CA2094416A1 - Turtle filtration system - Google Patents
Turtle filtration systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2094416A1 CA2094416A1 CA 2094416 CA2094416A CA2094416A1 CA 2094416 A1 CA2094416 A1 CA 2094416A1 CA 2094416 CA2094416 CA 2094416 CA 2094416 A CA2094416 A CA 2094416A CA 2094416 A1 CA2094416 A1 CA 2094416A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- aquarium
- gravel
- turtle
- external
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/02—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration
- B01D24/20—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being provided in an open container
- B01D24/24—Downward filtration, the container having distribution or collection headers or pervious conduits
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; 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
Abstract
RECOMMENDED FORMS
Form 24 (ss. 21, 31, 34, and 142) ABSTRACT
In order to filter aquarium water, it is known that external and internal filters may be used. In this invention, an external biological filter and an under-gravel filter are modified by integrating them into a single filtration system. This system can then remove large amounts of organic waste produced by aquatic turtles more effectively. An external filter is attached to a tubing system, which lies concealed beneath a modified under-gravel filter mat. The tubes are divided into long and short sections to increase the surface area covered in the filtration process. Consequently, waste which would normally have accumulated in the gravel, is sucked through it and the filter mat pores. The dirt is then siphoned from the aquarium to an external filter, where it is filtered by a semi-porous sponge and returned to the aquarium. The TURTLE FILTRATION SYSTEM
incorporates a bracketed basking platform as part of its design.
The platform maintains optimal filtration levels, and usable space. A light fixture was designed to fit over the basking platform. The external filter is modified to include a water guide and turtle guard. The result of this system is an aquarium that need only be cleaned on an annual basis, with a bi-monthly cleaning of the filter material. The system is therefore low maintenance, hygienic, and cost efficient. Added benefits are that the system is virtually noiseless, escape proof, and aesthetically pleasing.
Form 24 (ss. 21, 31, 34, and 142) ABSTRACT
In order to filter aquarium water, it is known that external and internal filters may be used. In this invention, an external biological filter and an under-gravel filter are modified by integrating them into a single filtration system. This system can then remove large amounts of organic waste produced by aquatic turtles more effectively. An external filter is attached to a tubing system, which lies concealed beneath a modified under-gravel filter mat. The tubes are divided into long and short sections to increase the surface area covered in the filtration process. Consequently, waste which would normally have accumulated in the gravel, is sucked through it and the filter mat pores. The dirt is then siphoned from the aquarium to an external filter, where it is filtered by a semi-porous sponge and returned to the aquarium. The TURTLE FILTRATION SYSTEM
incorporates a bracketed basking platform as part of its design.
The platform maintains optimal filtration levels, and usable space. A light fixture was designed to fit over the basking platform. The external filter is modified to include a water guide and turtle guard. The result of this system is an aquarium that need only be cleaned on an annual basis, with a bi-monthly cleaning of the filter material. The system is therefore low maintenance, hygienic, and cost efficient. Added benefits are that the system is virtually noiseless, escape proof, and aesthetically pleasing.
Description
2094~6 SPECIFICATIONS
This invention concerns the filtration of aquarium water to remove organic waste produced by turtles being maintained in aquaria.
Presently, three types of filter systems exist for aguaria.
These systems include an internal box or sponge filter, an external box or cylinder filter, or an under-gravel filter. All three systems were primarily designed for use in maintaining tropical fish in aquaria. Fish do not produce faeces in size or quantity comparable to that of turtles. Furthermore, fish do not tend to churn the aquarium gravel, or burrow in it, to the extent that aquatic turtles do. When turtles dig into the gravel, they release all the trapped waste back into the aquarium, thus repeatedly fouling the water. Individuals that maintain turtles in aquaria operating any of the aforementioned conventional filters, must clean their aquariums and gravel at bi-monthly intervals in order to maintain acceptable levels of cleanliness.
This must be done in order to remove the accumulation of organic waste, in the form of uneaten food, shed skin or scutes and faeces. Often the result due to neglect, or time constraints, are poorly maintained aquaria with dirty, foul smelling, water.
This is a suitable environment for the growth of the Salmonella bacteria. This bacteria i9 considered a health hazard, and was responsible for the original ban on turtles in 1975.
In order to avoid these problems, some individuals remove all gravel and leave a bare glass bottom in the aquarium. This is an unnatural environment for the turtles; and furthermore, is not as aesthetically pleasing as a naturally decorated aguarium. The burrowing in8tinct of turtles is also thwarted when no gravel is supplied. Many species of turtles burrow in order to obtain a sense of security, or to camouflage themselves from predators and prey alike. Still other individuals have attempted to surmount the filtration problem by feeding their turtles in an empty ~quarium, sink, or bucket. Unfortunately, such disturbances causes stress in turtles and many will refuse to eat, or eat less than they would had they not been disturbed.
Many turtle owners used piled rocks, or plastic ramps with gravel glued to the surface, as basking/resting platforms. Piled rocks are susceptible to being dislodged and collapsing on their turtle occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Furthermore, they decrease the filtration and usable area of the aquarium. The aforementionod plastic ramps and their glued crushed gravel surface are highly abrasive to the bottom shell of turtles. Consequently, the ramps damage the turtle's lower shell and increase the risk of secondary infections by opportunistic pathogens, such as the Aeromonas bacteria, particularly if the water is not clean. This bacteria i8 potentially lethal to turtles if not treated with an antibiotic, I have found that these numerous disadvantages may be overcome by modifying two existing filtration ~ystems, and creating a bracketed basking platform. The TURTLE FILTRATION SYSTEM is designed to remove virtually all waste from aquaria. This is accomplished by the suction of organic waste through the gravel, to a system of PVC, or plastic, tubing lying beneath a plastic under-gravel filter mat. This under-gravel mat has been modified to accept the new tubing system in the middle of one end of the aquarium, rather than the current design of corner aeration tubes. However, the tubing system is highly adaptable, and can be fitted into the existing holes of commercially available filter mats. Once these two modified systems are interconnected, water and waste i9 drawn out of the aquarium, and filtered.
Turtles can now burrow in the gravel without stirring up waste that would cloud the water. In fact, the natural burrowing of turtles can aid filtration by dislodging any waste that may have been caught up in the gravel. Furthermore, turtles can also be fed in their aquaria without worry of causing bacterial growth, such as Salmonella. Since gravel is an integral part of the system, it can then be left in the tank to create a more natural 209~16 ~nvironment for the occupants.
To reduce noise and splashing from the water returning to the aquarium, a small piece of vinyl screening is attached to the top of the external filter to act as a water guide. At the top of this guide, a turtle guard is affixed to insure that turtles cannot use the guide as a means of escape.
The basking/resting platform which consists of two pieces of glass and a smooth rock increases the usable volume of the aquarium. Its bracketed location also removes it from the tank bottom, thus allowing filtration to proceed unhampered. Using one smooth rock also eliminates the need for abrasive or unstable basking platforms that can injure the turtles.
A light fixture made of CSA approved materials is placed over the basking area, on the inner ledge of the aquarium. The purpose of the light is to provide heat for the turtle. Since the basking platform is situated near the top of the aquarium the turtle could potentially e~cape. A further use of' the light fixture is to prevent the escape of turtles.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a frontal view of the complete system as it would appear in operation.
Figure 2 is one embodiment of the tubing system for use with a modified under-gravel filter mat.
Figure 3 is another embodiment having four rows of tubing, for use with an unmodified under-gravel filter mat.
Figure 4 shows the basking/resting platform embodiment.
Figure 5 shows the embodimont of the basking site guard and light fixture.
The filtration system illustratod (Fig. 1) is comprised of an external filter 1 and pump 2 system, a modified under-gravel filter mat 3 and a system of tubes 4,5,6 running from the external filter pump 2, to beneath the filter mat 3, which is ~ituated at the bottom of the aquarium 5. Figure 2 and 3 show how a 'T' joint 7 and elbow tubing 8 are used to direct the tubing from one system to the other. Further branching 9,liO of the tubing system (Figure 3) can be used in large aquaria in order to provide suction everywhere beneath a commercially available mat.
Stronger external pump~ 2 must be used when tubing is branched (Figure 3), in order to maintain adequate siphoning power.
Rounded pebbles 11 should be used over the mat 3 in order to prevent abrasion of the turtle's shell. One inch or more of pebble~ 11 are recommended for this system.
To provide a basking and/or resting platform 12,13 for the turtle, two pieces of glass, approximately 0.6 cm thick, can be used. The platform 12 is a rectangular piece that is cut to the inside width of the aquarium being used. Its length should be 25-33% of the aquarium's length. The exact percentage ~hould be determined based on the size of the turtle that is to be housed in the tank. All newly cut glass edges should be ground to make them safe. The platform piece 12 is supported by an equilateral triangle 13 of similar glass. The platform 12,13 is then siliconed into the aquarium and allowed to dry. Once dry, a smooth rock 14 is siliconed to the platform 12. The top of the rock 14 should lie in the top quarter of the aquarium. This is necessary because lower water levels would overwork the pump 2.
Since the basking platform 12,13,14 is high enough to provide a means of escape for some turtles, a lighting fixture 15 is used for the dual purposes of barrier and basking lamp (Fig. 1,5).
The shield consists of two rectangular sections 18, and two 209~16 equilateral triangle sections 19. One of the equilateral triangles has a central hole 20 to accept an incandescent light bulb socket 21. A vinyl screen water guide 16 is affixed to the lid of the external filter 1, and cut 80 as to hang down into the water. A turtle escape barrier 17 is also attached to the lid of the external filter 1, to prevent any possible means of escape via the water guide 16.
It should be noted that the fundamental filtration concept behind this system could be employed for other living creatures besides turtles. Any type of aquatic rearing system that produces large amounts of waste could benefit. Several types of enterprises where this system could be beneficial are com~ercial fish rearing operations, zoos, and outdoor artificial ponds.
This invention concerns the filtration of aquarium water to remove organic waste produced by turtles being maintained in aquaria.
Presently, three types of filter systems exist for aguaria.
These systems include an internal box or sponge filter, an external box or cylinder filter, or an under-gravel filter. All three systems were primarily designed for use in maintaining tropical fish in aquaria. Fish do not produce faeces in size or quantity comparable to that of turtles. Furthermore, fish do not tend to churn the aquarium gravel, or burrow in it, to the extent that aquatic turtles do. When turtles dig into the gravel, they release all the trapped waste back into the aquarium, thus repeatedly fouling the water. Individuals that maintain turtles in aquaria operating any of the aforementioned conventional filters, must clean their aquariums and gravel at bi-monthly intervals in order to maintain acceptable levels of cleanliness.
This must be done in order to remove the accumulation of organic waste, in the form of uneaten food, shed skin or scutes and faeces. Often the result due to neglect, or time constraints, are poorly maintained aquaria with dirty, foul smelling, water.
This is a suitable environment for the growth of the Salmonella bacteria. This bacteria i9 considered a health hazard, and was responsible for the original ban on turtles in 1975.
In order to avoid these problems, some individuals remove all gravel and leave a bare glass bottom in the aquarium. This is an unnatural environment for the turtles; and furthermore, is not as aesthetically pleasing as a naturally decorated aguarium. The burrowing in8tinct of turtles is also thwarted when no gravel is supplied. Many species of turtles burrow in order to obtain a sense of security, or to camouflage themselves from predators and prey alike. Still other individuals have attempted to surmount the filtration problem by feeding their turtles in an empty ~quarium, sink, or bucket. Unfortunately, such disturbances causes stress in turtles and many will refuse to eat, or eat less than they would had they not been disturbed.
Many turtle owners used piled rocks, or plastic ramps with gravel glued to the surface, as basking/resting platforms. Piled rocks are susceptible to being dislodged and collapsing on their turtle occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Furthermore, they decrease the filtration and usable area of the aquarium. The aforementionod plastic ramps and their glued crushed gravel surface are highly abrasive to the bottom shell of turtles. Consequently, the ramps damage the turtle's lower shell and increase the risk of secondary infections by opportunistic pathogens, such as the Aeromonas bacteria, particularly if the water is not clean. This bacteria i8 potentially lethal to turtles if not treated with an antibiotic, I have found that these numerous disadvantages may be overcome by modifying two existing filtration ~ystems, and creating a bracketed basking platform. The TURTLE FILTRATION SYSTEM is designed to remove virtually all waste from aquaria. This is accomplished by the suction of organic waste through the gravel, to a system of PVC, or plastic, tubing lying beneath a plastic under-gravel filter mat. This under-gravel mat has been modified to accept the new tubing system in the middle of one end of the aquarium, rather than the current design of corner aeration tubes. However, the tubing system is highly adaptable, and can be fitted into the existing holes of commercially available filter mats. Once these two modified systems are interconnected, water and waste i9 drawn out of the aquarium, and filtered.
Turtles can now burrow in the gravel without stirring up waste that would cloud the water. In fact, the natural burrowing of turtles can aid filtration by dislodging any waste that may have been caught up in the gravel. Furthermore, turtles can also be fed in their aquaria without worry of causing bacterial growth, such as Salmonella. Since gravel is an integral part of the system, it can then be left in the tank to create a more natural 209~16 ~nvironment for the occupants.
To reduce noise and splashing from the water returning to the aquarium, a small piece of vinyl screening is attached to the top of the external filter to act as a water guide. At the top of this guide, a turtle guard is affixed to insure that turtles cannot use the guide as a means of escape.
The basking/resting platform which consists of two pieces of glass and a smooth rock increases the usable volume of the aquarium. Its bracketed location also removes it from the tank bottom, thus allowing filtration to proceed unhampered. Using one smooth rock also eliminates the need for abrasive or unstable basking platforms that can injure the turtles.
A light fixture made of CSA approved materials is placed over the basking area, on the inner ledge of the aquarium. The purpose of the light is to provide heat for the turtle. Since the basking platform is situated near the top of the aquarium the turtle could potentially e~cape. A further use of' the light fixture is to prevent the escape of turtles.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a frontal view of the complete system as it would appear in operation.
