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.

Over the past month, we received over 250 photo submissions on the Fluval Facebook page (become a fan if you haven’t already!) for the Winter 2009 Photo Contest. You can view all the entries by clicking the “Photos” tab on our Facebook page.  Despite the difficulty of choosing the winning shots among so many great ones, a winner was crowned.

The winning shots (featured above) were chosen for their clarity, accurate color representation, difficulty (rainbow fish are highly active and difficult to capture without motion blur), and overall beauty.

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Tom was gracious enough to answer a few questions on himself and his experiences with fishkeeping and photography.

1. So tell us about yourself?

My name is Thomas Sabatello. I am 44 years old and an Internet Designer/ Developer. (You can check out his blog Anubias Garden and his Facebook page of the same name, which both cover fishkeeping, aquascaping, and aquarium photography.)

2. What is your background in fishkeeping?

Fish tanks have been in my life ever since I can remember. My parents always had an aquarium in the house whether it was inside or a pond in the backyard. In the past 5 years I have discovered the Planted Aquarium. Places like Fishtown USA in Ramsey, NJ and more recently Absolutely Fish in Clifton NJ have helped inspire as well as keep the hobby alive. Both have been the main suppliers of plants and aquarium fish for me all these years.

3. Tell us some more about the winning shots.

The winning aquarium photo is of a 50 Gallon Planted Aquarium. Substrate is Eco Complete. – Lighting is 4-39 watt T5 Florescent bulbs timed dusk/dawn 12 hour days. Weekly doses of Flourish plant nutrient. Fluval 305 stacked canister filter.

The winning Fish Photo is a Melanotaenia praecox (Neon Rainbowfish) that was raised from eggs in a 20 gallon planted aquarium that was C02 enhanced as well as EcoComplete substrate. Flourish plant nutrients with 3 watts per gallon florescent lighting timed dusk/dawn 12 hour days.

Plants in aquariums – I have a flowering red Barclaya longifolia and Aponogeton ulvaceus as well many types of Anubias, lots of java ferns and mosses, african ferns, willow leaf hygro, too many to mention.

Fish in the 50 Gallon Aquarium include 2 Red Rainbows, 6 Cardinal tetras, 2 clownloaches , 12 various cory cats with babies from the Julie cory pair, 1 Siamese Algae eaters, 3 ottos, 1 albino rubbernose pleco and 3 Japonika Shrimp.

4. What tips would you give to other fishkeepers for taking pictures as
nice as yours?

Set the white balance to fluorescent if possible to match what’s used in the aquarium, use a tripod to keep the camera steady due to long exposure times. Find a camera or lens that can take macro photography.

5. What do you plan to do with your new Fluval EDGE?

I plan on doing a planted aquarium with the Fluval EDGE either a betta tank or Shrimp with tetras.

Finally, we’ve put together some great computer desktop backgrounds for your use based on Tom’s winning shot.  You can download them below!

Screen Resolution (click link & right click to save as): 1920X1280 :: 1280X1024 :: 1024X768 :: 800X600

That’s my EDGE is a new series profiling beautiful and unique Fluval EDGE aquariums from featured hobbyists around the world.  Many are created by advanced hobbyists and do not necessarily represent standard or recommended stocking or alterations for the beginner or average aquarist.

Since it’s retail launch in Summer 2009, the Fluval EDGE has exploded onto the aquatics scene, generating excitement among new and advanced aquarists alike.  After seeing all the incredible things people were doing with the Fluval EDGE, we decided to feature their work here on the Fluval Blog.

So to kick things off, we’ve started with an application that has been constantly asked discussed: a marine, nano-reef Fluval EDGE!  We’ve interviewed the owner of this masterpiece below.

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1. So tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Minh Tran. I currently live in Fresno California. I had my first reef tank about eight years ago. Over the years I’ve had gone through several tanks with various sizes. Currently I have a 135G SPS domiinated mixed reef and a 6G Fluval Edge nano tank. Yes I know that I suffer from Multiple Tanks Syndrome.

