Our Story
AGP Substrates started as a student-led idea during a college pitch program at Bowling Green State University. It began with a simple challenge: addressing iron deficiencies in aquaponic farms. From there, we developed biodegradable alternatives to traditional, wasteful substrates, driven by our passion for marine biology, sustainability, and innovation.
As we continued our research, we discovered that the same science solving problems in agriculture could also help with challenges in home aquariums. That realization led to the creation of HappiFilter, a sustainable, science-backed aquarium filter designed for everyday aquarium owners who care about both their tanks and the environment.
HappiFilter is the first step in bringing AGP (Aqua-Gel-Ponics) Substrates innovations into homes. What started as a college project has evolved into a growing company with a mission to make sustainability accessible and practical for everyone.
At AGP Substrates, our mission is to create products that make aquariums and food systems healthier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable. The HappiFilter is our first home aquarium product, designed to bring that mission directly into your living room.
Our Mission
Why HappiFilter by AGP Substrates
AGP Substrates began with a focus on aquaponics — growing plants and fish together in a way that eliminates waste and protects waterways. From that work, we developed sustainable, biodegradable, and plant-based gel iron supplements that help commercial farmers grow food without synthetic chelators or unsustainable grow plugs.
The HappiFilter takes that same aquaponic science and innovation and puts it into the hands of aquarium hobbyists. It is more than a filter. It is a bridge between home aquariums and the future of sustainable food production.
The Problem We Saw
Traditional aquarium filters remove debris and keep water clear, but they do not recycle nutrients.
Over time, harmful nitrate levels build up, leading to frequent water changes, stressed fish, and wasted water.
For many hobbyists, this turns aquarium care into a chore, leading to burn out.
The Solution
The HappiFilter uses biology not just mechanical filtration, to keep aquariums cleaner and healthier for longer.
By integrating plants into the filter design, it removes and recycles excess nutrients naturally while transforming aquariums into vibrant, living displays.
The result is cleaner water, healthier fish, and less work for the aquarist.
Why It Matters
HappiFilter is more than a tool. It is a step toward a new way of thinking about aquariums and sustainability. Aquariums can be beautiful, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly, while also introducing people to the same concepts that are shaping the future of how we grow food.
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When you choose HappiFilter, you are not just upgrading your aquarium. You are joining a movement toward sustainable living and better water stewardship. Together, we can make aquariums easier to enjoy, healthier for fish, and part of a bigger story about protecting our planet.