November 12, 2016

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Postcards from the bottom...

Not long ago, our friend Mike Tuccinardi shared some wonderful photos he took underwater in the Rio Negro, which we featured here in "The Tint." Not only were the photos simply cool to look at- they gave us a lot of ideas on how to create natural-looking scenes, and in my mind, validated the aesthetic and "craft" of the botanical-influenced aquarium as a more realistic representation of what you might encounter at the bottom or lower levels of the water column in a habitat such as Amazonia.

Yeah, the bottom. Something we take for granted in most aquaecapes...It's sand and a few rocks...and that's it.

The two things that really struck me about these images were that the amount of botanical material accumulating on the bottoms of these streams is significant, and surprisingly diverse. Sure, the dominant materials present are leaves, yet there are significant quantities of stuff like seed pods, roots, bark, and tree branches.

And the interesting thing that I noticed is that the majority of the fishes present in these environments truly seem to interact with them, utilizing the botanical materials as either foraging areas, hiding places, or nurseries. Sure, you see fishes such as Characins schooling in open water near the surface, but a surprisingly large number of the fishes present seem to associate very closely with the botanical cover itself.

The pic above with the Cichlid is very telling. The fish is staying very close to the bottom, in this case, a little break in the leaf litter exposing some sand. They do a lot of foraging at the bottom, as well as courtship, spawning, and other  activities, and the botanical materials provide some cover, territory, "meeting spaces", and of course, food sources- mainly insects, worms, and small crustaceans.

I notice this behavior in my aquariums with Apistogramma. They will come out into the water column, but prefer not to stray very far from the leaves and botanical materials at the bottom of the aquarium.

It's no secret that many Apisto breeders use Catappa leaves and such extensively in their aquariums, ostensibly to help impart beneficial tannin and humic substances into the water, but from a more "functional" standpoint, they provide the same level of comfort, protection, spawning area, and foraging as they do in the wild. A perfect example of how configuring an aquascape for your fishes can bring out their natural behaviors.

There is something extremely simple about the concept, yet i suspect that many of us as aquarists approach design of our aquaecapes from a purely aesthetic standpoint. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but think of how interesting it is to consider the actual lifestyles of the fishes we keep, and how more closely replicating the bottom structures can foster the natural behaviors we crave while still creating an amazing aesthetic!

The next couple of "postcards from the bottom" once again drive home the fact that natural habitats from where our fishes come from are not the sterile, pristine-appearing utopias that we like to represent in international aquascaping contests.

Rather, they are diverse harbors of life, ranging from fungal and biofilm mats, to algae, to epiphytic plants. Decomposing leaves, seed pods, and tree branches compose the substrate for a complex web of life which helps the fishes we're so fascinated by flourish. And, if you look at them objectively and carefully, they are beautiful.

It's truly a matter of perspective, when considering the appearance of these biotope components. The "mental stretch" we talk about so often, urging hobbyists to take a look at what a natural habitat really looks like before simply asserting that they've created a "natural aquarium" because there are a few well-placed rocks and plants present , is also a sort of "maturity", in my opinion. In an aquarium setting, it's an aesthetic that is not for everyone, but it is a far, far more realistic portrayal than what we've assigned this moniker to in the past.

 And of course, rocks and stones are present in these waters. However, you'll note that they typically take the form of boulders, encrusted with biocover- not unlike what you'd see in Lake Malawi! And you can clearly see the fishes foraging on the biocover (do we dare use the term aufwuchs?) in the photo below. And of course, never far from the rocks are tangled tree branches, roots, and other botanicals.

The study of these pics and others can give us a lot of interesting clues when planning our next aquarium, particularly if we really want to create a more "natural" aquarium from  both an aesthetic and functional standpoint, particularly when considering what the bottom of a natural stream really looks like in these waters.

All in all, the practice of utilizing diverse natural materials in our aquaecapes, beyond the traditional rocks, plants, and driftwood, has opened up a treasure trove of aesthetic and functional aquarium design possibilities. When drawing inspiration fro the natural environment, and applying our own creativity, the potential for more dynamic displays than ever before, highlighting all zones of the aquarium, is huge!

Once again, I encourage you to study the natural environment, particularly niche habitats or areas of the streams, rivers, and lakes- and draw inspiration from the functionality of these zones. The aesthetic component will come together virtually by itself. And accepting the varied, diverse, not-quite-so-pritinh look of the "real thing" will give you a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature, and unlock new creative possibilities.

Stay inspired. Stay open-minded.

Stay Wet

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

 

November 11, 2016

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Total fail? Only if you make it one...

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."- Winston Churchill

After a lifetime in the hobby, I can occasionally reflect back on some of the great successes that I’ve had...and on some of the many, many failures that I’ve been involved with! Failures aren’t that bad, really. In fact, their pretty darned helpful...As the sayings goes, “Nothing is ever wasted- it can always serve as an example of what NOT to do!”

Really.

I was thinking about my worst-ever aquarium disasters, and, fortunately, there have not been all that many...However, the ones I have had have been notable...and educational!

My biggest mistakes came out of my own arrogance, really.

Usually, they were "created" when I tried to do something that disregarded simple logic (and a century of aquarium common sense), like trying mixes of fishes that were absurd, overstocking tanks...stuff like that.

For example, from my reef keeping experience- not all that long ago, actually- I was going to be the ONE reefer to keep several Centropyge angelfish in his reef, including a Lemonpeel, Vrolicki, Coral Beauty, Flame Angel, and Bicolor! If you don't know anything about the dwarf angelfish of the genus Centropyge, the one thing you SHOULD know is that they are very territorial, and don't generally get along with others of their own species. And mixing different species is a traditional "recipe"  for disaster.

