This month we are excited to introduce you to a super unique business like no other – IQUARIUM! Stunning and innovative designs are just the beginning of these aquariums. Read on to learn more about Ed’s fintastic designs!
What is your business, and what do you do?
My name is Eddie Hanson and I design aquariums for my company, IQUARIUM. Keeping fish has been my passion since I was a little kid. I’ve been lucky to turn my hobby into a business. From design to installation to maintenance, I provide full service aquarium care.
(Pictured are Ed and one of his many amazing aquariums! Recognize this one? His wife, Anne, was our April Business Feature, and this is her spa!)
Tell us about the “AHA! Moment!” that led you to start your business.
I started keeping aquariums when I was 10, collecting snails and hermit crabs from the beaches of the Bay Area (California) to put in my fish tanks. I then started a business cleaning fish tanks. Ten years later my company had grown to two hundred clients, one of them being Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville Ca. It was fun consulting with them on making Finding Nemo.
Later, after another career of exporting fish and corals from other countries, I went back to my original passion designing fish tanks. I decided, this time, I was going to design an aquarium that uses a TV as the backdrop. I thought that with a TV/monitor I can play videos or pictures to really enhance the look. It turned out better and more exciting than I had imagined!
What do you love about your job?
I love creating something new. Designing aquariums is a very unique skill that I have
learned over the years. People comment on how nice the rock work is after seeing the layout. I love hearing praises like that.
What makes you different from others in your industry?
What makes me different is that I have designed an aquarium that is new. These aquariums are custom made to the size of the TV’s. There are lots of elements that a typical aquarium doesn’t have, and I have the creativity and knowledge to design the perfect aquarium for the customer’s needs. This sets me apart from my competitors.
I do the design, install the aquariums and maintenance as well. I work with interior designers and contractors if the home or the business is being built or remodeled.
Where can customers learn more about you
https://www.aquatheatreaquarium.com/
What’s the best way to contact you for more information?
Best way to contact me is through my cell 925-640-8046 or email [email protected].
What we love about Ed: Catherine first met Ed when he came to her office to service a miniature tank in a friend’s office. She was impressed with how efficient he was, coming in, doing a quick health check and water change on the tank before waving a friendly good-bye and heading on his way. As an amateur aquarist, Catherine mentioned Ed to her husband Caleb and soon they met up for a consultation on their tank. They’d been limping through saltwater reefing for about 10 years, but still sucked at it. Ed was kind enough to come over to their home and offer a consultation. After 2 years of dialing the system in (which included an entire breakdown of their disastrous system!) Catherine and Caleb have a beautiful, thriving tank thanks to Ed.
What we also love about Ed is how his innovative tanks have actually impacted those in our communities. Ed donated one of his tanks to Waban, now Waypoint, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and empower children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities to reach their fullest potential. The tank was placed in the preschool classroom where its impact on children has been incredibly moving. Teachers have shared stories about how non-verbal children have been moved to vocalize after experiencing the tank, while others find encouragement to learn colors and shapes, and also how to share and cooperate. You can read & watch the feel-good story here. We love how Ed’s tanks are not only enjoyable, but also enriching.