2. What is your background in nano-reef keeping?

When JBJ first came out with the first “all-in-one” NanoCube, I quickly grabbed a 24G NC. I knew I would not have been happy with the stock lighting and filtration. I purchased a set of 70W MH, some underwater lighting, fans, extra pumps and turned the 24G into an SPS and clams nano. Over the last several years, I’ve only kept low demand corals. My favorite nano had to be a 15G that was plumbed with a closed loop and a sump, with proper filtration, flow, a decent skimmer and excellent lighting. Corals were thriving and I had the most compliments for that tank.

3. What are some of the special or unique things you did with your Fluval EDGE?

I decided to attach a small T5 fixture for proper lighting. I’ve also replaced the stock halogen with LED replacement, but those simply didn’t have the spread necessary, so they are more or less serving as moonlight. I found that the power filter was dumping too much micro bubbles, so I added a piece of sponge so that the output could be more gentle. I added a very small powerhead for a gyre effect. I used high grade carbon and most importantly I performed 90-95% water change 2 to 4 times a month. The new water is simply taken out from the big tank during its water changes.

4. What species of fish, invertebrates, or corals can be found in your EDGE? Have you had any trouble keeping any of them alive and healthy in the tank?

I mostly have very hardy corals in there at the moment: zoanthids, palythoas, hammer, cloves, ricordeas and a candy cane. There’s a Rose Bubble Tip anemone that’s been doing fairly well for almost 3 months now. I don’t have any fish. I have an assortment of crabs and shrimps: hermit crabs, Porcelain crab, Boxer crab, Sexy Shrimp, Harlequin Shrimp,…I found that crabs are generally more hardy since I lost a couple of Glass Anemone Shrimp in this tank. I fed the Harlequin with asternia stars from my other tank.

5. What is your overall opinion of the Fluval EDGE as a nano-reef aquarium?

Aesthetically, it’s one of the best nano tanks. Its functions are limited as a reef tank, but certainly workable.

6. Do you have any tips or recommendations for someone looking to do a tank similar to yours?

Keep a low rock work and leave some room at the back; better water flow and more room for your hands without knocking over corals. Have patience and perform regular water changes to keep water quality high.

Have you converted your EDGE to saltwater? Tell us about it in the comments!

The last week has been incredibly active over at Fluval’s Facebook page thanks to huge participation in the Fluval Winter 2009 Photo contest.  Looks like everyone really wants that Fluval EDGE, which will be awarded to the photo contest winner!

If you haven’t checked them out yet, head over to the Fluval Facebook Photo Gallery and view over 100 aquariums and fish photos already submitted. To enter your own, just upload 2 photos (1 up close fish/creature portrait, 1 full tank shot) to Fluval’s Wall.

With all of the excitement and aquarium photos, we thought we’d offer some tips to help you take that award winning shot, even if you’re just using a regular point and shoot camera.  So without further ado, here are 10 Tips that can dramatically improve your aquatic photography:

1. Turn off your flash! If you do nothing else, absolutely remember this: Turn off your flash when photographing your aquarium or individual fish.

Nothing kills a great aquatic photo like your camera’s built in flash.  By turning off your camera’s flash, you allow your camera to view the aquarium exactly (theoretically) as you see it in real life.  This will eliminate unnatural colors, reflections and flash burst in the glass, and unhappy fish.  ”But now my pictures are blurry!” Don’t worry, we’ll address how to fix that below.

2. Take A LOT of pictures. Sometimes getting a great aquatics photo is just a numbers game. With the advent of digital photography and the ability to take virtually unlimited photos without significant extra cost, this is perhaps the simplest way to get better aquatic photos. Just take more of them and chances are that one in a hundred will be absolutely stunning!

3. Don’t shake the camera. Without your flash turned on, your camera will likely automatically increase the exposure time (decreasing shutter speed) to compensate for the flash being turned off. This turns any camera movement into a failed photo due to image blur.  Try to hold the camera perfectly still while squeezing the button.

4. Use a tripod. This point goes along with not shaking the camera. By using a tripod or setting up a make-shift table or stack of books, you can completely eliminate ALL camera movement. You might also consider using your camera’s delay timer so that you never even touch it during the shot.

