Shao-Hsuan Hou

Overview

Aquarium Sculpture is a filtration system for desktop mini fish tanks. Aquarium Sculpture is designed as a desktop sculpture to pair with a mini fish tank to decorate small spaces such as an office or an apartment. 

Project Type

Individual Project

Time

3 weeks

Role

Industrial Designer

Skills

SolidWorks Modeling, KeyShot Rendering, Design Research, Human-Centered Design, Sketch

Design Process

Design

Functional Map

Inspiration & Sketch

Visualization

3D Modeling & Prototyping

Visualization

Survey

Filter is the essential device for an aquarium. It is responsible for moving and cleaning tank water, making it safe for fish to live in. There are not many different types of filters, and most of them are not designed to pair with the aquarium for display. Therefore, aquarium hobbyists always try to hide the filter for their mini fish tanks. It makes me wonder whether I can design a filtration system that is meant to be displayed like a desktop sculpture.

Reference: 

1. https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/fish-tank-filters-which-one-should-you-get

2. https://perfectfishtank.com/guide-how-to-choose-the-best-fish-tank-filter-on-the-market/

3. https://portlandaquarium.net/aquarium-filter/

Competitive Analysis

Sponge Filter

• Cost: Low

• Setup: Easy

• Maintenance & Cleaning: Easy

• Fit any shape of fish tank

• Filtration Efficiency: Low

• Difficult to be hidden in a mini fish tank 

Internal Filter

• Cost: Low

• Setup: Easy

• Maintenance & Cleaning: Easy

• Filtration Efficiency: Low

• Difficult to be hidden in a mini fish tank

• It may not fit into fish tanks with shapes other than a rectangle

Hang-On-Back Filter

• Cost: Low

• Setup: Easy

• Maintenance & Cleaning: Easy

• Filtration Efficiency: Medium

• Difficult to be hidden in a mini fish tank

• It may not fit into fish tanks with shapes other than a rectangle

Canister Filter

• Filtration Efficiency: High

• Fit any shape of fish tank

• Easy to hide the inflow/outflow pipe
   

• Cost: High

• Setup: Intermediate

• Maintenance & Cleaning: Intermediate

• Need a space/aquarium cabinet to place/hide the canister filter

Reference: 

1. https://www.tankarium.com/best-freshwater-aquarium-filter/

2. https://www.vivofish.com/best-aquarium-filter/

3. https://fishtankadvisor.com/best-canister-filters-reviews/

Generate Insights

• The canister filter will be the best option as a desktop sculpture to pair with mini fish tanks for display.

• Aquarium hobbyists have to find a way to hide the canister filters currently available on the market as they are not designed for display. Therefore, a delightfully designed canister filter that can be displayed alongside its paired mini fish tank may have a promising market potential.

Functional Map

Some equipment are essential for maintaining a healthy freshwater aquarium. They include a filter, a heater, and a light. Based on my experience, interviews with a few aquarium hobbyists, and information I found online, I made a functional map to demonstrate functions that can be integrated into this design project.

Reference: 

1. https://aquascapinglove.com/learn-aquascaping/what-is-aquascaping/

2. https://www.fishaholic.net/2020/08/diy-filter-aquarium.html

3. https://www.fishaholic.net/2020/12/build-canister-filter-at-home.html

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn1Z8Y2GA4U&t=1s

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd2AxTlKykc

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Inspiration & Sketch

3D Modeling & Prototyping