. The aquarium of  claim 10 , wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said plurality of light sources based on said external lighting condition. 
     
     
       12. The aquarium of  claim 10 , wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said plurality of light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor. 
     
     
       13. The aquarium of  claim 10 , wherein each light source of said plurality of light sources comprises an array of LEDs. 
     
     
       14. The aquarium of  claim 10 , wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off each light source of said plurality of light sources independently of the other light sources. 
     
     
       15. The aquarium of  claim 10 , further comprising a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish. 
     
     
       16. The aquarium of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, or food. 
     
     
       17. The aquarium of  claim 10 , wherein said electronic control is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time. 
     
     
       18. An aquarium kit adapted to be assembled for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external lighting condition, the term “fluorescent” as used herein means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium kit comprising:
 an aquatic tank; 
 a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent fish under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting conditionand, a moderate external lighting condition, and/or a dark external lighting condition; and 
 at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of said light sources such that an optimal lighting combination may be selected. 
 
     
     
       19. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically control said plurality of light sources based on said external lighting condition. 
     
     
       20. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , wherein said electronic control further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and said electronic control automatically controls said plurality of light sources based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor. 
     
     
       21. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of light sources are each an array of LEDs. 
     
     
       22. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , wherein said electronic control is configured for selectively turning on/off said plurality of light sources independently of the other. 
     
     
       23. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , wherein said fluorescent object is a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish, and said aquarium kit further comprises a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish. 
     
     
       24. The aquarium kit of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, aeration system, filter, food, curios, rocks, or ornamental features. 
     
     
       25. The aquarium of  claim 18 , wherein said electronic controller is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute time and relative time. 
     
     
       26. A lighting apparatus configured for use with a tank, the lighting apparatus comprising:
 a mount configured to attach the lighting apparatus;   a lighting module comprising,
 a first light source and a second light source, wherein the first light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum wavelength and wherein the second light source is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength, wherein the first and second light sources are configured to allow for the light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 25% of a maximum viewing ratio of an fluorescent object under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a moderate external lighting condition and a dark external lighting condition and 
   at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of the first light source and the second light source such that the first and second light sources may be turned on/off.   
     
     
       27. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first and second light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       28. The lighting apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first and second plurality of light sources are an array of multiple LEDs. 
     
     
       29. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a third light source, the third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum having a third maximum wavelength different from the first maximum wavelength and second maximum wavelength. 
     
     
       30. The lighting apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       31. The lighting apparatus of claim 30, wherein said first, second, and third light sources are an array of multiple LEDs. 
     
     
       32. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mount is configured to attach to the walls of a tank, or the inside of the tank, or the top edge of the tank. 
     
     
       33. The lighting apparatus of claim 26, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above the top planar surface of a tank. 
     
     
       34. A tank kit comprising:
 a tank;   a lighting apparatus comprising a lighting module having a first light source and a second light source wherein the first and second light sources are configured to allow for the light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 25% of a maximum viewing ratio of a fluorescent object under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external lighting condition and a dark external lighting condition; and   at least one electronic control for controlling the operation of the first light source and the second light source such that the first and second light sources may be turned on/off.   
     
     
       35. The kit of claim 34, wherein the first and second light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       36. The kit of claim 35, wherein the first and second plurality of light sources are an array of multiple LEDs. 
     
     
       37. The kit of claim 34, wherein the first light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum wavelength configured to enhance the object and wherein the second light source is configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a second maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength. 
     
     
       38. The kit of claim 34, further comprising a third light source, the third light source configured to emit light at a maximum wavelength different from said first maximum wavelength and second maximum wavelength. 
     
     
       39. The kit of claim 38, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each comprise a plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       40. The kit of claim 39, wherein said first, second, and third light sources are an array of multiple LEDs. 
     
     
       41. The kit of claim 34, further comprising a mount configured to attach the lighting apparatus to a tank. 
     
     
       42. The kit of claim 34, further comprising ornamental features selected from a group comprising gravel, plants, curios and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       43. The kit of claim 34, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above a tank cover. 
     
     
       44. The kit of claim 34, wherein the lighting module is capable of being positioned above the top planar surface of a tank. 
     
     
       45. The kit of claim 34, wherein the mount is configured to attach to the walls of a tank, or the inside of the tank, or the top edge of the tank. 
     
     
       46. The kit of claim 34, wherein the object is a fluorescent object. 
     
     
       47. The kit of claim 46, wherein the fluorescent object is selected from a group comprising plants, fish, frogs, gravel, curios and combination thereof. 
     
     
       48. The kit of claim 46, wherein the curios are selected from a group comprising treasure chests, marbles, artificial coral, artificial rocks, artificial sticks, coral, rocks, sticks and combinations thereof.