Abstract:
An aquaponic housing unit fits over standard aftermarket aquariums. The system utilizes the natural symbiotic relationship between fish and plants to achieve adequate filtration for the aquarium below. A large planting container is elevated over the aquarium by two support legs so that the planting container is larger than the aquarium. The support legs can be used to hide wires or control boxes, along with using the legs as storage compartments or additional planting area. An aquarium pump delivers water to the planting container so that fish waste can be used as nutrients for plants in the container. The nitrogen cycle transforms the fish waste into useable nutrients for the plants, thus cleaning the water for the aquarium. The system can be used as a learning tool for students of all ages. It also creates a low maintenance, self-watering and self-fertilizing garden.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/862,909 filed Aug. 6, 2013 by applicant, and claims the priority of that filing date. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The field of invention relates to a symbiotic system that uses fish and plant growth to both clean the aquarium and produce fresh plants. 
         [0004]    Prior Art 
         [0005]    Some small-scale aquaponic systems on the market limit plant growth by their design. Other small-scale designs are entirely dependent of the aquarium or water tank for proper structural support of the aquaponic system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to aquarium owners, aquaculture and aquaponic enthusiasts, along with home gardeners. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the system provides a stocked and fed aquarium with a self-cleaning system that uses natural cycles instead of traditional filtration methods to clean fish waste. The small scale aquaponic system can be modified to fit a variety of standard aquarium tanks. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, the system produces plants as an outcome of the filtration of fish waste through the nitrogen cycle. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention the system will fit over the aquarium so only a slight opening to the aquarium is available for access to water. The sides of the system will cover the sides of the aquarium, partially enclosing the aquarium&#39;s sides. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an aquaponics system positioned over an aquarium. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is front cross section view of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a detailed exploded top perspective view of a supply fitting and overflow fitting for the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a detailed top perspective view of a supply fitting and overflow fitting for the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the planting container for the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the first leg of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the planting container of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10A  is a side perspective view of a removable storage compartment provided in a support leg. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10B  is a side perspective view of the support leg of  FIG. 10A  with the removable storage compartment removed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10C  is a rear perspective view of the storage compartment of  FIG. 10A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The following list of example elements are shown in the figures: 
         [0024]    aquarium  10 
       top  11 , bottom  12 , first side  13 , second side  14 , front  15 , and rear  16         
 
         [0026]    aquaponic system  100 
       grow light support bar  120 
           first grow light support leg  121     second grow light support leg  122     support arm  123     Eye bolts  124  and nuts  125     
           first leg  140 
           top portion  141     side surface  142     front surface  143     rear surface  144     aquarium facing surface  145     decorative bevels  146 ,  147     removable storage compartment  300 
               front panel  310     tray  320     
               
           second leg  150     detachable grow light support bar  160     planting container  200 
           supply port  210     reinforcing ribs  211     grow light support leg bracket  212 ,  213     first leg mounting ridge  215     second leg mounting ridge  216     drain port  220 ,  230     overflow notch  250     supply fitting assembly  270 
               washer  272 ,   bushing  274     supply fitting  276     
               drain fitting assembly  280 
               washer  282     bushing  284     drain fitting  286     
               pump  290 
               supply tube  292     
               
               
 
         [0062]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an aquaponics system  100  positioned over an aquarium  10 . In this embodiment, the aquaponics system comprises a planting container  200  that extends beyond the sides of the aquarium. In this example, a rectangular planting container  200  is supported by a first leg  140  and a second leg  150 . In this example, the planting container may have other shapes such as oblong or kidney shaped. 
         [0063]    In this example, a portion of the top front portion  11  of the aquarium is exposed. In other examples, by positioning the aquaponics system forward with respect to the aquarium, a rear top portion of the aquarium can be exposed in order to provide access to the aquarium, such as to feed fish. 
         [0064]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the aquaponics system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the aquaponics system  100  comprises a first leg  140 , a second leg  150 , and a grow container  200 , and a detachable grow light support bar  160 . In this example, the legs are enclosed, and support the planting container is supported in a level position elevated over an aquarium. In other examples, the legs may provide shelves or cabinet storage, such as for aquarium supplies, or to conceal aquarium light and pump power cords. 
         [0065]      FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . First leg  140  has an open top  141  which fits over mounting ridges  215  on the bottom of the planting container so that the planting container may be removably secured to the first leg  140  and second leg  150  by press fit or snap attachment. These features, and similar features on the second leg, permit the planting container to be disassembled from the legs for transportation or storage. In this example, the legs are enclosed. In other examples, the legs may include one or more shelves or cabinets. 
         [0066]    In this example, the detachable grow light support bar  120  is provided as an assembly comprising a first grow light support leg  121 , a second grow light support leg  122 , and a support arm  123 . Eye bolts  124  and nuts  125  are used to secure the support arm  123  to the grow light support legs  121  and  122 , and to support a grow light (not shown). 
         [0067]      FIG. 4  is front cross section view of the aquaponics system of  FIG. 1 . The aquaponics system may be made of any sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, metal, wood and the like. The various components of the aquaponic system can be made of different materials. The aquaponics system can be modified to fit a variety of different shapes, sizes and materials of aquarium tanks. 
         [0068]    In this example, a rectangular aquarium  10  comprises top  11 , bottom  12 , first side  13 , second side  14 , front  15 , and rear  16 . The aquarium has a length of the distance between the first side and second side; a height and a width. 
         [0069]    In this example, a submersible pump  290  pumps water to the planting container  200 . Supply tube  292  directs water from the pump through planting container supply port  210 . The pump  290  can be on a timer. Water is pumped from the aquarium  10  to the planting container where plants (not shown) take up nutrients from the water, and water is then drained back into the aquarium through drain ports through drain fitting assembly  280 . 
         [0070]    Support legs  140  and  150  can be configured to fit the aquarium  10  in a variety of ways. This example shows the legs  140  and  150  to have a beveled rectangular cross section. In other examples, the legs may have other polygonal or curved cross sections. In some examples, the legs may have a varying cross section with height, such as hourglass or twisting profiles. 
         [0071]    In this example, the legs are hollow. In other examples, the legs may provide additional function, rather than just supporting the planting container. In some examples, the legs may have storage compartments with doors which allowing access to inside the legs, while still supporting the planting container. In some examples, the legs can serve as sump tanks, thereby allowing for water to remain at a constant level inside the aquarium through a bell-siphon plumbing system connected to inside the planting container system. 
         [0072]    In this example, a pair of legs is provided. In other examples, three or more legs may be provided. 
         [0073]    In one example, the height of legs  140  and  150  can be modified to be used as an additional grow bed for deeper rooting plants allowing for plumbing modifications. Legs  140  and  150  can also be used to grow mushrooms, such as by providing an irrigation system to one or both legs. 
         [0074]    In this example, the support legs  140  and  150  support the planting container at height sufficient to permit the planting container to sit on the legs over the aquarium  10 . 
         [0075]    The planting container may be provided in a variety of depths, and a desired depth may be related to the size of the aquarium. Different depths in the planting container determine how big and what type of plants to be grown. Typically, the depth of the grow planting container can range from two inches to twelve inches. Other depths may be provided for efficient plant growth. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  is a detailed exploded top perspective view of a supply fitting assembly  270  and overflow fitting assembly  280 . In this example, the supply fitting assembly  270  comprises a washer  272 , a bushing  274  sized to snap into supply port  210 , and a supply fitting  276 .  FIG. 5  shows one of two overflow fitting assemblies in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the overflow fitting assembly  280  comprises a plurality of stackable bushings  284  sized to snap into drain port  230 , and a drain fitting  286 .  FIG. 6  is a detailed top perspective view of the assembled supply fitting assembly  270  and assembled drain fitting  280 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the planting container  200  showing reinforcing ribs  211 , supply port  210 , and drain ports  220  and  230 . In this example, the planting container  200  includes an overflow notch  250  on the rear top edge so that overflow water will drain back to the aquarium if the drains or drain ports become plugged. In this example, the planting container  200  is oversized with respect to the length of the aquarium. In other examples, the planting container may be positioned over the width of the aquarium. A first grow light support leg bracket  212  (not shown) and a second grow light support leg bracket  213  are provided to removably support grow light support legs. 
         [0078]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the first leg  140  showing a top portion  141 , side surface  142 , front surface  143 , rear surface  144 , aquarium facing surface  145 , and decorative bevels  146  and  147 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the planting container  200  showing first leg mounting ridge  215  for mating with the top portion  141  of first leg  140 ; second leg mounting ridge  216  for mating with the top portion of second leg  150 ; supply port  210 , and drain ports  220  and  230 . In other examples, aquarium light mounting features may be provided on the bottom or side of the planting container, and an aquarium light can be supported by the planting container. 
         [0080]    In other examples, side aquarium lights may be supported by one or more support leg. A recess may be provided on the inside surface of the support leg so that a side light may be recessed into the support leg. 
         [0081]      FIG. 10A  is an example of a removable storage compartment  300  provided in a support leg  140 . In this example, as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , a recessed handle is provided on the front panel  310  so that the 0 of the storage compartment  300  may be removed from the support leg in order to access contents if support tray  320 . In other examples, one or more open shelves or a cabinet may be provided in the support legs. 
         [0082]    In other examples, a filtration system may be provided so that particluates are removed from water supplied to the planting container. The filter can be made up of different materials including but not limited to: carbon pad/filter, sponge, and other filtration methods. Water may also be disinfected by ozone, UV light, or other methods. 
         [0083]    In other examples, the aquaponic system can be used as a standalone hydroponic system and nutrients can be added to the planting container or a reservoir. 
         [0084]    While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps of the invention, including variations in order, form, content, function and manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.