Aquarium arrangement

Abstract

A decorative aquarium arrangement including a decorative structure for use in concealing a filter assembly and a heater. The decorative structure including an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are relatively located to create a diagonal circulation of aquarium water within an aquarium to reduce stagnant regions within the aquarium. The heater is further positioned in relation to the filter assembly such that heated, filtered water is dispensed by the decorative aquarium arrangement.

1 . An aquarium arrangement for use in an aquarium, the arrangement comprising; 
 a) a decorative structure having a front side and a back side, the back side defining a cavity, the decorative structure including a structure inlet and a structure outlet, the structure outlet being arranged to dispense water at a location at or above a water level of the aquarium when the structure is positioned within the aquarium;    b) wherein the structure outlet is offset from the structure inlet such that water flows within the cavity in a direction that is non-opposing to any other water flow direction during operation of the pump, thereby creating a diagonal circulation within the aquarium.    
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , further including a spillway located at the structure outlet of the decorative structure.  
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , further including a filter assembly positionable within the cavity of the decorative structure, the filter assembly including a submersible pump.  
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , further including a spillway located at the structure outlet of the decorative structure, the spillway being defined by the filter assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein the filter assembly further includes a replaceable filter cartridge positionable within a filter housing of the filter assembly, the replaceable filter cartridge being accessible from a top opening formed in the decorative structure.  
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the filter assembly is a removable self-contained filter unit.  
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , further including a heater positioned within the cavity of the decorative structure.  
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative structure includes a front wall and opposing side walls, the front wall defining the front side of the decorative structure, the inlet structure being formed in one of the opposing side walls of the decorative structure.  
     
     
         9 . The arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet structure formed in the one opposing side wall is the only inlet structure.  
     
     
         10 . The arrangement of  claim 8 , further including a back panel that extends between the opposing side walls.  
     
     
         11 . A decorative arrangement for use in an aquarium, the arrangement comprising: 
 a) a decorative structure defining a cavity;    b) a filter assembly positioned with the cavity of the decorative structure, the filter assembly including a filter housing and a pump; and    c) a heater positioned within the cavity of the decorative structure and proximate to the filter assembly such that water flowing through the decorative structure is heated prior to filtration;    d) wherein the filter housing of the filter assembly includes a spillway positioned to dispense heated filtered water at a location at or above a water level of the aquarium.    
     
     
         12 . The arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the heater is positioned no more than about 5.0 inches from the filter assembly.  
     
     
         13 . The arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the heated filtered water dispensed from the spillway creates a ripple effect upon the water contained within the aquarium.  
     
     
         14 . The arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the filter assembly is mounted to the decorative structure.  
     
     
         15 . The arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the spillway of the filter housing mounts at the top edge of the decorative structure.  
     
     
         16 . The arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the heater is mounted to the decorative structure.  
     
     
         17 . The arrangement of  claim 11 , further including an aeration device arranged such that air bubbles rise up along an exterior surface of the decorative structure during operation of the aeration device.  
     
     
         18 . A method of assembling an aquarium arrangement, the method of assembling comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a decorative structure having a front side and a back side, the back side defining a cavity, the decorative structure including a structure inlet and a structure outlet;    b) positioning a self-contained filter assembly within the cavity of the decorative structure, the self-contained filter assembly including a filter housing and a submersible pump; and    c) placing the decorative structure within the aquarium such that the structure outlet of the decorative structure is at or above a water level of the aquarium.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including positioning a heater within a water flow pathway, created within the cavity, between the structure inlet and the structure outlet.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of positioning the self-contained filter assembly includes positioning the self-contained filter assembly such that a replaceable filter cartridge positionable within the filter housing is accessible to a user without reaching into the water contained within the aquarium.