Aquarium filter

An aquarium water filtering system includes a first filtering section, a second filtering section, and a third filtering section. The first filtering section has a first housing configured to receive water, perform a first filtering action on the received water, and produce a first filtered water. The second filtering section has a second housing placed horizontally adjacent to the first housing and configured to receive first filtered water, perform a second filtering action on the first filtered water, and produce a second filtered water. The third filtering section has a third housing placed horizontally adjacent to the second housing and configured to receive the second filtered water, perform a third filtering action on the second filtered water, and produce a third filtered water for return to the aquarium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International patent application PCT/IB2015/055855, filed on Aug. 2, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In the regular course of maintaining an aquarium containing plants, fish, and/or other aquatic life, there is a need to keep the aquarium physically and chemically clean. Waste and detritus tend to accumulate in the water of the aquarium, such as bits of vegetable remains from plants that have died, remains from food, and waste generated from creatures living in the aquarium. Such waste also can result in undesired odors, unwanted bacterial growth, contamination, infection, and disease in the aquarium. Conventional electronic filters may create a stressful environment for aquatic animals. Providing a suitable, clean and livable environment, far from any stress is very necessary for the growth and reproduction of aquatic plants and animals. Accordingly, it is useful to have a filter system that purifies the water. This utility is increased when the filter system can remain effective at a desired throughput for an extended period of time without replacement of the filter material filling. It is also desirable to utilize naturally sourced and chemical-free filter materials to reduce the environmental impact of sourcing or disposing of filter materials.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, the instant application describes an aquarium water filtering system including a first filtering section having a first housing configured to receive an aquarium water for an aquarium, perform a first filtering action on the received aquarium water, and produce a first filtered water; a second filtering section having a second housing placed horizontally adjacent to the first housing and configured to receive the first filtered water, perform a second filtering action on the first filtered water, and produce a second filtered water; a third filtering section having a third housing placed horizontally adjacent to the second housing and configured to receive the second filtered water, perform a third filtering action on the second filtered water, and produce a third filtered water for return to the aquarium, in which the second filtering section includes: a distribution plate configured to distribute the first filtered aquarium water over an interior of the second housing; a biological filter material located below the distribution plate and configured to perform a portion of the second filtering action; and a UV light located above the distribution plate and configured to irradiate water passing through the distribution.

The second filtering section may further include an aeration tube configured to release air below the biological filter material.

The second filtering section may further include a filter layer comprising sand or gravel that is at least 10 cm thick, wherein the filter layer is located above the biological filter and below the distribution plate.

The UV light may be positioned above an inlet through which the second filtering section receives the first filtered water.

The second filtering section may further include a first filtering layer comprising crushed igneous rock that is at least 4 cm thick, wherein the first filtering layer is located below the biological filter.

The second filtering section may further include second and third filtering layers each including cork, cotton, wool, or silk, wherein the second filtering layer is located between the biological filter and the first filtering layer, and the third filtering layer is located below the first filter layer.

The second filtering layer may be at least 1 cm thick, and the third filtering layer may be at least 0.5 cm thick.

The second filtering section may further include fourth and fifth filtering layers each including sand or gravel, wherein the fourth filtering layer is located between the biological filter and the second filtering layer and the fifth filtering layer is located below the third filtering layer.

The second filtering section may further include a sixth filtering layer including cork, cotton, wool, or silk, wherein the sixth filtering layer is located below the fifth filtering layer.

The first filtering section may be further configured to deliver the received aquarium water below a first filtering material and withdraw the first filtered water from above the first filtering material.

The first filtering material may include cork, cotton, wool, or silk.

The first filtering section may be further configured to receive the aquarium water at a height above the first filtering material.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present application when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a cross-section of an example of an aquarium filter system100. Aquarium filter system100includes three sections: first filtering section200, which receives unfiltered water for an aquarium (not illustrated) via inlet211; second filtering section300, which receives water from first section200; and third filtering section400, which receives water from second section300and returns filtered water to the aquarium via outlet452. The three filtering sections100,200, and300are described in detail below. Although the three filtering sections100,200, and300are illustrated as horizontally adjacent to each other inFIG. 1, other arrangements are within the capabilities of those skilled in the art. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the three filtering sections100,200, and300are all placed in a single housing110. However, in some examples, any or all of the three filtering sections100,200, and300may be placed in separate housings. In some examples, aquarium filter system100may be positioned behind the aquarium. In such examples, the height of aquarium filter system100may be about 5-10 cm shorter than the aquarium to reduce its visibility.