Oh, and most of the ones I wanted to keep had a well-earned reputation for snacking on coral tissue...Nonetheless, I really thought I could pull this off in a large reef with specialized aquascaping... I was convinced that it could work and that Id be the envy of the reef aquarium world for doing so...Not only did this experiment end with some "predictable" results (a lot of nice corals getting snacked on), it resulted in 5 very ticked-off, very beaten up dwarf angels! Stupid...For some reason, I really thought that my “methodology” would pay off and that it could work...WRONG.

But hey. I OWN it.

I distinctly remember a dubious experiment on the side of my parents' house one summer when I was a teen, attempting to culture mosquito larvae...yeah, you know how well THAT went down! 

Or the time I tried to build my own canister/cartridge filter...with a bad concept and cheap PVC materials that didn't match up. Yeah, it didn’t work, and the resulting leaks and lack of functionality reflected my DIY skills! It was a good thought, but poor on the execution side. Completely unlike the Angelfish fiasco, which was a “lose-lose” proposition! Nowadays, if I have the urge, I get my DIY stuff from that "Uaru Joey" guy.

Oh, or time I tried to make a continuous-feed brine shrimp hatcher...Do you know how LONG it takes to get brine shrimp eggs out of the water column in your tank? Long time.

Enough said.

However, failing- and I mean this in the most literal sense- can actually be beneficial in so many ways, especially if you share your failures publicly. Right now, somewhere out in Aquarium-land, there is another hobbyist contemplating the same absurd, disaster-inevitable idea you brought to life...

So imagine, for a moment, if you do a quick “confessional” here about your biggest aquarium screw up, and he or she stumbles on it, and then decides NOT to recreate your disaster. Think of the savings in money, frustration, and innocent animals’ lives...It’s all good. Failure makes you a more successful aquarist- IF you learn from the mistake, and IF you share it with others!

So, don’t hide your failures. Trumpet them from the highest mountain. Savor them. Run around, scream, share, yell at people if you must...But tell ‘em that you screwed something up...Tell them how, why, and what it was that you did to screw it up!  Then laugh about it and feel better!


Sometimes, you try something that YOU think will be a mess, but your friends know will work...and you do it anyways!  And it DOES work! Like recently, when my friend William Garden convinced me to try several male Apistos of different species in my display tank...I was like, "Dude...really?"

And he said "Trust me."  And I did. And it's awesome!

I’m working on a piece on the many screw-ups we’ve made here at Tannin. It’s actually kind of funny...Marketing blasphemy, you say? No. Not at all. Rather, it’s a living embodiment of practicing what we preach...We will all benefit from being human, being honest, and getting through our trials and tribulations in fish keeping together. We all have more to gain than to lose from sharing. Trust me.

So now, it’s confession time...What’s the biggest screwup- the worst mistake- that you’ve made in aquarium keeping. Don’t be shy. Own it. Share it. Your failure will lead to others succeeding...so it wasn’t really a failure after all, right?

Right!

Stay ridiculous. Stay honest. Stay curious. Stay experimental

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

November 08, 2016

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Nature IS the best designer...

I was talking to a customer the other day, who was plannning an exciting new aquarium. She was a bit torn about the direction she wanted to take. She was really focused on an aquarium that was a lot like "_______________'s tank from the IAPLC contest",  with it's careful, disciplined arrangement of wood and plants, yet she had this nagging urge to do something that she felt would be more "in touch with what nature is like" (her words). She was leaning towards creating some sort of natural-themed tank, and was thinking of incorporating some botanicals into the mix. She was thinking of a biotope tank, specifically trying to draw cues from Australia or New Guinea for a cool collection of Rainbow fishes. Yet, she was concerned about the need to accumulate all of the "correct" materials so that "people" would think she was "being completely accurate."

Red flag.

Was she creating for herself- or for the masses? Or for contest judges? 

"Most people believe that by studying and implementing the patterns of others, that they will succeed. But it is your unique passion that creates the patterns." -Matty Dorey

After a bit of conversation, I drew out from her that she just wanted to do something that would be "more or less" biotopic in nature, but  a display that she could enjoy. A more relaxed, generalized interpretation of the habitats from which her fishes came from.

Ahh, that's a more solid direction.

As you know, we're big fans of biotope aquariums, and biotope-themed aquariums. Is there a difference between the two, by the way? Well, in our opinion, yes. A "biotope" aquarium attempts to replicate a very specific location, paying very close attention to even the smallest details, such as the type of plants, rocks, substrate, etc,- making sure that they are the same materials found in the biotope being replicated. This is the realm of the contest aquarium, where entries are judged on these most pertinent criteria. I have the utmost in admiration and respect for aquarists who venture down this highly disciplined path of aquarium design. I love seeing the amazing contest entries!

Yet, that's a contest.

"Biotope-themed" aquariums is the realm where I personally operate. I enjoy creating more "superficial" simulations of given environmental niches or habitats in the aquarium, with more attention paid towards recreating the overall "look and feel"of the subject location. The fishes are typically those found in the same general area or habitat, but it may not be that specific. Like, "South American characins" or "Apistogramma species"- you know, kind of broad in scope.The materials used in the aquascape would approximate those found in the habitat I'm interested in. I could totally live with that.  A contest purist would no doubt scoff at this type of tank, but to many hobbyists, it's a serious "upgrade" from the more traditional aquarium, which is an assortment of fishes, plants, and materials from all over the world.

