Abstract: An aquarium water flow control device for receiving a flow of aquarium water from an aquarium and for controlling a flow of aquarium water thereafter from said aquarium water flow control device is provided. The device comprises an outlet capable of allowing the aquarium water to flow therethrough and a tube having an end positioned proximate to the outlet. The tube extends in a substantially upward direction and is capable of supplying air to the outlet when the outlet is covered with aquarium water and while the aquarium water is flowing through the outlet. The outlet is connectable to a hose leading to an aquarium water filtering device which is capable of extracting the aquarium water and air from the tube through the outlet. The aquarium water flow control device also includes a wall which divides the aquarium water flow control device into a first section and a second section.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining or providing sterile or specific pathogen free environments are disclosed. The methods involve the use of semi-permeable membrane materials between the sterile or pathogen free environment and surrounding potentially hostile environments.

Abstract: A filtration device for filtering and cleaning water to be supplied to a water tank comprises a main body having an upper end opening selectively closed by a lid mounted thereon in an installed state, a filtering unit detachably disposed in the main body, an air exhaust element communicating with an inside and outside of the main body, a water inlet connected to the main body, a feed water pipe connected to the water inlet for supplying water into the main body, a drainage pump for draining clean water cleaned up by the filtering unit, a water outlet operatively connected to the filtering unit to supply the cleaned-up water to the water tank, and a flow rate control unit, which is detachably incorporated into the main body and is connected to an inner portion of the water inlet, for controlling a flow rate of raw water, which is introduced from the water inlet to the main body, in a manner that a water level of water contained in the main body alternately has a high-tide water level, at which the filtering un

Abstract: A compact and energy efficient photosynthetic filter for purifying and conditioning aquarium water comprising a receptacle (108) for holding aquarium water, a growth element (202) having a growth surface (204) of sufficient texture for growing adherent photosynthetic organisms, and a non-continuous illumination device for providing photosynthetic-sufficient illumination to the photosynthetic organisms. A non-continuous illumination device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a continuous light source mounted over a submerged, rotatably mounted, elongated, and substantially cylindrical growth element (202). Rotation of growth element (202) under the light source providing non-continuous illumination to adhered photosynthetic organisms. Rotation of the growth element is preferably powered by a motor (212) or turbine (600).

Abstract: A fluidized bed filter is described and claimed. The filter is exemplified for use in an aquaculture system. A preferred embodiment of the filter of the subject invention comprises a cylinder having an inlet port. Water is pumped into the inlet port. The force of the water fluidizes the filter medium within the cylinder. Filtered water escapes the system over the open end of the cylinder.

Abstract: An aquarium system includes an inlet reservoir, an aquarium tank defining a container for water in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir to receive water displaced from the inlet reservoir, an outlet reservoir in fluid communication with the tank for receiving water displaced from the tank, and a water treatment unit in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir and the outlet reservoir. The water treatment unit includes a rotatably supported media wheel which has a first hollow portion and a second portion carrying a water displacement media. The media is alternately submersible into and raisable out of water contained in the water treatment unit as the media wheel is rotated to displace water from the unit to the inlet reservoir, to thereby cycle water through the system. In one embodiment, the displacement media is a biological media. In another embodiment, the media wheel carries an algae screen on its perimeter.

Abstract: A fluidized bed biological filtration assembly for use with fish tanks and the assembly has a vertically oriented tubular housing with an elongated upper inner tubular member centrally positioned therein. A top cap covers the top end of the tubular housing and it has a contaminated water inlet port and a filtered water port. The inlet port is in communication with the top end of the inner tubular member and the outlet port is in communication with the filtering chamber formed by the interior of the tubular housing. An inverted cone shaped bottom cap is secured to the bottom end of the tubular housing and its interior has a lower inner tubular member extending upwardly and connected to the bottom of the upper inner tubular member. A plurality of radially extending horizontal slots in the bottom end of the lower inner tubular member allow contaminated water to exit therefrom and pass upwardly through filtering particulate in the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: An aquarium filtration system for semi-aquatic animals, such as turtles, frogs and the like, which provides for collection and removal of waste material or debris generated within the aquarium while also providing for an artificial pond and a sunning platform for the semi-aquatic animals. The filtration system includes a multi-layer reverse flow filter, a plurality of collecting tubes which support the reverse flow filter, an inclined ramp structure providing exit and entry between the artificial pond and sunning platform while also serving as a filter structure, and a biological filtration unit which also provides a sunning platform. The filtration system provides for a circulating flow of water contained within the aquarium through filter media while creating an artificial pond and sunning platform.