In some examples, multiple aquarium filter systems100may be used for a single aquarium. For example, the multiple aquarium filter systems100may be used in parallel, to obtain increased filtering throughput. As another example, the multiple aquarium filter systems100may be used serially, where the output from a first aquarium filter system100is supplied to the input of a second aquarium filter system100, to provide additional purification and/or redundancy in the event of a failure in one of the multiple aquarium filter systems100. Additionally, aquarium filter system100may be combined with other filters or water treatment systems. For example, one may add a stage of chemical filtration.

FIG. 2illustrates a cross-section of an example of the first filtering section200of aquarium filter system100. First filtering section200is placed in and includes housing205, which includes wall206. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, in which the first filtering section200is horizontally adjacent to second filtering section300, housing205is a portion of housing110, and wall206serves as a partition between first filtering section200and second filtering section300. In some examples, first filtering section200has a width of approximately 5 cm.

First filtering section200includes piping210, which receives unfiltered water from an aquarium (not illustrated) or water from another source via inlet211, and delivers the received water to outlet212at the base of first filtering section200. In some examples, piping210has a diameter of approximately 2-5 cm. In some examples, filter material and/or filtering element(s) may be included in piping210. For example, a wire mesh may be included to perform an initial removal of large particulates from the water.

From the area at the base of first filtering section200near outlet212at the base of first section200, the received water passes upward through filter material220. Filter material220removes solid material, among other things, from the water, such as coarse particles in the received water. Filter material200may include, but is not limited to, materials such as cork, feathers, cotton, wool, and/or silk. Although silk is particularly effective, it is also generally more expensive than the other options. After this initial filtering through filter material220, the water exits the second filtering stage200via opening230to pass to second filtering stage200.FIG. 2illustrates a gap below filter material220, which allows for increased surface area for the initial interface between the received water and the lower surface of filter material220. In some examples, the geometry of the lower surface of filter material may be varied to further increase the surface area for the initial interface. In some examples, a wire mesh or other porous structure may be provided to keep filter material220in place, or to encapsulate filter material220to facilitate its replacement.

In some examples, first filtering section200may be configured and oriented such that water proceeds horizontally, rather than vertically through filter material220. In some examples, an intermediate filtering section (not illustrated) may be included between first filtering section200and second filtering section300. In such examples, the intermediate filtering section performs a second coarse filtering of the water output via outlet230, using filter material which is the same as or similar to filter material220, and provides the further-filtered water to second filtering section300. The intermediate filtering section may reduce the frequency with which filter material needs to be replaced, and also may produce an overall increase in filtering effectiveness.

FIG. 3illustrates a cross-section of an example of the second filtering section300of aquarium filter system100. Second filtering section300is placed in and includes housing301, which includes walls302and303. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, in which second filtering section is located horizontally between first filtering section200and third filtering section400, housing301is a portion of housing110, wall302serves as a partition between first filtering section200and second filtering section300, and wall303serves as a partition between second filtering section300and third filtering section400. In some examples, second filtering section300is approximately 20-40 cm wide.

Second filtering section300receives water via inlet305. The received water spreads across a distribution surface310, which has holes311therein which allow the received water to pass through, by gravity, to the top of filtering layer320. Holes311are sized appropriately to allow the received water to spread to, and pass through, holes311disposed both near to and far from inlet305, to provide even distribution of the received water onto the top surface of filtering layer320. As the received water falls through the gap between the lower surface of distribution surface310and the top of filtering layer320, an initial aeration of the received water is performed. In some examples, distribution surface310may be omitted, such as where a thickness of received water is maintained above filtering layer320that reasonably ensures the received water is distributed across the top of filtering layer320. In some examples, distribution surface310has a two-dimensional plate-like structure, with an array of holes311therein. In some examples, instead of a plate-like structure, distribution surface310may be replaced with other structures, such as tubing with holes therein to allow distribution of the received water. However, a plate-like structure is generally simpler to maintain.

Second filtering section300includes eight filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355. The received water passes through these filtering layers, and eventually passes through holes361in support plate360. From the area below support plate360, water which has been filtered by second filtering section300is output via outlet380to third filtering section400.