Two widely divergent approaches to the same general idea- to replicate, in some form, a natural habitat from which our aquarium fishes come from. Both gather inspiration from the best "designer" out there- nature. And both, if executed well, can serve the same purposes: Giving some insight into the habitats from which our aquarium fishes come from, and an appreciation for them-as well as providing satisfaction, beauty and enjoyment for the owner and visitors to the aquarium alike. Having "more-or-less" natural type conditions in the aquarium offers us another important insight- the opportunity to observe natural social behaviors, reactions to the physical environment, colors, and spawning behaviors in our fishes.

It's true, the leaf litter style tanks that we play with and talk about so much on these pages are not perfect reproductions of say, Amazon igarapes, becuase they might contain leaves from areas like Southeast Asia, India, and even North America/Europe, but they simulate the appearance, form, and function of these dynamic environments. The "function" part is pretty cool, in my opinion, because, from an "operational" standpoint, I imagine that your Amazonian fishes won't really notice, care, or pay mind to the fact that the leaves they're swimming over happen to be those of an Asian Psidium guajava (Guava) or Magnolia grandiflora form the Southeastern U.S. as opposed to those of the Ceiba samauma tree, which dominates the region. The fishes engage in the same behaviors regardless.

Oh, sure, if you broke down the analytical chemistry in Amazonian blackwater, versus say, suburban Los Angeles blackwater, you'd undoubtedly see some differences due, at least in part to the fact that you're using some different leaves than those found in your target habitat, but from the functional perspective, the leaves you're using in your carefully prepared water in your 240L aquarium are probably doing the same thing that the native leaves do in Igarapé do Costa, Brazil. 

And it works, because you're modeling your aquarium after nature- or at least, taking more cues from the natural habitats of your fishes than you are from say, last month's "Tank of The Month" in "Fish Geek Online Magazine" or whatever. Otherwise, aquariums fall into a pattern of just being "derivative", following a strict "design guide" because that's the prevailing "style" of the moment. This is something that's important to look at objectively. As is the fact that a tank should be enjoyable to YOU.

Ideally, in my opinion, inspiration should come from multiple sources, including of course, the work done by other aquarists- but definitely also including some studies of photos of the natural underwater environments you seek to recreate in your aquariums. This type of natural inspiration is not just for biotope contest entrants...it's for everyone who keeps an aquarium. 

We should look at nature for all of the little details it offers. We should question why things look the way they do, and postulate on what processes led to a habitat looking and functioning the way it does- and why/how fishes came to inhabit it and thrive within it. This can really help us in our quest to create beautiful and interesting displays!

And, there is a lot to be said about drawing inspiration from an "artist" that's been at it for several billion years, isn't there?

So many cues from nature can be interpreted for use in our aquaria, offering a form and function that is as impressive as it is beautiful.

The idea of turning to nature for inspiration is as old as aquarium keeping itself; however, in recent years, we seem to have moved a bit away from that, drawing more inspiration from other aquarist's work. Again, this is wonderful, and a great thing- symbolic of the interconnected global hobby we're in. However, with so much emphasis on replicating the fine work of other hobbyists, it's nice to gain a fresh perspective from nature one in a while, incorporating it into our "toolbox" of ideas- in our own way, to create something that we enjoy-something that is truly unique, and which gives us a real "slice of the bottom" as well.

The hobby is old. The natural world is older. And far more vast. And filled with inspiration for those who simply look for it. Your ideas for your next tank are as close as the world outside your door.

Take a step through it...open your eyes. And breath it in.

Nature IS the best designer.

Stay inspired. Stay observant. Stay creative.

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

November 07, 2016

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Improvising, adapting...and just making stuff up as we go. A year in the life of the "New Botanical" movement...

"You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.”- Ray Bradbury

It's been a little over a year since Tannin "opened its doors" (electronically-speaking), and during that time, we've gone from being a "What is that about?" thing to "This is exactly what I was looking for..." thing for many hobbyists worldwide, and we're seeing more and more adventurous and excited fish geeks playing with not only our products, but more important- with the concept of using botanical materials to create truly more natural-looking-and functioning- aquarium designs!

This has been a super gratifying experience, and I'm pleased to have played a small role in helping bring this much-underserved niche of the hobby to the forefront of more people's minds. Without a growing and engaged crowd, we'd just be a bunch of fish geeks playing with, as one of my friends gleefully asserts, "Twigs and nuts!"

That being said, I think we are starting to see a few techniques and "best practices" emerge from the darkness, based on the body of experience that we now have. A lot of this started with mental adjustments. Just contemplating setting up an aquarium with brown water and slowly decomposing leaves and botanicals is a huge mental leap for many of us, coming out of the "pristine-looking glass box" mind set that we've been indoctrinated into for so long. 

Accepting that brown water is not "dirty" is a huge mental leap for many people. Understanding that natural waters worldwide have a brownish tint to them, caused by beneficial humic substances and tannins is the first step towards our progression. And it's not easy for many...it's an acceptance of a fundamental aesthetic shift from what we've done in the past, which is incredibly difficult to do!

I've been particularly fascinated with how hobbyists have adapted using botanicals in displays that were previously running without them. You've adapted a "go slow" attitude about preparing and adding the botanicals to your aquariums, fully aware of the impact that they might have on water chemistry and bioload. The much-feared "I added the pack you sent me last night and all of my fish are dead or gasping at the surface of the tank" email has only come once, and it was from an individual who told me (against my repeated warnings and advice not to do this) that they were going to add everything without preparation to "preserve the tannins" in the botanicals, and well- you can imagine the impact.

Preparation and adding stuff slowly to your tank is considered part of the technique, a practice- and perhaps the only 100% "hard rule" in the use of botanicals in our aquariums. And its a good one, based on the time-honored practice of going slowly when adding anything, or making changes to an existing aquarium that can alter the water chemistry significantly. Yet, the merits were something we had to ponder, right?

I've also enjoyed seeing how we've utilized the botanicals in our tanks. In the "early days", it was a few bold aquarists adding some of the larger materials, like "Savu Pods" and "Jungle Pods" to their tanks as spawning caves and hiding places, and a few experienced Betta and Apisto breeders looking for Catappa leaves to help "condition" their water. 

Then, it was more daring hobbyists adding various smaller botanicals here and there on their substrate to add to the aesthetics, but it was typically a more-or-less "random" scattering of stuff, just to get a "feel for the look."

Then, we had more experimentation for specific purposes...incorporating them into aquascapes that were more or less planned around using them, which was the next big evolution.

This was leading towards a greater acceptance of these items..and the first, tentative steps in figuring out how to employ them in different types of 'scapes...like planted tanks.

And the acceptance of the tinted water was a huge "microevolution", as the aesthetic and functional benefits of blackwater systems were made more and more obvious by talented aquascapers like the great George Farmer.

At the same time, we started to see another exciting trend emerging: The application of botanicals for what I like to call "biotope-themed" aquariums, which embraced the look of natural blackwater habitats in an "unfiltered" way. 

Brown water, decomposing botanicals and leaves...all working together to create truly natural aquariums. Experimentation with various "niches" within the blackwater systems is starting to occur, and we're learning more about the long-term management of these systems.

A lot of interest is being focused on developing more natural substrates and bottom features, which is really exciting, as we're moving towards a more realistic replication (in both the aesthetic and functional realms) of these regions that we rarely give a lot of thought to, outside of "what kind of sand should I use...?"

Inspiration from nature is really starting to influence aquarium practice in this area...

Now, we're seeing botanicals applied in a more "holistic" manner, fostering the interactions between the aquatic environment and the aquascape itself.

As the lines between nature and aquarium are being blurred somewhat, we're starting to see more bold experimentation, such as the application of deep leaf litter beds and deep botanical coverage.

And the cool, artistic botanical concept aquariums, with achingly beautiful aesthetics, are really starting to show up again!

We've certainly learned a lot in the past year. A year that has seen a lot of growth and interest in what was previously a (pun intended) "quiet backwater" of the hobby. And now, with renewed focus on this fascinating area, we're seeing a very gratifying thing in that these task are being used to educate and enlighten both hobby and non-hobby people about the wonders of these precious blackwater ecosystems, like the Rio Negro, highlighted last weekend at the Aquatic Experience show in Chicago for Project Piaba, an extremely worthwhile organization that aims to protect and preserve these habitats, while creating a sustainable source of livestock for the hobby.

We- and that means you, me, and everyone who's played with the whole blackwater/botanical idea, should be duly proud. Without arrogance or attitude (okay, maybe a bit of attitude-in a good way...), we've collectively brought in some new energy, excitement, and attention to an area of the hobby which so desperately deserved it- and in the process, we've ignited a movement towards a greater appreciation and expression of how we can work with nature to create wonderful, memorable, and creative aquariums, for the enjoyment of all.

And we're just getting started.

Stay adventurous. Stay humble. Stay hungry. Stay committed. Stay proud.

And stay wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

November 06, 2016

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That nagging idea I have...(part one of "a bunch of parts")

Are you one of those aquarists who's always scheming about his/her next aquarium? You know, the one in which you're gonna try____________?

Yeah, of course you are!

All part of being a fish geek, huh? 

Since first experimenting heavily with blackwater/botanical-style tanks a few years ago, I've put together a number of systems that I've really enjoyed; each one was a sort of test bed for a different idea or aesthetic within the "realm" of this tinted world we play in. One of the ideas that has been on my "to do list" for a long time, but I never actually built is probably one of the easiest ones to do: An "All leaf litter tank!"

Yeah, nothing but leaf litter. No rocks, no wood, a little substrate; but just leaves. Lots of 'em. Maybe, maybe a few plants. Maybe.

Like in nature, right? 

Now, as you know, I play with leaf-litter in tank regularly, and our office aquarium is sort of a "flagship" for a leaf-litter botanical style system...but it has substrate, rocks, wood, and even some plants. it's one of my favorite all-time tanks, but it's still not a "nothing-but-leaves" tank.

I'm actually not sure why I haven't gotten around to a "leaves only" tank just yet. Of course, time is always the big factor, but I think with this one, I'm trying to zero in on the right tank itself.

Yeah, I'm looking for a shallow, wide aquarium...Like pretty shallow in relationship to it's length. Most likely, that means a custom tank...or a stock tank like this "Mr. Aqua" I saw at Nebraska Aquatic Supply a few months back.. Long and shallow...a bit more narrow, though, than I envision..but workable.

I have a nice shallow ADA tank that I've use in the past for other projects with is close to the footprint I'm envisioning, but its a relatively small tank ( Ithink like 7 US gallons)...I'd like to go a bit bigger...maybe 20 or so US gallons.

I think shallow and wide sets a cool perspective, and emphasizes the leaves; really brings them into focus and features them.

I have a few friends that are really getting into this "total leaf" type of aesthetic. My friend Luke Landsburgh has a really cool tank up and coming..He's as crazy about leaves and dark water as I am!

My man, MIke Bognich really loves leaf littler like I do..We've schemed relentlessly on deep leaf litter and such...only he went for it! He's developing a lot of technique and expertise managing these types of systems...a very cool "trailblazing" body of work!

What ARE some of the challenges associated with an "all leaf" tank? Well, really, I think the biggest challenges are in our heads...Telling ourselves "No rocks! No wood!" Keeping on the aesthetic path that few have ever treaded upon before. Almost a "no-scape" as we say in the reef world...no vertical relief other than the leaves and maybe a few plants. 

