The Tint

High maintenance? High concept? Or just an acceptance of natural processes?

If you've started working with aquatic botanicals over the past few months, you've probably gained an awareness that, although these are unique and aesthetically beautiful aquariums, like any other methodology, they are not "set and forget" systems. Because of the very nature of aquatic botanicals and how they interact with their environment, you need to regularly evaluate, scrub or even replace them as needed. You'll need to understand the progression of things that happen as your tank establishes itself. And, perhaps most important, you'll need to make some mental "adjustments" to accept and appreciate this different aesthetic.

We've talked on numerous occasions about the various "stages" through which a "New Botanical" aquarium progresses as it matures and settles in, which includes recruitment of biofilm, algae, and physical "softening" and eventual breakdown of the botanicals themselves. We understand that the materials will interact the aquatic environment directly, imparting tannins, humic acids, and other organics into the water. We like to call aquatic botanicals "dynamic" materials, as they are hardly "static" or "inert" in nature!

All of this adds up to a system that requires observation and management...Which, really, is no different, no more challenging, and probably even less mentally taxing than say, a "high tech" planted system or a specialized breeding setup for fishes like Discus or Angelfish. Like any system, the "New Botanical"-style aquarium requires some specific observation and maintenance practices in order to keep it performing at an optimum level for its inhabitants.

Startup-first 3 weeks: Observe botanicals to make sure that they are remaining "negatively buoyant" (i.e.; waterlogged!). Remove any which appear to be floating or present a putrid, "rotten egg-like" smell. Depending on your water chemistry, density of botanicals, and the filtration media employed, you'll start to see the "tint" usually after a few days, reaching it's maximum after about 3 weeks. Perform regular water changes and other maintenance like you would on any other aquarium during this time.

One month- two months: This is when you'll likely see some biofilms and algal growth on the botanicals. At this phase, you have several options. You can physically scrub the biofilms off of the botanicals as needed, or employ "biological controls" (such as ornamental shrimp, snails, or even Otocinculus catfish) to help with this process. Although they are efficient, you shouldn't expect the animals to get everything. You can assist with the removal of any offensive materials or...wait it out.

Two months-four months: By this time, your aquarium has no doubt settled into a comfortable, more stable situation, and you've come to appreciate the more natural appearance of your system. Some of the softer, more "transient" botanicals, such as leaves, have broken down significantly at this point, and no doubt need replacement. You employ regular maintenance practices, such as water changes, filter cleaning/media replacement, etc., and monitor water chemistry parameters like you would in any other tank. By this time, you'll come to recognize what is "normal" for your system, and any deviations from the norm will become more obvious to you. You can "top off" your system with some newly-prepared botanicals as you see fit.

Depending upon your goals, needs, and preferences, you can "condition" your replacement water for water changes by soaking some prepared Catappa leaves in the storage containers for several days prior to use. This creates a certain degree of stability, and of course, adds that "tint" to the water.

Evaluate periodically and decide if you want to exchange or simply add some new botanicals to your system. There is no exact "science" to this; like with so many things we do in aquariums, it will require you to "go with your gut" and make decisions based upon what your goals are, and what by now you consider "normal" for your system.

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive treatise on the management of a "New Botanical" style system. It was meant to serve as a rough guide as to what typically happens during the early life of such an aquarium. Your experience may vary slightly, but these observations were made based upon my own experiences and others who work with these types of aquariums. It's intended to serve as a "cue card" for you to understand the various phases of your aquarium, and what may be expected. Depending upon many factors, such as your base water chemistry, maintenance practices, filtration, etc., the timeline may be longer or shorter, but the "markers" are typically the same.

In the end, one conclusion you can draw from this brief review is that these types of aquariums- although not for everyone- are by no means difficult to create or maintain; and in fact, once established and stable, may prove to be some of the more simple systems you've worked with!

Probably the biggest adjustments you need to make are mental. You need to accept that this type of tank will look fundamentally different than other types of systems you've maintained. Obviously, the tint of the water is the most obvious. This can be managed, to a certain degree, by employing activated carbon. Purigen, or other chemical filtration to remove some or all of the "tint" as desired.

Also, you'll have to get used to a certain amount of material breaking down in your tank. It's natural, and part of the aesthetic. Accepting the fact that you'll see biofilms and even some algae in your system is something that many aquarists have a difficult time with. This is not an excuse to develop or accept lax maintenance practices. It's simply a "call to awareness" that there is probably nothing wrong with your system when you see this stuff. It's quite contrary to the way we've been "acculturated" to evaluate the aesthetics of a typical aquarium. Observe underwater videos and photos of environments such as the Amazonian region, etc. and you'll see that your tank is a much closer aesthetic approximation of nature than almost any other system you've worked with before! And, to your comfort, you'll find that these systems are as "chemically clean" as any other if you follow regular maintenance and common sense.

The realization that it's perfectly natural and entirely consistent with the nature of these environments to have some of this stuff present is little comfort to you if you just can't handle looking at a field of "yuck" on your botanicals. I can't stress enough the need to make that "mental shift." As we discussed, management of this stuff is entirely up to you and what you can tolerate. Generally, the biofilms and algae are self-limiting, ultimately disappearing over time as the compounds that fuel them diminish or attain levels that are not sufficient for their growth, or as a result of animals consuming them- or a combination of both.

The deterioration of "transient" materials like leaves and softer pods, etc. is simply part of the natural dynamic, and will continue as long as you choose to employ these materials in your aquascape. If you observe carefully, you may note spawning and other "grazing" behaviors in your fishes, and note that they are spending significant time foraging though the broken-down matter, much like in nature.