5. Take your pictures at night with all nearby house and room lights turned off. This eliminates any reflection or glare from lights, items, or people (including the photographer) in the room. It also places the entire focus of the picture on the aquarium itself. *And yes I know this rule was broken in the title shot above. Proof that good photos can still be shot when breaking these rules.

6. Replace your aquarium light bulbs or upgrade to higher output lighting. Since you’ve promised to stop using your camera’s flash, it’s even more important that your tank is well lit so your camera can soak up every last bit of light from the aquarium. Remember to replace your bulbs on a yearly basis. Brighter lights mean brighter tank, brighter fish, and better pictures.

7. Shoot in “Action” or “Burst” mode. With so much movement in many aquariums it can be hard to catch just the right shot.  Now a feature even in many new point and shoots and a standard in DSLR’s, burst mode will fire off 3 or more shots automatically.

8. Increase your camera’s ISO setting. Just like for taking great night shots, increasing your camera’s ISO to 400, 800, or 1600 (if you have a killer DSLR) will increase it’s sensitivity to light and take advantage of every ounce of light emitted from your tank.  You’ll have to be careful though as this can also lead to increased “noise” and grain in the image.

9. Follow some basic rules of photography composition. Something as simple as placing a fish in the photo off center can make it much more visually interesting.  Get creative with angles, framing, and even cropping after you’ve put the image on your computer.

10. Buy a better camera. While all of these tips can help even the amateur with a simple point and shoot take better pictures, a better camera with a better lens can make a world of difference. Canon and Nikon (among others) now make a number of entry-level DSLRs that can propel your aquatic photography to the next level.

Do you have your own aquatic photography tip to add to our list? Tell us about it below in the comments!

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.

FLUVAL G Reusable Chemical Cartridge

The people behind the Fluval G know how important the use of bulk media and refillable cartridges are to their users and have incorporated them both into the Fluval G filter.  Fluval G Refillable Chemical cartridges are for use with the Fluval G3 & G6 filters. The cartridges are designed to hold most loose or granulated chemical filter media down to 0.2mm in diameter and provide maximum versatility for the hobbyist.

FLUVAL G Tri-Ex Cartridge

Perhaps the most unique of all the new Fluval G medias, the Fluval G Tri-Ex cartridge is for use with the Fluval G3 & G6 filters and combines the binding power of Fluval G phosphate, nitrate and carbon for an all in one waste management solution for fresh water aquariums. With the continued use of Tri-Ex, nitrates, phosphates and organic pollutants remain under control ; the cartridge binds over 5000 mg (G3) & 9000 mg (G6) of nitrate and over 600 mg (G3) & 1100 mg (G6) of phosphate. The specialized mesh size of the carbon component maximizes the surface to volume ratio for optimized performance.

FLUVAL G Phosphate Cartridge

The Fluval G Phosphate cartridge is for use with the Fluval G3 & G6 Filter and will rapidly remove up to 2200 mg (G3) & 3900 mg (G6) of phosphate ion from marine or fresh water aquaria. It is suggested to regularly monitor the phosphate concentration in the aquarium water; when the concentration value starts to rise, it is time to use or replace the cartridge to ensure the continuous protection against phosphate accumulation.

FLUVAL G Nitrate Cartridge

The Fluval G Nitrate cartridge is for use with the Fluval G3 & G6 filter and will remove up to 13000 mg (G3) & 24000 mg (G6) of nitrate ion in fresh water aquariums. Nitrate concentration should not exceed 20 mg/L in freshwater aquariums.  Planted aquariums require approximately 5mg/L of nitrate as a source of nitrogen for healthy plant growth.

In a 300 L freshwater aquarium with a 30 mg/L nitrate concentration, the use of G3 Nitrogen cartridge will quickly remove all excess of nitrate in a couple of days. If left in the filter it will then maintain a low nitrate level for a period of time that is strictly dependent on the type of aquarium (quantity and type of fish, type of fish food and so on). In a 600 L freshwater aquarium with a 30 mg/L nitrate concentration, the use of G6 Nitrogen cartridge will quickly remove all excess of nitrate in a couple of days. If left in the filter it will then maintain a low nitrate level for a period of time that is again dependent on the type of aquarium as mentioned above.