From a standpoint of water chemistry, I think in the absence of buffer, provided by say, a substrate, you could see a lower "operating pH', and due diligence should be paid to the water chemistry trends over time. Also, I'd think that you need to conduct your typical weekly water changes, with good common sense on feeding your fishes. 

As in nature, biofilms and leaf decomposition are a given in this type of system, and how we elect to manage it is part of the consideration. As the pic below by Mike Tuccinardi fro the Rio Negro shows, there is a tremendous accumulation of leaf material in these waters. 

Filtration is another consideration. I'd definitely think that some mechanical filtration is in order, along with perhaps some chemical media, such as Poly Filter or Sea Chem "Renew", which won't remove the "tint" we love, but will attack some dissolved organics.

Water movement should not be too strong, or you'd have a constant, swirling mess of material in the water column...the kind of mess that will no doubt elicit "I told you so" comments from your already skeptical friends, right?

Oh, there's way more to consider...a lot more...Like, which leaves to use, for example.

We'll come back to this in Part 2, and maybe, just maybe, somewhere along the line, I'll get off my rear and start moving on this...

In the meantime...

Keep scheming. Keep thinking. Keep devising.

Stay creative. Stay fearless. Stay motivated.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

November 05, 2016

2 comments


Those who came before us...

Who are your biggest aquarium hobby influences? Who influences your philosophy on fish keeping, breeding, etc?

You know, who influenced you the way Muddy Waters influenced Led Zeppelin, or the way Roxy Music influenced Duran Duran, or how Dr. Dre influenced 50 Cent, or...well, you get it? 

Who were the aquarium hobbyists who made you want to do all the cool stuff that you do? The ones who paved the way, laid down the carpet, set up the groundwork of your hobby experience? 

For me, growing up in a house full of guppy tanks (My dad was a big fancy guppy fan), the names that came up often were the legendary guppy breeders of the day- Paul Hahnel. His books were all over my dad's fish library, so it was only natural that I'd end up reading them as a kid.

And of course, there was the well-worn copy of the William T. Innes classic, "Exotic Aquarium Fishes"- the book that I literally read a thousand times...cover to cover. Memorized every species name, could quote some of his charming passages about their care, and about as esoteric and fish-geek-precious as his discussions on waking up very early in the morning to net Daphnia for fishes off of local ponds. I can still quote the passage that was the "mantra" for the working fish geek:

"Future generations may smile at our working hours, but this allows the tropical fish enthusiast to be at his salaried position by eight..."

I remember haunting the local pond, collecting fairy shrimp and mosquito larvae (which endeared me to my mom to no end) before school, inspired largely by that passage!

In fact, Innes' book had a great picture of one of my all-time favorite fishes, Crenuchus spilurus, the "Sailfin Characin", which I finally acquired after a lifetime in the hobby. It was a huge event for me...

And of course, there was the more contemporary "Exotic Tropical Fishes, the near-legendary reference work that was pretty much "standard issue" for the fish geek for decades...

My copies of these books were so beaten up that you could barely open them without pages falling out. I read 'em over and over and over...

These books, written decades before I was even born, were still the backbone of my "fishy education." And the interesting thing about these old books- and much of the advice preferred in them- is that they stand the test of time. Most of this stuff is fundamental husbandry and common-sense concepts related to the selection, care, and breeding of fishes.

Sure, some of the names have changed, and some things have become more normal, like breeding Discus, which in Innes' 1939 edition, was being hailed as one of the greatest tropical fish achievements in history..which, when you think of it...was true.

And then, there was the great Rosario La Corte- one of my favorite all time fish hobbyists. His little paperback book, "Enjoy The Tetras", is pretty much the "vector" for my lifelong love of these fishes. 

He bred hundreds of species of fishes, wrote about them tirelessly in books and magazines, and freely shared his trials and tribulations in grand fish-geek style. I recall in 2012, I was in the New York area and was invited to a meeting of the Long Island Killifish Association, where he was there...At the time, I was pretty much at the top of my "Reef game", fish-geek-star wise, a featured speaker at every major reef conference, clubs worldwide, and an author in online media...Yet, I was absolutely like a 13 year old girl about to meet Justin Bieber! I remember how excited and nervous I was to meet the legend in the flesh.

And you know what? He didn't let me down. He was one of the nicest, most humble fish guys I ever met, and took the time to talk with me about who-knows-what (I think I must have simply repeated "I've read all of your books-like 20 times..." over and over again.), and lived up to his legendary status!

And of course, no other hobbyist, past or present, has ever had the amazing and complete influence on me that my father did. He literally started me with a bowl of fishes when I was 3, and I haven't looked back since. He passed away a few years back, but he influences me every single day.

In every field of endeavor, we have our influencers, thought leaders, and yes- legends. People who, through action and thought, have positively influenced the culture and technique of what we do. The tropical fish hobby is no different- except that at the end of the day, most of the key influencers and even the "legends" are gracious, humble, and just good-old fish geeks, like you and me. They have working fish rooms, spill water on the floor, and make all sorts of mistakes...and laugh about them!

Their work, their ideas..their legacy- serve to inspire and ignite our own dreams and efforts, and give context to our work. And they take the time to talk to you about it.

That's pretty cool, I think!

Never forget your influencers. Learn from them, question them...and do what they would expect of you- expand upon their work, push the limits...and share your experiences tirelessly.

Stay humble. Stay inquisitive. Stay respectful. Stay engrossed.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

 

 

November 04, 2016

2 comments


Fact, fiction, and the stuff in between...

"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone...."

Ok, that's one of the most famous opening voiceovers in television history, and it sort of resonates even today, when we're talking about fish stuff, doesn't it?

Yeah, it does.

