AU688921B2 - Integrated undergravel filter - Google Patents
Integrated undergravel filter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU688921B2 AU688921B2 AU28583/95A AU2858395A AU688921B2 AU 688921 B2 AU688921 B2 AU 688921B2 AU 28583/95 A AU28583/95 A AU 28583/95A AU 2858395 A AU2858395 A AU 2858395A AU 688921 B2 AU688921 B2 AU 688921B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- aquatic
- base plate
- receptacle
- water
- moulded base
- 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
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 71
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 36
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000011045 prefiltration Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 claims description 11
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 8
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 7
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 4
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004172 nitrogen cycle Methods 0.000 description 3
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910002651 NO3 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitrate Chemical compound [O-][N+]([O-])=O NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IOVCWXUNBOPUCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M Nitrite anion Chemical compound [O-]N=O IOVCWXUNBOPUCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 150000001413 amino acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003670 easy-to-clean Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100001231 less toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000035764 nutrition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000016709 nutrition Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 108090000765 processed proteins & peptides Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 description 1
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
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Biological Treatment Of Waste Water (AREA)
Description
AUSTALIAP10010 11 AIPO ASTRALI Regulation 3.2 Act 1990 Original Complete Specification Standard Patent Invention Title The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me:- I4 t The claims defining the invention are as follows:-
I.
Name Of Applicant 17 i Date *Note: If there is insufficient space above to type the statement of claim, do not use this sheet, but use separate sheets of paper beginning with the words "The claims defining the invention are as follows:" and ending with the date and name of applicant in block letters.
-2- INTEGRATED UINDERGRAVEL FILTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved methods of filtering water in aquatic and semi-aquatic receptacles for containing and cultivating live aquatic and semi aquatic organisms and plants, such as in aquariums and vivariums.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIOIN There have been many proposals for filtering water in artificial aquatic and semi aquatic animal habitats with or without substrate. In a recirculating system as is the case with closed circuit aquatic receptacles containing aquatic organisms, waste is produced which decomposes and different types of bacteria develop. The breakdown of waste "products by bacteria is commonly called the nitrogen cycle.
This bacteria develop on all available surfaces in the aquatic receptacle and especially in the substrate, bio-, S* 15 chemical filter and pre-filter devices.
The only requirements for development are oxygen via the water and a source of nutrition. When bacteria are fully developed they convert aquatic organism waste from ammonia to nitrite and then to less toxic nitrate. Bacteria assimilation of waste via the nitrogen cycle, produces not only nitrates, but many other by-products including peptide, amino acids, proteins, detritus, silt and sediment.
Therefore; One previous method of filtration was for a substrate filter plate to be placed under the substrate on the bottom, with uplift tubes and a pumping means attached.
After a period of time, waste material would build up on the bottom under said substrate filter plate, eventually blocking the filter. This then required the total strip down and clean out of said aquatic habitat.
-3- Another problem with this said substrate filter plate was that each aquatic receptacle had to be individually percolated and could not be connected to one large biochemical filter means and/or pre-filter means, thereby reducing maintenance to a minimum on multiple aquatic receptacle setups, such as in commercial or amateur aquatic or semi aquatic animal hatcheries or pet shops. Also said uplift tubes and said pumping means being visible within said aquatic receptacle, created an unnatural look and a high water level was critical to the operation thereof and was therefore, unsuitable for semi-aquatic animal receptacles, such as vivariums.
Another method which could be used with or without the substrate required drilling holes in the glass bottom and fitting a drain vent means and/or exhaust vent means to a through hole means. This weakened the glass and sometimes broke in the process. Other types of filtration methodis do not remove all the waste material from within the substrate.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to 20 provide an improved method of filtration as part of the aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle structure, rather than as separate add on accessories, that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to clean and maintain, and wherein one or more aquatic receptacles maybe individually percolated or altogether percolated by a bio-chemical filter means and/or pre-filter means with the option of other water conditioning means attached.
Another object of the invention is to provide a semi-aquatic receptacle that can be percolated at any given water level and part thereof can be divided of by a partition means with this section within embodying a terra firma habitat region for semi aquatic organisms.
-4- SUMMARY OF THE ITUVEIiTIOIn These problems and others are overcome by the present invention which provides; An integrated Undergravel filter device comprising of a moulded base plate fabricated from plastic or any other suitable material that, replaces a aquatic or semi-aquatic receptacle base plate,wherein said moulded base plate sides are annexed thereto by an adhesive means and all or part of said moulded base plate is formed in such a way as to channel water in either direction to at least one drain vent means and/or from at least one exhaust vent means being attached to a through hole means in said moulded base plate.
'And further more wherein said drain vent means is connected via a pipe or tubing means to an internal or external housing assembly containing a bio-chemical filter means and/or pre- 15 filter means; and other optional water conditioning means such as; a heating means; a protein skimmer means; a 'electronic water monitoring means; and a aeration means, S whereby water entrained with waste material maybe removed from said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle and percolated and treated and there after returned via said pipe or tubing means attached to said exhaust vent means to said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle by the action of a conventional or a reverse flow pumping means.
When substrate is used, rigid mesh or any other suitable material being permeable to water but not to said substrate is placed on said moulded base plate in such a way as to separate and create a void between said substrate and said moulded base plate. This therefore allows said water from at least one exhaust vent means being suspended there over or therein of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle to flow evenly through said substrate from all corners of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle to at least one said drain vent means being attached to a through hole means in said moulded base plate. Thereby drawing the waste material into said substrate to be biologically filtered, whereby after bacteria biological assimilation has occur':ed, The byproducts are removed via at least one said drain vent means, being attached to a through hole means in said moulded base plate by the action of said conventional flow pumping means, which is connected to said housing assembly and percolated and treated and thereafter returned via said exhaust vent means being suspended therein or there over of said aquatic semi aquatic receptacle.
OR; vic versa from at least one exhaust vent means being annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate, whereby said water is forced through the rigid mesh and substrate dislodging any waste material from within said substrate into said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle wherein said water entrained with waste material is drawn into at least one drain vent means being suspended therein of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle by action of a reverse flow pumping means connected to said housing 20 assembly, wherein after said water is percolated and treated is returned via at least one said exhaust vent means that is annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate.
0*g* According to this invention by said conventional flow pumping means, at least one said drain vent means would be 25 annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate and at least one said exhaust vent means would be suspended there over or therein of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle or by said reverse flow pumping means at least one said exhaust vent means would be annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate and at least one said drain vent means would be suspended therein of sail aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle.
According to this invention another alternative to having the drain vent means and/or exhaust vent means suspended -6there over or therein of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle is accordingly; by Said conventional flow pumping means a exhaust vent means is annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate wherein said exhaust vent opening protrudes through said substrate and into said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle. Or by said reverse flow pumping means a drain vent means is also annexed to a through hole means in said moulded base plate wherein said drain vent opening also protrudes through said substrate and into said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle.
Multiple banks of said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacles that are fitted with the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention can be individually percolated or all connected to o, large conventional or reverse flow *0 15 pumping means and a nousing assembly containing; said bio- *"chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means, and option of other water conditioning means such as; a heating means, a protein skimmer means, a electronic water monitoring means and a aeration means.
It is also another object of the invention to provide a housing assembly containing the various required said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means, with the option of other water conditioning means such as; said heating means, said protein skimmer means, said 25 electronic water monitoring means and said aeration means as part of the aquatic receptacle structure rather than as separate add on accessories.
One such aspect of the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention has a housing assembly integrally annexed to all or part of at least one side of said moulded base plate. This integrally annexed housing assembly, replaces all or part of at least one wall of said aquatic receptacle, with the remanding walls of the aquatic receptacle annexed to a replacement side of said -7housing assembly by an adhesive means; And further more wherein at least one said drain vent means or at least one said exhaust vent means is annexed to a through hole means in the aquatic receptacle replacement side of said housing assembly and wherein said pipe or tubing means, being connected to said moulded base plate is attached to a through hole means in said housing assembly.
Another for. of the above mentioned embodiment according to this invention has a section of said moulded base plate that is within said aquatic receptacle, moulded in such a way as to have annexed a housing assembly containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or pre-filter means, and other said water conditioning means.
4.
And still another aspect of the integrated undergravel filter 15 device according to this invention has a portion of said moulded base plate that is divided of by a partition means being non permeable to the water, which is annexed to said moulded base plate and this portion within, is moulded in such a way as to support a suitable terra firma habitat region for said semi aquatic organisms and further more wherein at least one side of said terra firma habitat region is moulded by such means as to allow said ventilation through said sides thereof.
*590 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show various examples of the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention.
In the drawings; Fig 1 depicts a schematic view of the integrated undergravel filter device according to the present invention.
-8- Figs 2 and 3 depicts a cross-sectional view comprising of the same features as in Fig I of the integrated undergiavel filter device according to this invention, attached to said aquatic receptacle by an adhesive means and showing the direction of said conventional and said reverse flow circulation respectively by a pumping means attached to a bio-chemical and pre-filter device.
Fig 4 depicts a schematic view of the integrated undergravel filter device of Fig 1 with an alternate side for attachment to said aquatic receptacle by an adhesive means.
Fig 5 depicts a schematic view of a integrated undergravel filter device of an alternate embodiment of a moulded base plate.
Fig 6,7 and 8 depicts the end cross-sectional views respectively of Figures 1,4 and 5, showing the placement of said drain vent means or exhaust vent means attached to a through hole means in the moulded base plate and also the placement of said piping means.
Fig 9 depicts a schematic view of the integrated undergravel 20 filter device of Fig i, with said housing assembly for containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means and said other optional water conditioning means that is annexed to the sides of said moulded base plate.
Fig 10 depicts a schematic view of the integrated undergravel filter device of Fig 1, wherein said housing assembly containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or prefilter means and said other optional water conditioning means, is within and encompassed by said aquatic 30 receptacle that is attached to the moulded base plate.
-9- Fig 11 depicts a schematic view of the integrated undergravel filter device of Fig I wherein said portion of said moulded base plate is divided of by said partition means thereby forming a dry terra firma habitat region for said semi aquatic organisms.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In Figure 1 it can be seen that the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention, comprises of a moulded base plate consisting thereof; a perpendicular wall 1 around the perimeter of the moulded base plate. This is connected on the inside to the moulded base plate by a groove 2 in which walls of an aquatic receptacle 20 are slotted into and attached by an adhesive means, such as silicon sealant.
The moulded base plate has formed, depending on dim;-rsions, in this case three inverted pyramids 4 with a para .;logram as the apex. The groove 2 that is on the inside of the perpendicular wall 1 is at the same level as the parallelogram 5 at the apex.
Upon the inverted pyramids 4 sides, in this case three enlarged ribs 8 are moulded level to the pyramids base 20 3 thereof, which start from the side and continue to the parallelogram 5 at the apex.
A pipe 18 is placed on the inside of the enlarge ribs 8, with this being connected to drain vents 16, which are annexed to a through hole 6 at the end of the enlarged ribs 8.
Rigid mesh 19 or any other suitable material being permeable to water but not to substrate 24 is placed over the inverted pyramids 4, with this being partially supported by the enlarged ribs 8 which are level to the inverted pyramids base 3 thereof. This therefore supports and separates the subscrate 24 from the moulded base plate and in doing so allows an ambient water flow though the substrate 24 to the drain vents 16.
The drain vents 16 are attached to the pipe 18 which is connected to prior art of an external housing assembly containing; a conventional flow pumping means; a bio-chemical filter means and a prefilter means, with the option of other water conditioning means contained therein; such as a heating means, a protein skimmer means, a electronic water monitoring means and a aeration means. The housing assembly 25 returns the percolated and treated water by said conventional flow pumping means via a pipe 18A connected to an exhaust vent 17 that is suspended therein of said aquatic receptacle According to this invention a inverted cone shape with a circle as the apex could also be used instead of the inverted pyramid 4 shape.
It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention will operate with out said rigid mesh 19 and/or 20 said substrate 24 when connected to an internal or external housing assembly containing; said bio-chemical filter means and/or pre-filter means, said pumping means, and said other optional water conditioning means.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, it can be seen that a cross 25 sectional view of the integrated undergravel filter device of FIGURE 1 according to this invention, is annexed to the aquatic receptacle 20 walls by an adhesive means, such as a silicon sealant, to groove 2 and that this size aquatic receptacle 20 only requires two inverted pyramids 4 ect.
30 In FIGURE 2 said drain vents 16 and in FIGURE 3 said exhaust vents 17 are attached to said through hole 6 at the end of said raised ribs 8. Said pipe 18 is connected to said -11drain vents 16 in FIGURE 2 and said exhaust vents 17 in FIGURE 3, with the other end of said pipe 18 being connected to said prior art of said housing assembly In FIGURE 2 and in FIGURE 3 s.id housing assembly that contains; said conventional and said reverse flow punping means respectively, said bio-chemical filter means, said prefilter means and said other optional water conditioning means, such as a heating means, a protein skimmer means, a electronic water monitoring means and a aeration means.
Referring specifically to FIGURE 2 it can be seen that said conventional flow pumping means in said housing assembly circulates the water as indicated by the arrows through the aquatic receptacle The water enters the aquatic receptacle 20 from the ihousing assembly 25 via said tubing means 18A connected to a exhaust vent 17 with this being suspended there over of said aquatic receptacle 20. It can be seen that percolated water enters the aquatic receptacle 20 from said exhaust vent 17 and is drawn into the substrate 24 thereby drawing an, waste S 20 material there into, whereby bacteria assimilation of waste material via the nitrogen cycle produces many by products.
The by products are removed by the action of c:er entering through the substrate 24 and said rigid mesh to said drain vents 16 which is connected to a through hole 6 in the 25 moulded base plate. One end of the pipe 18 is connected to said drain vents 16 and the other end thereof is attached to said housing assembly 25 whereupon the water entrained with waste material is percolated and treated before being recirculated.
In FIGURE 2 it can also be seen that according to this S invention, said exhaust vent 17, that is suspended there over of said aquatic receptacle 20, can be replaced by an -12alternate rout, wherein .st vent 17B that protrudes through said substrate 24 .nd into said aquatic receptacle is attached to a through hole 6A in the moulded base plate and is connected to said housing assembly by a pipe 18B.
The same can be said in FIGURE 3 for reverse flow circulation by a pumping means, wherein a drain vent means that protrudes through said substrate 24 and into said aquatic receptacle is attached to a through hole means in the moulded base plate and is connected to said housing assembly by a piping means.
Referring specifically to FIGURE 3 it can be seen that a reverse flow pumping macans in the housing assembly circulates the water as indicated by the arrows through the aquatic receptacle The water enters the aquatic receptacle 20 from the housing assembly 25 via said tubing means 18 connected to said exhaust vents 17 that are annexed to said through hole 6 in the moulded base plate. It can be seen that, the percolated water enters the aquatic receptacle 20 from the exhaust vents 17 and is forced through said rigid mesh 19 and said substrate 24 dislodging any waste material from within said substrate 24 whereupon, water entrained with waste material is removed from said aquatic receptacle 20 by a drain vent 16 suspended therein of said aquatic receptacle 20 that is connected to said tubing 18A whereby said water entrained 25 with waste material is biologically and chemically percolated and treated by said housing assembly 25 before being recirculated.
*S multiple banks of said aquatic receptacles 20 that are fitted with the above embodiment of the describe integrated 30 undergravel filter device according to this invention can be individually percolated or all connected to one said housing assembly 25 containing; said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means, said conventional or said reverse flow
S
-13pumping means and said other optional water conditioning means such as, a heating means, a protein skimmer me ans, a electronic water monitoring means and a aeration mean-.
In FIGURE 4 It can be seen that the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention comprises thereof the same features as in FIGURE 1 substrate 24, rigid mesh 19, drain vents 16 and exhaust vents 17 not shown except that, the sides are replaced with a right angle step 12 that is formed around the moulded base plate perimeter with a wall 7 being formed above and below said right angle step 12 wherein, below said right angle step 12 a support plate 10 is formed at the same level as the parallelogram 5 at the apex of the inverted pyramid 4.
The walls of a aquatic receptacle are placed upon th i right angle step 12, as shown in FIGURE 7 and are attached by an adhesive means, such as a silicon.
It can also be seen that according to this invention a through hole 6C is provided in the moulded base plate upon the inverted pyramid 4 sides, for an alternate connection of 20 said drain vent means or said exhaust vent means, depending S.on said conventional or said reverse flow pumping means.
*ee FIGURE 5 it can be seen that an alternate form of the S"integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention comp -ses thereof; a side 9 wherein a groove 15 is formed between a raised rib 13 running around the inside Sperimeter of the moulded base plate and the side 9. Into this groove 15 the walls of a aquatic receptacle are slotted into and attached by an adhesive such as a silicon.
It can also be seen that other raised ribs 14 are formed on a 30 flat base 11 and are on the inside of said raised rib 13 wherein as before described rigid mesh 19 or any other suitable material is placed upon the moulded base plate and -14this therefore separates said substrate from the moulded base plate as before described.
Referring to FIGURE 6 it can be seen that a drain vent 16 or exhaust vent 17 Depending on said conventional or said reverse flow pumping means is attached to a through hole 6 that is it the end of the raised rib 8 and is positioned over the parallelogram 5 at the apex of the inverted pyramid 4.It can be seen that rigid mesh 19 is supported by the raised rib 8 and the base 3 of the inverted pyramid 4.this therefore separates the substrate 24 from the moulded base plate. It can also be seen that a pipe 18 is attached to said drain vent 16 or exhaust vent 17 and that the walls of an an aquatic receptacle 20 are slotted into groove 2 and attached by an adhesive such as silicon.
In FIGURE 7 It can be seen that according to this invention, the moulded base plate sides are replaced with a right angle step 12 with a wall 7 being formed above and below said right angle step 12 wherein below the right angle step 12 a support plate 10 is formed at the same level as the parallelogram 20 at the apex of the inverted pyramid 4.
Upon this right angle step 12 the aquatic receptacle walls are annexed thereto by an adhesive means such as silicon sealant.
This therefore allows said pipe 18 that is attached to said drain vent 16 and/or said exhaust vent 17 to be paced through a hole 6B in said side 7 that is below said right angle step 12 and as is also the case with FIGURE 6 8 said pipe 18 is connected to prior art of said housing assembly containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter 30 means and/or said prefilter means and the option of other said water conditioning means.
.oe.oi Referring to FIGURE 8, it can be seen that the drain vent 16 or exhaust vent 17 is attached to a through hole 6 at the parallelogram 5, that helps to support said rigid mesh 19 and said substrate 24, this therefore allows pipe 18 to be attached thereto directly below the integrated underqravel filter device according to this invention.
Referring to FIGURE 9 it can be seen that the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention has the same features as in FIGURE 1 substrate 24, rigid mesh 19, not shown and that another object of this invention is to provide a housing assembly 21 containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means and said other optional water conditioning means, such as a heating means, a protein skimmer means, a electronic water monitoring means and a aeration means, as part of the aquatic receptacle structure rather than as separate add on accessories.
Therefore in figure 9 it can be seen that according to this invention, said housing assembly 21 for containing said biochemical filter means and/or said pre-fiiter means and said optional water conditioning means such as; said heating means, said protein skimmer means, said electronic water monitoring means, and said aeration means, is annexed to at least one side of sides i of the moulded base plate, thereby S 25 replacing at least one wall of said aquatic receptacle with the remaining said aquatic receptacle walls being attached to said groove 2 and a groove 26 by an adhesive means such as silicon sealant.
It can also be seen that at least one drain vent 16A or 30 exhaust vent 17A (depending on said conventional or said reverse flow pumping means )is provided in the aquatic receptacle replacement side of said housing assembly 21, by which to remove said water entrained with said waste material from said aquatic receptacle or to return said percolated -16and treated water from said housing assembly 21., to said aquatic receptacle. A pipe 18, as illustrated by the dotted lines, is connected to said through hole 6 in the moulded base plate and a through hole 6C in said housing assembly 21.
By conventional flow pumping means said water entrained with waste material enters said drain vent 16 attached to said through hole 6, and through pipe 18 is transported to said housing assembly 21 to be percolated and treated and thereafter returned to said aquatic receptacle via said exhaust vent 17A.
Or by said reverse flow pumping means, said water entrained with waste material enters drain vent 16A to be percolated and treated and thereafter transported via said pipe 18 attached to said through hole 6C to said exhaust vent 17 that is attached to said through hole 6 in the moulded base plate, wherein said percolated and treated water reenters said aquatic receptacle.
In FIGURE 10 it can be seen that the integrated undergravel filter device comprises of the same features as in FIGURE 1, ,20 (rigid mesh 19 and substrate 24 not shown) except that according to this invention part of the moulded base plate has a level section 27 wherein a housing assembly 22 for containing;said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or pre-filter means and said other optional water conditioning means is annexed thereto.
It can be seen that according to this invention, the aquatic receptacle walls when attached to said groove 2, encompass said housing assembly 22 and that a through hole 6C is provided wherein a pipe or tubing means as shown in FIGURE 9 is attached thereto and connected to said drain vent 16 or said exhaust vent 17 that is attached to said through hole 6 in the moulded base plate and in the side of said housing assembly 22 said drain vent 16A or exhaust vent 17A,depending -17on said conventional or said reveres flow pumping means is provided for the same filtration procedure as in FIGURE 9.
Referring to FIGURE 11 Another aspect of the invention is to provide a semi-aquatic receptacle that can be percolated at any given water level and part thereof can be divided of by a partition means with this section within embodying a terra firma habitat region for semi aquatic organisms.
In FIGURE 11 it can be seen that the integrated undergravel filter device comprises of the same features as in FIGURE 1, (rigid mesh 19, drain vents 16, exhaust vents 17 and substrate 24 not shown) except that according to this invention part of the moulded base plate is divided of by a partition 29 being non permeable to said water and is attached to the moulded base plate. Within portion 30 a terra firma habitat region can be formed for semi aquatic organisms It can also be seen that a groove 28 is formed part way up side 23 whereupon the walls of said semi aquatic receptacle are attached by an adhesive means, such as silicon sealant.
Below said groove 28 ,through vents 31 are provided in said 20 side 23, this therefore allows ventilation through said side 23 thereof for semi aquatic animals e• It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described above without departing from the spirit or scope of of the invention and that the integrated undergravel filter device according to this invention is not restricted to the forms shown in the examples.
Claims (9)
1. An integrated undergravel filter device compr sing of; a moulded base plate fabricated from plastic or any other suitable material, that replaces an aquatic or semi-aquatic receptacle base plate, wherein said moulded base plate sides are annexed thereto by an adhesive means and all or part of said moulded base plate is formed in such a way as to channel water in any direction to at least one drain vent means and/or from at least one exhaust vent means, being attached to a through hole means in said moulded base plate and further more, wherein said drain vent means is connected via a pipe or tubing means to an internal or external housing assembly containing a bio-chemical filter means and/or pre- filter means, and other optional water conditioning means such as; a heating means; a protein skimmer means; a electronic water monitoring means; and a aeration means, whereby said water entrained with waste material maybe removed from said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle and percolated and treated and there after returned to said aquatic or semi aquatic receptacle by action of a conventional or a reverse flow pumping means, via a pipe or 0 tubing means connected to said exhaust vent means. *eeo
2.The integrated Undergravel filter device of claim I wherein a rigid mesh or any other suitable material being permeable to said water but not to substrate, is placed S. on said moulded base plate in such a way as to separate and create a void between said substrate and said moulded base plate.
3.The integrated undergravel filter device of claim 1 2 wherein a housing assembly containing;said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means and said optional water conditioning means, is annexed to all or part of at least one side of said moulded base plate thereof,thereby replacing all or part of at least one side of -19- said aquatic receptacle wall, while having all or part of the remanding aquatic receptacle walls annexed thereto by an adhesive means and further more wherein at least one drain vent means or at least one exhaust vent means is annexed to a through hole means in the aquatic receptacle replacement side of said housing assembly, and at least one through hole means there to connect said moulded base plate by said pipe or tubing means to said housing assembly, wherein by said conventional flow pumping means, said water entrained with waste material is transported from the moulded base plate via said pipe or tubing means connected to at least one said through hole means in said housing assembly, wherein said water is percolated and treated and thereafter returned to said aquatic receptacle via said exhaust vent means in said housing assembly, or by said reverse flow pumping means said water entrained with waste material is removed from said aquatic receptacle via said drain vent means in replacement side of said housing assembly and percolated and treated and thereafter returned to said moulded base plate that is annexed to said aquatic receptacle, via said pipe or tubing means attached to at least one said through hole means in said housing assembly.
4. The integrated Undergravel filter device of claim I 2 wherein a section of said moulded base plate, that is within 25 and encompassed by said aquatic receptacle walls, is formed in such a way as to have annexed at least one said housing assembly containing; said pumping means, said bio-chemical filter means and/or said pre-filter means and said other optional water conditioning means.
5. The integrated Undergravel filter device of claim I 2 wherein a portion of said moulded base plate is divided off by a partition means being non permeable to water, which is annexed to said moulded base plate and this portion S- within is formed in such a way as to support a suitable terra firma habitat region for semi aquatic organisms. I
6. The integrated undergravel filter device of claim wherein at least one side embodying said terra firma habitat region is moulded by such means as to allow said ventilation through at least one side thereof.
7. The integrated Undergravel filter device of claim 3 combined.
8. The integrated Undergravel filter device of claim 4 combined.
9. A integrated Undergravel filter device as claimed in claim 1,substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 17th of october 1995 by S.E.W.STRONG 6 e S. 9 9 *9 e* 9** S*o* 8 o o I ABSTRACT This invention relates to improved methods of filtering water in aquatic and semi-aquatic receptacles for containing and cultivating live aquatic and semi aquatic organisms and plants, such as in aquariums and vivariums. S: 5 An integrated undergravel filter device comprising of a moulded base plate fabricated from plastic or any other suitable material that replaces an aquatic or semi-aquatic receptacle base plate, wherein said moulded base plate sides are annexed thereto by an adhesive means and all or part of 10 said moulded base plate is formed in such a way as to channel water in any direction to at least one drain vent means and/or from at least one exhaust vent means, being attached to a through hole means in sai nr oulded base plate, and further more wherein said draJ-A vent means is connected via a pipe or tubing means to a internal or external housing assembly containing; a bio-chemical filter means and/or pre- filter means; and other optional water conditioning means such as; a heating means; a protein skimmer means; a electronic water monitoring means; and a aeration means, whereby said water entrained with waste material maybe removed from said aquatic receptacle and percolated and treated and there after returned to said aquatic or semi aquatic rceptacle by the action of a conventional or a reverse flow pumping means, via a pipe or tubing means connected to said exhaust vent means. MOMMEW
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU28583/95A AU688921B2 (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-08-17 | Integrated undergravel filter |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPM8179A AUPM817994A0 (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1994-09-16 | Integrated undergravel filter |
| AUPM8179 | 1994-09-16 | ||
| AU28583/95A AU688921B2 (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-08-17 | Integrated undergravel filter |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2858395A AU2858395A (en) | 1996-03-28 |
| AU688921B2 true AU688921B2 (en) | 1998-03-19 |
Family
ID=25620759
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU28583/95A Ceased AU688921B2 (en) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-08-17 | Integrated undergravel filter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU688921B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1000539A1 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | Philippe Alfred Dor | Self cleaning aquarium system |
| CN106132197A (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2016-11-16 | B·奥塞马瑞 | Aquarium undergravel filters |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4687575A (en) * | 1986-03-10 | 1987-08-18 | Grose Ronald D | Aquarium filtering system |
| US4894151A (en) * | 1988-10-12 | 1990-01-16 | Willinger Brothers, Inc. | Filter cartridge for an undergravel aquarium filter |
| US5667672A (en) * | 1996-04-05 | 1997-09-16 | Warner-Lambert Company | Aquarium undergravel filter |
-
1995
- 1995-08-17 AU AU28583/95A patent/AU688921B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4687575A (en) * | 1986-03-10 | 1987-08-18 | Grose Ronald D | Aquarium filtering system |
| US4894151A (en) * | 1988-10-12 | 1990-01-16 | Willinger Brothers, Inc. | Filter cartridge for an undergravel aquarium filter |
| US5667672A (en) * | 1996-04-05 | 1997-09-16 | Warner-Lambert Company | Aquarium undergravel filter |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1000539A1 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | Philippe Alfred Dor | Self cleaning aquarium system |
| CN106132197A (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2016-11-16 | B·奥塞马瑞 | Aquarium undergravel filters |
| WO2015142226A3 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2016-12-29 | بسام الثميري | Undergravel filter for an aquarium |
| GB2543173A (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2017-04-12 | Althumayri Bassam | Undergravel filter for an aquarium |
| CN106132197B (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2019-04-26 | B·奥塞马瑞 | Aquarium undergravel filters |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2858395A (en) | 1996-03-28 |
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