Ultimately, the decision to create a "New Botanical-style aquarium is as much a philosophical one as it is a practical one. To accept nature, rather than to fight it, is a bit at odds with the mindset many of us have with regards to aquarium keeping. As you begin to understand and evaluate your own aquarium, you'll gain a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature and the processes that have occurred for eons.

Stay open-minded. Stay creative. Stay diligent. Stay adventurous. 

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Botanicals+Talent= Something Special...

The coolest thing about being a relative newcomer to the freshwater "Big Leagues" is that you get to meet some of the cool people who are very highly regarded in that arena. This past weekend, I was privileged to speak at a conference that had a rare mix of freshwater and reef speakers, and got a chance to catch up with some cool people that I'd not previously met.

One of those was Luis Navarro, one of the hobby's legendary aquascapers, aquatic plant lovers, and biotope enthusiast extraordinare! Luis and I spent a lot of time talking and comparing pics of aquariums, aquaecapes, and in his case, incredible wild habitat videos he took in Mexico. You've seen some of his planted tank pics on these pages before.

It didn't take long for me to find out that, in addition to being a supremely talented aquascaper, Luis is an absolute lover of some of these unique habitats, particularly ones with lots of leaves, branches, and other plant material making up the substrate, and has been itching to work with materials to replicate them.

As it happened, he was doing a planted tank demonstration on Sunday, when a little "curveball" was thrown at him: The plants that he expected did not materialize. After a bit of ruminating, he did what all veteran speakers do- he edited on the fly and reorganized his presentation/demo to focus on how to construct a hardscape for a planted tank...right up my alley!

And of course, he needed some materials...Guess who happened to have some aquatic botanicals? Yeah.

So, when one of the world's top aquascapers asks if he can use your stuff in his presentation to do a hardscape, you don't even stop to consider it...

And of course, as amazing 'capers do, Luis was able to construct a compelling hardscape with just the materials we had present, and, even though he would have loved to have had plants, the audience was fascinated by the 'scape as it existed. A true hardscape, constructed live by one of the world's best, with aquatic botanicals as a focal point...!

To my knowledge, this was the first time our botanicals have been used in a live aquascaping demo...and judging by the enthusiasm of both Luis and the audience, I suspect it won't be the last. 

The large Catappa leaves, although they probably would not be the first choice in a scape of this size, gave a unique perspective, texture, and look to the layout, helping to enhance the appearance of the wood.

What really amazed me, apart from the awesome scape he created, was the fact that this was created "on the fly", without any real planning or forethought. He literally didn't know what he'd be working with until he opened the bags. One can only imagine what a world-class 'scaper like Luis is capable of creating with aquatic botanicals when he has a chance to scheme a bit...And he will. We're looking forward to seeing a Tannin-themed 'scape coming from Luis very soon- and we'll be sure to feature it right here!

We look forward to seeing many more compelling biotope and hardscape aquarium built with our aquatic botanicals- and YOUR endless imagination.

Keep dreaming. Keep 'scaping. Keep sharing.

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The evolution will not be televised...but it will be visible.

Ok, I'm a bit weird, I admit it. I'm a full-on fish geek.

However,  in deciding to pursue my passion of using aquatic botanicals and aggregating them for hobbyists to use in creating natural aquarium systems her at Tannin, something strange has happened:

I've met dozens and dozens of like-minded hobbyists, eager for a different sort of aquarium, excited to try things that they may have thought about before, yet didn't have the materials to use.

I've met some absolutely fanatical hobbyists who are as excited as I am about biotope aquariums and replicating some of the environments where their favorite fishes come from.

People are telling me that they are ready to try an aquarium that has a more "natural" look...they're not afraid to see some decomposing leaf litter, fields of botanical materials, some biofilms, even some algae in their tanks.

Because they realize and appreciate that this is how nature works. They've made that "mental leap" to eschew the sterile, deconstructed versions of the underwater landscapes that we've been accustomed to, in favor of more dynamic, realistic, and interesting displays. They understand the potential benefits, including more natural behaviors, and  reproduction behaviors that may be brought about by creating a more natural environment for their fishes in both form and function.

The "New Botanical" approach, as some are starting to call it, is gathering some momentum.

Many of you are, perhaps unbeknownst to yourselves, forcing the hobby to...evolve.

You're part of a cutting edge (gulp) "movement" of hobbyists, including some VERY well-known names, who are embracing some different approaches. No one is saying this is THE way or the BEST way to design systems...however, many are finding that this approach, this aesthetic, this mindset- are providing them far better opportunities to accomplish some of their aquatic goals than previous methodologies they've played with. They "get it."

We're proud and humbled to help our fellow hobbyists persue their hobby dreams. We are looking forward to seeing what you do with our botanicals, as well as materials, equipment, and inspiration from us and other sources. It's exciting to be on the forefront of a different way.

The evolution has started. The future is exciting. It's bright (albeit a bit "tinted"), and full of promise.

Glad you're part of it.

Share. Iterate. Evolve.

Stay excited. Stay inspired.

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Crash!!! What exactly happened?

So, a reader asked me to tackle this one...I hope that I don't come across too...I don't know- "high and might" or what not...I hope that we can have a discussion without too much negativity. I can see the hate mails coming my way...

Let's talk about that dreaded, yet apparently real phenomenon of "tank crashes."

A "tank crash!" Yikes.

Ever had that happen?

Nah, me niether...In fact, I don't know too many people that it happened to. Okay, I suppose I can qualify this. I've heard a bunch of people claim things like tanks "crashing" as a result of some sort of technological failure, such as a heater failing join the "on" position and cooking their livestock, or the cleaning lady accidentally spraying household disinfectant over the open-top reef aquarium.

