Rotating biologic aquarium filter system
AssigneeAquaria, Inc.
InventorsWilfred P. Snyder, Charles O. Fuerst, Joseph S. Bussing
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aquarium filter system having a rotatably mounted filter body. The filter body is structured such that when mounted with a portion of the filter body submerged in moving water, rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the moving water. As a result of the rotational movement, at least a portion of the filter body is alternately exposed to the water and the atmosphere. This fosters the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter body. The aerobic bacteria reduces the level of toxins within the aquarium water.
Claims25
A filter system for filtering aquarium water comprising:
- a filter box;
- a filter screen dividing said filter box into a first compartment and a second compartment;
- means for circulating aquarium water from the aquarium to the first compartment said water flowing through the filter screen from the first compartment and into the second compartment;
- a discharge lip through which water can flow from the second compartment into the aquarium;
- and
- a rotatable filter element adjacent to the discharge lip, said filter element being positioned to be partially submerged in the aquarium water such that rotational movement is imparted to the filter element by the flowing water, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable filter element is exposed alternately to the aquarium water and the air to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter element.
An aquarium, comprising:
- a containment vessel having a plurality of walls for containing aquarium water;
- a filter box, said filter box being disposed adjacent at least one wall of the vessel;
- means for circulating aquarium water between the vessel and the filter box, wherein the circulating means includes a discharge lip positioned adjacent the filter box and over at least one vessel wall, such that water flows from the filter box over the discharge lip into the vessel;
- and
- a rotatable filter element suspended adjacent the discharge lip, said filter element being positioned to be momentarily immersed in the aquarium water such that rotational movement is imparted to the filter element by the flow of water flowing over the discharge lip, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable filter element is exposed alternately to the aquarium water and the atmosphere.
A filter apparatus for an aquarium filter system for an aquarium having walls, said filter system producing a flow of moving water, comprising:
- a filter container adjacent at least one wall;
- a discharge lip for water flowing from the filter container into the aquarium;
- a rotatable filter element;
- and
- a saddle adapted to be received by the discharge lip, and for rotatably carrying the filter element so that the filter element is positioned to be momentarily immersed in the aquarium water such that rotational movement is imparted to the filter element by the flow of water flowing over the discharge lip, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable filter element is exposed alternately to the aquarium water and the atmosphere.
An aquarium comprising:
- a containment vessel having a plurality of walls for containing aquarium water;
- a housing mounted adjacent a wall of said vessel and defining a flow path for flow of aquarium water from said containment vessel, through said housing and back to said containment vessel;
- a rotatable filter element supported by said housing to be partly immersed in aquarium water flowing along said flow path in a manner such that rotational movement is imparted to said filter element by the water flowing along said flow path and at least a portion of said filter element is alternately immersed in the water flowing along said flow path and exposed to the atmosphere, wherein said filter element includes a body of a porous filter material for supporting bacteria, said body of porous filter material has radially extending portions which are disposed such that water flowing along the flow path impinges on the radially extending portions and rotates said filter element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.