Abstract:
An aquarium water changing and stabilization system consists of an initial tank designed to stabilize and condition water before it is entered into a subsequent tank that contains live aquatic animals such as fish. This system has a cabinet that is designed to aesthetically enclose, protect and support the components of the aquarium while providing access to the system. Water is introduced into the system from existing hot and cold water plumbing which is connected to this system. Water exits from this system into existing sewerage plumbing which is also connected to this system. Conditioned water from the conditioning tank enters the main fish tank via plumbing from one tank to the other. In case too much water is introduced to either tank, overflow drains in both tanks prevent water from overflowing over the top of either tank. Plumbing check valves and ball valves create safe and easy plumbing.

Description:
REFERENCES CITED  
       [0000]     -None-  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an aquarium that is designed to maintain a healthy environment for aquatic life by giving one the ability to balance and stabilize water in a separate enjoined tank before inducing the water into the main aquarium tank. Secondly, this aquarium water changing and water stabilization system prevents unnecessary work related to aquarium maintenance.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0002]     The inventor, who is aquarium enthusiast, noted that it is difficult to change a substantial amount of water in a medium to large aquarium. For example, not having running water that runs directly into the aquarium system requires one to use pails and hoses that can cause a mess. Also, taking water directly from an exterior source and introducing it into the aquarium can be detrimental to the health of the living organisms in the aquarium. By attaching a second tank to the main aquarium tank through which water can be transferred, water can be conditioned and stabilized in the secondary tank before being introduced into the main aquarium tank. Also, by attaching an overflow and drainage system from both tanks to an existing sewer connection, allows for fast and safe removal of unwanted aquarium water. Redundant check valves and ball valves must be strategically placed to prevent backflow, valve failure backup and easy use.  
         [0003]     As with most medium to large aquarium cabinetry, structural integrity and functionality is important so as to provide support and easy accessibility for the total aquarium system. In this present invention, the second water conditioning and stabilization tank is located above the main aquarium tank which is a gravity-flow water changing system. Plumbing runs behind and below both tanks.  
         [0004]     The cabinet is designed to support the weight of both tanks when full and allow proper access to all working components of the aquarium.  
         [0005]     This invention allows aquarium water to be easily stabilized and conditioned before being introduced into the main aquarium tank and allows for water to be easily and quickly drained from the aquarium while supporting all the components of the aquarium in a modular cabinet unit that provides easy access to all the important components of the aquarium. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Other features and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification drawings, all of which disclose non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a close up view of the valve for the top tank of the aquarium from a perspective slightly above and to the right of the aquarium.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a right side sectional view of the overflow drainage plumbing only for the aquarium.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a sectional right side view of the plumbing that leads from the bottom of the top tank into the back of the lower tank that introduces conditioned water into the lower main fish tank. The splash guard that buffers the water entering into the lower main fish tank is visible at the very bottom of this figure.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a sectional front view of the tanks, tank shelves and plumbing only.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a view of the aquarium from a perspective of slightly above and to the left of the front of the aquarium and cabinet.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a sectional front view of all aquarium plumbing only from a perspective slightly above and to the right of the aquarium.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     The present invention is a saltwater or freshwater mixing tank and aquarium environmental control system which is designed to exchange used water for pre-conditioned and stabilized water and can be used to quickly drain the main fish tank for easy cleaning and refilling. This invention is designed to connect to existing plumbing both drainage and water supply at the location that the aquarium is installed. Secondly, the current invention requires a cabinet that provides access to the components of the aquarium and proper support. The present invention is designed as a complete modular unit that does not allow for various embodiments within the design of the aquarium. Instead, all of the necessary aquarium components are designed and assembled to work together when connected to existing plumbing. The present invention is a manual aquarium water changing and water stabilization system. Future designs will allow for other tank position setups and aesthetics.  
         [0014]     As depicted in  FIG. 1  the present invention includes ½ inch copper supply lines  1 , for hot and cold water. A valve body  2 , that is bracketed to the left side of the cabinet mixes hot and cold water which exits thru the neck of the valve  3 .  