But the reality is, a real "crash"- the kind people talk about on discussion forums, is generally attributable to one thing, IMHO- failure on the part of the hobbyist. Yeah, it sounds like I'm being kind of arrogant, but it's true..."Anomalous" crashes are usually caused by our own errors. Aquariums tend to NOT just "crash" without our "assistance"- and that's a kind of cold, hard fact. Not a shot at anyone who's had such a problem, but the reality is, you probably did something, like overstocked, overfed, failed to engage in regular maintenance, etc...and the cumulative affect of these things resulted in a failure.

Common "crashes" are usually attributable to stuff like a bioload that is simply too great for the filtration capacity of the tank in question. Perhaps it was a case of "too much, too soon"- you ramped up the population to a "well established" level, yet only in the first few weeks of the tank's life. Or maybe, you simply added too many heavy-metabolic waste-producing fishes at one time, overwhelming the capacity of the filter again, resulting in a deadly ammonia "spike" that killed your fishes.

Okay, fine, you had a disaster. If you examine what occurred, and you learned that it was something you could have prevented, and haven't repeated it, than the awful tragedy was something that had some educational "value" to it. It may seem hard to reconcile when innocent animals die, but you can at least say that their deaths helped prevent future tragedies from occurring. Cliched, but true.

The point of this "analysis" of the idea of a "tank crash" is not to deliver a beatdown...It's just to keep us all honest...Tanks don't simply crash for no particular reason.  They just don't. We have to accept that. Algae problems, environmental fluctuations- all have root causes in stuff that WE started- or failed to stop! No shame in that. None of us is perfect. We've all made mistakes, and we will continue to make them.

We just need to admit that perhaps we were wrong, and that we can LEARN from it.

So, stay positive. Stay open minded.

Stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Getting to the bottom of things: The idea behind the concept of "substrate enrichment" in the natural aquarium

One of our most popular products is our "substrate enrichment media", called "Fundo Misto."

The coconut-based product has a course texture and size which, when mixed with more "conventional" sands and gravels, helps create a tannin-producing, environment-enriching, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to "basic" substrates in your aquarium. 

We began offering this product because, several years back, I became fascinated with the idea of creating more interesting, biologically diverse substrates in natural aquariums. Other than in planted systems, which use special blends of nutritive soils and materials, little attention has been paid in the hobby to creating "active", interesting substrates for general aquarium use. Sure, there were some increasingly more available sands and gravels of various sizes and colors- a great start. However, I couldn't find anything else on the market that would help replicate natural stream or river substrates to any great extent.

There seemed to be a gap between what substrates are really like in nature, and our overly-generalized, perhaps even "deconstructed" concept of what they should be like in the aquarium. Like in many areas of the hobby, I believe we became set in our ways; perhaps, even a bit fearful of trying things that were different.

Some of this might be for perfectly rational reasons: Our aquarium are not open rivers and streams. They are closed systems, which, although they incur similar processes to those occurring in nature, are not the same. Aquarists tend to shy away from anything that seems to create a potentially difficult-to-manage system. And let's face it- not everyone likes the look of lots of "stuff" on the bottom of their aquarium!

Regardless, my decades of reef aquarium keeping, and the philosophy of embracing the processes and diversity natural systems, left me eager to experiment. For many years, reef aquariums incorporated the concept of a "refugium"- a protected place within the aquarium system, where animals and plants that would otherwise be a part of someone's daily meal before they had a chance to multiply, could thrive and help enrich the overall environment. 

I realized that, although perfectly legitimate and functional, the execution of a typical refugium in the marine sense involves hardware, such as a separate aquarium, to foster the diversity, which can add to the complexity and expense of a typical aquarium system, often unnecessarily, IMHO. Also, in our case, the primary goal is to establish the substrate as an area of foraging, nutrient processing, and shelter, perhaps more than it is to provide an area for supplemental food sources (i.e; aquatic crustaceans) to multiply, as in a marine system; nonetheless, the concept is valid.

Wouldn't it make more sense to somehow incorporate a "refugium-like" area within the confines of the aquarium itself? Preferably, one which is both aesthetic AND functional, and incorporates simple, inexpensive natural materials? Of course! And what better place to accomplish this than "on the bottom" of our tanks- an area more-or-less neglected in freshwater aquarium keeping for a century or more!

Consider:

Natural streams, lakes, and rivers typically have substrates comprised of materials of multiple "grades", including fine, medium, and coarse materials, such as pebbles, gravels, silty clays and sands. In the aquarium, we seem to have embraced the idea of a homogenous particle size for our substrates for many years. Now, don't get me wrong- it's aesthetically just fine, and works great. However, it's not always the most interesting to look at, nor is it necessarily the most biologically diverse are of the aquarium.

A lot of natural stream bottoms are complimented with aggregations of other materials like leaf litter, branches, roots, and other decomposing plant matter, creating a dynamic, loose-appearing substrate, with lots of potential for biological benefits. Of course, we need to understand the implications of creating such "dynamic" substrates in our closed aquariums.

Obviously, in the aquarium, high levels of decomposing plant material can create water quality management and oxygenation challenges, particularly in small tanks, so, although we embrace the natural processes, for sound management, it's better to replicate the composition and appearance with materials that don't decompose so quickly. Otherwise, we could just dump a bunch of decomposing plant stuff into our aquariums and call it a day! 

Enter the aquatic botanicals.

