At the EUAC Conference 2026 in Hungary, ARBO Pompen en Filters, RDW Processing and ATO Energysaving once again joined forces under the Save My Aquarium banner. The international event confirmed that aquariums are looking for smart, cost-effective ways to modernise existing Life Support Systems (LSS). And that does not necessarily mean overhauling the entire system.
A familiar meeting place, a new message
From 6 to 11 September, aquarium professionals from various countries gathered in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. The annual European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC) conference focused on sharing knowledge, animal welfare and developments across the aquarium sector.
For ARBO, EUAC has become familiar territory. We have been supplying pumps to aquariums worldwide for more than 25 years. That experience provides a strong foundation for Save My Aquarium, a joint initiative through which ARBO, RDW Processing and ATO Energysaving combine their expertise in pumps, filtration and energy efficiency.
Where ARBO previously attended primarily as a pump specialist, for the second consecutive year we were able to demonstrate the benefits of this broader collaboration for the entire Life Support System.
A different pump – does everything else need replacing?
When modernising an existing aquarium, the installed equipment is an important consideration. Many systems were originally built with pumps and connections based on non-European standards, such as ANSI. This can create the impression that switching to a different pump automatically requires extensive changes to the pipework.
But that is not necessarily the case!
ARBO can also supply pumps with ANSI connections, incorporating bespoke solutions where required. This often allows much of the existing installation to remain in place, avoiding unnecessary pipework modifications and reducing both investment costs and downtime.
This is exactly what Save My Aquarium is all about: rather than replacing equipment that is still performing well, we focus on making improvements where they can have the greatest impact.
Operational continuity matters just as much as energy savings
Another issue that featured prominently in discussions was the availability of pumps and spare parts. With certain non-European manufacturers, aquariums face challenges relating to rising prices, long lead times and spare parts availability.
In this sector, operational reliability is essential. Life Support Systems run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Downtime is more than a technical inconvenience: it can directly affect animal welfare.
This is one of ARBO’s key strengths. Short lines of communication and spare parts held in stock enable us to respond quickly. Thanks to our modular design, even larger pumps can often be supplied within a matter of weeks. For aquariums, this offers not only technical assurance but also more predictable maintenance and operating budgets.
One point of contact, multiple solutions
The discussions in Hungary once again confirmed that the challenges facing aquariums extend well beyond selecting a new pump. Energy savings remain important, but noise reduction, lower vibration, easier maintenance, reliability and, above all, financial viability are also major considerations.
Through Save My Aquarium, ARBO, RDW Processing and ATO Energysaving offer a joined-up approach to these challenges. By carefully assessing existing Life Support Systems, we can provide targeted advice on refurbishment, more efficient pumps, filtration optimisation and energy-saving measures.
Confirmation that we are on the right track
The conference generated valuable discussions, new contacts and opportunities for follow-up projects. Above all, it confirmed the aquarium sector’s interest in the broader, practical approach offered by Save My Aquarium.
Just over a year since launching this joint initiative, we are seeing that aquariums are not simply looking for suppliers of individual components. Increasingly, they want partners who consider the system as a whole, the technical possibilities and the financial implications.
After all, making an aquarium fit for the future does not necessarily require an entirely new installation. Sometimes, the greatest improvement starts simply by taking a smarter look at what is already there.
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