         [0015]     As depicted in  FIG. 4  the top water change tank  32 , can be filled with water that will empty into the main fish tank  38 , thru piping system (see  FIG. 3 ) that empties from the bottom of the water change tank  32  and exits into the top of the main fish tank  38 . In the case of an overfilling of the tanks, an 1.5 inch overflow drain piping system (see  FIG. 2 ) allows for proper overflow drainage for both tanks.  
         [0016]     As depicted in  FIG. 2  the present invention includes an overflow drainage flange  4  that secures a horizontal 2.3 inch length of 1.5 inch pipe  5 , to the back of the upper part of the top water change tank ( FIG. 4, 32 ). In  FIG. 2 , this pipe empties into a vertical 90° tee connector  6 , which connects to a vertical segment of pipe that serves both as a connector and vent opening for the overflow drain system. Two vertical segments of pipe  7  are connected with a vertical 90° tee connector  10 , the top vertical pipe segment is approximately 20 inches long and the bottom vertical pipe segment is approximately 26 inches long. The segments of pipe and the 90° tee connector total 47.5 inches. A 1.5″ diameter double threaded bulkhead fitting  8 , is put through the back of the upper part of the main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ) and is connected to a horizontal 2.3 inch length of 1.5″ diameter pipe  9  which connects to the vertical 90° tee  10 .  
         [0017]     The bottom of the 47.5 inch vertical overflow pipe segment  7  connects to a horizontal 90° tee connector  17 . Main fish tank water empties from a drain at the bottom of the main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ). As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a 1.5″ diameter double threaded bulkhead goes through the bottom of the main fish tank and connects to a vertical piece of pipe  12  that contains an inner check valve  13 , to prevent backflow. This vertical drain pipe segment  12  is connected to a vertical primary ball valve  14  with a total length of 4 inches for both items  12  and  14 , that is connected to a 1.5 inch elbow  15 , pointing to the back of the aquarium and connects to a horizontal secondary ball valve  16 , which connects to the front of the horizontal tee connector  17 , at the base of the vertical overflow main pipe  7 . A horizontal piece of pipe  18 , connects to the back of the tee connector  17 , which is to be connected to existing plumbing. Items  16 ,  17  and  18  have an approximate total length of 7 inches. To empty water into from the top water change tank ( FIG. 4, 32 ) into the lower main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ) a ¾ inch pipe system (see  FIG. 3 ) is used.  
         [0018]     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a drain flange  19 , at the bottom of the top water change tank ( FIG. 4, 32 ) connects and secures a 3.5 inch vertical pipe segment  20 , that contains a check valve  21 , to prevent backflow from the lower main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ). In  FIG. 3  this vertical pipe segment  20  connects to an elbow  22 , and points towards the back of the aquarium. The elbow  22  connects to a horizontal pipe segment  23 , and a ball valve  24 , that have a combined length of 3 inches. This segment connects to an elbow  25 , and points downward and connects to a vertical nine inch length of pipe  26 . At the bottom of pipe  26 , an elbow  27 , is connected pointing towards the front of the aquarium. This elbow  27 , is connected to a 1.5 inch length of horizontal pipe  28 , that goes thru upper part of the back of the main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ). In  FIG. 3 , pipe  28  connects to an elbow  29  that points downward and allows water to run over a splash guard  30 , to buffer the entry of water into the bottom main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ).  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a sectional front view of the shelves, tanks, and plumbing in the aquarium. The outer cabinet walls, top, bottom and cabinet supports have been hidden in this view to reveal the interior parts of the aquarium. Only the upper shelf  43 , and the lower shelf  45 , are parts of the cabinet. The water change tank  32 , has a top tank wall restraint cap  31 , with two equally spaced 18.5″×14″ water access cutouts. The tank wall retainer  31 , extends down and around the top of the water change tank  32 , by one inch and has a two inch cross piece to add strength to the top of the tank. On the back wall of the water change tank  32 , two inches down and three inches in from the right side of the tank (from a front view perspective) is the center of a 1.5″ diameter hole  35 , that serves as access for the overflow plumbing into the back of the tank and allows excess water to drain out of the tank. The flat bottom of the water change tank  33 , and a bottom tank wall retainer  34 , goes around the rim of the bottom of the tank raising the tank up off the shelf  43 , by about ¾&#39;s of an inch to prevent condensation on the bottom of the tank. The shelf that the water change tank rests on is 50″×1″× 22 ″ and has an 8.7″×5.8″ cutout  44 , four inches from the right side of the shelf and ¾&#39;s of an inch from the back of the shelf. This cutout allows space for the water change tank  32 , transfer line (see  FIG. 3 ) that leads into the main fish tank  38 . Three inches from the back of the water change tank and five inches from the left side of the water change tank is the center of a ¾″ circular hole  36 , that allows the water change tank transfer line to be connected to the bottom of the water change tank via a threaded flange.  
