Abstract: A pet mat is provided with an upper surface having a pattern of raised bumps, the configuration and spacing of which is such that a common pet bowl or dish can be placed on any part of the upper surface and the bowl will normally fall within the interstices between the pattern of bumps. The bumps prevent a bowl from moving around the mat, and a raised peripheral edge bordering the upper surface prevents spillage from escaping onto the mat support surface or floor. The mat is preferably formed from a tacky material, such a natural rubber, which further aids in the goal of reducing slippage of both the mat and the bowl placed thereon.

Abstract: A lightweight perch formed from plastic, wood or the like, has, in one embodiment, an outer surface on which is applied a granular material such as sand or the like. An adhesive or solvent may be used to apply the granular material to the perch. The resultant perch duplicates the healthy, stimulative effects of expensive concrete and sand perches at a tremendously reduced weight and cost. In another embodiment, a perch is formed from a plurality of parts of dissimilar materials that are joined together through the entrainment of one material from one part into the other material from the other part.

Abstract: A lightweight perch formed from plastic, wood or the like, has an outer surface on which is applied a granular material such as sand or the like. A thin layer of adhesive or solvent may be used to attach the granular material to the perch. The resultant perch duplicates the healthy, stimulative effects of expensive concrete and sand perches at a tremendously reduced weight and cost.

Abstract: Birdcage attachments are mountable to a birdcage and present a bird with a variety of interesting and challenging activities. The toy attachments encourage birds to learn by experimenting. As a bird manipulates some parts of the toy attachments, the bird will discover that the parts may be put into different positions and remain there until deciding to move them again. In most cases, the parts will not automatically return to their original state or position if the bird stops playing, challenging a bird even more to return the toy to its original state.

Abstract: A lightweight perch formed from plastic, wood or the like, has an outer surface on which is applied a granular material such as sand or the like. A thin layer of adhesive or solvent may be used to attach the granular material to the perch. The resultant perch duplicates the healthy, stimulative effects of expensive concrete and sand perches at a tremendously reduced weight and cost.

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: A filter flow indicator for use with a filter bag into which contaminated aquarium water is pumped which comprises a meter tube connected to a inlet tube by an effective venturi connection. Water flowing in the inlet tube flows across the venturi connection. The rate of flow in the inlet tube is related to the amount of clogging in the filter bag. An indication is included on the meter tube as to when the filter should be replaced. As the filter bag clogs, the flow rate on the inlet tube slows down causing the water level in the meter tube to increase. When the level of the water reaches the indication, the filter is sufficiently clogged so that it should be replaced.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprising a framework and a surrounding envelope of filter material. The framework is reusable and provided with a rough, granular surface texture to provide increase surface area available for the propagation of aerobic bacteria. The envelope is disposable. Thus, biological filtration of the water provided by the aerobic bacteria is not interrupted upon replacement of the filter material. A second filter medium may be disposed within the envelope. The envelope is held in place by a pair of flaps which sandwich an edge of the filter material.

Abstract: An undergravel filter of an aquarium tank served by a power head to suck water from a chamber located beneath the undergravel filter to circulate this water into the tank. A riser tube connects the filter with the power head and contains a carbon cartridge, fixed to the power head. The carbon cartridge is perforated and has a substantially conical configuration. The cartridge is filled with carbon which provides chemical filtration of the water before it is returned into the aquarium tank.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprising a framework and a surrounding envelope of filter material. The framework is reusable and provided with a rough, granular surface texture to provide increase surface area available for the propagation of aerobic bacteria. The envelope is disposable. Thus, biological filtration of the water provided by the aerobic bacteria is not interrupted upon replacement of the filter material. A second filter medium may be disposed within the envelope. The envelope is held in place by a pair of flaps which sandwich an edge of the filter material.

Abstract: An aquarium filter having a housing unit for mounting on the wall of the aquarium tank with an intake chamber for receiving contaminated water and a filtering chamber for filtering the contaminated water and passing it back into the aquarium. A removable intake tube transfers the water from an inlet end to an outlet end where it can flow from the aquarium tank to the intake chamber. A slidable control valve selectively exposes bypass ports on the outlet end to regulate the flow rate of the aquarium water from a maximum down to shut-off, and all values therebetween.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprising a framework and a surrounding envelope of filter material. The framework is reusable and provided with a rough, granular surface texture to provide increase surface area available for the propagation of aerobic bacteria. The envelope is disposable. Thus, biological filtration of the water provided by the aerobic bacteria is not interrupted upon replacement of the filter material. A second filter medium may be disposed within the envelope. The envelope is held in place by a pair of flaps which sandwich an edge of the filter material.

Abstract: An aquarium filter for mounting externally of an aquarium tank. The filter includes an intake chamber for receiving contaminated aquarium water from the aquarium tank and a filtering chamber in flow communication with the intake chamber for filtering of the contaminated water and subsequent return of the clean water back to the aquarium tank. An impeller unit driven by a rotor magnetically coupled to a removably attached electromagnetic stator unit serves to draw the water from the aquarium tank to the intake chamber through a removable intake tube assembly. A partition wall separates the intake chamber from the filtering chamber for the water filling the intake chamber to overflow the partition wall into the filtering chamber. Upon stoppage of the impeller, the water from the intake chamber siphons back into the aquarium tank.