Abstract: A waterfall aquarium cleansing system provides a tank that includes a base, a pair of first sides, a pair of second sides, the first and second sides having a height all defining a main chamber. A filter is provided that is in fluid communication with the base and is disposed relative thereto to define a retention area. The base defines at least one aperture that is in communication with the retention area. The retention area is configured for agitation-free collection of sediment from the main chamber for subsequent removal through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: An aquarium having a powerless air pumping device includes a cycle filter device, and an air pumping device. The cycle filter device includes a water pumping pipe connecting with the air pumping device, so that the motor and the water pumping pipe of the cycle filter device may pump the water contained in the aquarium into the air pumping device, to serve as the power source of the powerless air pumping device.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a size on the order of 0.1 to 100 microns in size are created by systems and devices of several types. The device includes a source of a stream of gas which is forced through a liquid held under pressure in a pressure chamber with an exit opening therein. The stream of gas surrounded by the liquid in the pressure chamber flows out of an exit orifice of the chamber into a liquid thereby creating a monodispersion of bubbles with substantially uniform diameter. The bubbles are small in size and produced with a relatively small amount of energy relative to comparable systems. Small particles of liquid may also be produced. Applications of the technology range from oxygenating sewage with monodispersions of bubbles to inhalation therapy with monodisperse aerosol dispersions of pharmaceutically active drugs.

Abstract: A fish feeding mechanism that disburses fish food within a fish tank in metered quantities, allowing fish the time to consume the food before it settles. The feeding mechanism is affixed to the inside of the fish tank by a suction cup or a suspension hook and comprises a food container whose top end is positioned above the water surface. The submerged surface end of the food container includes at least one food outlet that opens into the fish tank. Adjacent to the food container and also submerged inside the fish tank is a lift tube provided with an inlet port to allow water from the fish tank to enter, while a channel in the lift tube allows the water to enter the food container. An air line is inserted into the lift tube's inlet port and the compressed air therefrom flows from the mouth of the air line and enters the lift tube, causing air bubbles to rise to create an upward current of water.

Abstract: A foam fractionation protein skimmer for removing organic waste material from organic loaded water, the protein skimmer including an upright reaction chamber with an uppermost throat in flow communication with a foam collection cup for collecting a protein loaded foam containing the organic waste material.

Abstract: A holder (4) for retaining an aerator conduit (5) for placement on the bottom (6) of an aquarium tank (1). The holder has a trough with at least one side wall (11a,b) and a retaining means, such as channel (12), in the trough. The holder may be supported in an upright position on the bottom of the aquarium tank by sand and gravel pressing against the outside surface of its side walls. Side walls further keep sand and gravel from covering the aerator conduit. A stabilizer base (14) may be provided on the bottom of the holder. The aerator holder provides for more evenly distributed air bubbles (2) in the aquarium and thus better oxygenation of the water for the fish contained therein. Preferably the holder is made of clear plastic so that it is virtually invisible to an observer, thereby providing an overall more aesthetic appearance for the aquarium.

Abstract: Spherical particles having a size on the order of 0.1 to 100 microns in size are created by systems and devices of several types. The device includes a source of a stream of gas which is forced through a liquid held under pressure in a pressure chamber with an exit opening therein. The stream of gas surrounded by the liquid in the pressure chamber flows out of an exit orifice of the chamber into a liquid thereby creating a monodispersion of bubbles with substantially uniform diameter. The bubbles are small in size and produced with a relatively small amount of energy relative to comparable systems. Small particles of liquid may also be produced. Applications of the technology range from oxygenating sewage with monodispersions of bubbles to inhalation therapy with monodisperse aerosol dispersions of pharmaceutically active drugs.

Abstract: A protein skimmer for removal of protein contaminates from protein contaminated water. An injector is used for spraying protein contaminated water into a mixing chamber having a water bubble chamber. The spraying motion causes bubble generation in the water bubble chamber. Contaminates in the water attach themselves to the bubbles and rise to the surface of the water as foam. A hollow foam riser is attached to the top of the mixing chamber and provides an exit pathway for the contaminated foam. As foam is generated, it rises through the foam riser and carries with it contaminates. A foam collection cup is attached to the top of the foam riser and collects the contaminated foam. Consequently, the water left behind in the mixing chamber is substantially more pure. The substantially more pure water exits the mixing chamber through a purified water exit aperture.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a portable system for maintaining aquatic life that require oxygenated water, such as fish, shrimp, other marine animals, microbial populations, plant life and combinations thereof. The system generally includes a container and a centrifugal pump adapted selectively operate in either an aerating mode to provide oxygen to the aquatic life or a pumping mode in which the water in the tank is replace with fresh water. The pump is designed to be self priming, thereby allowing a system that is substantially self regulating and operating without the necessity of electronic controls.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a system for maintaining aquatic life that require oxygenated water, such as fish, shrimp, other marine animals, microbial populations, plant life and combinations thereof. The system generally includes a container and a centrifugal pump adapted selectively operate in either an aerating mode to provide oxygen to the aquatic life or a pumping mode in which the water in the tank is replace with fresh water. The pump is designed to be self priming, thereby allowing a system that is substantially self regulating and operating without the necessity of electronic controls.

Abstract: An improved aerator for oxygenating water and generating a circulating current within a livewell or baitwell while minimizing damaging turbulence. The aerator includes a downstream expansion area to reduce exit velocity, and an air intake conduit positioned to minimize stagnation of the liquid flow. The new aerator has an increased negative aspiration pressure, and can be operated at lower depths than previously possible.

Abstract: A manifold for use in aerating and circulating the aquarium water is composed of a main tube, at least one bypass tube extending from the main tube, and at least one aerating tube extending from the bypass tube such that the aerating tube is parallel to the main tube and that the top end of the aerating tube is in contact with atmospheric air and further that the bottom end of the aerating tube is submerged in the aquarium water. The main tube has a top end in communication with a filtration device of the aquarium, and a bottom end which is engaged with a water pump located at the bottom of the aquarium. The bypass tube forms an angle with the main tube such that the bypass tube is provided with an uphill segment contiguous to the main tube, and a downhill segment contiguous to the aerating tube.

Abstract: In order to reduce the noise made by a foam flotation separator working on the dispersion apparatus principle and maximise the air supply, the foam flotation separator is designed so as to comprise a dispersion pump (2) which draws in water and a gas such as air and/or ozone, a reaction chamber connected on the delivery side, a collector (5) on the upper end of the reaction chamber (4) and an expanded section (15) at the lower, outlet end of the reaction chamber (4).

Abstract: A strainer structure for an aquarium, has an improved bubbles generator for producing finer bubbles and increasing oxygen solution. The micro bubbles generator is located between an air intake tube, and an oxygen solution tube and has a plurality of vent seams. When air is supplied from an air vent tube, air passes through the vent seams, into the water and is mixed with water to provide for the solution of oxygen in water. Improved oxygen solution by volume is achieved by forming a greater number of smaller bubbles by air passing through the by a plurality of vent seams. A surface of a sponge of the strainer has a saw-tooth shape which increase contact area with water and expands beneficial space for water animals to reside. A guide cap on which the sponge is mounted has a conical outer configuration to provide a conical area believes the guide cap and the sponge to increase the attachment sponge for water animals.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning aquarium has a top aquatic section (1) with vertical walls (2) and a bottom waste section (3) having tapered walls (4) which funnel to a valved flushing orifice (5). A grate-supported screen (8, 9) separates the top aquatic section from the bottom waste section. The valved flushing orifice and a discharge conveyance (11) are large enough to permit effectively fast flushing of the grate-supported screen and the tapered walls of the bottom waste section. Positioning of the valved flushing orifice can be designed for various sizes and uses of the aquariums. Air for aeration and circulation of water in the aquarium is supplied centrally or optionally through an aeration pipe (17) extended near end-to-end and having a plurality of aeration orifices (20). A water tap or a pail with suitable water can be used to refill the top aquatic section after flushing.

Abstract: A foam fractionator which can create a vortex is utilized to remove proteins from an aquatic environment by skimming. The vortex is created by a propeller arrangement located at the bottom of an internal chamber, centrally located within a main reaction chamber. Air sucked from the atmosphere by the vortex passes down through a central chamber and is dispensed outwardly into the main chamber where air bubbles form and rise to the surface. The air bubbles attract protein deposits which stick thereto which results in the formation of a protein-containing surface foam that is collected within a collection cup.

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: An aerator for an aquarium has a connector for connecting the aerator to an existing filter system. An air receiving and dispensing chamber is annular and defined between a lower annulus and an upper perforate annulus. Walls on the lower annulus mate with skirts on the upper, perforate annulus to define inner and outer walls of the chamber. Water flows through the central openings in the annuluses, from the filter, upwardly, and air passes through the upper, perforate annulus. A mixing chamber is received over the upper, perforate annulus, and a tube can be connected to the mixing chamber to carry the aerated water up. An air supply tube extends down through the center of the aerator and connects to the chamber to supply air to the chamber.

Abstract: A foam fractionation protein skimmer assembly/apparatus for removing organic waste material from water within an aquarium includes a foam fractionation column adapted to be partially submerged in the water in an aquarium and an aerating water pump which mixes air with water drawn from the aquarium internally within the pump and pumps the aerated water into the column through an external water intake port on the column to provide a downward flow of water in the column counter to air bubbles rising within the column to induce production of surfactant-containing foam on the surface of the water within the column. The column itself is comprised of a plurality of separate tube sections or chambers frictionally connected together for ease of assembly and disassembly to facilitate cleaning of the column.

Abstract: An aerator for attachment to a container for live fish. The aerator includes a one-piece molded plastic housing. The housing includes a lid portion, a body portion and a hinge portion pivotally connecting together the lid portion and the body portion. The body portion has a space for an operating battery and a storage space for a space battery. A first latch portion is attached to a body portion. An attachment device is molded into the lid portion of the housing. The attachment device defines a second latch portion which cooperates with the first latch portion to releasably secure the lid portion in a closed position relative to the body portion. The aerator includes a pump and a motor operably connected to the pump. The pump and motor are attached to the lid portion of the housing and electrical connection with the working battery is completed when the lid portion is pivoted to the closed position relative to the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved leak-proof device for a bubbling port of an aquarium comprising a water tank, a base cover and a base disc, the water tank having a bubbling port on the bottom, and an exhaust outlet setting with a check valve. The base cover has an integrally molded communication connector, and on top of the connector, a check valve. The base disc has an air pump with a connected conduit. With the assembly of these members, air produced from the air pump may enter water tank for bubbling, and because of the check valve and related devices on the water tank and base cover, the bubbling port on the base, of the water tank has double leak-proof effect.

Abstract: An apertured flexible membrane (10) extends over a domed support (11). A central gas supply tube (50,82) terminates in gas outlets (51) oriented to direct the gas to flow horizontally into the space (40) between the membrane and the support to inflate the membrane away from the support so that gas from the inflated space discharges through the apertures (60) as fine bubbles and such that when the gas supply ceases the membrane collapses back into area contact with the support to seal all the apertures. This reduces clogging. The aerator is useful in the aeration of sewage or waste water and in fish or eel farms.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an existing aquarium tank for extending the aquarium tank includes an extension tank having opposite side walls, a top wall, an open bottom, an interior chamber and a shoulder between the top wall and the bottom wall for supported engagement on the top of the aquarium tank. An exhaust valve assembly includes a one way air valve, a float valve and a valve seat structured and disposed to permit one way passage of air therethrough in response to an external vacuum force, causing air to be drawn from within the interior chamber of extension tank. The apparatus further includes a sealed pump box with an air pump therein to create a vacuum force for drawing air from within the interior chamber and an aeration assembly for replenishing air to the extension tank.

Abstract: An aquarium includes a water tank received in a picture-frame-shaped housing suitable for either mounting on a wall or being supported on a stand. The housing includes a hidden storage space for neatly storing an air pump. A vertical sheet or partition extending between the sides of the tank divides the tank into a full-width, but relatively thin and flat, bubble conduit behind the partition for carrying air bubbles, and a habitation compartment in from of it for keeping fish. The lower edge of the partition is spaced above the bottom of the tank to form a gap or water intake, and the upper edge of the partition is spaced below the water line to form a water return. An elongated air diffuser substantially extends between the side edges of the bubble conduit near its bottom. When supplied air by the pump, the diffuser emits a wide sheet of air bubbles that rise upwardly through the bubble conduit to aerate the water.

Abstract: An aquarium air-manifold having modular-construction provision, serving to beautify the typical aquarium by virtually eliminating the usual entanglement of multiple air/feed-lines visibly extending down the inside wall of the aquarium. Preferably molded of transparent-plastic to a squared-tubular cross-section, the manifold can be formed into a grid like format, and several modules may be plugged together to cover as large an area on the floor of the aquarium as may be desired. The air-manifold preferably draws upon only a single air/input-line, while serving a plurality of provisional outlets. Each outlet may either adapted with a plug or an outlet-fitting, thereby enabling the aquarium designer to create any convenient arrangement of outlets as may be desired for the particular aquadic-environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying and activating water is provided. The apparatus comprises a drive shaft having a hollow inside, a capsule secured to a lower end of the drive shaft, a device for supporting the drive shaft for rotation so that an upper opening of the drive shaft is positioned above the surface of water and the capsule is positioned in the water, and a motor for rotationally driving the drive shaft, the capsule including a plurality of small apertures communicating with the hollow inside of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An aquarium comprises a container for holding a main body of water, a discrete region of the water being defined as a separate upright column. A submersible pump is positioned within the main body of water for drawing water from that main body and spraying the water onto the top of the discrete region, to aerate the water. An outlet at the base of the column provides circulation of the resulting aerated water down through the column and into the main body of water. The aquarium of the invention allows the surface of the main body of water to be substantially undisturbed thus allowing use of the aquarium as part of a coffee table, for example having a transparent top.

Abstract: An aerator for an aquarium is provided which consists of a structure placed onto a bottom of the aquarium holding water therein, for introducing small air bubbles into the water, so that the air will mix with and enhance the water, to allow fish to better breathe within the 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.