It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lou Ekus CEO of Tropic Marin USA, who passed away on September 27, 2025. 

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Lou led Tropic Marin USA with vision, integrity, and unwavering dedication for 28 years. Under Lous leadership, the company grew to be a household name within this industry. Lou was not only a leader but also a mentor, a friend, and a passionate advocate for marine life and sustainability. Lous knowledge and passion for this hobby was well known as he was always eager to share his knowledge to help industry experts and hobbyists alike. 

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Those who knew Lou will remember his warmth, curiosity, tireless commitment to excellence and the ability to explain aquarium chemistry in the simplest way possible so everyone could understand. 

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Even with his strength and for waning, he was still able to set the course for the future of Tropic Marin USA and transfer responsibility to younger shoulders.  Lou hand-picked Brian and spent countless hours working together to ensure Tropic Marin USA would be cared for in the same way with love and respect for the industry and the brand. 

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Lou leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and we are committed to honoring that by continuing the mission and values he instilled in the organization. 

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We ask for your thoughts and prayers for his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work. Details about memorial services and how you can pay your respects will be shared in the coming days. 

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With deepest sympathy, 

From Eckart, Thomas, Marcus and the whole Tropic Marin Team

New packaging
The Tropic Marin Original Balling Liquid Set is now delivered in a cardboard box with a viewing window. The three 1000ml bottles are no longer square, but round with an integrated Tropic Marin logo – in line with the other Tropic Marin liquid products.

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The Tropic Marin Original Balling Liquid Set consists of three solutions based on the well-known Balling method and is ready for immediate use – manually or with a dosing pump.

Complete food for jellyfish and other filter feeders. Tropic Marin® Jellyfish Food is a complete food for jellyfish and other zooplankton filter feeders that optimally meets their natural nutritional requirements. The unique formula is rich in trace elements, carotenoids and vitamins. High quality raw materials provide a balanced blend of nutrients essential for the growth, vitality and longevity of your jellyfish. The fine powder can also be easily absorbed by small creatures and provides plenty of energy for good growth.

Tropic Marin® ICP Water Analysis is a professional ICP seawater laboratory analysis.

Over 35 chemical elements of the seawater sample are analysed using ICP-OES.

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Tropic Marin® ICP Water Analysis Plus is a professional ICP seawater laboratory analysis.

The chemical elements of the seawater sample are analysed using ICP-OES. In addition, other measuring methods are used to analyse other important parameters and nutrient concentrations. A sample of reverse osmosis water is also analysed.

After the measurement, the user can call up the detailed analysis report on the website lab.tropic-marin.com. They receive well-founded recommendations for correcting any imbalances. Users can also track the history of past water analyses for each of their aquariums on the website.

* Initially only available in Germany. Other countries will follow.

After an ICP water analysis, some elements may show a deficit in the analysis report. These deficits can be compensated for with our element solutions. We offer two systems here: The Tropic Marin® Block Analysis System solutions and the Tropic Marin® Components.

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The Tropic Marin® Block Analysis System solutions are multi-element solutions in which element groups that are consumed in the same ratio are dosed with just one solution using an indicator element. This simplifies the application and compensates for measurement tolerances. 

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The Tropic Marin® Components are single-element solutions that can be used for the targeted equalisation of individual element concentrations.

Tropic Marin® has developed a system that can support ICP-OES analysis: We know that different elements are consumed in the aquarium depending on each other. Changes in the concentration of a single element therefore result in proportionally equal changes in the concentration of the remaining elements in this group. If you know the requirement of an element, you can use this indicator element to calculate the consumption of several other elements. This method expands the capabilities of ICP testing, making it more useful for the marine aquarium and optimizes and simplifies the supply of elements in the aquarium.

Tropic Marin® Cyo-Control naturally blocks the recurrence of cyanobacteria in the aquarium. After the cyanobacteria have been removed manually, the probiotic bacteria of Tropic Marin® Cyo-Control settle in their place. Once these bacteria have established themselves, they outcompete the cyanobacteria, preventing them from recolonizing the area. The zeolite substrate supports the probiotic bacteria in this process and makes the water extremely clear after a short period of cloudiness.

Tropic Marin® O-Megavital CBD makes the positive effects of CBD (cannabidiol) for marine fish available in high-quality granular food.

The cannabinoid CBD, which is contained in hemp plants, curbs aggressive behaviour and has positive physiological functions in fish. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects improve the regenerative capacity, reduce signs of ageing and lead to a longer life expectancy.

CBD has no intoxicating effect and does not lead to addictive behaviour.

In nature, fish can select the tastiest and healthiest nutrition for themselves from a wide variety. Therefore, discerning seawater fish in the aquarium require high-quality feed which supplies a healthy balance of nutrients and vitamins.

Tropic Marin® O-Megavital CBD is a granulate feed made of high-quality Scandinavian wild fish and valuable marine algae. Thanks to the particularly gentle production methods, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and the natural taste of the feed remain intact. The seaweed portion of Tropic Marin® O-Megavital CBD covers the fish’s iodine and trace element requirements and promotes natural intestinal flora. The fish remain energetic and show off all their beauty and colourfulness. The use of selected fish oils covers the energy requirements of the fish and optimises the metabolism without producing harmful breakdown products such as ammonium. The granulate remains stable for a long time and sinks slowly, meaning the fish at different depths also receive an ample supply.

Tropic Marin Phos-Start & Phos-Feed are based on the mechanisms of nutrient supply as they occur in the natural environment of coral reefs. Insoluble, particulate excretions from fish or plankton provide the corals with phosphate and all other necessary substances that are responsible for intact microbiology, vigorous coral growth and beautiful colors. Tropic Marin has implemented this knowledge in a new product for the commissioning of reef aquariums.

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Tropic Marin Phos-Start can be used for setting up all types of saltwater aquariums, but is particularly suitable for setting up reef aquariums with dead rock or reef ceramics and for reef aquariums without a substrate. Such aquariums have a low supply of organic bacterial food and nutrients to stimulate bacterial and coralline algae growth.

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Tropic Marin Phos-Feed can be used for the ongoing phosphate supply in reef aquariums.

We are happy to present our new Tropic Marin® bottles. These are round, have a logo relief on the top and have a number of advantages:

• The new bottles require less plastic than the previous model and are completely recyclable.

• Precise dosing: With a dosing insert on the cap, the required amount can be easily measured in the dosing cup that is included.

• Better availability: In order to avoid delivery bottlenecks and to ensure continuous production, Tropic Marin® is now having its own bottle model made.

• Faster production: With the new round bottle, we can speed up production and thus prevent delivery bottlenecks.

The bottling of the liquid products is gradually being switched over to the new bottles. The first varieties will be available in stores shortly.

Our four types of salt are now available in practical boxes. The 12.5 kg carton has a handle for easy carrying, the 20 kg carton has handle holes on the sides.

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By using cardboard packaging, we can save a large amount of plastic. The salt is still packed to protect it from the weather. (Of course our buckets are still available.)