Filtering layer325serves as a biological filter, in which bacteria break down contaminants, such as nitrogenous waste. In an example of filtering layer325, plastic tubing is cut into segments; for example, approximately 1 cm diameter tubing cut into approximately 1 cm segments. These segments may be oriented horizontally, vertically, or randomly. Many other materials and structures are suitable, although generally a porous material and/or structure is desirable. Over time, beneficial bacteria becomes established in filtering layer, and performs biological filtering. Although it generally takes around 1-2 months for an effective amount of bacteria to become established in filtering layer325, this time may be reduced by seeding the layer with bacteria.

Filtering layer330comprises fine sand and/or gravel, typically more fine than the sand and/or gravel included in filtering layer320.

Filtering layer335comprises materials such as cork, feathers, cotton, wool, and/or silk. In some examples, filtering layer335remains at least 1 cm thick during operation of second filtering section300, despite the weight of water and filtering layers320,325, and330above it. In some examples, filtering layer335is approximately 1 cm think when compressed.

Filtering layer340comprises crushed igneous stone, such as basalt. Typically, such stone has sharp edges. As certain types of igneous rock are more acidic, such as granite, whereas other types of igneous stone, such as basalt, are more basic, some examples may take into account the type of aquatic life being kept in the aquarium in selecting a particular type of stone. In some examples, filtering layer340is at least 4 cm thick. In some examples, filtering layer is approximately 4 cm thick.

Filtering layer345comprises materials such as cork, feathers, cotton, wool, and/or silk. In some examples, filtering layer345remains at least 0.5 cm thick during operation of second filtering section300, despite the weight of water and filtering layers320,325,330,335, and340above it. In some examples, filtering layer335is approximately 0.5 cm think when compressed.

Filtering layer355comprises materials such as cork, feathers, cotton, wool, and/or silk. In some examples, filtering layer355remains at least 0.5 cm thick during operation of second filtering section300, despite the weight of water and filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345, and350above it. In some examples, filtering layer335is approximately 0.5-1.0 cm think when compressed.

Any of filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355may be separated by a mesh or other porous material from its neighboring layers. Although the layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355have been described to be placed in a specific order, the instant application is not limited to this specific ordering and other arrangement has been contemplated.

Second filtering system300may also include aeration tube370, which receives compressed air at air inlet371, and outputs the received air via air outlets372located within filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355. This provides aeration for the water, which enhances the biological filtering performed by filtering layer325, and also prevents overcompaction of filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355. Although inFIG. 3, aeration tube370and air outlets372are located within filtering layer355, air outlets372may be positioned in any combination of filtering layers320,325,330,335,340,345,350, and355.

Second filtering section300may also include UV light sources391-397, to irradiate the received water and kill bacteria that might otherwise seek to grow in the upper portion of second filtering system300. In some examples, UV light sources391-391may be positioned at least 5 cm above distribution surface310. In some examples, UV light sources392-397may be omitted, with one or more UV light sources391positioned near inlet305. In such examples, power consumption may be lowered, and negative effects on the growth of bacteria in filtering layer325may be reduced. In some examples, UV lighting may be disabled during the initial operation of second filtering section300, to facilitate the growth of bacteria in filtering layer325.

FIG. 4illustrates a cross-section of an example of the third filtering section400of aquarium filter system100. Third filtering section400is placed in and includes housing405, which includes wall406. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, in which the third filtering section400is horizontally adjacent to second filtering section300, housing405is a portion of housing110, and wall406serves as a partition between third filtering section400and second filtering section300.

Third filtering section400includes inlet410, which receives water from second filtering section300. The received water passes through filter material420, which may include, but is not limited to, materials such as cork, feathers, cotton, wool, and/or silk. From there, the water passes into chamber430through an opening421. In some examples, third filtering section400may include a water heater440positioned in chamber430to ensure water provided to the aquarium (not illustrated) is an appropriate temperature for the aquatic life therein. For example, for carnivorous species of fish, a water temperature of 28-32 degrees C. is generally preferred, whereas for herbivorous species of fish, a water temperature of 26-28.5 degrees C. is generally preferred.

Third filtering section400includes piping450, with an inlet451positioned to draw filtered water from chamber430, and an outlet452, which delivers filtered water to the aquarium or some other destination. In some examples, filter material and/or filtering element(s) may be included in piping450.

In some examples, a pump (not illustrated) is used to return the filtered water from the third filtering section400to the aquarium. In some examples, the third filtering section400has a glass ceiling, which results in pressure being built up in the third filtering section400which is sufficient to return the filtered water to the aquarium.