Figure 2 is one embodiment of the tubing system for use with a modified under-gravel filter mat.
Figure 3 is another embodiment having four rows of tubing, for use with an unmodified under-gravel filter mat.
Figure 4 shows the basking/resting platform embodiment.
Figure 5 shows the embodimont of the basking site guard and light fixture.
The filtration system illustratod (Fig. 1) is comprised of an external filter 1 and pump 2 system, a modified under-gravel filter mat 3 and a system of tubes 4,5,6 running from the external filter pump 2, to beneath the filter mat 3, which is ~ituated at the bottom of the aquarium 5. Figure 2 and 3 show how a 'T' joint 7 and elbow tubing 8 are used to direct the tubing from one system to the other. Further branching 9,liO of the tubing system (Figure 3) can be used in large aquaria in order to provide suction everywhere beneath a commercially available mat.
Stronger external pump~ 2 must be used when tubing is branched (Figure 3), in order to maintain adequate siphoning power.
Rounded pebbles 11 should be used over the mat 3 in order to prevent abrasion of the turtle's shell. One inch or more of pebble~ 11 are recommended for this system.
To provide a basking and/or resting platform 12,13 for the turtle, two pieces of glass, approximately 0.6 cm thick, can be used. The platform 12 is a rectangular piece that is cut to the inside width of the aquarium being used. Its length should be 25-33% of the aquarium's length. The exact percentage ~hould be determined based on the size of the turtle that is to be housed in the tank. All newly cut glass edges should be ground to make them safe. The platform piece 12 is supported by an equilateral triangle 13 of similar glass. The platform 12,13 is then siliconed into the aquarium and allowed to dry. Once dry, a smooth rock 14 is siliconed to the platform 12. The top of the rock 14 should lie in the top quarter of the aquarium. This is necessary because lower water levels would overwork the pump 2.
Since the basking platform 12,13,14 is high enough to provide a means of escape for some turtles, a lighting fixture 15 is used for the dual purposes of barrier and basking lamp (Fig. 1,5).
The shield consists of two rectangular sections 18, and two 209~16 equilateral triangle sections 19. One of the equilateral triangles has a central hole 20 to accept an incandescent light bulb socket 21. A vinyl screen water guide 16 is affixed to the lid of the external filter 1, and cut 80 as to hang down into the water. A turtle escape barrier 17 is also attached to the lid of the external filter 1, to prevent any possible means of escape via the water guide 16.
It should be noted that the fundamental filtration concept behind this system could be employed for other living creatures besides turtles. Any type of aquatic rearing system that produces large amounts of waste could benefit. Several types of enterprises where this system could be beneficial are com~ercial fish rearing operations, zoos, and outdoor artificial ponds.
Claims (5)
1. A filtration system that removes organic waste from an aquarium, by using a combination of an external filter attached to a system of branched tubing which lies under an under-gravel filter mat.
2. A system as defined in claim 1, in which an external filter has been fitted with a water guide to reduce noise and splashing, and a turtle guard to prevent the escape of the occupant.
3. A system as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 in which an under-gravel filter mat has been modified in order to accept a tubing system through the centre of one side.
4. A system as defined in claims 1, 2, or 3, in which a bracketed basking platform is affixed to one side of the aquarium in order to increase usable space, and remove filtration obstructions from the bottom of the aquarium.
5. A system as defined in claims 1,2,3, or 4 in which a light shield and fixture, for incandescent light bulbs, are designed to fit over the basking area to provide light and heat for the turtle while prevent escape.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2094416 CA2094416A1 (en) | 1993-04-20 | 1993-04-20 | Turtle filtration system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2094416 CA2094416A1 (en) | 1993-04-20 | 1993-04-20 | Turtle filtration system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2094416A1 true CA2094416A1 (en) | 1994-10-21 |
Family
ID=4151496
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2094416 Abandoned CA2094416A1 (en) | 1993-04-20 | 1993-04-20 | Turtle filtration system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2094416A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2570026A1 (en) | 2011-09-14 | 2013-03-20 | Guangke Wang | A fluid transfer system |
| CN109247286A (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2019-01-22 | 厦门百川海洋生物科技有限公司 | Living body spongia land transport method |
| CN109566534A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-05 | 泾县潘记老鳖养殖专业合作社 | A kind of soft-shelled turtle mixed breeding technique |
-
1993
- 1993-04-20 CA CA 2094416 patent/CA2094416A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2570026A1 (en) | 2011-09-14 | 2013-03-20 | Guangke Wang | A fluid transfer system |
| CN109247286A (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2019-01-22 | 厦门百川海洋生物科技有限公司 | Living body spongia land transport method |
| CN109566534A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-05 | 泾县潘记老鳖养殖专业合作社 | A kind of soft-shelled turtle mixed breeding technique |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |