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: Solder is applied to a circuit board 7 by dipping the board into a bath 1 of molten solder 3, the molten solder having a layer of oil 5 on top. The solder is dipped into the bath by rotating it along a path that is substantially coplanar with the circuit board. This is achieved by supporting the board on a carrier 9 which in turn is attached to a motor shaft 11.

Abstract: An energy efficient aquarium system with a separate cover wherein the lamp or lamps are located below the filters and filter ponds thus heating the filter pond bottom and sides to further heat the water contained in the filter ponds thus eliminating the need for a separate heater and further saving the energy required to heat the water as it flows into the aquarium. Floats each with a filter condition indicator bar are located in the filter ponds wherein the filter condition indicator bars extend through the cover and further indicate the condition of the filter as the water rises in the filter ponds due to the filters filling up with debris that restricts the flow of water passing through the filter; as the water rises in the filter ponds, the float rises and further causes the filter condition indicator to rise wherein it may easily be seen. When the filter condition indicator rises to a predetermined height, the owner of the aquarium would be given notice that the filters need to be changed.

Abstract: A spawning case for use in an aquarium comprises in combination a rectangular case body (A) and filter (B). The case body (A) is arranged within the aquarium so as to communicate with water. The case body A includes a multiplicity of passage slits (11) and a W-shaped partition member (20) having communication paths (24) formed at its valleys. The filter (B) is removably mounted on the external surface of the case body (A). The filter (B) includes on its one side an intake (C) which is brought into intimate contact with the passage slits (11), and at its upper portion a discharge port (33) capable of being selectively directed toward either the interior or the exterior of the case body (A).

Abstract: A filter system is used in water treatment for removing organic waste from fresh or salt water found in aquariums and culture systems and to facilitate gas exchange between water and atmosphere. The filter includes an air and organic waste laden water mixer, a water-air laden waste separator and an organic waste remover. The mixer is a long tube which has at its top, an inlet pipe that delivers organic waste laden water at high pressure into the tube, and surrounding apertures through which air is drawn. This tube is filled with water-air mixing media such as bioballs and has an outlet opening in the base of the tube which feeds water and waste laden air bubbles into a separator box. The separator box includes a deflector over which the water-air laden organic mix travels. The rising air will pull the organic waste attached to it upward into a foam collector for waste removal. The cleansed or treated water is discharged through a valve beyond the deflector.

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: An apparatus for the foaming of organic components in sea water or sweet water has above a pump or other bottom part capable of forcing water upwardly an upstanding aeration vessel in which a mixture of air and water induces foaming, the excess water passing over a weir from this vessel while the bubbles ascend to a riser made up of a multiplicity of wall parts, e.g. a multiplicity of thin tubes or concentric tubes with partitions dividing them into segments, such that the bubbles remain substantially intact without bursting as they rise and capillary displacement of water is precluded. The foam can be collected in a receptacle around this riser.

Abstract: A protein skimmer for clearing the impurities in an aquarium, comprising a skimmer body, an impurities collector, a top cover, a power head, an intermediate partition plate, a side partition plate, a transverse partition plate, a foam grid and a plurality of filtering cotton, wherein the impurities collector covers the top of the skimmer body and the upper end thereof is enclosed by the top cover. The foam grid is located at the interior of the lower end of the collector. The intermediate partition plate is disposed at the intermediate zone of the upper half portion of the skimmer body, so as to divide the internal space of the body into a large and a small bubble collecting chambers. The side and transverse partition plates are respectively located at the side and bottom of the small bubble chamber to define two filtering chambers therein. The power head is mounted to the lower portion of the skimmer body and is in connection with the large bubble collecting chamber at the water inlet of the body.

Abstract: A water filtration and aeration system fastened to an aquarium to let gas (CO2, O.sub.2) be admitted in minute bubbles into water and then to let treated water be guided back to the aquarium. The system includes a gas diffusing unit, a flow guide assembly connected to the gas diffusing unit by a coupler, and an extension cylinder coupled to the flow guide assembly at the bottom. Gas and aquarium water are guided downwards to a mixing chamber in the coupler where they are mixed by a motor-driven vane, then treated water is guided by the flow guide assembly to flow out of the extension cylinder to the aquarium again.

Abstract: An improved filtering device for an aquarium tank, particularly a filtering device in which a plurality of "U" notches are formed at equal distance in the rim of the cup, the arc section formed by two notches has a lateral rib and the circular connecting rings in the lower portion of the cup allow the cups of the filtering device to be connected easily, the cup can also be rotated freely after connecting. In addition, the suction tube with the impeller, the filtering cotton and the carbon dioxide guide tube as well as the submerged motor combine to function so that carbon dioxide can be dissolved completely in water. Moreover, more oxygen can be generated inside the aquarium tank for healthier fish and plants, the filtered water through the filtering device according to the present invention becomes pure, crystal clear with a whirling and bubbling action.

Abstract: A tandem pump equipped with a pair of pump units that are assembled together each having a water inlet and a water outlet. Each water outlet duct is associated with a control chamber which is equipped with a volume control disc which can be operated with click sound. Each water outlet duct is provided an air intake tube with which flexible pipe can be engaged so that air or different kinds of gas can be introduced into water of a fish globe along with the projected water. The pump umits of the tandem pump are in communication with each other so that water can be controllably dispensed via a single water outlet or both water outlets at variable speed or volume. Different kinds of accessories for fish raising can be selectively mounted to both or either of the pump units so as to make the tandem pump to be more effectively employed.

Abstract: A filtering device including a lower housing engaged on a base and communicated with the base, an upper housing disposed above the lower casing, a tube communicating the base to the upper housing, a motor disposed in the upper housing for drawing the water contained in the base, and a pipe extended into the tube for supplying air into the tube and for forcing the water move upward through the tube when the motor is not energized.

Abstract: An improved filtration system for an aquarium having a water-filled habitation area with the water being aerated and circulated. The filtration system comprises a perforated platform adapted to be placed on a bottom surface of the aquarium and covered by a layer of porous material. The platform and the bottom surface define a subspace therebetween, and perforations admit water that circulates between the habitation area and the subspace. A hollow column, having an interior in fluid communication with the subspace, and carrying water circulating therethrough, extends through the platform and at its terminus discharges the circulating water back into the aquarium. A plurality of media elements, located in the column, each has a large surface area portion that is exposed to the circulating water.

Abstract: A novel aquarium assembly includes a transparent fish tank that is made of integrally molded plastic. The fish tank confines large and small receiving spaces therein. A top cover is mounted removably on the open top of the fish tank and is formed with an opening to access the large receiving space. A U-shaped filter strip is disposed inside the small receiving space and divides the small receiving space into a first compartment and two second compartments on two sides of the first compartment. The second compartments are communicated directly with the large receiving space.

Abstract: An undergravel wet/dry trickle system utilizing mechanical, biological and chemical filtration is described. This system provides the advantage of compact size coupled with efficient purification and saturation level oxygenation of the water returned to the aquarium. Moreover, this invention relies on a simple manufacture which is less costly than any wet/dry trickle system previously known.