AQUATIC ECO-SYSTEMS INCORPORATED

Founded by Robert "Bob" Heideman in 1978, Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc., started as an Orlando-based lake improvement company specializing in aeration and destratification. Through his research, Bob developed highly efficient synergistic airlift diffusers for lake aeration.

In 1981, Bob published the first AES catalog. It was 36 black-and-white pages and contained approximately 65 products. The catalog also included handy reference information, establishing a longstanding tradition of providing technical expertise to customers.

The company branched out from lake aeration and began to sell aquaculture, aquarium and pond and water garden products as well. AES quickly became known across several aquatic industries as a premium source of goods and technical advice. And our cost-conscious philosophy—recycling packaging material, buying in bulk, focusing on energy efficiency—resonated with a community passionate about economy as well as ecology.

Many of the top aquatic system designers around the world started using AES' equipment and expertise to build everything from public aquariums to fish hatcheries. The company proved that it was able to serve them while keeping its commitment to less experienced customers and everyday aquatic needs. Further becoming a source for all things aquatic, AES added system design and equipment repairs to its list of services.

As the business grew, so did the catalog. The current incarnation of the Aquatic Eco-Systems Master Catalog showcases more than 13,000 products and a wealth of technical information in over 400 full-color pages.