You see, in the aquarium hobby, we have hardcore scientific facts, which are virtually indisputable. You know, stuff like the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, and the requirement to keep our fishes in water! Sure, aquarists might question, discuss, or argue about how to manage these things, or how they affect our aquariums, but no one really disputes the fact that they are hard and fast rules; things that cannot be circumvented for our convenience.

Then there are those things that fall into the realm of outright fantasy...we call 'em "myths"-stuff like "Fish grow to the size of their aquarium", or "The inch-per-gallon Rule", "Small tanks are easier to manage", etc. These are doctrines that have been adopted by the hobby over the decades because at one point, they may have made sense based on what was known to science at the time. And they were interpreted and re-worked for our purposes, usually to discourage hobbyists from trying stuff that could be detrimental to the fishes they wanted to keep...I mean, who would argue with what appeared to be facts available at the time?

The problem is, many of these outmoded or otherwise disproven "facts" have lingered for a long time in popular aquarium "culture", and some of them are not so good...like the "inch-per-gallon" rule, which fails to take into account that fishes are different in physiological needs and that this is a dangerous, possibly counterproductive generalization. I mean, 6 one-inch Neon Tetras don't give off the same amount of metabolic waste or consume as much food and other resources as say, a single six inch Texas Cichlid, Oscar, or whatever, right?

And of course, then there is that most modern of concerns with the aquarium hobby, the "regurgitation factor"- in which hobbyists on forums or other internet hangouts will systematically discourage, bash, and otherwise spout forth facts with an air of undisputed authority, despite having little or no experience with a subject. It's a byproduct of the 'Information Age", "Google Culture", or what have you. With all of this information at your fingertips, it's easy to pummel another hobbyist into submission on the internet from the anonymity of your iPad at 4:30 AM by citing all sorts of "facts" and opinions. And, with that anonymity, no one really knows if the guy on the other side of the keyboard has even kept Wild Bettas or Discus before, despite disseminating lots of regurgitated information of indeterminate origin.

Not helpful.

(B. macrostoma by Kenneth Kinchen)

This is the aquatic equivalent of the "Twilght Zone", where a strange mashup of opinions, selected facts, and shaky interpretations of science and disappointing past experiences become the basis for "recommendations" and "rules." It's a dangerous, pothole-ridden place that seems somewhat difficult to detour around these days. "Armchair experts" exist for virtually any specialty within the hobby-even those which haven't been invented yet! And a special note: Just because someone on the other side of the keyboard has a title, says that they possess an advanced degree, or shows a cool avatar doesn't mean they know what the &^$%%#$ they're talking about. 

Really.

(Yeah, but can you identify an Aphyosemion primigenium? Didn't think so...)

As a hobbyist and business person treading into the niche world of botanical, blackwater aquariums, I experienced a lot of this stuff first hand. Although plenty of hobbyists had used leaves and such before in aquariums, or dabbled in blackwater, it's been historically seen as a strange novelty, filled with all sorts of potential dangers and pitfalls- far, far too unpredictable and uncontrollable for all but the most serious (read "freaky') hobbyists. I dabbled in it for years with little to go on but the experiences I began to accumulate.

Myths and misunderstandings abound in this particular area of specialization. I heard fellow hobbyists tell me that tanks would "simply crash" if you put botanical stuff into them, that the pH would plummet dangerously out of control, and that the tank would become a mess of "scunge", algae, and murky brown water. Classic examples of the "Twilight Zone" thinking; sensationalized over-generalization based on...what experience?

I mean, when you look at some of the assertions, on the surface, they seemed to make some sense:  Add a bunch of leaves, twigs and nuts to an aquarium without due regard for what you're adding, how much, and the potential impact on the extant life forms, and, well- sure, it's a potential recipe for disaster. Duh. But why would you do that kind of thing, haphazard, and without thought? What if you carefully selected the materials you wanted to add, and prepared them to minimize the introduction of pollutants or other undesirable organics into the tank?

I think that a lot of the "warnings" we received were perhaps well-intentioned, but: a) Not based on personal experience, b) Dramatic over-generalizations based on areas not fully understood, and c) The look of the whole thing.

Yeah, the look. I think the very essence of a botanical, blackwater tank is so radically different than what has been presented as "normal" for the hobby for so long that it simply breeds fear and misunderstanding. The water is brown. And a lot of people don't like the look, regardless of how "natural and beneficial" we think it is for many fishes. And of course, when the inevitable biofilms, decomposing leaves, and brown water come, the naysayers and "regurgitators" can have a "field day" with the "I told you so.." stuff, because they don't understand what is normal and natural- and even beneficial-in this type of system.

Nature seems to provide an example for just about everything that we see in our aquariums, which I think also helps diminish some of our fears, to some extent. What is seen as frightening in an aquarium somehow is less so when we see it in nature.

(What? Biofilm and algae in...the Rio Negro? What? Thanks MIke Tuccinardi!)

Fortunately, we're far enough along now into this "New Botanical" movement that a growing and significant number of hobbyists are giving it a try, helping to dispel myths, develop technique, and elevate the concept from freak sideshow to legitimate speciality within the aquarium hobby. Like so many things in the hobby, there is "safety in numbers" I suppose, and the more hobbyists see great examples of botanical, blackwater aquariums, the more "accepted" it becomes.

More hobbyists give it a try. Fear starts diminishing. And again, the reality is that not everyone likes this aesthetic, which is totally understandable. We all have tastes and opinions on what looks and feels good. However, lack of understanding or fear-mongering is no reason to outright "diss" something, is it?

Yes, that's a personal example which I can bring to the table. And despite it being a bit aggravating to talk about, it's a classic example of how many ideas in the aquarium world come to be- how they are received-and how they are ultimately "accepted" more into the "mainstream" of our hobby "culture."

