Matt Clarke

"At the time this review was written, way back in October 2002, we used the main kits on the market at that time. The reason the API Liquid Test Kit wasn't included in this was because it wasn't submitted for review at the time the review was written.

We're certainly not frightened of being critical of products during reviews. (Do you think any of the manufacturers above would have been happy to see this in print?) We never let advertising get in the way of honest, unbiased reviewing.

Take a look at our competitors' aquarium magazines and you probably won't find a single critical review.




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"Yes, sorry. It was a last minute thing. The cover, with which the contents pages are supplied, go to the printer before the rest of the magazine. It's annoying and I'm sorry, but fortunately it is a very rare occurrence. I hope you still enjoyed the magazine anyway. It's had some superb feedback from the forum regulars. "

"Yes, my apologies. I've explained this twice on the forum already. Unfortunately, this article had to be dropped at the last minute to an issue with the reproduction of the images. By this late stage the contents page had already gone to the printer. The planned feature was replaced with another article.

We're trying to obtain alternative images and hope to bring you this feature in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. Apologies for this."

"We've suspended the courses now. Sorry. If you are doing the course at the moment and need a copy of the course material please contact us and we'll send you a hard copy. "

"Perhaps this may be related to the severe flooding that Phil experienced in the low-lying area in which he lives. This was documented in the magazine at the time. His entire home filled with several feet of water but miraculously some of his livestock survived, despite the deluge of freshwater and lack of power for days.

Disease outbreaks can occur for many reasons (not all due to the fault of the owner) and Phil has kept many fish long-term proving his skills as an experienced fishkeeper. We harbour no doubts about his proficiency. "

"No, but we measured PAR output. Details are in the December issue's review. "

"Sorry, I don't think it's very likely that Tim will reply. I interviewed him in 2002 (nearly eight years ago) and this has been online since 2003... If you've got a frontosa question you'd be better off asking it on our forums. "

"Thanks for subscribing, Rob. Glad to hear you've received your free filter. I'm afraid I don't know when the magazine will arrive. Subscriptions are handled for us by another company, leaving us to concentrate on making the magazine. However, if you call them on 0845 601 1356 they will be happy to help. "

"I agree, Sam. The isopod drinks blood. So much blood that the fish's tongue becomes atrophied and withers away. The isopod then becomes a replacement tongue. The fish doesn't really benefit from the relationship. It gains a new 'tongue', but that's only a benefit because the parasite consumed its original one.

I'd say the relationship was a bit one sided, and not really an example of symbiosis. The parasite gets a plentiful supply of food/blood, and is protected from predators, but the fish gets little in return. "

"Jackie Wilson, Hagen's UK marketing manager has asked me to clarify a few points on the product launch.

Regarding innovation, Jackie says: "It is vital that companies like Hagen continue to innovate and develop new technologies...how else would we progress? Of course, the first batch of any new technology in any market is always more expensive because it has to carry the cost of all the R&D...but there are always those who are prepared to pay to be the first to own the very latest technology. Over time, these new technologies roll out across wider product ranges and efficiencies of scale reduce costs so everyone can benefit. That's the way it works and Hagen and the Aquatic market are no different from any other market, whether it's drugs, electronics, cars....you name it."

Regarding market research, Jackie told us: "Market research is only a fraction of the cost of R&D. but it's an essential one if we are not to waste huge amounts of money developing products no one wants.

"The research for Fluval G was undertaken in North America, Germany and the UK. Contributors for the UK focus groups were mostly drawn from PFK reader databases from competitions, reader panels, etc... If any of the forum contributors would like to take part in future research projects, I'll be happy to add them to our contact database!

"I personally sat in on the UK research and I can assure you that the key features (i.e. easy, quick and mess free media changes, filter performance feedback and water characteristics) are those everyone agreed they wanted and what is now included as part of the advanced Fluval G filter range. There are no gadgets here… only pure and relevant functional aspects.”

Klaus Reimueller has explained these functional aspects to us in a little more detail, “Take conductivity for instance. With a little understanding of the basic principal, why waste 30-50 gallons of precious tap water to do a water change if you don’t need to…because someone suggested doing it every two weeks? Why not check the conductivity graph and really see if water characteristics have changed then decide what actions to take. Quicker than breaking out the old test kit or fussing with a refractometer."

On the subject of the chemical filter media cartridges, Klaus confirmed that, although the Fluval G comes with carbon, replacement cartridges are also available in phosphate, nitrate and "tri-ex". Cartridges are also refillable!

We raised our questions about the flow rates of the filters with Hagen during their presentation on the filter. They believe that the flow rates are sufficient for the aquarium sizes recommended and, as stated in the news story above, suggested that the monitoring system will allow the user to run the filters at full whack most of the time as, unlike conventional filters, they warn you when flow rate has dropped and allow you to clean mechanical cartridges without taking the entire filter to bits.

The G3 has a “maximum filter circulation” of 700 lph and a “maximum pump circulation” of 1285 lph. The G6 has a “maximum filter circulation” of 1000 lph and a “maximum pump circulation” of 2460 lph. Hagen says these are not only sufficient but are also the industry leader for the aquarium sizes recommended.

Klaus added: “How often has someone on a forum said, “I haven’t opened my canister filter for 6 months because it keeps running”. This is totally missing the point as the filter ends up being a nitrate toilet. It doesn’t matter how often you change the water, the waste is still sitting in the canister. How about looking at this in a different light…we suggest rinsing the easily accessible mechanical cartridge before the solid wastes break down in the filter. This means you don’t have to change the water as often and it avoids other fish health issues. Now that’s smart thinking”."