Abstract:
An inexpensive aquaponic conversion kit for aquariums that uses a combination of mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration components along with terrestrial plants to filter aquarium water. The system includes a funnel shaped undergravel filter that concentrates solid waste towards an airlift pump that transports solid and liquid waste into a planter containing terrestrial plants. These waste nutrients are trapped in the planter in layers of activated carbon and filamentous material that adsorb and trap waste particles where the roots of plants turn the waste into biological material and aid in cleaning the tank. A grow light and hood are able to be attached to a bracket at the back of the planter to grow healthy plants.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/598,244 filed on Feb. 13 th , 2012 entitled “A small scale aquaponic planter and aquarium system for use at the home or office”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    This invention relates generally to the field of aquaponics and/or hydroponic planters for growing traditional soil-grown plants such as herbs and flowers in a soil-less environment. 
         [0008]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0009]    Aquaponics is the symbiotic technology of growing plants hydroponically (without organic growing material such as dirt) using aquatic animal waste as the primary nutrient source. Traditional hydroponic systems use a full spectrum of plant macro and micro nutrients derived from natural or unnatural sources which are dissolved in water in a nutrient reservoir which is then pumped or poured over the roots of plants. High concentrations of nutrients and large amounts of gas exchange allow hydroponic plants to achieve extremely efficient growth rates. Aquatic animals such as fish naturally produce waste as they metabolize food and oxygen. This waste is then degraded by microorganisms into macro and micro nutrients that make nearly complete plant fertilizer. Fish produce liquid waste in the form of ammonia and solid waste that is degraded by microorganisms into ammonia and other nitrogenous wastes. These ammonia waste products are poisonous to aquatic animals and converted via biological filtration first into nitrite, another poisonous waste product, and then into relatively non-poisonous nitrate by Nitrosoma and Nitrobacter communities of naturally occurring bacteria. An aquaponic system with established bacterial communities and a steady stream of fish waste can generate plant growth equal to or greater than that of traditional hydroponic technologies. 
         [0010]    Hydroponic systems are related to aquaponic systems in that they use neutral or inert growth media such as gravel, pearlite, expanded clay, etc. as a means to support plant roots and maintain moisture levels for the roots. Hydroponic systems generally use liquid nutrients derived from natural or un-natural sources, which are broken down into their purest forms before being added to a hydroponic growth system. There are generally no solid or liquid waste particles that need to be degraded by microorganisms in a hydroponic system. 
         [0011]    Prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,590 describes one such small personal hydroponic system. In this system, a nutrient solution is added to the bottom reservoir which is then intermittently pumped into a bed of inert media on top, which then drips back into the lower reservoir through simple flat drainage holes. While this system works fine with dissolved hydroponic nutrients, waste from fish or other aquatic animals contains waste particles of various sizes that need to be captured and degraded naturally to maintain a clean and healthy aquarium environment. In the same system, roots from the terrestrial plants tend to find flat drainage holes and grow down into the nutrient reservoir. Over time these roots can clog the drainage holes, which can drown the plant due to a flooded planter. The roots can also become unsightly in the case of an aquaponic system, as they fill the aquarium and choke out aquatic life. 
         [0012]    Traditional aquaponic systems cycle water from a fish reservoir to a separate plant reservoir indefinitely. Plant roots absorb waste nutrients from the water and turn the nutrients into plant material, cleaning the water for addition into the fish reservoir. Aquaponic systems are usually composed of many components including large fish tanks, plant growth beds filled with inert media, natural or artificial lighting sources, mineralization tanks, sump tanks, electric pumps and solid waste filtering mechanisms. These systems have the ability to produce great quantities of produce and harvestable fish but can cost many thousands of dollars in material costs, require a large area for growth, and require many hours of labor for installation and maintenance. 
         [0013]    Aquaponic technology is scalable and can be applied to small scale aquarium systems. Hobby aquarists use mechanical, biological and chemical filtration in their aquariums to make healthy and clean environments for aquatic animals such as fish to live. These systems often employ the use of rotary impellor pumps or airlift pumps to suck dirty water from an aquarium, clean it by means of filtration, and then return the water back to the aquarium. Over time solid waste accumulates in the bottom of the fish tank, requiring the aquarium substrate to be vacuumed on a regular basis. This solid waste also creates a great deal of ammonia as it decomposes, which is converted via nitrification into nitrate and leads to high levels of nitrate in the aquarium water. At low levels nitrate is non-toxic to aquatic animals but becomes toxic at high levels and can lead to unsightly and potentially deadly algae blooms in an aquarium. Aquarists therefore need to perform weekly water changes of around 25% total volume to lower overall nitrate levels in the aquarium. Chemical filtration in the form of activated carbon and zeolite is also used my aquarists to adsorb nitrogenous waste, but needs to be removed and replaced on a regular basis as the adsorptive capacity of these particles becomes saturated over time. Aquaponic technology uses plants to lower this nitrate level naturally but turning excess waste into plant material, thereby reducing the need to perform water changes and also greatly decreasing the amount of algae growing in the aquarium. 
         [0014]    Another downfall of current aquarium filtration mechanisms is the inability to gather solid waste, or mulm, that accumulates on the bottom of the aquarium. Undergravel filters use airlift pumps or impellor pumps to create a low pressure zone under the aquarium substrate, creating a constant flow of oxygenated water through the aquarium substrate at the bottom of a tank. This oxygenated water allows nitrifying bacteria to partially decompose this solid waste, but vacuuming of the aquarium substrate at the bottom of the tank is often necessary to remove large waste particles. Without occasional vacuuming, these undergravel filters tend to compact and become plugged with solid waste, having a detrimental effect on the aquarium chemistry and health of the system. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of this invention to create an attractive, affordable and easy to use aquaponic aquarium system that keeps pet fish or other aquatic animals healthy while growing terrestrial plants as a part of the aquarium filter mechanism. It is also an object of this invention to create a unique undergravel filtration system to decrease aquarium cleaning requirements by pumping aquarium waste directly to the roots of growing plants. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,590 describes a hydroponic planter for the home. This system contains a nutrient reservoir, planter, and accompanying air pump and timer included in its assembly. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,428 describes a filtration system that uses a terrestrial plant and aquarium filter combination to clean aquarium water. The plant grows in a typical pot and then its roots are allowed to exit the bottom of the pot into a filter cartridge that is part of the filter mechanism of the fish tank. 
         [0018]    A terrarium/aquarium combination in U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,571 shows plants growing side by side with an aquarium, separated by a vertical partition. This combination provides a mechanism for increasing the humidity of the terrarium while maintaining separate terrarium and aquarium portions of the system. There are also filter plates beneath the terrarium media and in the aquarium and allow water flow through. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In accordance with the invention, a small scale aquaponic aquarium system is provided that uses compressed air to pump waste-laden water and solid waste from an aquarium into a self-contained planter above the aquarium. This planter has layers of hydroponic growth media along with chemical filtration components for the roots of terrestrial plants to grow. Within this hydroponic planter exists a watering tube with holes that allow for the even distribution of highly oxygenated water and mulm throughout the planter. Water dispensed from the watering tube then trickles through the hydroponic growth media into the bottom of the planter and then escapes through raised drainage holes within the container, dripping back into the aquarium via gravity. An airline input junction exists at the back of the planter which connects to an external air pump. An airline runs through the planter to a riser tube in the center of the planter and down the inside of said riser tube to an airline output at the bottom of a riser tube. Compressed air is released at the bottom of this riser tube which in turn creates an ‘airlift’ system that pumps water and waste up into the planter. At the bottom of the riser tube exists a solid waste capture funnel under an undergravel filter screen. This funnel and screen system concentrates mulm to the input of the riser tube, where it is pumped into the planter for subsequent degradation and utilization by plant roots. Water pools in the planter and is released via raised drainage holes in the bottom of the planter back into the aquarium, cleaned and oxygenated for the cycle to begin again. Attached to the back of the planter is a bracket that allows a grow light to be attached, allowing for efficient plant growth. 
         [0020]    Another embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , respectively. This embodiment functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment, but is an application of the invention for rectangular aquariums and has parts that look different than those in the first embodiment but perform the same function within the invention. Equivalent parts will be labeled with a ‘b’ suffix in all figures and descriptions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the aquaponic planter and aquarium; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the aquaponic setup of  FIG. 1  with each part of the system labeled. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional perspective view of the back half of the planter from  FIG. 1  and its separate components. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the planter and solid waste capture funnel apparatus without the aquarium, grow light, or fibrous mat shown. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention, for use with common rectangular aquariums. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the planter in embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , basic construction shown without fibrous mat, net baskets, growth plugs, or plants shown. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a possible funnel shaped undergravel filter unit for use with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0029]    While the invention will be described in connection to the preferred embodiment in  FIG. 1 , it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. This description is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the specification and drawings, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the specification and drawings are entitled. 
         [0031]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the terms “embodiment(s) of the invention”, “alternative embodiment(s)”, and “exemplary embodiment(s)” do not require that all embodiments of the method, system, and apparatus include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or use. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  of the present invention, an aquarium  31  has fish F and water W therein. A planter  10  rests upon aquarium  31 . At the bottom of aquarium  31  is a layer of substrate  59  in which a solid waste capture funnel  11  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) embedded in it. On top of solid waste capture funnel  11  is an undergravel filter screen  12 , which then has aquarium substrate  60  above that. At the bottom of the solid waste capture funnel lies an opening  13  from lower riser tube section  14 . In the center of undergravel filter screen  12  lies a riser tube junction  15  (that is connected to lower riser tube section  14 ) in which riser tube  16  is attached. Riser tube  16  rises through the middle of the tank and connects to planter  10  via planter opening  17 . Within planter opening  17  lies a ring structure  18  that serves to halt the advance of riser tube  16  into a watering tube adaptor  19  that connects to watering tube  20 . Watering tube  20  is open on either end in this embodiment, with watering holes  21  drilled, molded, or equivalent through its surface. Watering tube  20  connects to the planter via the watering tube adaptor  19 , which is connected to planter  10 . 
         [0033]    An airline runs from an external air pump (not shown) through airline tubing (not shown) to the back of the planter and connects to an airline input junction (not shown). Connected to the airline input junction on the inside of the planter is a small piece of airline tubing (not shown) that connects to airline elbow  22  which transverses through watering tube adaptor  19 . Airline elbow  22  points down toward the bottom of the aquarium in this embodiment, connecting to airline tube  23  that is located inside of riser tube  16 . When riser tube  16  is inserted into planter opening  17 , airline tube  23  and airline elbow  22  are aligned so that the opening at the top of airline tube  23  fits and locks into airline elbow  22 . Airline tube  23  runs down the inside of riser tube  16  and connects at another airline junction  24  located within riser tube junction  15 . The bottom of airline tube  23  connects to airline junction  24  in a similar manner to airline elbow  22 . Finally, airline  24  runs down the inside of lower riser tube section  14  until it nears opening  13 , where it releases air into riser tube  14  via an airline output  25 . 
         [0034]    Air released in airline output  25  create a suction through opening  13  when the aquarium is filled with water W, which then sucks water and waste up and into watering tube  20  and out through a plurality of watering holes  21 . This water is then released over a mat of fibrous material  26  embedded with activated carbon  27 , zeolite  28 , and calcium carbonate  29 . Water in the planter pools at the bottom of planter  10  and then drains via raised drainage holes  30 , where it is directed down into aquarium  31  via drainage lips  32 . 
         [0035]    Planter  10  is shaped in a way that allows it to sit directly on a round aquarium and has bottom rim  33  to assist in its stability in sitting on said aquarium. There exists a cutout and groove (not shown) in bottom rim  33  at the back of planter under the aforementioned airline input junction. At the front of the planter exists a cutout portion  39  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). At the back of the planter exists a grow light bracket  34  that allows an expandable grow light support  35  to be mounted. Expandable grow light support  35  is attached to a grow light hood  36 , which has a wired bulb socket  37  attached underneath said hood. A grow light bulb  46  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  that fits in said wired bulb socket  37 . A light switch  47  juts out of switch hole  48  within light hood  36 . Wiring  38  from bulb socket  37  runs through an opening within the expandable grow light support (not shown), then out through the back of the grow light bracket  34 . This wiring system is meant to connect to a standard wall plug and then into a standard wall socket but is not shown in these figures. 
         [0036]    Planter insert  40  holds net baskets  41  that are inserted through holes  42  within the planter insert. These net baskets also fit into holes  43  within the mat of fibrous material  26 , which allows the net baskets to sit on the bottom of planter  10 . In addition to holes  43  within fibrous material  26  are holes  45  which are located at the center of the material that allow riser tube junction  15  as well as raised drainage holes  30  to transverse the mat. Inserted into the net baskets  41  are plant growth plugs  44  in which a terrestrial plants  48  are grown. 
         [0037]    Another embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 5-7  that show an embodiment suitable to a rectangular aquarium. All parts that are synonymous with the preferred embodiment are labeled with a ‘b’ suffix. There are a number of parts, however, that have been added to this embodiment that will be discussed here. Removable intake screen  49  shown in  FIG. 5  acts in place of a funnel bottom system in one form of this embodiment. A standard undergravel filter  50  is also illustrated in this embodiment to show how removable intake screen  49  is an optional arrangement, where dual riser tubes  16   b  have the ability to connect to undergravel filter  50  via intake openings  51 . Alternatively, an undergravel filter design like that shown in  FIG. 8  could be used that implements the bottom funnel technology described in the previous embodiment that uses an equivalent undergravel screen  12   b  and funnel system  11   b , but has an angled intake tube  52  that runs under the funnel portion lib to an intake opening  53  which then connects to riser tube  16   b . Compressed air could power the pumping action of this system as well, as air from an external air pump travels through airline tubing (not shown) to airline input junction  63 , which connects in a similar fashion to the preferred embodiment to airline tube  23   b  inside riser tube  16   b  and then air is released at output  25   b . Airlift suction may not be enough power for larger aquariums; therefore it is assumed that an impellor pump system may be implemented in this or any other embodiment and that these systems would be equivalent. 
         [0038]    An aquarium light housing  53  and bulb  54  is also featured in this embodiment, and is located at the bottom of planter  10   b  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . At the front of planter  10   b  an aquarium cover  55  with handle  56  is shown that connects to planter  10   b  via hinges  62 . Attached to the bottom of planter  10   b  there is a single stand pipe that functions as a raised drainage hole  30   b , but is attached to a drainage tube  57  and drain diffuser  58 . 
         [0039]    In the operation of this aquaponic invention, aquarium substrate  59  is set in the bottom of aquarium  31 , solid waste capture funnel  11  is pressed into the substrate until it reaches the edge of said funnel. At this point filter screen  12  is set on top of solid waste capture funnel  11 , and opening  13  in riser tube section  14  are aligned at the bottom of solid waste capture funnel  11 . Filter screen  12  acts to stop aquarium substrate  60  from entering the solid waste capture funnel  11 , while having holes large enough so that solid waste can make its way down through the substrate and into the solid waste capture funnel  11 . Aquarium substrate  60  is added to the top of filter screen  12  but not higher than riser tube junction  15 , keeping this junction clear and visible is necessary for riser tube  16  attachment. Water W can now be added to the system, as well as aquatic animals such as fish F. Riser tube  16  attaches to filter screen  12  via riser tube junction  15 , and airline section  23  connects to airline junction  24  within the riser tube junction  15 . Riser tube  16  is then inserted into the planter via planter opening  17  until it is stopped from advancing into watering tube  20  by ring structure  18 . Airline section  23  attaches to airline elbow  22  in planter opening  17 , which then connects to airline tubing toward an airline input junction located at the back of the planter (not shown). This connection system allows riser tube  16  to be removable for cleaning after the system has been in operation. Having an airline tube on the inside of a riser tube, as in this embodiment, makes for a smoother appearance and easier connection to airline junctions at the top and bottom of said riser tube. Positioning an airline tube on the outside of said riser tube, perhaps in an indented portion of the riser tube would work in a nearly identical fashion and is therefore considered an equivalent embodiment. 
         [0040]    To power the airlift pumping mechanism, a standard air pump (not shown) or equivalent pneumatic pump that is connected to a power source (not shown) can be used, or another source of compressed air such as a pressurized tank of nitrogen gas. Airline tubing is connected from this pressurized gas port to the airline input junction at the back of the planter (not shown). Air now flows through each airline junction described, down the riser tubes  16  and  14 , respectively, and is released out of airline output  25 , creating bubbles that rise in the riser tubes and out through the plurality of holes  21  in watering tube  20 . Airline output  25  has a close juxtaposition to opening  13  to create enough suction within solid capture funnel  11  to transport solid waste accumulation up and into the mat of fibrous material  26  where it is trapped for the degradation by microorganisms and then the roots of terrestrial plants  48 . 
         [0041]    Planter  10  is preferably, but not necessarily made of polyvinyl chloride or the like. Planter  10  is designed in such a way that bottom rim  33  juts out from the bottom of the planter, creating a stable ring that resists tipping and falling off of aquarium  31 . The cutaway at the back of planter  10  in bottom rim  33  (not shown) creates an area for an aquarium heater to be mounted inside the aquarium. Cutout portion  39  at the front of the planter allows a port at which to feed the aquatic animals, add water to the system, or take samples for water quality testing etc. In the center of planter  10  is watering tube adaptor  19 , which consists of a raised cylinder attached to the bottom of planter  10 . Watering tube  20  is removable in this system and is attached to watering tube adaptor  19 . At the back of planter  10  exists a grow light adaptor  34  that allows a grow light accessory  61  to be supported above the plants for increased plant growth rates. At the bottom of planter  10  is a removable mat of fibrous material  26  that is embedded with activated carbon  27  and zeolite  28  as chemical filtration mechanisms to absorb nitrogenous and gas compounds dissolved in the water and act to concentrate waste particles for use by the absorption of the plant roots. These parts also act as the hydroponic growth media for this system. Calcium carbonate particles  29  are also embedded within this mat of fibrous material  26  to aid with pH buffering of the aquarium water. Raised drainage holes  30  fit through holes  45  within the mat of fibrous material  26 . These raised drainage holes  30  function to create a pool of water in the bottom of the planter that aids in small particle settling, increases the adsorption time for the activated carbon  27  and zeolite  28  particles, and are resistant to roots growing through them and into the aquarium below. Drainage lip  32  acts to direct the water back into the aquarium, where if this lip did not exist water would bead across the bottom of planter  10  and drip off of bottom ring  33 . Planter insert  40  holds net baskets  41  (which fit through holes  43  in the mat of fibrous material  26 ), which in turn hold natural plant growth plugs  44 . This planter insert is removable as are the plant growth plugs and add a modular aspect to this invention. The growth plugs allow seeds to be germinated or plant clones to be propagated and removed easily while this invention is in operation. The plant growth plugs are made of inert material such as rockwool, coconut fiber or peat and is embedded with a small amount of organic fertilizer and lime to supplement nutrients to the plant and buffer the pH of the tank, respectively. A person skilled in the art could add extra layers of hydroponic media above the mat of fibrous material, remove the mat altogether, or replace the planter insert with a bed of hydroponic media such as expanded clay, rock wool, pearlite or the like without changing the scope of this invention. 
         [0042]    Describing now the operation of grow light accessory  61 , an expandable light support  35  attaches to the light hood  36 , which contains a light socket  37 , bulb  46 , switch  47 , and wires  38 . The expandable light support  35  is expandable to be able to raise and lower the grow light as the plants grow. The light bulb  46  can be fluorescent, incandescent, LED or the like while its only necessary requirement is to give off light in a suitable spectrum for efficient plant growth. Presently, the wires from light socket run down through the expandable light support  35 , exiting near the airline input junction. A person skilled in the art could make the wiring for this socket in a variety of ways, shapes or forms for a safe and easy to use system to power this light, or perhaps utilize a solar panel and DC converter to power the air pump or light. 
         [0043]    In the operation of the embodiment of this invention shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , filter screen  49  is attached to two riser tubes  16   b  with similar construction to riser tube  16 , with the difference being that the airline outlet  25   b  is at the bottom of riser tube  16   b . Alternatively, riser tube  16   b  can be attached to a standard undergravel filter  50  via input hole  51  as shown in  FIG. 7  and used to extract solid waste from the bottom of the aquarium as well as increase the total surface area available for natural biofiltration.  FIG. 8  illustrates a solid waste capture funnel design for a rectangular aquarium that is attached to riser tube  16   b  in the same fashion as an undergravel filter. This design has distinct advantages over traditional undergravel filter designs in that the funnel concentrates waste toward the center, where a vacuum tube  52  pulls the waste up and into riser tube  16   b  and then up into planter  10   b.    
         [0044]    Connected to the front of this embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  is an aquarium cover  55  with handle  56 , attached to the bottom of planter  10   b  via hinges  62 . This cover is used to limit the evaporative water loss from the aquarium as well as provide and easy access area to the aquarium. At the back of planter  10   b  exists light housing  53  and bulb  54  that is used to illuminate the inside of the aquarium. Wiring is not shown for the aquarium lighting or plant lighting in this embodiment, as one skilled in the art could wire fluorescent, LED or equivalent lighting solutions in a standard way that would be suitable for this embodiment. A gasket would also need to be included to be placed between light housing  53  and planter  10   b  for this light to keep moisture from the aquarium out and decrease the chance of electrical shock. A similar aquarium lighting system could be implemented in the first embodiment of this invention but is not included at this time. 
         [0045]    Attached to the bottom of planter  10   b  is a stand pipe  30   b , shown in  FIG. 6 . This stand pipe functions similarly to raised drainage holes  30 , but connects to a drain pipe  57  and then to drain diffuser  58  that acts to distribute the water evenly without disturbing the aquarium components. A bell siphon system typically used in aquaponic systems could be added to this stand pipe as an equivalent but is not used in this specific embodiment. 
         [0046]    Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, an aquaponic system for use with aquatic animals in aquariums that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. Although certain example methods, functions, features, components, and abilities have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this invention covers all methods, functions, features, components, and abilities fairly falling within the scope of the description either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 
         [0047]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum methods, functions, features, components, and operation of the aquaponic planter are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those described in the description are intended to be encompassed by the aquaponic planter. 
         [0048]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the aquaponic planter. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the aquaponic planter to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, filling within the scope of the aquaponic planter. While the above description describes various embodiments of the present invention, it will be clear that the present invention may be otherwise easily adapted to fit any configuration where an aquaponic planter for use in the home, office, or school is desired or required. 
         [0049]    As various changes could be made in the above methods, functions, features, components, and abilities without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.