The big takeaway from all of this? 

Don't simply dismiss an idea or school of thought as "bad" because YOU don't like it, have no experience with it yourself, or "heard from someone who tried it and ended up with a disaster."

That's just silly.

Advancements in the aquarium hobby- like any other field of endeavour- require trial and error, experimentation, development of technique, establishment of "best practices", and a significant enough pool of "doers" to pave the way before they stop inspiring fear and suspicion and begin fostering inspiration and excitement.

We're happy to say that the whole "New Botanical" thing is starting to move out of that scary, rumor-and-myth-dominated area of the hobby, and is now headed into more of a growing, vital "niche speciality", complete with technique, styles, and even "thought leaders."

It's quite a nice place to be, and quite a bit brighter than "The Twilight Zone"- even with the brown water, wouldn't you say?  

Stay focused. Stay unflappable. Stay bold.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 03, 2016

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Leaves on "the bleeding edge..."

One of the cool things I've noticed in our office tank lately is the unusual and unpredictable rate at which leaves will break down and decompose. It's weird; seems like some months, the leaves will break down very quickly, after just two weeks or so...Other times, we'll see leaves hang on for a long time- a month or even more. Magnolia and the larger Catappa leaves are particularly notable for this.

I've had one Magnolia leaf that's fairly prominent in my display (the larger one in the center of the wood) hang on for well over a month now...

I've noticed that some of the larger Catappa leaves (particularly the Sandaken, Borneo variety) seem to hang on longer than others. This is nice, because it is one less thing to think about during routine maintenance routines.

And Guava...let's talk about Guava leaves for a second...Simply stated, they last a good long time. They really don't break down nearly as quickly as the Catappa leaves, and hold shape nicely. They might look a bit more "gnarly" or maybe a bit "rough" when you receive them; however, one submerged, they "deploy" nicely and hold up for a long period of time...sometimes 2 or more months- before breaking down! This durability, coupled with their "exotic" look is what I really enjoy about them.

And then we have Jackfruit leaves...

They're sort of the "forgotten stepchild" of the aquatic leaf world...not super popular, but possessing a cool look and quiet, but significant ability to tint that no one really talks about (okay, we do).

And did we remember to tell you that they're durable? Yeah, they last a good long time...like a month or more in our experience. They do recruit biofilms fairly quickly, much in the way Magnolia leaves do, and you can easily remove the film if it gets too gross for you (i.e.; if it insults your "aesthetic sensibilities..!").

With almost any leaves, I'm pretty sure that there are factors which contribute to their longevity and durability in our aquaria, ranging from how dry the leaves were when submerged, the time of year,  conditions under which the leaves were prepared...and of course, water parameters...

It's the same in nature, I'm sure...leaves decompose at rates that are dependent upon many environmental factors. 

(Rio Negro "leaf porn" by Mike Tucc)

My hope is that we eventually are able to make solid determinations about how leaves behave underwater, and what conditions should be utilized for their collection, preparation, storage, and utilization in order to extract maximum benefits (in therms of both tannins and durability) from them.

Until then, those of us who play with leaves...and other botanicals, for that matter- in our aquariums- will continue to be on the 'bleeding edge" of technique for this stuff...That means that each and every one of us who uses these wonderful natural offerings can make meaningful and important observations and contributions to the state of the art in this cool hobby niche!

Stay observant. Stay engaged. Stay collaborative.

And Stay Wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

November 01, 2016

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Inspiration from the source...wild blackwater habitats of the Rio Negro imaged by Mike Tuccinardi..

Our obsession with blackwater environments is steeped in a multitude of factors, not the least of which is that these are compelling, highly unique environments, with a diverse assemblage of fishes perfectly adapted to thrive in their dark, acidic waters-soem 700-plus species and growing!  The dark color of the water comes from humic acid, due to an incomplete breakdown of phenol-containing leaves, branches, and other botanical materials which fall into the water from surrounding vegetation.

In our mind, no more prototypical blackwater environment exists than the Rio Negro. It's an astonishingly large body of water. According to Wikipedia, The Rio Negro "...is the largest left tributary of the Amazon, the largest blackwater river in the world, and one of the world's ten largest rivers in average discharge."

And for the hobbyist, this amazing river offers a huge diversity of inspiring habitats to replicate within the confines of an aquarium. It's no secret to fans of Tannin that this region of the Amazon has inspired many of our aquariums, as well as the collection of botanicals that we have curated to replicate it's unique ecology and aesthetic.

Our friend, noted author, aquarist and Amazonian traveler Mike Tuccinardi, shared some amazing images that he took on a recent trip to the Rio Negro, highlighting some of the amazing details of this fantastic ecosystem that any "tint lover" will end up drooling over! In particular, the photos highlight the fascinating leaf litter zones found in this area, and some of the familiar fishes that live amongst it.

In the above pic, you can see the degree of leaf coverage that is common in these waters. Field studies have indicated that depth the litter bed can range from as shallow as a few inches to several meters, which is affected by time of year, weather, current, and other factors.

For an aquarist looking to replicate this zone in the aquarium, you can see the possibilities that exist here! A healthy coverage of various leaves, such as Catappa, Guava, Magnolia, Jackfruit, etc. can combine to create a remarkably realistic litter zone, from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint.

The deeper the depth of the litter bed, the greater the impact on water chemistry in a closed system, so you'll have to take this into account when creating your own leaf litter zone aquarium, but we have seen no real long-term maintenance and stability issues with significant amounts of leaf litter present.

Like many other ideas in aquarium keeping, the concept of using leaves to manipulate the environmental parameters is not entirely new. Hobbyists have been utilizing Catappa and other leaves in Asia for many years, and more recently in Europe and the West. However, it's a recent development that we're looking beyond just the "Catappa leaves can help lower the pH" feature. We're now looking at leaf litter in the aquarium because it creates an interesting aesthetic and supports other ecological benefits, such as supplemental food production, shelter, and spawning area for a wide variety of fishes. Further, we're gaining a real, science-supported understanding of how humic substances can provide important-perhaps even essential- health benefits for tropical fishes.

 

Of course, we're also in love with the aesthetics of blackwater and leaves...so much so that we have devoted a large amount of our energies to sourcing, curating, and making a number of quality leaf types available to the aquarium community for a variety of applications. And we're always pushing the concept of blackwater, botanical-influenced aquarium as an alternative to the more popular "traditional-style natural aquariums which dominate the aquatic media of late.

When we take inspiration from nature, the opportunities for creating amazing aquariums are numerous. This image from Mike gives you a sense of how the seemingly random, natural aggregation of botanical materials, leaves, plants, and even wood (tree trunks) is an aesthetic experience as compelling as any "iwagumni-style" aquascape, with the added benefits of creating a truly natural chemical/physical environment for the subject fishes that mimics closely the waters they hail from.

 

What's really interesting to me when looking at these photos is just how closely we can mimc the appearance AND ecological function if we study and execute our subject well. And even more interesting is how what happens in our botanical-influenced aquariums tracks what happens in nature.

For example, the decomposition of leaves and botanicals, occurrence of biofilms, and even the occasional appearance of an algal matrix are perfectly natural, essential harmless, and most certainly beneficial to the ecology and inhabitants of our properly-managed aquariums!

Another benefit of examining the incredible natural environment of the Rio Negro is evident in Mike's picture of the substrate itself. You can see that it's not exclusively sand, in the traditional sense...Rather, it's a mix of a number of botanical materials in a  matrix of different sizes.

This is another area that we've talked about here in "The Tint" for some time- modeling alternative natural substrates in the aquarium. Much can be learned- and enjoyed from examining this element more closely. Materials, like our "Fundo Tropical" and others can help mimic not only the aesthetics, but the ecological benefits that are derived from this type of composition. Further experimentation and research will reveal still more materials which can be utilized in this application, and the future is wide open for research into this area!

And that really brings us to what, in my opinion, is the most exciting part about the bontaical/blackwater "renaissance" we find ourselves in: The opportunities for incredible experimentation and meaningful breakthroughs by virtually any aquarist who takes the journey are very real and very important. And some of the aquariums that we are seeing, such as the awesome tank by Tai Streitman shown below, are blurring the lines between the natural environment and the captive ecosystems that we love so much.

With a close look at nature for inspiration, and the extraordinary talents of you- the modern aquarist- the field is wide open for innovation and creative expression...not to mention, a greater understanding of the precious natural environment of the Rio Negro and other natural resources, which we must protect for future generations to enjoy. By creating representations of this unique ecosystem in our home aquariums, we're helping introduce many to a world that they may have only seen glimpses of, and helping push the boundaries of art and aquarium science at the same time.

Not to shabby, eh?

Until next time. Stay inspired. Stay experimental. Stay creative. Stay hungry for knowledge. 

And stay wet!

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

October 31, 2016

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The exceptional, everyday fish geek...

The best part about having your own blog is that you can write about whatever happens to be on your mind at the time. Sometimes, it's a "big idea". Other times, a rant. And occasionally, it's just something you notice that makes you smile.

Today, we're not really focusing on any crazy idea...any concept or what not...Nope. To ease into the week, I'm just passing along an observation I made this weekend which I think is pretty cool. Ridiculously simple. Not earth shattering, not explosive...just...cool.

And here it is:

I don't think that there is a single aquarium that we as serious tropical fish hobbyists set up which is not super important to us, reflective of our best efforts.

Sure, some tanks may be better than another. Some may be cleaner, sexier, better equipped, designated for a more compelling mission than others, but on the whole, I haven't seen any evidence to the contrary. 

Ever thought about that?

This was hammered home over the weekend when, in a sleep-deprived stupor, I found myself watching some You Tube videos of fish room "tours" of various hobbyists (Really, nothing else on TV, Fellman?). The one underlying "theme" (besides the fact that they always had something cool going on) I took away from my observations is that these people really take care of everything. Like, no forgotten, neglected tanks anywhere.

I mean, even in the thirty-tank fish room, these people make taking care of every tank is as important as the other. Sure, one might be hosting the fry of that really rare Apisto, or another might be housing that newly-acquired Loach, or acclimating the crazy new African cichlid...but each and every tank is viewed as being super important.

That's really, really cool.

The thing I love the most about serious hobbyists, is that even the most seemingly humble tank- the one that houses those Mollies that he/she "accidentally" won at the club auction last week- the "common, garden-variety" ones- is given the same level of dedication as the tank housing the rarest of fishes we work with. 

Like, I don't know a single fish geek who just "mails it in" and gives a minimal effort to providing for his/her fish, not matter how common, how seemingly "insignificant", or how "easy" one is to take care of. Each and every fish- each and every tank- is given the love and attention it deserves. 

Now, we can't always be on top of everything in our fish rooms at all times, but for the most part, we do an amazing job. And this level of caring, stuff, and execution is what makes today's tropical fish enthusiast one of the most special breeds among animal lovers. 

And that's about it.

Tomorrow, we'll be back with a topic that's a bit more "meaty", but this was something that I just thought was kind of cool. Pat yourself on the back for a bit...but not for too long. You've got some water exchanges to perform...

Stay focused. Stay dedicated. Stay inspirational...

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics