AquaScience Research Group was started in 1974 as a division of General Drug & Chemical Corporation. In July of 1982, ARG bought itself out of General Drug and incorporated as a separate corporation.

The purpose of ARG has been to do basic research and into problems in aquariculture and aquaculture and the associated sciences and technologies and to develop solutions to those problems. As a result of its studies and research, ARG has contacts among fish-related researchers, businesses, and organizations around the world.

Our principal scientist and CEO, John Farrell Kuhns, has been actively involved in aquariculture since the mid-60s when he and his first business partner, Charlie Carlson, started a wholesale aquarium fish importing business, Fish, Ltd, in the basement of Kuhns' home near Kansas City's Country Club Plaza and the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Using his chemical knowledge and his interest in aquarium and pond fishes Kuhns began on his quest to improve and design new aquarium and pond chemicals as well as methods for keeping and handling fishes in captivity. Among the improvements Kuhns brought to aquarium chemicals, were the first Leteux-Meyer formalin/malachite green formulation for treating ich in aquarium fishes, the first use of the chloride salt of malachite green instead of the standard, and more toxic, oxalate salt in aquarium medications, the use of synthetic polymers for water conditioners and medications, the first product and process that removes chloramines, chlorine and ammonia, and recently, the first topically applied, polymeric, wound and lesion treatment for fishes.

Kuhns' developments have led the way in the aquarium and pond industry (as well in food-fish and sport fishing industries) and his developments have prompted numerous others to attempt copies and work-arounds with varying levels of success. ARG has proudly been responsible for bringing Kuhns' developments, inventions and products to market on a world-wide basis.

Directions to Our Office: Click here to go directly to MapQuest® for a map to our location. Once there, you can put in your starting address and get detailed driving instructions to our facility.

Product Info: The area contains linked information about products either directly manufactured or exclusively distributed by ARG. For each product ARG can provide information to consumers, retailers and wholesale distributors about the products themselves and where to purchase them.

Aquariculture Blog: Please visit the Aquariculture Blog and read the postings and add your comments. The blog is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on all aspects of aquariculture (the science, technology and art of aquarium and pond keeping). Just click on the following URL: http://aquariculture.blogspot.com/.

NOTE: When contacting us about the proper use of our products please be ready to give us all the information we will need to properly assist you. We do not provide help for "Ornamental Fishes!" We do provide help for Aquarium and Pond Fishes. For help with "ornamental fishes" we strongly recommend an ornamental veterinarian! For aquariums or ponds we will need to know the following information (as a minimum):

1. freshwater or marine (salt water),
2. tank or pond size,
3. types of filtration (e.g. mechanical, biological and/or chemical)
4. results of the most recent water quality tests (at the minimum: temperature, total ammonia, pH, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen),
5. the brands and types of test kits and methods used and the expiration dates of all reagents used,
6. the identification of all chemical additives recently used or which are routinely used, and
7. the exact name of the product about which you are asking.

Aquarium Drug Policy: ARG and its distributors require buyers of bulk, non-consumer drugs to sign a "Statement of Non-diversion" that certifies the buyer will not divert such drugs for human or veterinary use and that all such drugs will be used exclusively for aquarium fishes and invertebrates and will not be used for fishes or aquatic invertebrates intended for human consumption. We comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in requiring this certification due to the fact that many drugs, specifically, antibiotics, have been improperly diverted for illegal veterinary use.

• that educated and experienced aquarists are fully capable of diagnosing and treating diseases in aquariums and ponds and,
• that far too few veterinarians are properly educated, trained or experienced in dealing with all aspects of diseases in aquariums or ponds.
• accredited AZA member institutions must comply with specific requirements pertaining to the use of such aquarium drugs. The signing of the Statement of Non-diversion does, in no way, prevent AZA member institutions from complying with the AZA's aquarium drug policy (click here to go to an Adobe Acrobat *.PDF file of the AZA guidelines) as set down in "Appendix 1" of the "Guidelines for Zoo and Aquarium Veterinary Medical Programs and Veterinary Hospitals".

About our Aquarium and Pond Chemicals and Drugs: ARG's products are all properly labeled with complete directions for use including appropriate dosing information that allows both amateurs and professionals to properly use our products. Our labeling includes appropriate warnings and contraindications and our Product Data Sheets have greatly expanded information that provides even more insight into our products and their proper uses. In addition, where needed, we have detailed Material Safety Data Sheets that give the health and safety information needed by institutional users. Our drugs and medications are specifically labeled, "Not for human or veterinary medical use", but this does, in no way, prevent a veterinarian from using our products, as any aquarist or pondkeeper, to treat non-food, non-game fishes and aquatic invertebrates.

Associates: This area contains linked information about companies and organizations with which ARG has certain special relationships. The relationship may be as simple as being a favored community or national organization which has been actively supported for many years by ARG, or it may be a company who supplies expertise to and consults with ARG or which actively works with ARG to distribute its products.

Aquarium & Pond Info: This area takes visitors to specific, copyrighted, information about all aspects of aquarium and pond keeping for both amateurs and professionals. From here visitors may post questions for the professionals at ARG and/or its associates.