         [0020]     Also, in  FIG. 4 , the main fish tank  38 , that has a dimension of 48″×24″×18″, rests on a 50″×1″× 22 ″ lower shelf  45 , that has a 9″×6.5″ cutout  46 , that starts two inches from the right side of the lower shelf  45 , and ¾&#39;s of an inch from the back of the shelf. This cutout allows the main fish tank  38 , overflow plumbing to go through the shelf  45 , and attach to the main fish tank waste line (see  FIG. 2 ). The main fish tank  38  has a top tank wall restraint cap  37 , with two equally spaced 20″×16″ water access cutouts. The tank wall retainer  37  extends down and around the top of the main fish tank  38 , by one inch and has a four inch cross piece to add strength to the top of the tank. On the back wall of the main fish tank  38 , two inches down and seven inches in from the right side of the tank (from a front view perspective) is the center of a 1.5″ diameter hole  41 , that serves as access for the overflow plumbing into the back of the tank and allows excess water to drain out of the tank. The flat bottom of the main fish tank  39 , and a bottom tank wall retainer  40 , goes around the rim of the bottom of the tank raising the tank up off the shelf  45 , by about ¾&#39;s of an inch to prevent condensation on the bottom of the tank. In the bottom of the main fish tank  39 , there is a 1.5″ circular hole  42 , seven inches to the left of the right side of the tank that allows the main fish tank  38 , waste line (see  FIG. 2 ) to enter into the bottom of the main fish tank  38 . This allows for quick and easy draining of the main fish tank  38 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a complete wire-frame view of the aquarium water changing and stabilization system from a perspective to the left and slightly above the front of the aquarium.  FIG. 5 &#39;s numbered items point out the components of the aquarium cabinet. The cabinet is made primarily of a wood product. All shelves and wall sections of the cabinet are doweled together for support. The top of the cabinet  47 , has a dimension of 50″×22″×1″ as do all the shelves of the cabinet. The bottom of the cabinet  57 , has a slightly larger dimension of 52″×1″×23″ for additional stability. The upper left and right cabinet side panels  48 , have a dimension of 22″×14″×1″, are doweled into the top of the cabinet  47 , and the upper shelf ( FIG. 4, 43 ). Two 24″×15″×0.3″ left and right upper cabinet doors  49 , provide access to the water change tank cabinet area. Between and behind the upper front cabinet doors  49 , is a 3″×14.5″×1″ center upper front cabinet door support and stop  63 . All cabinet doors use appropriately placed hidden European hinges and have appropriately placed cabinet door handles.  
         [0022]     On the front of the cabinet and doweled into the bottom of the upper cabinet shelf ( FIG. 4, 43 ), is a 48.25″×2.6″×1″ wood product panel  51 . Also, below the upper cabinet shelf ( FIG. 4, 43 ), are a left and right mid cabinet side panels  54 , that have a dimension of 22″×35.5″×1″ and are doweled into the upper cabinet shelf ( FIG. 4, 43 ) and lower cabinet shelf ( FIG. 4, 45 ). Each of these left and right mid cabinet side panels  54 , have two 7″×6″×1″ cutouts who&#39;s both upper right hand corners begin at 1.8″ down from the top of the mid cabinet side panel  54 , and three inches and 12 and a half inches respectfully from the right side of the mid cabinet side panel  54 . These cutouts provide access to each side of the main fish tank cabinet area. Each of these mid cabinet side panel cutouts are covered with relatively small 8″×7″×0.3″ cabinet doors  50 , that use appropriately placed hidden European hinges and cabinet door handles. Approximately ¼″ below the front cabinet panel  51 , is a swing up front access panel  53 , that has a dimension of 48.6″×10.8″×0.3″ and is connected to the mid cabinet side panels  54 , with metal pins  52 , that allow this front access panel  53 , to swing up and provide access to the front of the main fish tank. When this panel  53 , is in the down position, it provides a pleasing aesthetic look to the front of the aquarium cabinet by blocking the view into the interior plumbing and open back of the aquarium.  
