Two inventions that made the aquarium a world hit

Two inventions that made the aquarium a world hit

Deizisau, december 2023 - To understand the significance of the controller heater and the suction filter for aquatics, you take a look at history: Modern aquatics began with the discovery of oxygen (1774) and the realisation that fish also breathe. But it was not until 1853, after scientists had discovered the importance of carbon dioxide and the interaction between animals and plants in water, that fish were kept in aquariums, i.e., different glass containers. However, the first colourful tropical ornamental fish did not arrive in Europe until 1908. These exotics, however, were demanding in regard to water temperature and water quality. Accordingly, experiments were carried out regarding heating options as well as aeration and filtration equipment.


Invention of the JÄGER controller heater:


Around 1909, aquariums were heated with a brass cylinder, which was heated by a paraffin lamp through a boiling tube. Later, heating became electric. But it was not until 1948, 75 years ago, that engineer Eugen Jäger developed what we think of now as the aquarium heater. Here’s how it came about: Jäger had been producing lighters for wood gas-powered cars since 1946. His son Wolfgang owned a small aquarium. However, their fish died in the cold basement flat where the family lived in bombed-out Stuttgart after the war. Father and son thought about how they could heat up the aquarium water. Finally, they constructed a waterproof heater with a regulator using a filament and test tubes. The first regulator heaters had 10, 15, 20 and 25 watts.


The Jäger regulator heaters quickly became a big seller. As early as 1949, the company moved to a workshop in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. After worldwide demand exceeded capacity there, the Jäger company moved to Wüstenrot (Heilbronn district) in 1967. In 2002, the company was finally sold to EHEIM and from 2012 onwards was managed under the umbrella brand EHEIM. The JÄGER or EHEIM regulator heater has been further developed to this day into a precise electronic temperature control unit and integrated into the "EHEIM Digital family".


Invention of the EHEIM suction filters:


The same applies to oxygen supply and filtration as to heating. Around the turn of the century (1900), a fountain (hand-operated waterfall) provided aeration and a primitive filter operated by a hand pump purified aquarium water. But it was not until the early 1960s that the engineer Gunther Eheim presented the first aquarium suction filter and thus created a revolutionary improvement for aquatics.


The history of EHEIM is like that of JÄGER: in 1949, engineer Gunther Eheim founded his first company in Esslingen near Stuttgart for the "repair and manufacture of technical toys". The business premises were the veranda of his father-in-laws house. Model railways were repaired and rebuilt here. Then in 1953, Eheim introduced a now legendary model trolleybus. This became a hit, and the EHEIM company moved from Esslingen to Deizisau, a few kilometres away. The breakthrough came when designing a fountain for model railway layouts and a waterproof centrifugal pump with magnetic coupling. The idea of combining this special centrifugal pump with a cleaning tank eventually led to the development of the aquarium suction filter. With this, Gunther Eheim thus created the basis for all modern aquatics.


In 1963, 60 years ago, the first EHEIM filter system went into production. By 1971, 100,000 EHEIM aquarium filters were already in use worldwide. Today there are many millions - some of them highly complex, effective devices for small and large aquariums. Including some with advanced digital control and smart networking. 


The inventions of Eugen Jäger and Gunther Eheim 75 and 60 years ago respectively have made the ornamental fish aquarium what it is today: a fascinating hobby for many millions of people around the globe. It is astonishing that the two pioneers lived only a few kilometres apart in the Stuttgart region. They were typical Swabian tinkerers and inventors - like Gottlieb Daimler, who also came from here.

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Eheim classicLED, now available with wireless control

Eheim classicLED, now available with wireless control

Deizisau, October 2023 – The new classicLEDcontrol+e control unit is specially designed for the EHEIM "classicLED daylight" and "classicLED plants" luminaires. It can also be used in the aquarium to simulate the types of brightness curves and ambiances you get in nature. The settings are easily changed via WLAN using a smartphone, tablet or PC.


It is known that animals and plants in aquariums react positively to the natural changes in lighting. And whether that’s simulating sunrise and sunset, cloud effects or moonlight - with the classicLEDcontrol+e control system, every variation of natural light cycles can be imitated. The lighting sequence can be individually programmed, or alternatively, you can use the pre-installed lighting scenarios for different living spaces.


The new controller offers high performance, a stable connection, and compatibility with several devices of the EHEIM Digital family. Two separate connections allow two individual lighting setups to be controlled, i.e. several luminaires can be controlled individually or in sync. When changing light sources (e.g. T5/T8 to classicLED) or setting up a new aquarium, an acclimatisation mode provides support to make sure the setup is quick and easy. Summer and winter time are simply changed over with a click, and it automatically checks whether a new software update is available. All updates can be downloaded free of charge from the EHEIM website.  

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Animal Challenge 2023- EHEIM awarded silver trophy

Animal Challenge 2023- EHEIM awarded silver trophy

Deizisau, june 2023 – As they do every year, the French trade journal "Animal Distribution Magazine" has again determined the most popular brands and products in the pet sector via a representative survey. In the aquarium accessories category, EHEIM was awarded silver.


Animal Distribution Magazine is the well-known industry magazine for the pet sector in France. As part of its annual survey of dealers, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers, the magazine regularly awards the coveted "Animal Challenge Trophies" for different product groups in various categories. In the aquarium accessories group, EHEIM achieved first place for "Product Innovation", as well as first place for "Sales Dynamics" and second place for "Logistics". Accordingly, the company was awarded one silver trophy. Competitors included Zolux, Dennerle and JBL.


Last year (2022), EHEIM was not only rated as "Best Brand in the Pet Industry in France” but was also specifically awarded the Gold Trophy as "Best Brand in Aquatics". A bronze trophy was also awarded to Eheim in the garden pond sector. In addition, "Animal Distribution Magazine" awarded the Managing Director of the EHEIM Group, Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, the "Manager of the Year" award for the second time.


France has a comparatively high number of fish and aquarium enthusiasts. Accordingly, EHEIM has permanently increased its prescence and performance here in recent years. With success: the EHEIM brand has become a byword for high quality, good service, and advanced technologies. In particular, the developments and innovations (in electronically controlled and networkable devices) under the term "EHEIM Digital" have ensured a good reputation. 


The Animal Challenge trophies were awarded on 29 June 2023 in a ceremony at the famous Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CIUP). In addition to the award winners, journalists and many professionals from the pet industry were also in attendance. EHEIM Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou accepted the awards and thanked those responsible for the "Animal Distribution Magazine" as well as the survey participants for the awards. He emphasised how important the market in France is for EHEIM and promised continued close cooperation with the trade. On the sidelines of this industry meeting, he was able to exchange professional thoughts in many conversations with business friends, while also making new contacts and creating new opportunities in the market.

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EHEIM awarded "Brand of the Year" for the fourth time

EHEIM awarded "Brand of the Year" for the fourth time

Deizisau, july 2023 – In 2017, 2019 and 2021 EHEIM was honoured with the World Branding Award for "Brand of the Year". Now the company has received the award for the fourth time. The award ceremony took place on 27 July 2023.


The World Branding Awards are presented by the World Branding Forum (WBF), a global non-profit organisation based in London. The goal of the WBF is to improve brand standards internationally for the benefit of the industry and consumers. The forum develops, manages, and supports a variety of research, development, education, recognition, networking and community engagement programmes and partners with leading universities and museums. 


The "World Branding Awards" are particularly prestigious international awards given to global and national brands for their work and achievements in various categories. As in 2017, 2019 and 2021 EHEIM was again awarded "Brand of the Year" 2023-2024 in the “Animals” category.   


In the "Animals" category, various brands from  countries received awards. These included various manufacturers of pet food, pet supplies and pet shops. In addition, various animal welfare non-profit organisations were among the winners.


The selection process for the winners follows a rigorous review, evaluation and voting process. The winners of the awards are assessed according to: an independent brand evaluation, an online public vote, and consumer market research. In total the consumer votes account for 70 per cent of the final score, therefore, brands must have a strong level of customer loyalty to have a chance of winning.


As in previous years, the World Branding Award will be presented at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner in the Throne Room of the Vienna Hofburg.


Commenting on the award, EHEIM's Managing Director, Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, said: "With EHEIM Digital, we have continued to demonstrate our innovation and future direction and have set a milestone with it. We are particularly pleased about this recognition, which we dedicate to our employees, customers and partners. At the same time, we see this as an obligation to continue to be creative and innovative in the future."


 

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A smart and effective solution for germs in the aquarium

A smart and effective solution for germs in the aquarium

Deizisau, june 2023 – Back in 2012, EHEIM introduced a completely redesigned UV clarifier - reeflexUV. Thanks to innovative, patented reflector technology, it achieves twice the efficiency of conventional UV clarifiers. This is because with the reeflexUV the water does not flow past the UV-C lamp via detours, but takes a more direct route. In addition, a reflector is built in so that the radiation passes through the water mirrored from several sides.


This way, harmful germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses, other pathogens) and infectious swarmers of fish parasites as well as floating algae in the water are quickly and effectively reduced or eliminated. With the new EHEIM reeflexUV+e, the principle of the patented reflector technology has remained the same. However, it can be controlled via WLAN-enabled end devices (such as a smartphone, tablet, notebook, etc.). You can select different modes, determine burning time, time and pauses, and even switch to booster mode in case of heavy parasite infestation. The reeflexUV+e can be coupled with other products in the EHEIM Digital family and can, for example, be synchronised with the aquarium lighting. Operation is simple and intuitive. And if a lamp needs to be changed, you receive a message by e-mail. There are 4 models for aquariums from 300 to 2000 litres.

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The first EHEIM ConceptSTORE opens in Paris

The first EHEIM ConceptSTORE opens in Paris

Deizisau, May 2023 – The aqua designer, Laurent Garcia, who has won several international awards, is an ambassador for the EHEIM brand. At the beginning of 2016, he founded "Aquarilis" to present his aquascaping artworks to an interested public and to pass on his know-how. As part of the EHEIM Road Show, a unique Aquarilis showroom with adjoining shop has now been opened together in the noble 16th arrondissement in Paris. It is the first EHEIM ConceptSTORE in Paris.


Sixty square metres of exhibition space are designed as a gallery and dedicated exclusively to aquadesign and aquascaping. Here visitors can experience wonderful creations of underwater landscapes. They are aesthetic works of art and inspiring discoveries for aquarium enthusiasts. If you have any questions, expert aquascapers are available to answer them with their know-how. 


Attached is a shop that exclusively presents equipment, aquariums and accessories from EHEIM. You will also find aquascaping products, all of which have been selected by Laurent Garcia on the basis of his personal expertise and experience.


Admission and visits to the Aquarilis exhibition or the EHEIM ConceptSTORE are free. The exhibition is open daily from Tuesday to Saturday.

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EHEIM is “trade brand of the year” for 2023

EHEIM is “trade brand of the year” for 2023

Deizisau, March 2023 – The Plus X Award is regularly presented for the best brands and products in the world. It is considered the largest international innovation prize for technology, sports, and lifestyle products. The Plus X Award offers seven seals of quality in the categories of innovation, quality, design, ease of use, functionality, ergonomics, and ecology. In addition, it has special awards that recognise brands that have made a special contribution to the partnership with retailers (and support them).


The "Specialist trade brand of the year" award is not based on the judgement of a jury of experts, but on a nationwide survey of the relevant specialist dealers. Once again, EHEIM won the vote.


The importance of the specialist trade is greater today than ever before. "It is important that the industry understands how to protect and support these sales channels, if only for their own sake," says Plus X Award President Donat Brandt. In times of increasingly strong online trade, consumers are constantly making bad purchases. The reason for this is often a lack of good advice online, and you can only get that knowledge from a specialist retailer.


A total of 62 brands received awards this year. The spectrum covers a wide variety of industries and product groups; it ranges from electronics, smartphones, gardening tools, power tools, outdoor equipment to aquatics, and much more. EHEIM has now received the Plus X Award as "Specialist Trade Brand of the Year" for this sector.


The award is no coincidence. EHEIM maintains close contact with the trade worldwide and supports it with information and training as well as promotions and events. For example, there are roadshows where customers and interested parties receive instructions on aquascaping and pond maintenance. In addition, there are shelf presentations called the "digital centre", where all WIFI-capable EHEIM products are presented and can be experienced in an integrated show tank.


"We are very happy about the Plus X Award and thank the trade partners who favoured us. And we promise that we will continue to do everything we can to support the specialist trade," said EHEIM Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou. "Especially in aquatics, good advice and customer care are essential. A lot of complex knowledge is needed, from the purchase of an aquarium to the set-up and technical equipment, to the maintenance of the underwater world and the creatures. At the same time, we guarantee high quality of our products and services in order to secure the trust of our trade partners and ourselves together."