Nitrate is irreversibly trapped and bound and will not leach back into the water. The continuous use of the G3 & G6 Nitrate cartridge in aquariums with persistent nitrate problems is an effective solution against nitrate accumulation. If used as a quick solution to reduce elevated nitrate concentrations the cartridge can be removed once levels have normalized and then stored until required.

Well, it’s not just the onboard computer and digital display or the ability to change media in a flash.  The new media used by the Fluval G series filters are a significant advancement to the aquatics hobby themselves.

We’ll start with the Mechanical and Biological medias below and follow up with more information on the various chemical medias over the next week.  So check back for more soon!

Mechanical Pre-Filter Cartridge

The Fluval G Pre-filter is a daily use cartridge for the Fluval G3 & G6 Filter and will trap suspended debris for effective mechanical filtration in fresh or marine applications. Designed as a “no by-pass system,” debris remains caught between each pleat until it is removed and rinsed.

Another unique aspect of the mechanical Pre-Filter cartridge is that water and debris flow from the inside out.  This is important since debris is unable to escape while the cartridge is in use and during maintenance and removal from the filter.  For extended use it is recommended the cartridge is cleaned at least every 2-3 weeks or as deemed necessary by the Hydrotech system (a slowing flow rate likely indicates necessary cleaning).

Cleaning is further simplified by the inclusion (with the filter) of a specially designed cleaning brush that will physically remove nearly all trapped debris in a matter of seconds.

Mechanical Fine (micron) Pre-Filter Cartridge

The Fluval G3 & G6 Fine Pre-Filter Cartridge is designed for daily use with marine aquariums where suspended debris is minimal or can be used as a polishing cartridge for standard or fresh water aquariums. The fine mesh will trap debris 75μ (micron) or larger for unparalleled mechanical filtering results. Designed as a “no by-pass” system, debris remains caught between each pleat until it is removed and rinsed.

With the exact same flow pattern as the standard Mechanical Pre-Filter, the Fine Pre-Filter should be cleaned regularly as deemed necessary by the Hydrotech monitor using the same cleaning brush as noted above.

Biological G Nodes

Fluval ceramic G Nodes feature a complex pore system where beneficial bacterial will thrive. With more capacity and shaped to compact together tightly within the G filter baskets, G Nodes enhance biological nitrification.

The Fluval G Nodes have significantly upgraded the biological capacity of the Fluval G filter in two primary ways:

1. Since virtually no organic debris can pass the Mechanical Pre-Filter stage (which occurs regularly in many traditional canisters), the biological media will function with superior efficiency.  No longer hindered by organic debris clogging pores and stifling bacterial growth, the G Nodes will function at peak levels.  The other obvious benefit here is that by running cleaner, the biological media may go significantly longer between cleaning and maintenance.

2. The Fluval G Nodes are unique because they come in two sizes – small and large.  When mixed together, this allows for a greater number of pieces to fit in the media baskets. Effectively, it creates a more efficient use of space in the baskets with fewer and smaller gaps between the media pieces.

Check back soon for more information and the new Fluval G Chemical Medias designed specifically for the Fluval G Series filters.

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.

The day fishkeepers have waited for is finally here! The Fluval G Series will debut at retail locations starting Monday, November 9th, 2009.

The G Series rollout begins in the United States and Germany, both which will see retail availability the week of November 9th. Canada will follow shortly behind with the week of November 15th.  More information will be available shortly for the release in France, the UK, and the rest of the world, so check back for updates on availability in your country.  Additionally, the G Series will be available online from select web retailers beginning Monday, November 9th.

A couple final notes: If you want to see the G first, remember that the Fluval G Test Drive Station will be displayed in stores for you to demo a live, fully functional G unit. Also, a complete list of Fluval G Authorized Retailers should be available over at Fluval-G.com within the next week.

So, take the weekend and call your local fish store.  Tell them you want the G!

The final video in the Product Spotlight series is now available and features the E Series heaters.  These are simply the most advanced aquarium heaters on the market today.  Sporting multiple innovative designs, the E Series is a complete solution for the advanced and beginner aquarist alike.  Learn more in the video above!

Are you ready for the launch of the Fluval G?  Final details and availability are scheduled to be released in the coming days! Stay tuned…