optimizing sustainable aquarium care
Aquatic Circle started with fish tank and a better idea for keeping it clean.
meet the team
Dung Minh Hoang, Founder/CEO
Engineer and experienced aquarium hobbyist.
Chad David Yoder, Marketing
Marketing professional, aquarium hobbyist.
company timeline
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![Freshwater aquarium with colorful fish and decorative plants.]()
Founded Aquatic Circle LLC
October 2021
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.']()
Research and development
2021-2023
After many prototypes, Aquatic Circle became a durable, efficient, user-friendly solution.
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![Hydroponic garden system with a black rectangular grow box containing green plants and a small black water pump with tubes.]()
Manufacturing deal secured
July 2023
Partnered with manufacturer to bring 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.]()
Established headquarters
September 2023
Aquatic Circle LLC set up its headquarters on the Frostburg State University campus.
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![Logo of Allegany County Economic and Community Development with blue, green, and white colors.]()
Selected for startup program
May 2024
Working on other innovations to transform aquaculture.
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![TEDCO logo with the tagline 'Leading Innovation to Market' and a graphic element resembling an atomic model with orbiting rings.]()
TEDCO invests in Aquatic Circle
April 10, 2024
Rural Pre-Seed Fund investment in Aquatic Circle LLC
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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.]()
Awarded Cleantech Grant
May 10, 2024
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.]()
Logo/branding completed
August 2024
New logo & branding established.
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![University System of Maryland logo with black, red, yellow, and white colors and text.]()
Awarded USM Launch Fund
October 28, 2024
Received grant from the University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund.
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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".]()
Launched Kickstarter campaign
Introduced our innovative aquaponic planter to the public in Kickstarter
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Announced desktop prototype
August 1, 2025
One-gallon test kit giveaway underway for customer feedback.
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![appalachian lab]()
First aquaculture shrimp harvest
November 10, 2025
Hosted guests, stakeholders, and funders at Appalachian Lab to unveil large-scale aquaculture project.
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![product]()
Began shipping product
December 14, 2025
Began shipping Aquatic Circle products nationwide.
Aquarium care should feel natural, not complicated.
Backed by Maryland innovation programs.
