Abstract: The laundry bag includes a body of openwork material defining a substantially spherical interior volume in at least one state and having an opening thereto. A closure is positioned at the opening to close the opening while maintaining the substantially spherical interior volume. The closure may include an additional body of openwork material extending from the opening and having an open end for inserting objects into the interior volume. Further, a laundry bag includes a body of openwork material defining an interior volume. The body of openwork material has an opening for insertion of objects into the interior volume and includes a closure portion of openwork material adjacent the opening such that when the closure portion is folded the interior volume is maintained. A method for using a laundry bag includes providing a laundry bag having a body of openwork material defining an interior volume and having an opening for insertion of objects into the interior volume.

Abstract: Efficient biological and mechanical and/or chemical filtration or purification of the water in an aquatic life support system is achieved with a submerged device through which a high water flow rate is induced by a generally vertical flow of air through the hollow core of one or a plurality of filtration elements. Each filtration element accommodates a high flow rate (e.g. more than 50 gallons per hour) and can contain a viable colony of nitrifying bacteria. The preferred filtration device comprises a base with a plurality of air inlets and air passageways or conduits to the aforementioned hollow core of each filtration element. The base supports and positions the filtration elements. Increased flow rates can be achieved by affixing a hollow tube or conduit to the upper end of the aforementioned hollow core of a filtration element.

Abstract: In the disclosed aquarium system, the aquarium water is purified in a biological/mechanical external filtration means which can also include chemical adsorption elements, if desired. The filtration means typically comprises (a) a pre-filtration zone, containing a relatively "coarse" filter element (e.g. with a pore size greater than 100 microns), and (b) a parallel flow zone containing a "fine" filter element (e.g. with a pore size less than 100 microns) and at least one cultured filter element. The culture of the cultured filtered element typically contains nitrifying bacteria, which help keep the free ammonia concentration in the aquarium system at a low, nontoxic level or even negligible level. The "fine" filter element in parallel with the cultured filter element permits high flow rates through the system and removes fine detritus.