ROLF C. HAGEN (UK) LTD. PRESS RELEASE

The winner of a recent competition in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine to win a Fluval G6 filter is delighted to have received the advanced, smart looking filter from aquatic experts Hagen.

Mr Charles Stanger from Great Sutton, Merseyside picked up his prize from his local aquatic store Water World last week. “I’m absolutely made up & pleased to be collecting from Water World, it’s a good shop, excellent service & advice”, said Mr. Stanger. “I look forward to the phosphate reducing qualities and water clarity the G6 is going to offer my reef tank and the G6 will be out on show, it’s a smart looking piece of kit!”

Competition entrants had to describe, in 20 words or less, where they would display the G6 if they won it. Mr. Stanger’s winning entry read ‘The Fluval G6’s good looks are a given, so it’s never getting hidden. Shiny and new, it’s always on view.’

The filter was presented by Hagen Area Sales Manager Sandra Moseley and Scott MacGlashan from Water World. Scott said of the new G-series; “The Fluval G is a great product for the aquarium keeper, you can set it up the way it suits you and your aquarium. We have had a great response from our customers. We have made follow up checks with every customer we have sold a Fluval G to and all of them are very pleased with the product”

Fluval G filters are available from selected stockists nationwide, for more information or to find a local stockist visit Fluval-G.com.

At Fluval, we are huge fans of aquatic art and beauty.  We are continually amazed at the effort and creativity that goes into our fishkeeper’s aquariums and want them to be recognized for it!

We’ll be judging our favorite photos on the following criteria: Technical merit (quality of photo in terms of lighting, resolution, etc), Aesthetics (beauty of the fish or aquarium) and Artistic flair (creative approach to capturing the scene, such as unique angle or perspective).

Here’s how to enter your fish and aquarium into the contest:

1. Visit the Fluval Facebook Page and become a Fan.

2. We’re looking for two pictures per entry: 1 portrait of a single fish (or group of fish) and 1 complete tank shot (you must provide both to be eligible).

3. Post your pictures to Fluval’s wall with a short description of the fish or aquarium

4. Share your pictures with friends and comment on your favorites!

All entries must be posted to the Fluval Facebook wall by midnight January 17th, 2010. The winner of the Fluval EDGE (in Pewter, Black, or Burnt Orange – your choice!) will be announced on Monday, January 25th, 2010.

Contest is subject to the following rules and regulations:
1. All valid entries must include an attached file that shows aquarium/fish. You must be the sole author and owner of the copyright in all pictures entered.
2. All entries must be in digital format.
3. All entries must be at minimum resolution of 150 DPI (or higher) and sized 240 x 240 pixels or larger – Larger entries may be reduced to fit the allotted space and to allow optimized download. – Suggested maximum size should be less than 1 M.
4. No lewd, obscene, exploiting or abusive graphics will be accepted.
5. By submitting a photo to the Fluval Facebook page, each contestant agrees to abide by the rules and regulations governing this contest.
6. Multiple unique entries are allowed, but only one person per household can win. Any and all duplicate pictures will be discarded.
7. All entries must but uploaded and submitted to the Fluval Facebook page “Wall” (www.facebook.com/fluval) by the contest close date of midnight January 17, 2010.
8. The contest draw will be January 24, 2006 at 12:00 PM. One (1) winning entry will be selected from all eligible entries received. Winners will be notified by e-mail shortly after the contest draw date. The prize must be accepted as awarded. No substitutions, refunds, transfers or cash equivalent payments will be allowed. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.
9. Prizes:
A. One (1) First Place Prize: 1 x Fluval EDGE Aquarium Kit (Item number 15395 or 15396 or 15397) Approximate Retail Value: $149.99 USD
10. All accepted photos may be displayed on the Fluval Blog (www.fluvalblog.com), Fluval Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/fluval), and Fluval Twitter Page (www.twitter.com/fluvalblog) as they are received for the duration of the contest period.
11. This contest is open to legal US Residents 18 year of age or older, Canadian residents of legal age or if under the legal age with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
12. The following are excluded from entering: employees, representatives, agents and of Rolf C. Hagen Inc. its subsidiaries and partners and their immediate families, participating dealers; their immediate families; and any persons with whom they are domiciled.
13. No purchase is necessary for entry into this contest.
14. All entries become the sole property of Rolf C. Hagen Inc. and none will be returned. By entering this contest, all entrants agree to the use and publication of their names, likeness and addresses to be used for promotion purposes by Rolf C. Hagen Inc., or its advertising agencies, without compensation either during or after the contest.
15. A list of the winners’ name and province and the winning photographs will be published on the website shortly after the winners have been informed.
16. Selection of winners will be by a panel of judges selected from the Web and Marketing departments of Rolf C. Hagen Inc.
17. Photos will be judged based on technical merit (quality of photo in terms of lighting, resolution, etc), aesthetics (beauty of the water garden or pond) and Artistic flair (creative approach to capturing the scene, such as unique angle or perspective)
18. All decisions by judges are final.
This contest is subject to all Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws and regulations.

Since then, the G Series has received more attention online and in stores than any other new aquatic product in recent memory.  We’d like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to a number of Aquatic blogs and sites that followed the launch of the Fluval G.  You can check out their coverage in the links below:

Practical Fishkeeping Magazine

Captive Aquatics

Pet Solutions

3Reef

Tank Gadget

Reef Builders

Reef Tools

If we’ve forgotten anyone, you can post a link in the comments below.

Throughout its launch, the Fluval G has been greeted with a great amount of excitement, anticipation, and especially, a lot of questions!  With most of the basic information on the filter available to the public either online or through trade shows, the Fluval team decided to sit down with the people over at Practical Fishkeeping and answer a few questions.

Robert Reid, Hagen’s Category Manager for the Fluval brand has provided some very specific and unique insight into the development of the Fluval G.  In the interview, Robert discusses flow rates, the science and importance of the conductivity meter, calibration of the conductivity meter,  other features considered for the G, and future possible expansion of the Fluval G product suite.

Here’s an excerpt from their interview:

It’s great that Hagen has been so innovative and launched such an interesting product, particularly given the current economic climate. Who do you see as the target market for the Fluval G range?

We strongly believe that there are a lot of people out there, interested in buying and owning the latest technologies or products that make life easier and are more convenient. As long as there is good value for the money the savvy consumer will be as excited as we are to experience the Fluval G. A good example would be those consumers buying Apple products, such as the iPods or iPhone. They could purchase similar performing items for less but don’t because they see the intrinsic value. And this is exactly our target group. They could be beginners, intermediates or advanced fish keepers.

In addition, the development of the Fluval G should be considered a milestone in filtration technology, and it will definitely raise the bar for other filter manufacturers to rethink their strategies and designs in order to produce easier and more consumer-friendly products. The Fluval G will definitely change the way we look at aquarium filtration today and without any pioneering work, we would still be in the age of air pumps and under gravel filters.

For the complete interview visit Practical Fishkeeping and read Hagen Responds to Fluval G Critics.

It’s been an exciting year to be the new Fluval Edge.  While it officially debuted in February at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL, many people saw it for the very first time at the Superzoo show in Las Vegas and HH Backer show in Chicago.

At all 3 US industry events, the Fluval Edge has made big impressions for such a small aquarium.  In fact, the Edge is quietly amassing a list of awards that firmly speak to the innovative design the aquarium has brought back to the aquatics industry.  Congratulations Edge, take a bow!

Global Pet Expo, Orlando, FL

2nd Place Aquatics Category

Superzoo, Las Vegas, NV

1st Place Aquatics Category

2nd Place Overall Best in Show

HH Backer, Chicago, IL

1st Place Overall Best in Show

According to their website:

This is Blue Zoo Radio. A show dedicated to each and every aquarist making a difference in the hobby. Blue Zoo Radio features interviews with Industry Leaders, best selling authors, manufacturers, fish clubs, other hobbyists and You.

Blue Zoo Radio is live every Monday evening at 8pm EST. The archives are available for immediate download to your computer, iPod or Mp3 player OR you can stream them on your computer ON Demand. Simply click the archive to the right.

Check out the following interviews with Fluval and other Hagen managers discussing recent product releases.

Listen :: Damian Hall –  Marketing/Events Manager :: Discusses 2009 new product launches including the Fluval Edge aquarium, Fluval E Series Heaters, and upcoming Fluval G Filter

Other Hagen brands featured on Blue Zoo Radio:

Listen :: Tom Sarac – Nutrition & Lighting Category Manager :: Discusses Nutrafin development and relaunch

Listen :: Mark Hagen – VP Nutrition & Manufacturing :: Discusses evolution of aquarium and pet hobby

Listen :: Klauss Reimüller – European Brand Development Manager :: Discusses the aquarium hobby from a global perspective

For more information on Blue Zoo Radio, you can visit their site: Blue Zoo Radio