         [0023]     In  FIG. 5 , at rear of the mid cabinet section is a left and right mid section “L” strut  62 . Each of these struts  62  consists of two pieces of wood product, 3″×35.5″×1″ and 5″×35.5″×1″ that are doweled and glued together at right angles for strength. The 3″×35.5″×1″ side of these struts are attached to the interior wall of the mid cabinet side panels  54 , with at least four appropriately placed #6 gauge wood screws.  
         [0024]     The lower portion of the aquarium cabinet is designed to allow room  64 , for normal aquarium filtration system hardware. At rear of the lower cabinet section is another set of left and right lower section “L” struts  60 . Each of these struts  60  consists of two pieces of wood product, 3″×26″×1″ and 5″×26″×1″ that are doweled and glued together at right angles for strength. The 3″×26″×1″ side of these lower section “L” struts  60 , are attached to the interior wall of the lower left and right side cabinet side panels  55 , with at least four appropriately placed #6 gauge wood screws. These lower cabinet side panels  55 , have a dimension of 22″×26″×1″ and are doweled into the lower cabinet shelf ( FIG. 4, 45 ) and the cabinet bottom  57 . On all of the back-facing five inch wide piece of “L” struts in the mid and lower cabinet sections  62  &amp;  60 , that are flush with the backend of the aquarium cabinet side panels and shelves, there are 0.5″×0.5″×1″ bolt holes  61 , that allow for 7/16″ diameter bolts or #30 gauge self anchoring wood screws to be attached through the back of the aquarium cabinet to the building wall where the aquarium is located. The “L” strut bolt holes are located four inches from the top and bottom of the struts and are centered in the back-facing five inch wide piece of the “L” strut. These bolts ensure a secure and stable aquarium that will not tip over or sway when properly bolted to the building wall behind the aquarium cabinet. On the front side of the lower part of the aquarium cabinet are two slot vented 24″×26″×0.3″ left and right lower cabinet filtration system access doors  56 . There are eight equally spaced 23″×0.45″×0.3″ slots  65 , that start at about eighteen inches down and are centered on each lower cabinet door. These front lower cabinet doors are attached to the cabinet by appropriately placed hidden European hinges. Appropriately placed cabinet door handles must be on the all cabinet doors for easy opening. Between and behind the lower front cabinet doors  56 , is a 6″×26″×1″ center lower front cabinet door support and stop  58 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a sectional right side view of the aquarium plumbing only that allows conditioned and stabilized water from the water change tank ( FIG. 4, 32 ) to flow into the lower main fish tank ( FIG. 4, 38 ). This section of plumbing starts with a ¾″ double threaded bulkhead fitting  19 , that is inserted down into the plumbing access hole located on the bottom of the water change tank (see  FIG. 4 ). This bulkhead  19 , is connected to one of two ¾″ diameter segments of vertical pipe  20  which includes a ¾″ check valve  21  in the middle. The total length of segments  19  and  20  is 3.5 inches. At the bottom of the lower pipe segment  20 , is a ¾″ elbow  22  that points towards the back of the aquarium at a 90° angle and is attached to horizontal segments of ¾″ pipe  23  that has a ¾″ ball valve socket  24 , in the middle. Segments  23  and  24  have a total length of three inches. Attached to the end of the back portion of segments  23  and  24  is another ¾″ elbow that points 90° downward and is attached to a nine inch vertical segment of ¾″ pipe  26 . The bottom end of this nine inch vertical segment of pipe  26 , is attached to a ¾″ elbow  27 , that points towards the front of the aquarium at a 90° angle and is attached to a horizontal 1.5″ length of ¾″ diameter pipe  28 . At the front end of this horizontal segment of pipe  28 , is a ¾″ elbow  29 , that points downward at a 90° angle and directs the water flowing out of this plumbing system onto a splash guard  30 , to prevent splashing within the main fish tank when this plumbing is in use. The splash guard  30 , is attached to the back main fish tank wall centered ½″ below the elbow  29 .