Abstract: An aquarium system (10) includes an inlet reservoir (25), an aquarium tank (16) defining a container for water in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir (25) to receive water displaced from the inlet reservoir (25), an outlet reservoir (35) in fluid communication with the tank (16) for receiving water displaced from the tank (16), and a water treatment unit (45) in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir (25) and tile outlet reservoir (35). The water treatment unit (45) includes a rotatably supported media wheel (47) which has a first hollow portion (48) and a second portion (49) carrying a water displacement media (50). The media (50) is alternately submersible into and raisable out of water contained in the water treatment unit (45) as the media wheel (47) is rotated to displace water from the unit to the inlet reservoir (25), to thereby cycle water through the system. In one embodiment, the displacement media (50) is a biological media.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for an aquarium comprising of mechanical, biological and chemical filter mechanisms for removing impurities from water and an intake tube/pre-filter arrangement for maintaining syphonability of the apparatus during both operating and non-operating states. In an another embodiment, a protein skimmer is combined with the other filter mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved aquarium pump for use with an aquarium filter which includes a filter box, a rotating biological filter element and a spray bar, the pump supplying water to the rotating biological filter element and the spray bar. The pump may include a pair of impellers for supplying water to the filter box and the spray bar, respectively.

Abstract: Accordingly, a filtering system for ponds is provided. The system includes a pond filtering and skimming device having defining a first internal chamber. Disposed within the chamber is a removable net disposed between the inlet and filter to entrain any objects which flow into the first chamber along with the pond water and a biological filter to filter at least a portion of any nutrients out of the pond water flowing within the first chamber. Water from the first internal chamber is preferably pumped to a bottom portion of an internal second chamber formed by a tank. The water flows upward through a second filter within the second chamber which filters at least a portion of the nutrients out of the water. The water flows upward from the filter and is discharged back into the pond from the tank to form a waterfall by flowing outward over a ledge of the tank.

Abstract: A method of raising sea-water fish is performed by raising the sea-water fish in water in a display tank which includes a device for circulating the water in the tank, a filtering material supporting plate having a sand-like filtering material containing calcium therein. In this case, the grain size of the sand-like filtering material is set between 2.5-3.5 mm. Coral sand is preferably used as the sand-like material, since it promotes the propagation of aerobic bacteria and converts ammonia and nitric acid to harmless materials and the above grain size exhibits better effect.

Abstract: An algal filter that purifies and oxygenates aquarium water comprises an elongated box with an inlet and an outlet at opposing ends with supports along the interior of the bottom wall. Trays having a lattice construction rest on the supports. Algae grow on the trays when the trays are contacted by water. A flow of water along the box is induced by a pump. Baffles are situated above the trays in alternation with the supports to alternately direct the water upward and downward through the trays along the length of the filter to produce a turbulent flow of water that potentiates the growth and metabolic exchange capabilities of the algae. Slots in the baffles induce a side to side flow that further enhances turbulence. In addition, the lattice construction of the trays results in quiet areas among the turbulence which may be used as refugiums by plankton and other small organisms.

Abstract: A dirty water treating apparatus includes a container having air permeability in which a porous material is placed. Aerobic bacteria are implanted onto the porous material. Dirty water is passed through the porous material while air is forcibly passed through the porous material from an air compressor powered by a solar generator. The dirty water treating apparatus is placed in an aquarium in which water is circulated. The apparatus continuously cleans waters, thereby providing an environment suitable for fish.

Abstract: A filter system is provided for mounting on an aquarium tank to treat the water in the aquarium. The filter system comprises a plurality of filter chambers, each containing a different filter media. The filter chambers serve to filter particulate matter from the aquarium water. A heater is further provided for controlling and maintaining the temperature of the aquarium water. The filter system further includes a dry chamber including a biological medium to support the growth of beneficial bacteria on the medium. A particularly preferred type of media is a plurality of plastic biospheres. The beneficial bacteria serve to biologically treat the aquarium and eliminate ammonia and nitrites from the water. At least one buffering chamber including a buffering medium is provided for buffering the aquarium water and maintaining a predetermined alkalinity level for the water. An air pump serves to pressurize portions of said filter system and aerate the aquarium water.

Abstract: A process and system for the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen in a fluid medium. Anaerobic bacteria fed by a carbon source are used for nitrate reduction. The addition rate of the carbon source and process residence time are controlled using the oxidation-reduction potential of the fluid medium to achieve a desired level of nitrate reduction. An industrial process control system may be used to monitor inputs and control outputs. A column of suspended beads may be used as the anaerobic bacterial bed for denitrification.

Abstract: A wet/dry filter system that is mounted on the top of an aquarium allows flexible flow control to and between the wet section and the dry section.

Abstract: A biochemical drip board for aquariums formed of a flat board having a plurality of short posts extending down from the bottom, and at least a hanger at one end, each said short post having a very small center through hole to function as a capillary to slow down speed of water flowing therethrough and to cultivate active nitrate bacteria therein for disintegrating organic matters in water into nitrogen and ammonia and consequently preventing water from worsening.

Abstract: A filter for an aquarium apparatus includes a filter tank casing, a filter unit accommodated in the filter tank casing for filtering water from a tank and returning filtered water thereto, a water pool section for collecting water from the tank and supplying water overflowing therefrom directly to a filter material of the filter unit. The filter unit physically and biologically filters water from the tank and returns filtered water thereto.

Abstract: A combination of a physical filter and aerobic filter positioned entirely on the outside of an aquarium tank. Water is pumped into the physical filter chamber and upon reaching a level above the chamber walls of the physical filter it spills by gravity flow to both an aerobic filter also contained within the housing and back into the aquarium tank. The water entering the aerobic filter is filtered and passed back to the physical filter where the filtering is repeated.

Abstract: An internally-situated filter assembly for an aquarium tank includes an upright tank partition wall mounted within the aquarium for dividing the aquarium into an aquarium compartment and a filter compartment, an inlet formed in the partition wall generally adjacent to the top end thereof for allowing tank water in the aquarium compartment to flow into the filter compartment and an outlet formed in the partition wall for allowing filtered tank water to flow from the filter compartment into the aquarium compartment. A filter is mounted in the filter compartment generally beneath the inlet so that tank water may be fed thereto under the influence of gravity from the aquarium compartment and a catch basin is formed beneath and adjacent the bottom end of the filter compartment for collecting filtered water from the filter. A pump returns filtered water collected in the catch basin to the aquarium compartment. The filter assembly is especially intended for small salt water reef tanks.

Abstract: A pressurized percolating filter, of the type used for the regeneration of water in aquariums, comprising, a closed receptacle (1), having: a prefiltering chamber (2), defined by a perforated bottom (3) equipped with a uniform plurality of perforations (3c), an intermediate chamber (4), a percolation chamber (5), and a collection chamber (7) for the regenerated water-communicating with an aquarium tub (8) by means of a feed pipe (9). A mixture of air and water to be regenerated is fed from a single leader pipe (10) to the prefiltering chamber (2). The prefiltering chamber (2) comprises in the perforated bottom (3) a small tub (3a): equipped at its bottom with a smaller number of calibrated perforations (3b) than those (3c) in the perforated bottom (3), and equipped with a float valve (12) controlling an inflow perforation (13).