A frameless all glass aquarium “Cube Garden” was born based on the concept of simplicity by removing all the frames which have long been common sense in an aquarium. “Cube Garden” was re-launched recently, evolving further with even better clarity. This article brings you the story behind the development of Cube Garden, the aquarium that reflects the beauty of nature in a cube as if it is cut out from water.
Aqua Journal: How did you come up with the bold idea of removing frames which is characteristic of Cube Garden aquariums?
Amano: I had the original Cube Garden made for photographing. Conventional aquariums had frames and silicone protruding from joints, which were quite noticeable in a photograph. As a canvas of Nature Aquarium rather than a product for sale, I was pursuing an aquarium that made a layout look its best, an aquarium that appeared like a cube that was cut out of a body of water.
Aqua Journal: The aquarium that was first listed in ADA’s catalog in 1995 is today’s Cube Garden Superior. Didn’t it get a lot of attention in many ways including the sale price of 250,000 yen for a 60 cm aquarium?
Amano: It was produced on a different concept from the conventional aquarium. It was made of special German heat resistant glass, and its construction was totally different. Instead of connecting glass plates with silicone, it was made as one piece like a sphere. I thought it would be necessary to propose that an aquarium can be a work of art like that. I suppose that I did not think of it as a business much because of that mind-set.
Aqua Journal: Wild Glass, the predecessor of the present Cube Garden aquariums, was released later. I understand that you searched for suitable aquariums all over Europe until the aquarium was released.
Amano: There weren’t many beautiful aquariums back then. Even in Europe, aquariums with thickly-applied colored silicone or those with trim to hold a glass canopy on top were the mainstream. While Japanese aquariums had metal and plastic frames, European aquariums were traditionally glass and made without frames. So I went there to look for a craftsman who could apply silicone to a glass aquarium skillfully. This lead to the development of the ultimate glass aquarium that is simple and devoid of all unnecessary elements.
Aqua Journal: What kind of reaction did you get from your customers back then for removing the reinforcing frames?
Amano: I suppose they found it quite novel. It was accepted by the general public rather quickly.
Aqua Journal: Why does ADA offer a 3 year warranty, which is pretty long, while the warranty for an aquarium is commonly one year?
Amano: German aquariums are known for good warranty, but still, they are just two years in general (laugh). The reason for ADA’s long warranty period of three years is because I thought that the customer might wonder if the aquarium will hold up. I provided a long warranty period to wipe out any concern. There is no concern of leaks as long as an aquarium is set up on a level and stable surface.
Aqua Journal: Are you a stickler about glass material characteristics such as clarity and color as well?
Amano: Well, I’d rather you ask the question differently…Cube Gardens have become clearer recently. I’d like you to ask a more pointed question about that.
Aqua Journal: I’m sorry.
Amano: Cube Gardens were revamped into a new type recently. The color of the glass is very clear for a glass aquarium. In view of this, you could ask something like “why are you so intent on clear glass?” A sheet glass this clear is about three times as expensive as an ordinary one.
Aqua Journal: So, why are you so intent on clear glass?
Amano: A tinted glass makes an entire aquarium a bit darker since water and fish are both colored. The new type of Cube Garden is clearer than before, and the inside of the aquarium looks brighter. It gives off a very different impression. But this type of glass is a bit softer.
Aqua Journal: How does that affect an aquarium?
Amano: The effect is really small, but this type of glass tends to get fine scratches in the manufacturing process more easily than other glasses. I was torn on the choice during its development, but at the end, I chose the super clear type since the effect of the fine scratches is so small that it is obscured completely with a layout and I wanted the inside of ADA’s aquarium to be as bright as possible. The price of glasses has skyrocketed recently, and the price of the aquarium has to be higher as a result. We are keeping the price as low as we can possibly offer, but if an aquarium is rejected due to a tiny blemish, the current price structure will not work.
Aqua Journal: Why is that?
Amano: A higher reject rate reduces the yield, and the price will go up. This is very difficult for ADA, too. We were faced with the difficult choice of whether to go with a good glass material to have the bright appearance even if it’s a bit more delicate or with an aquarium that is tinted but hard to scratch. But I don’t think the fact that it is somewhat easier to scratch is such a shortcoming. I have chosen the former 100% of the time up to this point. All the aquariums I used for photographs were made of such super clear glasses. That’s why the pictures looked bright and clear. This is the most important point. The question like “Why are you so intent on the color of an aquarium?” just won’t cut it. (Laugh)
Aqua Journal: I understand (cold sweat). So that was the reason behind the recent renewal of Cube Gardens.
Amano: I am confident that ADA can offer good quality and price. Additionally, the glass sheet is a bit thicker and the thickness of silicone increased somewhat as well. We had a number of earthquakes in Niigata. I disagree with the notion that an aquarium is not affected at all by small earthquakes such as those of Japanese seismic intensity scale 1 or 2. So I increased the thickness of silicone as an earthquake measure as well.
Aqua Journal: I see. Lastly, Cube Garden Mist has a distinct misty appearance in the rear of the aquarium. What is the best way to enjoy this aquarium?
Amano: I don’t know if I call it the way to enjoy it, but the Mist is very effective for a location where sunlight hits it in the morning, or to hide a lot of unnecessary things in the background, or to hide the rear surface. Rather than applying a background screen, the Mist looks cleaner. We will release a new type of Mist as well.
Aqua Journal: What kind of an aquarium is it?
Amano: The sides and the rear surface of a bow front aquarium are frosted and the front glass is clear.
Aqua Journal: So the aquarium is visible only from the front?
Amano: Yes. Please keep an eye open for it.
Aqua Journal: Thank you very much for the interview.
Amano: Study up some more before coming over to ask questions. Once again, you didn’t make the grade (laugh).
Aqua Journal: Yes, I will try to do better.