By incorporating a selection of aquatic botanicals, such as the aforementioned "Fundo Misto", Catappa leaves, and other, more durable items, like banana stems pieces, coco curls, and the like, you are simulating the aesthetics- and to an extent- the function- of a natural stream bed...Without the potential dangers of managing rapidly decomposing, water-quality-challenging processes in a closed system.

Over the long term, this substrate will perform slightly differently than what you're used to in an aquarium. You'll see some accumulation of detritus, a matrix of algae, and perhaps some aquatic crustaceans as well. Some of the materials, such as leaves, will decompose more quickly than others, requiring replacement. In an otherwise well-managed system, water quality will be unaffected, save the pH influence and visual "tint" from the materials used. Although water quality will be high, the appearance of the substrate will not be the scrupulously-clean, almost "sterile" appearance that we're used to in aquariums. Rather, you'll see a more natural-appearing, fascinating appearance.

In addition to providing a great natural aesthetic, such a substrate will provide foraging opportunities for many fishes, as well as shelter, spawning sites, and a "nursery" for many fishes that would otherwise be subject to predation in a more conventional "open" substrate. 

By employing this idea of "substrate enrichment", you're taking an otherwise "humdrum" region of the aquarium (the bottom!) and fostering a biologically active, aesthetically pleasing microcosm within the aquarium that would typically be overlooked. 

We think that's worthy of your consideration!

Stay excited. Stay open-minded to the possibilities.

Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

"How many botanicals do I need?" The secrets of the aquatic botanical "universe" NOT revealed.

Apart from, "What are your favorite botanicals?", the question we receive the most here at Tannin Aquatics is, "How many do I need for my ___ gallon aquarium?"

And you'll just love my answer: I don't know.

Seriously. It depends. And I'm not trying to be evasive or noncommittal here. The reality is, it depends on a lot of factors, not the least of which is your aesthetic. Let's examine each of the main factors that will influence your decision about how many botanicals to add to your aquarium.

First off, there is no "secret formula" that we have developed to tell you exactly how many of which botanical will produce a given amount of "tint" in the water. It's virtually impossible to do this, because the degree to which the botanicals influence your water's tint is influenced by a myriad of factors, including the pH, amount of flow, what types (and how much) of chemical filtration media you employ (if any), the size of the aquarium, where you place the botanicals (i.e.; in a filter or reactor, or just on the substrate), etc.

It really boils down to a few things (in no particular order):

What type of look are you trying to achieve? It goes without saying that if you are trying to replicate an Orinoco Basin "blackwater" tributary, with it's accompanying lower pH and tint, then you'd probably want to either go heavier on the botanicals (i.e., volume of botanicals to water volume), or employ botanicals which have shown to inflect water coloration and chemistry more significantly. For example, you'd be advised to use greater quantities of Catappa leaves, Catappa bark, Coco Curls, "Fundo Tropical", "Encontro Pods", Alder Cones, Casuarina Cones, Banana Stem pieces, etc.

Do you want the botanicals to be the main aesthetic feature, or just a compliment? Yup, we've seen a number of aquariums recently where the goal was to utilize the aquatic botanicals (particularly the larger, more "permanent" ones, such as "Jungle Pods", "Savu Pods", "Tapete", "Ra Cama", etc.) as the major part of the hardscape. And, in smaller aquariums, the concentration of these botanicals can definitely influence the water chemistry and appearance. 

At this point in the discussion, I should point out that it is absolutely possible to utilize aquatic botanicals in your aquarium- even in significant numbers- and not let them tint the water. By utilizing chemical filtration media, such as activated carbon, Purigen, Poly Filter, or a combination of them, you can enjoy the aesthetics of aquatic botanicals without any tint. I know this for a fact, of course, because I've done this myself as part of testing. Also, some of the beautiful aquariums from Aquarium Design Group that we've featured on our site and in our social media, which employ significant amounts of botanicals, are typically devoid of tint by using the aforementioned filter media.

Do you want to utilize the botanicals to influence water chemistry? If you do, we highly suggest that you not only use generous amounts of Catappa leaves and/or Alder Cones (for which there have been some rough guidelines worked out over the years as to how many you'd want to start with in a given water volume), but you'd probably minimize the use of chemical absorption media, like activated carbon, as these will typically remove some of the tannins and humid acids which you're trying to put to work in your aquarium. We also suggest that you throw in a few Catappa leaves or Alder Cones in your source water storage containers, so that they can leach the desired substances into your water that you'll use for water changes and top off, thus maintaining a more stable environment for your aquarium.

There is no substitute for proper preparation of your botanicals before using them in your aquarium. This is a vital step in the process, and can help avoid many potential problems. Look, we're talking about adding dried plant materials of terrestrial origin to water. They are going to react. They will release substances that will influence water chemistry and coloration, but you can control the degree to which they do so through some of the aforementioned methods. Also, longer "post boil soak" periods can help leach out some of the initial burst of tannins released from these materials with the passage of time.

You will see the famous (or is that, "infamous"?) "Biofilm Phase" in many cases, where your beautiful selection of botanicals is covered by a layer of bacterial "sung" and "fungus." We strongly advise you to "wait it out" when this happens, and simply scrub the botanicals with a medium-bristle toothbrush if you can't handle looking at it, as well as employing animals such as ornamental shrimp, catfish, etc. to give you a "biological assist" during the "maturing process." 

I equate this "Biofilm Phase" with the "cycling" of a typical freshwater or marine aquarium. You may not experience a buildup of this "gunk", but odds are that you will. It's simply a "right of passage" for anyone playing the "New Botanical" style aquarium game. We receive periodic emails and calls from concerned aquarists (and rightfully so), who get a bit freaked out seeing their displays covered in this yucky stuff after the initial "honeymoon period", and I'll tell you what I tell them: It's normal. It's never been responsible for a single fish death that I've seen. It will go away.

