A novel integrated aquarium is disclosed wherein all of the necessary mechanical functions (air pump, lighting, heating) are located in a compartment provided as part of the aquarium base and those components particularly subject to mechanical failure are mounted in a slide-out drawer provided as part of said base so that they may be more easily repaired or replaced. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, an incandescent light bulb located in said base furnishes both light and heat to the aquarium and is controlled by a thermal sensor with a manual lamp socket over-ride switch provided. To facilitate removal of the air pump for maintenance and possible replacement, the air supply tube leading from the air pump to a sparger/riser tube assembly associated with an undergravel filter is removably connectable to a passageway communicating with said sparger/riser tube by means of a rubber air cup. A one-way check valve is provided as part of said sparger/riser assembly to prevent backflow of water into said compartment. The preferred embodiment disclosed is of an especially pleasing aesthetic hexagonal design and has a thin, unobstructive cover instead of the usual bulky light reflector hood mounted on the aquarium top.
An aquarium for maintaining fish or the like characterized by an upper transparent container means that has its side wall, bottom and a valve body integrally formed together to prevent leaks. The transparent container sits on a base. An air pump, air conduit, and air flow control valve are disposed out of sight interiorly of the base. The valve body contains the check valve and serves as an air inlet for bubbling air upwardly through the water at a controlled rate provided by the air flow control valve. The check valve prevents leaking back into the air inlet passageway in the event the power is interrupted and prevents leaking a substantial quantity in the event that the hose, or air conduit, is inadvertently disconnected. Also disclosed is a kit embodiment which is sold on the retail market in which all the elements are provided.
An aquarium life support system comprises a tank with transparent walls with a watertight bottom having a central drain opening and additional openings through which air supply tubes and a heating device are extended. A movable support below the tank bottom includes an air pump, gang valves for the air supply tubes and a control unit for the heater. The construction is such that the bottom portion normally hides the pump, air valves and heater control together with a drain line in communication with the central drain opening. A single power supply cord extends from the life support system to an appropriate power source.
An aquarium for housing fish and other aquatic life if formed within a pyramidal housing. The upper portion of the housing is formed of transparent triangular walls which enclose the water for the fish while permitting viewing of the fish. The lower portion of the housing serves as a base for supporting the water, and includes a drawer which holds filtration, heating and aeration equipment while permitting ready access for servicing of the equipment. Lighting is provided by an internal pyramidal light situated at the apex of the housing within the walls, the location permitting lighting of the entire water surface without any significant heating of the walls. All plumbing connections for treatment of the water are made through the floor of the chamber holding the water, thereby avoiding the presence of unsightly hoses and tubing. By the placing of the filtering equipment below the water chamber, the filtering system is able to self-prime, thereby eliminating the process of siphoning in the caring of the aquarium.
5282438 - Aquarium - Owned by Technical Support Services Inc. (Ossining, NY)
An aquarium comprises a bifurcated pedestal and a cylindrical transparent viewing tank mounted within the arms of the pedestal. The pedestal contains a reservoir beneath the viewing tank, the volume of the reservoir being sufficient to hold the contents of the viewing tank. A secondary fish tank or drawer is mounted within the pedestal beneath the reservoir. The fish drawer contains gravel and aquarium plants, and fish can move freely between the viewing tank and fish drawer. The fish drawer is removable from the pedestal to replace the fish and/or aquarium plants during which time water from the viewing tank is stored in the reservoir. Water filters are provided within the pedestal with water conduits arranged so that when the viewing tank is filled with water, water flows under the influence of gravity from the fish drawer up to the filter and then back to the reservoir. Pumps within the reservoir pump the water into the viewing tank. Lamps are mounted within the arms of the pedestal to illuminate the contents of the viewing tank and additional lamps are provided to illuminate the fish drawer for viewing purposes and also to provide light for the aquarium plants. An automatic fish feeding device is also mounted within the pedestal. An air pocket is formed beneath the fish feeding device so that the fish food can fall onto a surface.
An aquarium containment system for displaying marine life, which system includes an aquarium support or rack for displaying one or more aquariums or tanks having tinted background and/or bottom panels and containing fish and/or other marine life. The racks include strips of light-dispersing acrylic in selected colors and a system of fluorescent lights is provided in the aquarium rack to illuminate the light-dispersing acrylic strips and background panels and/or bottom panels and brighten the display. Multiple aquarium racks may be joined in an array, depending upon the number of aquariums desired for display and the racks are provided with sliding closures to access the fluorescent lights and aquariums.