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The LOOPpro range expands with four new filters for medium and large garden ponds

The LOOPpro range expands with four new filters for medium and large garden ponds

Just last spring, EHEIM successfully relaunched its LOOPpro continuous flow pond filter. It relaunched in two sizes for ponds up to 6000 and 8000 litres. For the start of the garden pond season this year, EHEIM is introducing four more sizes: for ponds up to 12000, 18000, 26000 and 38000 litres.


Like the two smaller LOOPpro pond filters, the new larger models also offer exceptional features: They are the only ones in their class with a pre-filter, like the EHEIM aquarium filters. Here, coarse dirt is already caught before the water flows through further filter chambers. This means that leaves, plant parts, seeds, food remains etc. do not pass through. And if it does, the Easy Clean backwash removes the last impurities. In addition, an upstream UVC clarifier kills germs (bacteria, viruses) and algae spores. The pre-cleaned water is then passed through several filter stages and finally flows back into the pond, crystal clear.


The LOOPpro filters are extremely low maintenance. All components are precisely matched to each other. An energy-saving pump (EHEIM PLAY or FLOW) at the right performance level ensures low power consumption. The degree of contamination in the water can be read on the indicator so that any detritus or waste deposits can be removed in good time and the filter media replaced if necessary. This can be done in a few simple steps.


Useful tip: The referenced litre figures of each model refer to ponds without fish stocking. With fish stocking, about half the volume should be taken as the reference measurement. If necessary, an additional filtration device can be used.


The new LOOPpro pond flow-through filters are also offered as ready-to-install complete sets including original EHEIM filter media (pre-filter mat, filter cartridges, BIOBALLS or FILTERBIO) in pet shops as well as in garden centres or DIY stores.

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EHEIM announces new electronic monitoring solution to improve the water quality in aquariums

EHEIM announces new electronic monitoring solution to improve the water quality in aquariums

Deizisau, January 2023 – One of the most important water values in the aquarium is the pH level. You should always keep an eye on it, because the plants and especially the fish can only thrive well within a certain pH tolerance range. For fish, the right pH value is essential for survival. 


For background, the pH value indicates whether the water is acidic (below pH 7) or alkaline (above pH 7). Depending on their origin, ornamental fish come from acidic or alkaline waters. The range is usually between pH 6 and pH 8, so pH 7 is considered a neutral reference value. Tap water is usually slightly alkaline, depending on the region.


The basis for measuring and stabilising the pH value is the carbonate hardness (KH) of the water.


With the new EHEIM pHcontrol+e, the pH value in the aquarium can be easily set, monitored, and optimised via smartphone, tablet, or PC. A sensor measures the current pH value of the water, and the controller automatically ensures any necessary CO2 supply via a connected CO2 system with solenoid valve. CO2 is added as soon as the pH value changes until it reaches the set value again. 


Adding CO2 also fulfils another function: Aquatic plants need CO2 as an important nutrient. The better they thrive, the more oxygen they give off, which in turn is needed by the fish to breathe. 


The new controller is a highly complex control unit. Through an improved chipset, it offers better performance, better power management, a stable connection, and a large memory capacity (Also The measuring range extends from pH 0 to pH 14 and the control range from pH 6 to pH 9). The pHcontrol+e can be coupled with the EHEIM LEDcontrol+ and thus synchronised with the EHEIM powerLED+ lighting, which also has its own day/night control. It warns in case of deviations from the set pH value. It reminds you of water tests, when to calibrate of the pH sensor, etc. And it can generally be linked with the other devices in the EHEIM Digital family.


This family is growing rapidly. EHEIM is constantly advancing digitalisation in aquatics with new developments. The EHEIM Digital family now includes the external filter professionel 5e, the lighting control LEDcontrol+, the aquarium heater thermocontrol+ e, the automatic feeder autofeeder+, the air conditioning unit climacontrol+ - and now also the new pHcontrol+e. With many more innovations to come.

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EHEIM launches new aquarium set

EHEIM launches new aquarium set

Deizisau, November 2022 – The new aquarium EHEIM clearscape set consists of the high-quality aquarium tank „cleartank“ and the new cabinet „clearcab". The tank is ideal for aquascapers and for creating fascinating underwater landscapes. Instead of the usual float glass, it consists of the purest, clear white glass. The panes are bonded with transparent silicone and the seams are almost invisible. This means that you have a full 360 degree, unfiltered view of the colourful splendour in the aquarium.


The matching cabinet in textured black has two special features: First, cables and hoses can not only be routed through the rear wall as usual, but also through covered openings on the sides. Second, a specially designed red decorative edge that contrasts with the black background is on the cabinet doors. Depending on personal taste, the red edge can be placed in a prominent and visible position at the top or inconspicuously at the bottom. All you have to do is turn the doors accordingly. Thanks to magnetic snaps, this is very easy. The „cleartank" aquarium tank and „clearcab" cabinet are also available separately in four different sizes.

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EHEIM delights aquascapers with a new original aquarium set

EHEIM delights aquascapers with a new original aquarium set

Deizisau, October 2022 – Aquascaping, as we all know, is the widespread art of creating aesthetically beautiful aquarium landscapes. There are even competitions all over the world where the best creations are awarded prizes. For passionate aquascapers, the focus is always on design, using plants, stones, root wood, etc. to create a lavish underwater world. Sometimes animals are not used at all, or only smaller fish and invertebrates.

For enthusiastic aquascapers, EHEIM has designed a new aquarium set. In this set, the tank has a lowered front window, which consists of two levels: below is the classic aquarium for underwater design and animals and above the water is a glass gallery. Here you can create a swamp landscape, grow exotic plants, and decorate according to your wishes and tastes. To have better access to the gallery, the front pane of the pool is lowered. The water that runs back is cleaned from the filter, and can be channelled over the gallery.

EHEIM „proxima fauna“is an original, open aquarium set without cover and lighting. The name "proxima fauna" was deliberately chosen to illustrate that not only could you create a plant world but also an animal world in the aquarium.

The tank has a depth of 50 cm and a capacity of 110 litres. The elegant proxima design has a high-gloss finish (white) and the build is stable and of high quality. It also offers plenty of space for filters and accessories. This combination of classic furniture design and imaginative aquascaping detail creates an eye-catching tank, ideal for the living room.

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EHEIM tops up its trophy cabinet in France

EHEIM tops up its trophy cabinet in France

Deizisau, june 2022 –The French trade journal "Animal Distribution Magazine" gives awards (in the form of gold, silver, or bronze trophies) to various brands and products in the pet sector every year. EHEIM regularly wins the coveted Animal Challenge trophies in the aquatics segment. And did so again this year! 

In France there is a comparatively much higher number of fish enthusiasts and aquarists than in Germany. Accordingly, EHEIM has constantly grown its business here in recent years. 

This is particularly evident in the annual market surveys conducted by "Animal Distribution Magazine", in which sales professionals and buyers in the industry, among others, assess the products and brands in various categories. The brands are ranked by practicality, efficiency, user-friendliness, handling, ergonomics, safety, design, environmental protection, innovation, logistics, distribution dynamics, sales support etc. 


This time, EHEIM was not only rated "Best Brand in the Pet Industry in France” but was also awarded the Gold Trophy as "Best Brand in Aquaristics" as well as the bronze trophy in the garden pond sector. 

The successful performance in the "Aquaristics" category was mainly due to the recent technological developments and innovations under the "EHEIM Digital" strategy, where the range of electronically controlled and networked equipment has increased. The products are designed to create an interactive, self-managed aquarium environment and optimal conditions for aquarium maintenance. A prime example is the electronically controlled EHEIM external filter professionel 5e, plus the LEDcontrol+ lighting control, the thermocontrol+e aquarium heater, the autofeeder+ feed automate, the climacontrol+ air conditioning unit and the CO2 night shut-off. 

The "Trophée de bronze" in the pond category was awarded to EHEIM for its extensive, high-quality garden pond range. This includes everything you need to operate or set up a biotope in the garden: from pond pumps and filters to UVC clarifiers, pond aerators, sludge extractors and ice-free holders. Even a high-pressure cleaner is part of the range. There are even alternatives to the foil pond: four smaller prefabricated pools (pond trays) made of robust, recyclable ABS plastic are offered under the name EHEIM LAKE. 

The presentation of the Animal Challenge trophies took place on 30 June in a ceremonial setting in Paris on a ship on the Seine. EHEIM Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, who was also honoured as "Manager of the Year", accepted the awards and thanked the actors of the "Animal Distribution Magazine" as well as the survey participants. He emphasised how important the market in France is for EHEIM and promised to continue their close and friendly cooperation: vive la France. 

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