The degree of "intervention" (i.e.; how much scrubbing, swishing, and/or re-boiling) you might want to engage in is entirely dependent upon your tolerance! It can be several weeks, so it's something everyone needs to think about. And, if you're lucky, you might not even experience this. It's no different than what you see when you first submerge many of the types of driftwoods that we use in aquariums, so no real cause for panic. Occasionally, a pod might have a nasty, "rotten egg" smell, in which case we do suggest removing it and either re-boiling it or discarding it. I might add that this is uncommon, and not particularly dangerous unless you have a small water volume and a lot of fouling botanicals, or have already shaky parameters in your aquarium.

Algae is another consideration. Yup, like any "undefended" substrate in the aquarium (i.e.; wood, rock, hardware), botanicals will "recruit" some algae- the degree to which is entirely dependent upon your water parameters- and your tolerance for such things. We are rather fond of some algae in our systems, as it creates an entirely natural look, and is beneficial for many fishes, particularly those which like to "graze" in nature, so I don't go to any great lengths to eradicate every single patch as soon as I find it. You might be different, so knock yourself out!

Finally, regardless of how you employ the botanicals, I cannot stress enough the need to go SLOWLY. There is no need to rush and dump everything in at one time, or in huge quantities. Particularly in an established aquarium, where your animals are used to a certain stable range of parameters...It goes without saying that if your introducing materials which can influence water chemistry and quality, you will need to go slow and exercise common sense. And, since botanicals are actively "breaking down" in your aquarium over their "service lifetimes", it's important to employ good husbandry techniques (i.e.; monitoring of water quality, water changes, regular filter media changes, etc.). Just remind yourself that aquatic botanicals create a "dynamic" environment, and you'll enjoy using them that much more!

So, there is another quick run down on the aesthetic, environmental, and practical considerations of using aquatic botanicals in your aquarium. I probably created almost as many questions as answers, but I'd like to think that we opened up your eyes to the possibilities of using these amazing natural items in your aquariums to create fascinating, ecologically diverse displays.

Stay fascinated. Stay enthusiastic.

Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Forming habits.

Are you "set in your ways?"

You know, kind of in a groove, on "cruise control", just sort of doing exactly what works for you?

I know I tend to get in that groove now and again. In some areas of life, people refer to it as a "rut"- in the fish hobby, we refer to it as "technique". Or perhaps, "habits?"

Habits can be good and bad, as we know. Scarfing down your cholesterol-laden "McMeal" while driving on the 405 Freeway at rush hour (Sorry for the SoCal reference...LOL) smoking a cigarette, picking your nose while on a date, or leaving the toilet seat up are generally agreed by most upright-walking humans to be examples of bad habits. What I'm talking about here are are GOOD habits...forming and keeping them. Habits that can make you a very successful aquarist if you embrace them.

With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite habits that I am virtually certain can lead to more successful aquarium-keeping experiences for the bulk of hobbyists out there. I'm sure there are many, many more than I touch on here, and that's why this is "open source"- I'm counting on you to add to this, for everyone's benefit! 

Here goes:


1) Frequent small water changes: Omigod, you must think I sound like a broken record, but just like eating 5 servings of veggies a day and changing the oil in your car regularly, in my opinion, the industry has failed to come up with a better or more beneficial “additive” for your tank than a water change with fresh water! 

Not only will frequent water changes help “reset” the trace element levels in your tank, they will help dilute accumulations of organics, toxins, and other substances that can degrade your water quality. Surprisingly, water changes are one of the least expensive, and most beneficial maintenance practices that you can employ to assure success.

(Aquarium keeping's equivalent of the F-22 Raptor-a true high tech weapon...)


2) Conducting a daily “once over” of your tanks: Now, we all like to ‘zone out” in front of our tanks- that’s part of why we have them, right? Well, before you head off to your private underwater Nirvana, take a few minutes each day to assess your aquarium and make a mental check of the status of the system. Go from the most basic (Are the pumps on?) to the obscure ( Is the bubble counter on my CO2 system operable?).

Get in the habit of “checking under the hood” of your tank every day, and you’ll have a real “baseline” for what is “normal” for your system. Not only that, you’ll be so intimately in touch with your system that it will become immediately obvious when something is not right. Straight observation is one of the best general aquarium habits we can do. Whether it's via your webcam, checking your controller readings via your smart phone, or actually looking at your aquarium (the best way- sorry tech heads...get your heads out of your screens and look at the darn tank for a minute! LOL) Who knows what kind of disaster could be averted by developing this habit?




3) Thawing and rinsing frozen foods before feeding: Do you just toss a few cubes of frozen food into your tank each day, or do you “thaw and dispense” them? Yeah, this seems like one of those pain in the rear things that exceptionally anal aquarists tend to do, but it’s a really great idea. I know, there have been lots of discussions about how much nutrients (phosphates, etc.) really are in the packing juices that accompany frozen foods, and it's been argued that it's not that much by well-educated people, but the fact is, most of this stuff just goes right down the filter, without being utilized by your fishes. You know it and so do I..To quote Elton John in the classic song, "Rocket Man", "...All the science, I don't understand. It's just my job 5 days a week..."

Instead, it accumulates in filter socks, sponges, the substrate, etc….and decomposes, potentially degrading water quality. EVEN IF there is a negligible amount of organic material in these “juices”, why would you want to have it accumulating in your tank? Over time, this stuff WILL contribute to reduced water quality. It takes a few extra minutes to thaw out the food and rinse it before tossing it into your tank…Time well spent, if you ask me.


