GB2176681A - Aquaria and treatment equipment for use therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

An aquarium comprises a tank partitioned to define at least one compartment which includes a first reservoir 6 into which, in use of the aquarium, surface water overflows from the tank, a second reservoir 7 into which water overflows from the first reservoir, and means 8, 23 operable to return this water to the tank. A pump 8 is located in the first reservoir or the second reservoir to draw water from the second reservoir and to return this water under pressure to the tank. The reservoirs may contain filters 10, 15, 16. Means may also be provided for circulating water drawn downwardly through a gravel layer at the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aquaria and treatment equipment for use therewith This invention relates to aquaria and to water treatment equipmentforuse therewith. Byan "aquarium" is meant an artificialtankfordisplaying, keeping, holding and transporting live aquatic plants and animals such as fish and crustaceans.

Aquaria for fresh water and saltwaterfish are known in which air is continually or intermittently introduced into the water content ofthe display tank of the aquarium to increase the oxygen content ofthe water. Such oxygenation systems includethose commonly known as the under-gravel and reverse flow cleansing systems. In the formersystem, air is introduced into an uplift tu be below the surface of the water content ofthe display tank and the water passes downwa rdly th ro u g h a g ravel layer present own the floor of the tankforfiltration purposes and upwardly through pipes for re-circulation to the upper regions of the water content ofthe tank.Whereas such a system has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, it has been found that in timethegravel becomes saturated with waste matter with the consequence thatthe tank requires frequent cleansing for the correct ecological balance two be maintained.

The reverse flow cleansing system differs from the under-gravel system in that water is pumped under pressure th rough down-pipes to locations below a porous or apertured sheet on which a gravel layer is supported, and passes upwardly th rough this gravel layer and separate filtration units before being recycled back into the main water content of the tank.

This system requires the presence of unsightly filters, pipes and pumpswithin the displaytankwhich detract from the usual visual effect ofthe display.

Both systems sufferfrom the additional disadvan tagethatevaporation of the water content of the displaytank can lead to excessive saline and other undesirable potentially toxic concentrations harmful to fish and plant life displayed in the tank.

The present invention sets outto provide an improved aquarium and watertreatment system which does not suffer from any of the disadvantages inherent in the systems discused above.

According to the present invention in one apsect there is provided an aquarium comprising a tank partitioned to define at least one compartment which includes a first reservoir into which, in use ofthe aquarium, surface water overflows from the tank and a second reservoir into which water overflows from the first reservoir, and means operable to return this waterto the tank. The first reservoir may be adapted to drawwaterfrom the second reservoir by means of a presence of waves.

In a preferred arrangement, the tank is separated from the compartment by means of a partition wall formed with a lip or aperture(s) at a heightjust below the required water level ofthe tank, whereby water fromthetankcancontinuallyoverflowintothefirst reservoir ofthe compartment. Adistributor pipe may be provided through which water overflowing from the first reservoir can pass to enterthe second reservoir. The distributor pipe may include a series of apertures through which water can flow as discrete streams; the distributor pipe may be located at a height above the desired water level ofthe second reservoir.Filters may be provided at entry to the first and/or second reservoirs to remove waste matter from the water overflowing respectively from the tan and/orfrom the first reservoir.

Water returned tothetank may be admitted througl an apertureformed inthe lowerportion ofthe partition wall and below a gravel layer supported above the floor of the tank; additionally or alternative lythewater may be discharged into the tank via an aperture formed in the upper portion ofthe partition wall and above the aforesaid gravel layer.

Waterfiltration and/oraeration and/ortreatment means may be located within the second reservoir in the path ofthe water overflowing from the first reservoir.

Means for indicating the level of water contained in the second reservoir may be provided. Such means maycompriseaciearviewpanelthroughwhichthe water level can be inspected; alternatively, a partially visible float may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, means connectable via a ball float valve operable to open and close a valve of a mains water pipe or other source offresh water may be provided admitfreshwaterfrom acoidwatersupplyasand when required to maintain a substantially constant water level in the second reservoir.

The aquarium may include a second compartment separated from the tank by a partition wall which includes an inletthrough which watercanflowafter passing th roug h the gravel layer supported above the floor of the tank by an apertured plastics sheet our a sheetoffibre glass having afine mesh size ofeg 1/16".

A pump is preferably provided in communication witP the second compartment to maintain a water level below that of the water contained in the tank. Water entering this second compartment may initially flow upwardly past a thermostatically controlled heater and over a dividing wall before passing downwardly along the other side of the dividing wall to leave the compartmentthrough an aperture sited above the aforesaid gravel layer. Water aeration means may be located within the compartment to aerate water the gravel layer on entering the tank.

According to the present invention in another aspect there is provided water treatment apparatus for atankofan aquarium which comprises a partition adapted to be located within such a tank to define a compartment, a first receptacle adapted to define, in use ofthe apparatus, a first water containing reservoir into which surface water can flowfrom the partitioned tank, a second receptaclewhich, in use ofthe apparatus defines a second water containing reservoir into which surface water can flow from the first reservoir, and means for returning such water to the tank.

According to the present invention in a further aspect there is provided a water treatment system for an aquarium in which a constant water level is maintained in thetank of the aquarium by providing a compartment into which surface water from the tank continuously flows, the water being returned under pressure to the tank by means of a pump.

According to the present invention in a still further aspect there is provided a water treatment system for an aquarium in which a constant water level is maintained inthetank of the aquarium by providing a compartment into which surface water from the tank continuously flows, the water being returned under pressureto thetank by means of a pump.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure lisa side elevational view of a display tank of an aquarium in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section to an enlarged scale taken through line "ll-ll" of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are respectively side and plan views of a further aquarium display tank in accordance with the invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively sectioned views taken along linesV-V and VI-VI of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a side elevatonal view of a still further aquarium in accordance with the invention; Figures 8 and 9 are respectively side elevational and end views in section of a further aquarium in accordance with the invention; and Figure 10 is a side elevational view in section to an enlarged scale of a feature ofthe aquarium illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

The aquarium illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a display tank 1 forfresh water or salt water fish and/or aquatic plants separated from a compartment 2 by means of a partition wall 3. The tank may be constructed of glass or a plastics material and the partition wall 3 may also be constructed of glass or plastics or may comprise a fibre-glass panel. The 6 in the path of water overflowing the lip 4 and can readily be removed for cleaning or replacement.

In an unillustrated embodiment of the invention, the height of the partition wall 3 is such that it lies just below the water level 5; thus water overflows from the display tank 1 acrossthefull length ofthe partition wall, In this embodiment, a gully may be provided on the compartment side of the partition wall to convey the overflowing water into the first reservoir 6.

It will be noted that the predetermined water level 9 lies above the upper surface ofthe pump 8 and just above the lower boundary or an inlet 11 ofa distributor pipe 12 through which water overflowing from the first reservoir is conveyed to the second reservoir7.Thedistributorpipe 12 its supported within bushes and is formed with a series of apertures through which the overflowing water passes asa series of discrete streams. The outlet of one or more apertures may be widened such that the water leaves the distributor pipe 12 as a series of discrete streams of droplets.As will be seen from Figure 2, the outlet apertures of the distributor pipe 12 are located above the level ofwatercontained in the second reservoir7 (thiswaterlevel being indicated by reference numeral 13) to aerate the water entering the second reservoir.

Supported within the second reservoir 7 and immediately below the distributor pipe 12 is a removable container 14 housing filters and other watertreatment devices. The filters include layers of foam 15 positioned at entryto and exit from the container 14. The container also includes biological filtermedia,coral sand, coral gravel oractivated carbon/charcoal filters generally indicated by reference numeral 16. Water leaves the container 14 through aseries of holes 17 formed in its base and sides. As shown,the container 14 is substantially immersed within the water contained in the second reservoir 7.Alternatively, the level of water contained in the second reservoir may lie just above the base of the container 1 4to increase the activity of the biological matter present in the container.

Dependent from the base ofthe first reservoir 6 is a hollow pipe 18 connected at its upper end to a hollow externally serrated fixing 19 of a seating 20 forthe pump 8. The lower end ofthe pipe 18 is situated towards the base of the second reservoir7. Water passing through the pump 8 is discharged through an aperture 21 and is conveyed by a conduit 22 to an aperture 23 formed in the lower portion of the partition wall 3 sited above the layer of gravel supported above the floor of the tank. The aperture 23 may alternatively be sited below the gravel layer.

Further, two such apertures may be provided, one above and one below the gravel layer.

pipe connected to another suitable source of water. A plastics ball float on the surface ofthe water contained in the reservoir6 may be employed automatically to open a conventional valve within the water pipe or adjacent the source to replenish the water content of the reservoir 7.

In an unillustrated modification to the aquarium illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pump 8 is located within the second reservoir 7 and operates to draw water from the second reservoir and to discharge this water into the display tank 1.Two such pumps may be present within the second reservoir, one discharging water below a gravel level supported above the floor ofthe displaytank and the other discharging water above such gravel layer.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the display tank 1 includes, in addition to th e compartment 2, a second compartment30 located at the end ofthe display tank remote from compartment 2. Compartment 30 is separated from the displaytank 1 buy a partition wall 31 which extends to a height above the water level 5. The second compartment 30 is divided by means of a wall 32 of a heightlessthanthatofthe partition wall 31 and less than the level of water33 contained in the second compartment 30. As will be seen from Figure 5. The displaytank 1 communicates with the second compartment 30 through apertures 34 located towards the base ofthe partition wall 31.Each aperture 34 communicates with a pipe 34A extending lengthwise ofthe tank 1 and forming part of a communicating pipeworksystem into which water is continually drawn via suitably dimensioned apertures 34B set along the length of the pipework system. The apertures 34 lie below an apertured plastics sheet or glass fibre mat35 which supports a layer of coral gravel or sand 36 contained on thefloorofthe displaytank.

Coral gravel is preferred in order to alleviate the problem ofthe inner sand particles blocking the apertures ofthe plastics sheet. Where a glass fibre mat is used, a mesh sized approximately 1/16" is preferred.

Such a mat ensures complete filtration of the water content of the tank. As will be seen more clearly from Figure 6, a pump 37 is provided within a side section 38 of the compartment 30 to draw waterfrom the compartment 30 through an aperture formed in a side plate 39 separating the side section 38 of the compartment and a central section 41 ofthe compart- ment. The water is drawn from a manifold 40 located below an apertured base plate of the central section 41 of the compartment 30. Thus, water is drawn from the tank 1 downwardly through the gravel layer 36 and into the compartment30 where it flows upwardly over the dividing wall 32 ad then downwardlytowards the manifold 40.Athermostatically controlled heater 42, a water is returned under pressure to the tank at locations below the gravel layer 36 via one or more suitably positioned apertures or pipes. Thus, water re-entering thetank 1 flowsupwardlythroughthe apertured plastics sheet orfibrous mat 35 and gravel layer.

In operation ofthe illustrated aquarium display ta nks, surface water from the dispiay tank 1 continuously overflows the lip 4to enter the first reservoi 6. This overflow ensures that a continuous surface flow ofthe water content ofthe display tank occurs at all times and that a constant pressurised water level maintained within the display tank. In addition, no stagnant water regions are present.Water entering the first reservoir 6 passes through the filters 10 to remove waste matter and overflows into the distribu tor pipe 12 through the inlet 1 1.Water continuously overflowing the lip 4 ensuresthatthe pump 8 is at all times immersed within the water content of the reservoir 6 to provide continuous recirculation and cleansing ofthe water. Re-circulating water leaves thf apertured distributor pipe 12 as a multiplicity of discrete fine streams and falls under gravity through the air space provided between the pipe 12 and the surface ofthe water contained in the second reservoir 7 to enterthe filtration and treatment container 14.

Thus, the re-circulating water is continuously aerated before entering the reservoir 7.

The pump 8 draws water from the reservoir 7 through the pipe 18 ata rate of,forexample, 600 litres per hour and re-cycles this water via the conduit 20 and aperture 23 back into the display tank, either above or below the gravel layer. Re-entry of the water through the aperture 23 sets up mid-water currents withinthedisplaytankwhich are beneficialto marine life and plant life such as anemones and/or causes the returned water to flow up through the filter plates.The pump 8 may be connected through one or more additional conduits to other apertures located toward the top ofthe partition wall to induce surface currents in the water content of the display tank and/orto the base ofthe wall 3 such that the in-going water passes upwardly through the gravel layer36.

Fish food may be introduced into the reservoir7 to be discharged by the pump8 into the displaytank 1 vic the apertures in the partition wall 3 in a visually attractive manner, which simulates natural feeding to fish contained in the tank 1.

As mentioned previously, the water levels ofthe displaytank 1 andthefirstreservoir6areautomatical- ly maintained constant at all times and it is onlythe level ofthe water content ofthe second reservoir7 which falls due to evaporation. This water level can be inspected visually by means, for example, ofthe milti-coloured float or may be topped up automatical 42, overthetop ofthe dividing wall 32, downwardly past the aeration block 43 and then through the manifold 40 by means of the pump 37. This oxygenated water is then re-cycled back into the displayta nk as a surface flow. An under gravel filtration is thereby achieved. in addition, the temperature ofthe water is maintained at a constant value and additional aeration is achieved.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7,water is drawnfrom thetankata location above the gravel layer and then returned to the tank below the gravel layer reverse flow is thereby achieved.

The aquarium illustrated in Figures 8 to 10 embodies the constant water level feature described above and additionally includes apparatus for simulating the presence of surf on the surface ofthe water contained in the displaytank f . In this embodiment (in which like integers to those illustrated previously have been given the same reference numerals) the level 5 of water contained in the displaytank 1 lies above a weir slot4formedinthepartitionwall3toenablewater continuously to flowfrom the tank 1 into the first reservoir 6; as described previously, a quantity of water equivalentto this incoming flow is returned to the displaytank by the pump 8via the aperture 23 to maintain a constant water level in the display tank.

In the embodiment of Figures 8 to 1 0,the compart- ment 2 further includes a container 50 supported for pivotal movement about a pair of pivots 51 (only one ofwhich is shown) supported within brackets 52 secured to the compartment walls. The container 50 includes an internal partition 53 to one side of its pivotal axis and an inclined pouring spout 54to the other side ofthe axis. The setting of the container50 can be altered by means of a suitably positioned vernier screw 55.

Water is pumped continuously to the container 50 by a second pump 56 located within the first reservoir 6 and is conveyed via a pipe 57. The pipe outlet is positioned abovethe container section 58 defined between the partition 53 and the container end wall; thus,thecontainersection 58 is filled in advance of the remaining larger section 59 of the container.

Positioned belowthe container50 is an inclined plate 60. The plate 60 includes towards the weir slot 4 such thatwaterfalling from the container 50 is discharged onto the surface ofwaterjust a bout to leave the displaytankto simulate a surf effect.

Two level sensors 61,62 are located within the compartment 2. Both sensors are linked electrically to the pump 56; the upper sensor 61 operates to switch the pump on to cause waterto flowfrom the first reservoir6to fill the container and the lowersensor operates to switch offthe pump to stop waterflowing level falls below lower level 66, pump 56 switches off automatically and water ceases to be discharged into the container section 50 so causing the containerto pivot about pivots 51 to discharge its contents onto the inclined plate6Oandthenceintothedisplaytankto simulate surf waves.

In an alternative unillustrated embodiment, water flows into the container 50through a pipe situated adjacent the pivot 51. Water is discharged from this pipe towa rds and over the wall 53 to fill section 58. The waterflow may be continuous, the container 50 pivoting undergravityto causewaterto be discharged from the container.

The vernier screw 55 is used to vary the sensitivity of the operation ofthe container movement.

Water discharged into the display tank is admitted almost immediately into the reservoir 6 to cause the water level to rise above the level 65 whereupon water overflows into the second reservoir in the manner described previously and the pump 56 operates to begin re4illing the container SO. The pressure of water discharged from the pipe 57 is sufficientto right the container and to retain the container in contact with its seating on the vernier screw 55 until the flow of water from the discharge pipe 57 is discontinued.

Two or more containers 50 of differentcapacity may be provided to simulate varying surf conditions. Thus, every, say, seventh wave created may be greaterthan the preceding six waves.

In an unillustrated embodiment, intermittent discharge of water may be achieved by means other than one or more pivotably mounted containers. Thus, a hopper-like container including a controllable discharge gate may be provided.

When in use, the compartments 2 and 30 may be masked from view by means of coloured sheets or tapes. Similar masking may be applied to the lower and/oruppersurfaces ofthe displaytankto hidefrom viewthe plastics or fibre matsheeting 35 supporting the gravel layer 36 and/or water surface. A user ofthe aquarium will, therefore, be presented with an aesthetically pleasing displaytank containing no treatment apparatus to detractfrom the natural display achieved. The surface and mid water currents do not detract from the apparently passive display presented to the viewer. The continuously cleansing, treatment and aeration ensure that marine and plant life flourish.

The backface ofthe display tank may be suitably coloured (eg blue) to provide a pleasing finish. The upper margin ofthetank may be covered byoneor more suitably dimensioned glass or plastics cover plates. Where an external pump is employed for aeration purposes, a positive airflow may be generated in the space above the water surface, th is air secured (eg by use of a silicon rubber contact adhesive) within a conventional aquarium.

In an alternative arrangement, the treatment systems may again be supplied as separate units which are connected to one or more aquaria by means of external piping. In this way the treatment apparatus may be sited location remotefrom an aquarium or aquaria.

Itisto be understoodthatvarious modifications may be madeto the apparatus described without departing from the true scope ofthe invention. Thus, thecompartment2and/orthecompartment30may be located at the same end ofthe display tank; alternatively each compartment could comprise a pillar located centrally within the display tank. Alterna- tively, they may be located behind a rear partition of the display tank. In addition, the shape of the tank itself may be other than rectangular. Thus, the tank may, for example, be ofcircular,triangularorsquarecon- figuration to name but a few variations.

Claims (1)

1. An aquarium comprising a tank partitioned to define at least one compartment which includes a first reservoir into which, in use ofthe aquarium, surface water overflows from the tank, a second reservoir into which water overflows from the first reservoir, and mean operable to return this waterto the tank.

2. An aquarium as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pump located within the first reservoir and operable to draw waterfrom the second reservoir and to return this water to the tank.

3. An aquarium as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pump within the second reservoir and operable to drawwaterfrom the second reservoir and to return this waterto the tank.

4. An aquarium as claimed in any one of claims 1 to3furtherincluding at leastone receptacle into which water is periodically or continuously fed and from which water is intermittently discharged at least partially onto the surface ofthe water contained in the tank.

5. An aquarium as claimed in any one of claims 1 to4whereinthetank is separated from the compartment by means of a partition wall formed with a lip or aperture(s) at a heightjust below the required water level of the tank, whereby waterfrom the tank can continually overflow into the first reservoir ofthe compartment.

6. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a distributor pipe through which water overflowing from the first reservoir can pass to enterthesecond reservoir.

7. An aquarium as claimed in claim 6wherein the distributor pipe includes a series of apertures through which water can flow as discrete streams.

aperture in its base to receive a pipe connectable to ths inlet of the pump to draw waterfrom the lower region ofthe second reservoir upwardly into the first reservoirfrom which it is discharged via a conduit into the tank.

11. An aquarium as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the water discharged into the tank is admitted through an aperture formed in the lower portion of the partition wall and below a gravel layer supportedabovethefloorofthetank.

12. An aquarium as claimed in anyone of claims 2 to 10 wherein the water is discharged into the tank via anapertureformedintheupperportionofthe partition wall and above the a gravel layer supported above the floor of the tank.

13. An aquarium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein water filtration and/or aeration and/ortreatment means are located within the second reservoir in the path ofthe water overflow ingfromthefirst reservoir.

14. Anaquariumasclaimed inanyoneofthe preceding claims further comprising meansforin- dicating the level of water contained in the second reservoir.

15. An aquarium as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims further comprising means connect able via a ball floatvalve operableto open and close a vaive of a water pipe provided to admit fresh water to maintain a substantially constant water level in the second reservoir.

16. An aquarium as claimed in anyone ofthe preceding claims further comprising a second com partment separated from the tank by a partition wall which includes an inlet through which watercanflow after passing through a gravel layer supported above the floor of the tank by an apertured sheet.

17. An aquarium as claimed in claim 16 in which a pump is provided in communication with the second compartment to maintain a water level below that of thewatercontained in the tank.

18. An aquarium as claimed in 16 or claim 17 wherein water entering the second compartment initially flows upwardly past a thermostatically con trolied heaterand overa dividing wall before passing downwardly along the other side ofthe dividing wall to leave the compartment through an aperture sited above the aforesaid gravel layer.

19. Water treatment apparatus for a tank of an aquarium which comprises a partition adapted to be located within such a tankto define a compartment, a first receptacle adapted to define, in use ofthe apparatus, a first water containing reservoir into which surfacewatercan flow from the partitioned tank, a second receptacle which, in use of the apparatus defines a second water containing reservoir comprising a container separate from a display tank of the aquarium and including a first reservoir connected to receive surfacewaterfrom the displaytankand a second reservoir into which water can flow from the first reservoir, and means for returning water from the second reservoirto the display tank.

22. An aquarium substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2; or Figures 3 to 6 inclusive; orFigure7; orFigures8to 10Ofthe accompanying drawings.