Patent ID: 7311819

Claim:
An aquarium filter system providing filtered water to an aquarium, the system comprising: a first surface skimmer for trapping and removing protein and debris from water; a first mechanical filter in fluid communication with said first surface skimmer for removing non-dissolved debris from said water; a second surface skimmer for trapping and removing protein and debris from water, said second surface skimmer is substantially parallel to said first surface skimmer; a second mechanical filter in fluid communication with said second surface skimmer for removing non-dissolved debris from said water; a plurality of drip trays, at least one of said plurality of drip trays in fluid communication with said first mechanical filter and at least one of said plurality of drip trays in fluid communication with said second mechanical filter, said drip trays having a plurality of holes for pooling said water on said drip trays to facilitate a constant and even distribution of said water through said drip trays; a plurality of biological filters, each of said plurality of biological filters in fluid communication with at least one of said plurality of drip trays for mixing air with said water and cultivating nitrifying bacteria in said water; a plurality of chambers, each of said plurality of chambers containing at least one of said plurality of biological filters and in fluid communication with at least one of said plurality of drip trays, said plurality of chambers facilitating flow of said water through said chamber; a first chemical filter in fluid communication with at least one of said plurality of biological filters for removing ammonia from said water; a second chemical filter in fluid communication with at least one of said plurality of biological filters for removing ammonia from said water, said second chemical filter is substantially parallel to said first chemical filter; and at least one pump in fluid communication with said first chemical filter and in fluid communication with a conduit for directing said water toward said first and second surface skimmers.