You don't want this guy feeding your tank, trust me.


4) Quarantine EVERYTHING!: Yup, beating the proverbial dead horse again, but man- if I had a dollar for every time I hear of a tragedy that could have been prevented by employing a simple quarantine protocol, I wouldn’t have to sling botanicals for a living! Seriously, though- You’ll find that in the end, it’s way easier to quarantine fishes for 3 weeks before they are placed into your display than it is to deal with disease once it’s in the tank! 

A 10 gallon tank, sponge filter, heater, and water from your display tank will create the most basic and effective quarantine tank you can have. And it doesn’t require a major investment in equipment. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be permanent. Just set it up when you need it and break it down when you’re done. Stupidly simple, and the cost/benefit ratio is off the charts! Just DO IT!!


"Quarantine tanks require too much equipment." Really? Put down your controller manual, smart guy....


5) Avoid the impulse buys: OK, it seems kind of funny that I, as a former vendor of marine livestock, would be admonishing you NOT to buy everything in sight, but it’s only the right thing to do. You can’t just add everything to your aquarium that looks good…I mean, it seems like common sense, but it’s actually a tough lesson for many reefers- novice AND advanced alike- to comprehend. Interactions between seemingly innocuous fishes can create an environment that is hostile to everyone. 

Think about the potential that exists for the fish you're about to buy to cause trouble.  Consider its habits, growth form, and potential size. All are worth thinking about BEFORE you plunk down your money!

Okay, okay, these are just a few good habits, but they are some of the most important ones that you should develop as you gain experience and skill with aquarium systems. Habits can be good and bad, so why not develop some good ones for your hobby? They can only help ensure greater success!

Let’s hear some of your recommended “best good habits” for successful aquarium keeping! What habits have you employed to get your reef where you wanted it? Your fellow fish geeks want to know, so don’t be shy!

I gotta run and check the readouts on my controllers while I start my day...Just kidding. 

Develop good habits.

Until next time…

Stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The consequences-and benefits-of our decisions...

Last week, a longtime customer asked me to help her decide which fishes to go with for his new tank.. 

Not an uncommon call in my industry!




This one...?



Or this one?


These kinds of calls are fun, but they used to scare the ---- out of me. 

Really.

Why?

Because making decisions about what to do in your tank can have consequences, right? Helping make decisions about someone else's tank- well, that's a whole different layer of craziness!

His call required a seemingly simple decision, actually- a choice between two different cichlids; however, choosing one over the other would take the aquarium in a definite "direction", so I suppose the consequences of the decision would be lasting.We went back and forth over the pros and cons, and following our discussion, the customer, apparently pleased/impressed with how I helped him arrive at a decision, asked, "How do you arrive at these decisions with such confidence?"

It made me think for a minute. After I laughed...becuase I have not always made good decisions! I used to agonize over everything. "Analysis paralysis" was like my modus operandi. We've covered this before here, huh?

How to make better aquarium-related decisions is actually pretty easy, but you have to be honest with yourself and stay focused on the primary issue. Of course, just deciding to share my thoughts on the process involved me weighing the potential "risks" ("Oh, there goes Fellman spouting off more wannabe psychobabble stuff." or "See, he DOES think he's the most important person in the industry.." or "Anyways, on to the next thread!") 




Seriously? ANOTHER option?


It’s all about how you approach it, really. 

Yup.

Here's how I've stumbled through the aquarium decision making process after a lifetime of getting wet:


1) Deciding between, for example, two amazing fishes: A classic one, actually. Go with your first choice. Period. You can always get the other one another time. Think about it this way- If you’re taking all that time to mull over the decision, is it to gather data or to postpone a decision? Maybe the best decision is to pass on both? Maybe?

2) Make the most pressing decisions first. In other words, if you know that you have to replace that canister filter and you also have the opportunity to purchase that crazy rare pair of cichlids…get the canister filter first. Yeah, because you have a lot depending on that filter, whereas the fish can always be picked up at a later time. Really.

3) Don’t change your mind once you’ve made the decision, unless there is a very compelling (ie; vital) reason to change it.

4) Avoid soliciting 5 different decisions on “Which one” to get, or “which way to go”…Forums are great, but they create decision-making roadblocks, IMHO. Just don’t ask the world. Ask people whom you trust, who can bring specific value to their recommendations.



Every little thing impacts every little thing. What to do?

5) Blow through simple decisions with little reflection. Example: You need to get more carbon. You use a pound a month. Should you buy one pound or two pounds of the same brand? Who cares? Just get the carbon!

OMG, how insultingly simple I'm making everything sound...And really, that's not my point. I guess, having been through a lot of personal changes in recent years (seeing life, death, relationships, business all change in a heartbeat) has given me a different perspective than I've had in the past. I've learned that you need to spend more time doing something than deciding about it. I mean, you can grow old and die just deciding which Anubias to purchase...Why? 

I screw up. A LOT. Like, more than you do. But you know what? I learn from every screwup. And sometimes, I actually make changes. It's not that bad. 

And, it gives me more material to share with you! 

Anyways, start of a long day for me...getting ready to fly back to L.A. as I write this. Enjoy your coffee, your fishes, and your day.

And stay wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

"The man who knew too much..."

Oh, a very Hitchcock-like title, wouldn't you say?

Actually, there's a whole lot less intrigue in it and more philosophy...

Not all that long ago, I started my first new freshwater community display aquarium in several years. It was a strangely familiar experience, but somehow new. It "woke up" a lot of good feelings in my head!



So, I remember the feeling:  I had this tank, some of the equipment I'd be using, and a whole lot of ideas bouncing in my head. Some were new thoughts on how I wanted to approach familiar problems, like like "If I go with these hardscape materials, how will I have to position them to take advanatage of the tank's footprint, water flow, and lighting?" Others are far more esoteric, like thinking through what fishes I'd go with to live in the bottom strata, calculating evaporation rates, or thinking through maintenance strategies.

Still others were...well- weird.

Case in point. Like any good hobbyist, I spent some time pouring over "build threads" on a few forums, to kind of get a "read" as to how other aquarists are approaching certain things. Funny, actually, because one of the first things I told myself is that I wouldn't allow any of my decisions to be influenced by others...Kind of a ridiculous position, actually- because we can't help but be influenced by the work of others in this hobby, right? 

So anyways, as I pursued a few threads, I'd see the usual iterations of layouts, the fancy equipment shots, etc. Apart from stuff I'd laugh and comiserate about, I saw IT. You know. The big "hurdle." The right of passage.

ALGAE. 

Need I remind you? Need we dread it?

Yikes, I forgot about that phase. Yeah. That part when all of your good work and botanicals looks like...well, you get it, as it's covered with that familiar patina of algae while the tank goes through its nutrient cycling phase. The part where every hobbyist, experienced or otherwise, has those lingering doubts; asks questions- goes through the mental gymnastics to try to cope: "Do I have enough flow?" Was my source water quality any good? Is it my light? When does this go away? It does go away. I know it's just a phase. Right? Yeah, it goes away? When? It WILL go away. Right?"

I mean, it's one of those rights of passage that we all go through. The early doubts. The questioning of ourselves. The reviewing of fundamental procedure and practice. The need to reach out to the community to gain reassurance. It's normal. It's often inevitable.

The point of this piece is not about algae, per se. It's about the mind set that we bring to the table when we experience such things. The "algae bloom" phase brings out familiar feelings...

But it IS a phase. I know this..and you do, too.

Yet it bothers us, huh?

We reach back into our minds- our experiences- every time our canister filter releases micro bubbles into our tank, or whenever our pumps make that funny noise...Whenever the temperature seems to be harder to dial in than we expect. We KNOW what stuff should be like, we know that we set ourselves up for success...yet we look, and ponder- and we worry. But we DO know better. We know that all of this wonderful thing are just a phase. Our experience- and the experience of our "tribe" tell us this.




Yet it's part of the game. The worry. The reflection. The doubts. The...learning- which comes about as a result of our doing something that, in reality, is among the most enjoyable of pursuits in the hobby- starting a new tank.

We know what to expect. 

And perhaps- just maybe- we know too much.

We understand all of this stuff. We experienced it many times over the years, and have watched- and even reassured- others that "all of this is normal" and to "just be patient and it will pass..."

You know- aquarium stuff.

Outright beginners actually have it much easier in this regard, I think. I mean, when just having a glass or acrylic box of water in your home is a novelty- a cause for rejoicing- you tend to live in a bubble of gentle "ignorance" (eeehw- that's kind of harsh)- okay, let's call it "blissful lack of awareness" that some of this stuff sucks...

And that's a beautiful thing- because a beginner is taken by the sheer wonder- and joy of it all. They don't stress out about stuff like micro bubbles and algae in their wood work. They're not worried about that yucky algae like we are, because they don't KNOW that it can linger a long, long time if you don't manage the tank correctly at this phase. They're not handcuffed by their past experiences and the knowledge of having set up dozens of reefs over the years. Rather, they're just stoked as all get out by the thought of Platies, Neon Tetras, Cory cats, and Water Sprite taking up residence in the new little utopian microhabitat they just set up in their New York City apartment.

Perhaps the beginner knows something we don't.

I think I- we- know too much. 

And I don't mean that from an arrogant perspective.

I think I, like so many aquarists at my level of hobby experience, tend to overthink every aspect of the aquarium hobby, particularly the new tank startup phase, rather than just letting ourselves enjoy the moment- the wonder, and the awe that comes from doing something special, beautiful, and, let's face it- incredibly cool! Something that nine tenths of the world will never get to experience or even comprehend.

I think it's entirely possible to release ourselves from the "burden" of our own experience, and to allow ourselves to enjoy every aspect of this great hobby, free from preconception or prejudices. To just make decisions based on what our research- gut, or yeah- I suppose experience- tells us is the right thing to do, then letting stuff happen. In other words, taking control of the influence our own experience provides, rather than allowing it to taint our whole journey with doubt, dogma, second-guessing, and over-analysis of every single aspect.

Rejoice in everything.

I'm looking forward to the next phases of my journey. Looking forward to solving problems, creating solutions, trying new things, experiencing the familiar ones- and just taking each step as it comes. Not over-thinking, and not being completely ignorant, either.

Because I certainly don't want to carry the burden of the man who knows too much.

Stay excited. Stay engaged. Stay tuned!

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Weekend "Aquarium Yoga"

Woah..what's gotten into me today? About to get on a plane to go give a talk on the other end of the country. Perhaps it's my way of clearing my head before another all-out fish weekend.

I'm in one of those weird reflective moods, which means I'm probably going to write something really "left brain"...or was that "right brain?" Or just brainless...I dunno...I was just in the mood to put down some philosophy, so please indulge me here..Time for more "aquatic yoga."

"Lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu." ("May this world be established with a sense of
well-being and happiness.")

Vendors, authors, and fish geeks in general will tell you that you have the power within you to truly enjoy the hobby, and it doesn’t just take a ton of money. If you’re not 100% content with your hobby, remind yourself that it’s not all about going out and buying the latest gadget, obtaining the most unusual fish, or tearing your aquascape apart. It’s about having confidence is your aquarium keeping skills, managing your system with a sense of purpose, and sharing.

I think there are truly attitudes, actions and mental practices in aquarium keeping that can make you not only a better aquarist- but can help you enjoy the hobby more and inspire others in the process. I've jotted down a few of my theories that you may or may not agree with...teh result of practicing and observing the aquarium hobby for decades. They might be a bit off to some of you, but I present them anyways for your consideration:

Don’t pin the success of your tank on the “approval” of your fellow hobbyists. Enjoy what you enjoy- because YOU enjoy it.In our society, we apparently place great stock in believing that a large part of our happiness comes from the outside- something that happens to us. In the reef world, you see a lot of people putting out these “build threads” about their tanks on forums worldwide, typically done in the spirit of sharing and growing in the hobby- terrific! However, if you read carefully, you might agree with my theory:

I submit that a fair number of these “build threads” are almost solicitations for “approval” from the aquarium keeping community. You can almost tell by the way the hobbyist posting goes out of his/her way to impress or even appease fellow hobbyists by showing off the tremendously expensive gear he/she is accumulating, the trendiest rocks to be placed in the tank (TRENDY ROCKS? REALLY?!?!), or the over-the-top modifications being made to the room the aquarium is housed in. It’s one thing to be “aspirational.” It’s quite another to be seeking the tacit acceptance for those we interact with. Life is too short to live for others- and that applies to aquarium keeping as well!




Take a few minutes every day to simply chill out in front of your tanks. I mean, we spend enormous amounts of time, money, and energy working on our aquariums, taking pictures of them, tweaking systems, etc., which are indeed part of the fun of the hobby. However, they are “part” of the fun! How about just spending some quality time every day just chilling out in front of your tank, actually enjoying it- not thinking of the next gadget you’re gonna add, or the dose of additive you need to throw in later. You might just love the hobby that much more! I can’t tell you how many hobbyists I visit worldwide who spend so much time concentrating on actually doing stuff with their tanks that they seem to never spend time simply enjoying them. I know it seems ridiculous, but ask yourself when the last time was that you simply stared into your tank without the intent of modifying, cleaning, or tweaking something? You might surprise yourself!

Look for the good stuff in your aquarium. As hobbyists, we seem to be a very self-critiquing lot, don’t we? We’re always finding something in our tank that we think needs tweaking, fixing, or outright replacement. We never are satisfied, huh?

I submit that, rather than constantly evaluating the things that we need to “fix” in our systems, we should spend some time appreciating and complimenting ourselves (internally, at least) about the cool things that are going on in our aquariums. Sure, your “HC garden” may not be full and lush as you envision it will be yet, but why not give yourself a pat on the back and realize that you’ve gotten a great start on creating this beautiful thing? You may be critical of the less-than-perfect-appearing plumbing job you did on your central filtration system, but take pleasure in knowing that not only does it work, but it was your own scheme- and that, most important- it doesn’t leak! Little affirmations about the thing you put so much time and love into are never bad.




Treat your self once in a while- just because. Okay, there are definitely those of you out there who will say that I included this one because I’m an aquatic supplies vendor. The reality is that I’m including this section because I’m a hobbyist! You work hard, and you probably work hard on your tanks. So, if getting that new gadget or acquiring that new Pleco gives you some pleasure, why NOT indulge yourself from time to time? Part of the fun of being in the hobby is that you can call the shots, and if you feel like you need a “treat” from time to time, you should go for it. Pay close attention to your desire- and your budget- and toss yourself a little reward once in a while- just because. Part of what makes the hobby so fun is that it’s OURS- and we are perfectly capable of knowing when we need to give ourselves a little boost now and then, right?




Share your tank with other hobbyists. Huh? Why keep it to yourself? Invite some of your fishkeeping buddies over to just hang out in front of your tank one afternoon. Do you need some help figuring out how to install that new gadget? Ask a fish keeping buddy over! Or, just give away some fry of your "Lake Tang" shellie- just because. The hobby, and your aquariums- are wonderful social “props”, and the common interest that you share with fellow hobbyists when you check out someone’s tank is very satisfying. Many strong friendships (and at least a few aquarium clubs) have formed over a few reefers getting together at someone’s house to check out the new Mbuna pair, or help install the new lighting system. Don’t have any fish keeping friends? Not a problem! Create some by posting on social media, and flat out ask for help, or invite local aquarists over to check your tank out. You’d be shocked how many fish geeks will drive for miles and miles just to check out that 300 gallon cichlid tank that you've been working on, once they’re invited!




Play to your strengths. Huh? Think about the stuff that you do well as an aquarium keeper, and what sorts of fishkeeping activities bring you the most enjoyment. Cleaning your tank? Aquascaping? Programming your controller? Just what is it that puts you in your “happy place” while working on your tank? Indulge in those things more often…Or better yet, offer your skill set and services to fellow hobbyists, either by interacting on forums, or by visiting aquarists who need your help. Take it even farther by giving a lecture at the local club about the topic or topic(s) you know best..Not only will you help others enjoy the hobby- you’ll enjoy the hobby even more yourself as you share and interact with fellow fish geeks…A great sense of satisfaction arises when you help others with something that they love, too.

Okay, I’m off of my whole"yoga-esque" thing now…

Probably was just a passing phase today…I'm sure I'll be ornery later. But it did feel good to get this out…I’ll be back next time with a more practical, nuts-and-bolts topic that will probably tick you off in some way…that’s what you’ve come to expect, right?

Deep breath..namaste.

Until next time, 

Share, enjoy, be grateful for what we have in the hobby, and practice great aquarium keeping…

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics