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WO2007011325A1 - Filtre d’aquarium - Google Patents

Filtre d’aquarium Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007011325A1
WO2007011325A1 PCT/US2005/020136 US2005020136W WO2007011325A1 WO 2007011325 A1 WO2007011325 A1 WO 2007011325A1 US 2005020136 W US2005020136 W US 2005020136W WO 2007011325 A1 WO2007011325 A1 WO 2007011325A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
aquarium
outer casing
pump
protein skimmer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2005/020136
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alberto J. Venezia
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/935,422 external-priority patent/US6869530B1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP05758014A priority Critical patent/EP1804576A1/fr
Priority to AU2005334527A priority patent/AU2005334527A1/en
Priority to JP2007531160A priority patent/JP2008512116A/ja
Priority to CA002578599A priority patent/CA2578599A1/fr
Publication of WO2007011325A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007011325A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
    • A01K63/04—Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
    • A01K63/045—Filters for aquaria
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/001—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/24—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flotation

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to filtration and water movement for a marine aquarium. More specifically, the invention relates to an aquarium filter for removing debris and skimming protein.
  • the invention relates to filtration and the creation of direct adjustable water flow and current in the salt water aquarium.
  • the technology, methods and devices of the prior art have associated with them specific problems and inefficiencies to which the invention is drawn.
  • the common basic devices of the prior art used for filtering and creating a direct adjustable water flow and current in the salt water aquarium consist of a canister filter, basic filter the wet-dry or sump system, a protein skimmer and the use of individual submersible or external pumps.
  • Canister and basic filters operate in or out of the aquarium. They receive water from the aquarium, pass it through filter media and then send the filtered water back to the aquarium.
  • Wet-dry or sump filters receive water from the aquarium, filter it biologically, chemically, mechanically or by way of protein skimming and then return the filtered water back to the aquarium.
  • a protein skimmer is a unit requiring a means to mix water and air in a chamber and a means to allow the waste extracted to exit the aquarium system. It can function in or out of the aquarium or sit inside or outside of a wet-dry or sump filter. Individual submersible or external pumps are used to create direct adjustable water flow or currents inside the aquarium.
  • wet-dry or sump system is a common method used to filter salt water aquariums. Upon examination, the problems and inefficiencies associated with this system become apparent.
  • Wet-dry or sump systems require that the aquarium be drilled and a pre- filter installed or they require the use of an overflow box that relies on a siphon to remove the water from the aquarium if they are to function outside of the aquarium. These required conditions are complicated, expensive to create and add many points of failure to the system. If a wet-dry is to function inside of the aquarium utilizing a trickle method of filtration, evaporation becomes a problem due to the limited space and the requirement to maintain different levels of water accurate in the system.
  • a wet-dry or sump system requires three pumps to perform filtration, provide protein skimming and create a direct, independent, dedicated current inside the aquarium.
  • External wet-dry or sump systems that use a trickle method of filtration add additional surface area to the aquarium system which results in excessive evaporation.
  • a wet dry or sump system utilizes a protein skimmer, the water drawn into the skimmer has already been passed through some previous method of filtration. This event drastically reduces the efficiency of the skimming effect.
  • a wet-dry or sump system creates excessive, unwanted noise and (based upon the extent of its functions and structural requirements relative to its size and the amount of water that it must hold) it can be complicated and expensive to manufacture.
  • the protein skimmer of the prior art is a unit with a means to create a mixture of air and water. This form of filtration is known as foam fractionation.
  • foam fractionation Some of the problems and inefficiencies associated with the protein skimmer are that it performs only one function requires its own pump and (because of the nature of its function) is complicated to manufacture.
  • it functions outside of the aquarium it becomes a point of failure for leakage. If it functions within the aquarium it only draws water in from below the surface, leaving organic wastes to accumulate on the surface of the aquarium water. While in the aquarium, the protein skimmer takes away from the aesthetic nature of the marine environment.
  • Some models function inside or outside of the wet-dry or sump system.
  • the individual submersible pump installed in the aquarium or a pump cooperating with a filter system are used to create current in the aquarium. These methods have with them associated problems and inefficiencies in their function.
  • the individual submersible pump in the aquarium adds excess heat to the system, requires more power, adds extra expense, and also results in an additional point of failure.
  • the pump is mounted inside the aquarium, is difficult to hide aesthetically, and may pose a threat to small fish and invertebrates that go near its intake.
  • a pump that cooperates with a filter system is inefficient in its function in several ways.
  • the pumps first function is to pass water through filtration and this main event determines the size and water flow characteristics of the pump. This leaves the current creating requirement of the function dependent upon what pump is needed to make the filter work properly.
  • a simple example of this problem is to try to get a pump that needs to flow water through filtration at 40 gallons per hour to create a current in an aquarium equivalent to 400 gallons per hour.
  • Certain marine invertebrates require high currents irrelevant of the requirements of the rate of flow through filtration.
  • the creation of direct water flow and current is most efficient when it is independent of the activity of filtration. Another illustration of this is during feedings. When the aquarium system has water flow and current that exceed the rate of filtration, more nutrition can be taken up by the animals and less of it ends up in the filter as a waste product. This leads to more efficient feedings, reduced cost and less bio-load added to the system.
  • an aquarium filter unit has direct independent water flow and current for the aquarium as well as protein skimming, and biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration all within its outer casing.
  • the protein sldmmer may be fully adjustable and operates to draws in raw unfiltered water from below the surface of the aquarium through openings in the outer casing sidewalls near the bottom of the outer casing, as well as water at the surface through an opening at the top in the front of the outer casing. All of the functions of the unit are driven by a submersible pump. Rising above the outer casing of the unit, the protein skimmer with its collection cup and lid may be easily removable for cleaning.
  • a plumbing assembly with pump is positioned below the protein skimmer.
  • a removable pump is connected to the bottom of the plumbing assembly surrounded by the outer casing with biological filter sponges above and below it.
  • the whole plumbing assembly is easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.
  • This combination of conditions and functions among others makes the unit whisper quiet, easy to maintain, multifunctional and unobtrusive in the aquarium.
  • the design, function and arrangement of the elements of the unit overcome all of the known limitations, problems and inefficiencies of the basic or canister filter, the wet-dry or sump system, individual submersible pump and the protein skimmer of the prior art.
  • the aquarium water never leaves the aquarium.
  • the unit does not require the aquarium to be drilled with pre-filters installed or use overflow boxes, siphons or drainage. Additional plumbing is not required. This eliminates many points of failure and the need for additional equipment, lowers expense and makes installation and maintenance quick and easy while providing all of the necessary filtration, protein skimming and water current requirements of the modem marine aquarium.
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a an aquarium filter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the aquarium filter of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an illustrative drawing of the aquarium filter of FIG. 1 installed in an aquarium.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an aquarium filter in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer casing of the aquarium filter of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the aquarium filter of FIG. 4.
  • the aquarium filter includes five components: an outer casing (1), a protein skimmer (2), a plumbing assembly (3) with removable pump (4), a lower sponge (5) and an upper sponge (6) which perform the functions of biological and mechanical filtration.
  • the outer casing (1) is made of 3/8 inch thick black acrylic plastic. It is formed with four sides, a bottom and is open from the top.
  • the outer casing has a rear hanger (7) which enables it to hang on the inside of any of the four walls of an aquarium. It has a substantially flat bottom (8) allowing it to be positioned upright anywhere inside on the bottom of an aquarium.
  • the outer casing has a plurality of openings towards the bottom of both sides (9).
  • This plurality of openings allows water below the surface of the aquarium to enter the outer casing.
  • Two internal areas of the outer casing are indicated as an upper area above the first sponge (11) and a lower area below the first sponge (12).
  • the protein skimmer is preferably fabricated from clear acrylic plastic, and more specifically 3/16 inch acrylic sheet and acrylic tube.
  • the upper riser (13) may be formed by heating and flaring one end to form a funnel. The parts are then secured together with acrylic cement to form a water tight bond.
  • the plumbing assembly with removable pump is comprised of PVC parts and is preferably 1 A inch in diameter, an injector (14), a piece of hose (15), a small plastic air valve (16) and a removable submersible pump.
  • the injector is a device which creates a vacuum of air that is pulled through the injector barb (17) as pressurized water passes through it.
  • the hose is attached to the barb and the small plastic air valve is attached to the other end.
  • the valve controls how much air is allowed into the injector, resulting in full control of the amount of waste removed from the protein skimmer.
  • the pump is of a submersible type.
  • the only requirements for the pump is that it fits in the lower space of the outer casing, can be connected to the plumbing assembly and its flow rate meets the flow requirement of the desired application.
  • the two sponges providing a place for biological activity are firm and porous filter sponges of the same type.
  • the upper sponge is positioned between the protein skimmer and the pump.
  • the lower sponge is positioned at the bottom of the outer casing.
  • the water will be drawn in from the plurality of openings at the top in the front and near the bottom on the sides of the outer casing.
  • the water travels out the main shaft return (19) out to the aquarium to create water movement and current and out through the injector into the lower chamber of the protein skimmer to perform protein skimming. Since the internal opening inside the injector is smaller in diameter than the inside of the rest of the plumbing assembly, back pressure is created that sends a larger volume of water back to the aquarium to create water flow and current independent of the action of the protein skimmer.
  • the exiting water of the main shaft (20) is adjustable by rotating the main shaft return or turning the down shaft (21) right to left. This gives the user the ability to adjust or change the direction of the direct water flow and current inside the aquarium.
  • the cleaner water remaining flows out of the bottom of the lower chamber of the protein skimmer where it enters a space interior of the outer casing and exterior to the lower chamber where it can be further filtered biologically, mechanically or chemically by the use of certain filter media installed in this inner space.
  • This invention diverts the water from a single pump to create separate and different flows of water and current, of varying adjustable pressures, speeds and volumes, into the aquarium to perform the distinct function of providing direct adjustable water flow and current to the aquarium, and through an injector into the protein skimmer to perform the function of protein skimming, and then into an inner space where it is further filtered biologically, mechanically and chemically.
  • the functions are separate and independent of one another and yet are accomplished by the use of one pump.
  • the water sent back to the aquarium is independent of the water sent through the injector and into the lower chamber of the protein skimmer, where it is sent through filtration.
  • FIGS 4-6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a filtering system that includes a surface debris skimming feature.
  • a rearward wall (26) of outer casing (1) has a height H that is slightly higher than a height h than either a forward wall (27) or opposing sidewalls (28).
  • a top portion (29) of rearward wall (26) is attached to rear hanger (7).
  • rear hanger (7) is integrally attached to rearward wall (26).
  • Rear hanger (7) includes a downwardly extending lip (30) that cooperates with rearward wall (26) to define a width (W) of rear hanger (7).
  • Width (W) of rear hanger (7) is slightly wider than a width (w) of an aquarium tank wall (31) such that when lip (30) is positioned over aquarium tank wall (31), a slight gap passageway (32) is formed between rearward wall (26) and aquarium tank wall (31).
  • Rearward wall (26) further includes one or more filtering openings (9') that are formed so as to extend through rearward wall (26). Filtering openings (9') are positioned on an upper portion (33) of rearward wall (26) such that at least part of filtering openings (9') are positioned above the water level of the aquarium tank.
  • Plumbing assembly (3) includes two returns that are operatively connected to pump (18).
  • First return (19) extends over opening 10 and back into the aquarium, as described above.
  • a second return (34) is positioned so as to have its outlet (35) positioned directly in front of filtering openings (9') such that filtered water travels out through passageway (32) around outer casing (1).

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un filtre d'aquarium marin interne qui assure un écumage de protéines, une filtration biologique, mécanique et chimique. Le filtre crée un courant réglable direct pour l'aquarium indépendant des activités de filtration et utilise une pompe (4). Le filtre comprend un boîtier externe (1) avec des zones dédiées pour une filtration biologique, mécanique et chimique, un écumeur de protéines amovible sélectivement (2) avec un godet de collecte (24) et un couvercle optionnel (25), un assemblage de tuyauterie amovible sélectivement (3) raccordé à la pompe. Une fonction optionnelle de filtrage de débris en surface est également décrite.
PCT/US2005/020136 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 Filtre d’aquarium Ceased WO2007011325A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05758014A EP1804576A1 (fr) 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 Filtre d'aquarium
AU2005334527A AU2005334527A1 (en) 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 Aquarium filter
JP2007531160A JP2008512116A (ja) 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 水槽フィルタ（ａｑｕａｒｉｕｍｆｉｌｔｅｒ）
CA002578599A CA2578599A1 (fr) 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 Filtre d'aquarium

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/935,422 2004-09-07
US10/935,422 US6869530B1 (en) 2004-09-07 2004-09-07 Multifunctional internal marine aquarium filter
US11/146,773 2005-06-07
US14677305 2005-06-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007011325A1 true WO2007011325A1 (fr) 2007-01-25

Family

ID=37670754

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2005/020136 Ceased WO2007011325A1 (fr) 2004-09-07 2005-06-08 Filtre d’aquarium

Country Status (4)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2008512116A (fr)
AU (1) AU2005334527A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2578599A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007011325A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010083149A3 (fr) * 2009-01-13 2011-09-01 Access Business Group International Llc Système de traitement de l'eau à alimentation par gravité
CN106719268A (zh) * 2016-11-25 2017-05-31 芜湖市泰能电热器具有限公司 一种加料装置
WO2018163096A1 (fr) * 2017-03-08 2018-09-13 Knut Vangen Bioréacteur

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101169392B1 (ko) 2009-10-28 2012-07-30 장일순 펌프가 내장되는 수족관용 여과기
KR102140372B1 (ko) * 2017-05-30 2020-08-03 김보경 수족관용 에어 부양식 유동 담체 여과 장치

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2406993A1 (de) * 1974-02-14 1975-08-28 Gilbert Plate Aquarienfilter
US5628905A (en) 1995-04-04 1997-05-13 Montalbano; Gregory Biological aquarium filter with means to keep the siphon tubes primed
US20010000601A1 (en) * 1999-02-11 2001-05-03 Jason Kim Protein skimmer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2406993A1 (de) * 1974-02-14 1975-08-28 Gilbert Plate Aquarienfilter
US5628905A (en) 1995-04-04 1997-05-13 Montalbano; Gregory Biological aquarium filter with means to keep the siphon tubes primed
US20010000601A1 (en) * 1999-02-11 2001-05-03 Jason Kim Protein skimmer

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010083149A3 (fr) * 2009-01-13 2011-09-01 Access Business Group International Llc Système de traitement de l'eau à alimentation par gravité
US9352979B2 (en) 2009-01-13 2016-05-31 Access Business Group International Llc Gravity feed water treatment system
US10336639B2 (en) 2009-01-13 2019-07-02 Access Business Group International Llc Gravity feed water treatment system
CN106719268A (zh) * 2016-11-25 2017-05-31 芜湖市泰能电热器具有限公司 一种加料装置
CN106719268B (zh) * 2016-11-25 2020-08-18 芜湖市泰能电热器具有限公司 一种加料装置
WO2018163096A1 (fr) * 2017-03-08 2018-09-13 Knut Vangen Bioréacteur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2005334527A1 (en) 2007-01-25
CA2578599A1 (fr) 2007-01-25
JP2008512116A (ja) 2008-04-24

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