a simple concept.
Aquatic Circle started with one engineer, one fish tank, and a better idea for keeping it clean.
company milestones
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![Freshwater aquarium with colorful fish and decorative plants.]()
October 1, 2021
During the pandemic, Minh built his first aquaponic filtration system. That first success became Aquatic Circle.
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![A collage of images and sketches showing the development of a fish tank prototype. The top left photo shows the original prototype with plants under a LED light. Adjacent to it is a 3D schematic of the tank's structure. Below that is a more detailed fish tank with colorful fish and aquatic plants labeled 'Version 3.' To the lower left, there's a photo of a different fish tank setup with equipment on a windowsill labeled 'Version 5.' Lastly, there are two gray 3D sketches of the tank's early filter designs, labeled 'Version 4' and 'Early filter design.']()
2021-2023
After many prototypes, Aquatic Circle became a durable, efficient, user-friendly solution. Minh and an industrial designer refined every detail.
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![Hydroponic garden system with a black rectangular grow box containing green plants and a small black water pump with tubes.]()
July 2023
Partnered with a sustainable, quality-focused manufacturer to produce our patented, durable filtration systems—bringing innovative aquarium care to homes and aquarists everywhere.
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![Room with several aquariums with fish and aquatic plants, chairs, and tables, at the Suwamt Station at Innovation Park.]()
September 2023
Aquatic Circle LLC is based at Summit Station, Innovation Park on the Frostburg State University campus, a remote work center and incubator that supports our mission.
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![Logo of Allegany County Economic and Community Development with blue, green, and white colors.]()
May 2024
Minh developed the Aquatic Circle filtration system to keep his family's fish tank pristine. This innovation could transform aquaculture, and Dung continues developing it in Allegany County.
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![TEDCO logo with the tagline 'Leading Innovation to Market' and a graphic element resembling an atomic model with orbiting rings.]()
April 10, 2024
TEDCO announces Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII) Rural Pre-Seed Fund investment in Aquatic Circle LLC, a rural Maryland tech company.
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![A multi-story office building with beige brick exterior, multiple windows, and a parking lot in front with several vacant spaces and a few parked cars.]()
May 10, 2024
The Cleantech R&D (CRD) Grant helps local and relocated firms access Appalachian Laboratory research services and facilities for growing R&D needs.
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![Logo for Aquatic Circle featuring a stylized fish and underwater elements in a circular design.]()
August 2024
New logo established.
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![University System of Maryland logo with black, red, yellow, and white colors and text.]()
October 28, 2024
The University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund has awarded a series of microgrants and grants to USM-affiliated entrepreneurs, in a bid to make critical early capital more accessible.
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![Two ornate discus fish swim in front of a blue background with green aquatic plants, a logo with fish and bubbles labeled "Aquatic Circle", and a small black aquarium filter with the text "effortless aquarium care".]()
A major milestone for Aquatic Circle as we introduced our innovative aquaponic planter, to the public.
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August 1, 2025
One-gallon test kit giveaway underway for customer feedback.
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![appalachian lab]()
November 10, 2025
Hosted guests, stakeholders, and funders at Appalachian Lab to unveil our large-scale shrimp farm and celebrate our first full harvest. Guests toured the integrated aquaponics and natural filtration.
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![product]()
December 14, 2025
Now shipping Aquatic Circle products nationwide. Each kit offers easy setup, natural filtration, and durable stability for confident, sustainable aquaponics.
Aquarium care should feel natural, not complicated.
meet the founder
Dung Minh Hoang, Founder/CEO
Engineer and aquarium hobbyist focused on applying aquaponic principles to home aquariums and beyond.
