Abstract: A rotating biological contactor (RBC) is provided that includes a media wheel with a plurality of vanes configured for growth of algae thereon. The media wheel is configured for rotation by air directed from an air diffuser to impinge on the vanes such that when said media wheel is partly immersed in water rotation of the media wheel alternately exposes algae growing on the plurality of vanes to sunlight and to the water. A frame is connected to an axle of the media wheel. Only one of the media wheel and the frame is constructed with a buoyancy sufficient to support the media wheel partly immersed in water during rotation of the media wheel.

Abstract: A rotating biological contactor (RBC) is provided that includes a media wheel with a plurality of vanes configured for growth of algae thereon. The media wheel is configured for rotation by air directed from an air diffuser to impinge on the vanes such that when said media wheel is partly immersed in water rotation of the media wheel alternately exposes algae growing on the plurality of vanes to sunlight and to the water;. A frame is connected to an axle of the media wheel. Only one of the media wheel and the frame is constructed with a buoyancy sufficient to support the media wheel partly immersed in water during rotation of the media wheel.

Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system is configured for growing aquatic animals. The system includes an inlet conduit, a tank, a water treatment unit, a clarifier, and an outlet conduit. The tank is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit to receive water displaced from the inlet conduit. The tank also contains water and aquatic animals. The water treatment unit is arranged within the tank and includes algae capable of removing aquatic animal waste from the water within the tank. The clarifier is in fluid communication with the tank to receive displaced water from the tank. The clarifier is also configured to remove solid waste from the displaced water. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication between the clarifier and the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system is configured for growing aquatic animals. The system includes an inlet conduit, a tank, a water treatment unit, a clarifier, and an outlet conduit. The tank is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit to receive water displaced from the inlet conduit. The tank also contains water and aquatic animals. The water treatment unit is arranged within the tank and includes algae capable of removing aquatic animal waste from the water within the tank. The clarifier is in fluid communication with the tank to receive displaced water from the tank. The clarifier is also configured to remove solid waste from the displaced water. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication between the clarifier and the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A self-sustaining wastewater treatment facility abates greenhouse gas abatement, captures CO2 and produces biomass to address multiple critical environmental needs. The facility includes an array of rotating media wheels that create an optimum ordered mixing of algae for sustained growth. Biomass harvested from the rotating media wheels may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-fuels. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria are provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. The multi-functional facility may also be integrated into a regenerative facility in which the biomass obtained from the algal and bacterial colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the multi-functional facility to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process includes a treatment system for biologically treating wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of rotating media wheels for sustained algae growth. The media wheels are supported so that the algae rotates into and out of the wastewater for exposure to sunlight. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 may also be provided to the facility for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Rotation of the media wheels can be accomplished by air jets that also operate to dislodge excess algae as a byproduct of the system and process.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A self-sustaining wastewater treatment facility abates greenhouse gas abatement, captures CO2 and produces biomass to address multiple critical environmental needs. The facility includes an array of rotating media wheels that create an optimum ordered mixing of algae for sustained growth. Biomass harvested from the rotating media wheels may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-fuels. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria are provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. The multi-functional facility may also be integrated into a regenerative facility in which the biomass obtained from the algal and bacterial colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the multi-functional facility to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and process includes a treatment system for biologically treating wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of rotating media wheels for sustained algae growth. The media wheels are supported so that the algae rotates into and out of the wastewater for exposure to sunlight. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 may also be provided to the facility for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Rotation of the media wheels can be accomplished by air jets that also operate to dislodge excess algae as a byproduct of the system and process.

Abstract: A fluid surge assembly for treating aquarium water and other fluids includes a treatment unit for receiving fluid, treating the fluid and depositing the fluid along a flow path to a body of fluid and a weir assembly disposed in the flow path between the treatment unit and the body of fluid. The weir assembly includes a lower weir blocking a portion of the flow path and an upper weir. The lower edge of the upper weir is offset from the crest of the lower weir to define a first fountain path. The crest of the upper weir defines a portion of a second fountain path. The second fountain path intersects the first fountain path to increase the velocity and distance traveled of the fluid. The invention also includes aquarium systems employing the fluid surge assembly. In some embodiments, the aquarium systems provide an opaque decorative member to block the treatment unit from view. In some embodiments, the decorative member is live rock.

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: 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.