The Tint

That certain "je ne sais quoi", and other "terms of the trade" exemplified...

I have this expression that I use when describing the use of a lot of botanicals for aquascaping: "Generic tropical." 

I admit that it's actually a pretty lame descriptor, but if you think about it for just a bit, there is a certain logic to it. I mean, some materials- leaves, seed pods, etc. do have that sort of "generic" look to them which would make them represent almost any type of tropical plant once submerged in the aquarium.

Examples?

Well, one of my favorites is the Texas Live Oak leaf. These diminutive leaves could pretty much pass for a wide assortment of leaves from the trees of anything you'd find in the tropical jungle or rainforest pretty much anywhere in the world where water and foliage might meet.

Now, unlike some of the more "obviously Northern Hemisphere-looking" (LOL) Oak leaves, Beech, etc. these leaves can look decidedly "tropical." For that matter, other leaves, like Magnolia, have that same sort of je ne sais quoi about them which  can sort of make them pass for the fallen leaves of a typical jungle tree once submerged.

And then, there are seed pods...

For the most part, almost of the botanicals which we collectively refer to as "seed pods" (often, the "follicle" or fruit of a tree, to be technically accurate) in our collection are from various tropical locales; the ones that come from North America or other more temperate climes are either super "representative" of materials that you might find in the tropics, or are utilized for strictly more utilitarian purposes.

Case in point: The Alder Cone. 

I mean, no one is going to look at an Alder Cone and think to themselves, "Borneo, man!" Nope. On the other hand, some people really don't care, because they like the looks and aren't bothered by their decidedly non-tropical look. Others use them strictly for functional purposes- like fish breeders and shrimp hobbyists, who value these little "tint grenades" (Alder, Birch, and Casuarina) for what they are- compact "tannin delivery vehicles" and "biofilm propagation substrates!"

Functional.

And of course, there are materials which sort of fill multiple categories, earning our other engineered descriptor of "functional aesthetics." What we mean here are materials which look good and happen to provide something else, like a place for fishes to hide or spawn, or a supplemental food source- or even a significant substrate upon which biofilms can propagate, like the Latifolia Pod.

Botanicals like our most popular one, the the Carinana Pod, fall into this category, as they not only are a very authentic-looking and decidedly tropical botanical that you might find in the flooded forests of South America (or, they effectively represent something else that you might find there), they provide a function (a hiding spot or breeding cave) for fishes like Apistogramma.

Yeah, I can't tell you how many pics we've received from our community members over the past three years showing an Apistogramma cutely hunkered down in one of these pods!

And then there are materials which I just call "whimsically functional"- stuff which absolutely has no chance of being found in the habitats from which our fishes come and don't really provide anything that accurately represents a particular item you'd likely find in these habitats. For example, Cholla Wood. It's the skeleton of a cactus found in the deserts of the Southwestern United States- not exactly a "Mecca" for tropical fish habitats!

Now, Cholla has become a sort of "industry standard" for shrimp keepers and lovers of aquatic mosses.  Aquatic mosses are easy to affix to the many-faceted branches, and shrimp like grazing on the biofilms which Cholla recruits.

Now, there is really nothing inherently "wrong" about using materials which aren't found in the natural habitats of our fishes. If we are honest with ourselves, that category applies to the majority of materials which we regularly utilize in aquascaping, right?

And that's not a problem, IMHO.

I mean, sure, if you are a hardcore biotope aquarium enthusiast, and are entering a tank into one of those contests where extreme authenticity is valued, you need to take that into account. We provide- and will continue to do "deep dives" and give more origin and species information about our botanicals than you're likely to find almost anywhere else, as far as we know- so you can make informed decisions relative to your biotope aquarium.

That being said, I think we as hobbyists need to chill just a bit about the level of authenticity demanded by many of the biotope contests out there. We get really worked up; really pissy about this shit. It's kind of fun to watch from afar, actually.

Now, it does show the level of passion and commitment to the "art and science" that our hobby community has- which his great.

I have no issue with many of those standards for a biotope aquarium. They are all logical and well thought out. Where I take issue- like so many things in this hobby- is with attitudes. I mean, I've had people "call out" others because one of the leaves or whatever in a "Rio____ biotope aquarium" is "not endemic to the region", or whatever. Okay, I get your thinking, but really...

Can these armchair critics really discern the decomposing leaf of Hevea brasiliensis, Swietenia macrophylla, or Euterpe precatoria from Catappa, Guava, Jackfruit, Apple, Oak, etc? Especially after they've been submerged for a few weeks. I mean, seriously? Oh, and just because a botanical or leave or twig comes from ________, that doesn't necessarily mean that you'd find it in the water in those regions...

And, if someone cannot source these specific Amazonian leaves (news flash- you CAN'T at the moment because of restrictions on their export...thankfully), for example- does that invalidate the aquarium from consideration as a "biotope aquarium?"

It really shouldn't, IMHO. Am I missing the point here? I don't think so...

At the end of the day, I think that everyone can and should put aside their interpretive differences and come to an agreement that just about any aquarium intended to replicate on some level, a specific wild habitat, ecological niche, or area where a certain fish or fishes are found- is hugely important.

Why?

Because it calls attention to the habitats and environments themselves. It creates a starting point for discussion, research, debate...It raises awareness of the challenges that many habitats face with the encroachment of man's activities. It most certainly makes us appreciate the fragility of life- the genius of nature, and the incredible diversity and beauty of our home planet.

We all want to represent- as accurately and faithfully as possible- the biotopic niches that we're into. And that is incredibly cool! However, when we get caught up in semantics and petty arguments for the sake of...well, for the sake of "being right"- who does this help?

Who does it hurt?

Well, doesn't this kind of criticism hurt those who are in a unique position to use their aquarium hobby talents to maybe, MAYBE reach a few non-hobbyists with their beautiful tank...perhaps raising awareness of the plight of that Borneo peat swamp or African flood plain, for example? Does it discourage them from trying again in the future and sharing their work with the world?

Yeah. I think it does. And that sucks.

We need to lose the attitude on this topic.

I think many aquariums can be accurately labeled "biotope-inspired" or "biotope-style" aquarium and be a very reasonable representation of a specific aquatic habitat. I think a lot of the cool work our community does is at that level. There is nothing wrong with that at all.

We want to inspire and facilitate good work in this hobby area and others.

Our goal of becoming one of the world's leading providers of natural aquascaping materials and inspiration for aquarists of all types requires us to empower you with the information you need and the capability of curating your own selections of materials. It's why we've ditched most of the cute names of our botanicals. It's why we are giving you species and location information about them. It's why we no longer offer pre-configured "variety packs" of botanicals in favor of "a la carte" selections. 

Yeah, it's all about YOU!

Enjoy the hobby the way you want...but please check those attitudes. Question things that bother you. Take a stand- even if it's not popular or "cool" to do so.  This is supposed to be fun! In fact, it IS fun.

And pretty darned educational, too.

Let's keep it that way.

Stay engaged. Stay passionate. Stay educated. Stay collegial. Stay friendly. Stay helpful...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Behind the botanical: Meet The Mokha Pod

One of the many geeky things I occasionally do is to sit back and reflect upon the types of aquariums that we create and consider the whole idea that we add natural botanical materials to our aquariums. I mean, it's a perfectly normal sort of thing...it happens in nature all the time. Stuff falls from trees and surrounding shrubs into streams, or onto the forest floor, only to be submerged when the rains flood the forest seasonally.

We get that.

And we're kind of borderline "obsessed" with these habitats, right?

Yeah.

The funny part is that we just sort of add different botanicals to our tanks, often with little consideration to what these seed pods and such that we're tossing in actually are; where they come from, and what they "bring to the table." We never gave a ton of detail on them other than their good looks.

I think this should change.

So, I thought that it might be nice to take a "deep dive" from time to time at some of the cool botanicals we offer here at Tannin, and offer you a bit more information about them that you might be able to contemplate when selecting them for use in your next aquarium project! We call it "Behind the Botanical!" (probably more than you care to know about each one, but hey, this is what geeks do...)

Today, let's focus on one of our "core" botanicals...

A seed pod which we've worked with for years, and one which has become one of our most popular: The (newly re-named) "Mokha Pod." Yeah, those of you Tannin "regulars" will remember that we used to call this pod the "Lampada Pod", which is the Portuguese word for "light bulb"- because its general shape reminded us of a classic light bulb!

After undertaking our concerted effort to ditch the fictitious names, we've re-christened it "Mokha Pod", which reflects the Hindi language term (used in the region of India where it comes from) for the tree on which the seed pod is found.

Botanists know this species as Shrebera swietenioides. It's a member of the family Oleaceae...olives! Now, this isn't the kind you'd eat...Let's just get that out of the way. The number of species in the Oleaceae is over 700 species (including Ash, Jasmine, and a few other well-known trees and shrubs), with members found in regions as far-ranging as Africa, India, Australia, and South America. Our supplier of Shrebera swietenioides is located in India, and it's a pretty common in that region. 

The Shrebera swieteniodes tree is a deciduous tree with a large, dense crown; it can grow up to 60 feet/20 meters tall!  The wood of this tree is very "close-grained", heavy, hard and quite durable. It's less prone to cracking or warping than many other woods in the region, and has become a favorite of weavers to use in the construction of many parts of their looms, particularly for the beam, and has earned the title, "Weaver's Beam Tree" in its native region! 

(The "Weaver's Beam Tree" in all its glory- Image by Raffi Kojian ( Image used under CC BY-SA 4.0)

"Mokha Pods" are actually the fruit capsule of the tree, and are woody, protective shells for the delicate fruit. It's thought by locals that the fruit has some medicinal benefits.

Of course, what we love is the fact that the fruit capsules are "woody"- as this means that they're durable, "structurally functional", and aesthetically interesting for our purposes!

And, like seed capsules of many tropical trees, they do contain compounds like  polyphenols, flavonoids and, of course- tannins. We can make that very anecdotal "jump" and perhaps infer that these compounds are released into the water when they are submerged, much like has been done with Catappa or other botanicals! 

Now, the Mokha Pods we receive from our supplier come in two "versions", if you will: The "sections", which are just that- halves of the fruit capsule, and "Split Mokha Pods", which are the more intact, slightly opened capsule (formerly called the amusing title of "Snapping Lampada Pod").

Of the two "varieties," the "split" version are a bit more scarce, and arguably more iinteresting for those who intend to use them for  shelter for small fishes or shrimp. They are useful for that purpose in much the same way an inverted clam shell would be in a reef aquarium, only more suited for the types of aquatic systems we work with, of course.

At this point, I am stepping back to clap myself up for writing what has arguably been the longest- and ONLY - dissertation on Shrebera swietenioides ever written in an aquarium-related blog. Yeah, so those of you who find some other vendor somewhere selling these pods (likely under what I can now confidently call a "stupid, made-up name!") for a dollar less or whatever- ask yourself...Is the savings really worth it? Don't you get more value from us? Where else can learn this much about a seed pod for aquarium use?

Wait, don't answer that! LOL.

We find that boiling these pods for at least 45 minutes to an hour is needed to break down the lignin in their tissue and get them saturated enough to sink. Place them in a pot of water and bring it to a steady boil. Continue to "cook" these pods for a minimum of one hour, prodding them periodically with a wooden spoon to push them under water for greater saturation.

Like most botanicals with woody tissues, they'll leach out a small amount of tannins initially, but not to the same extent as most leaves or bark, etc. These pods are a really great aesthetic component for your 'scape, offering that "generic tropical" look that will no doubt work in all sorts of aquascapes! Of course, for a Southeast Asian or Indian-Inspired biotope aquarium or vivarium, these would be truly great to use.

They last a very long time submerged- especially if you don't have fishes like Plecos rasping at them. In fact, I've found them completely intact (covered in biofilm, but none the worse for wear) after more than a year underwater!

We hope you've enjoyed this "deeper dive" into this popular botanical; if nothing else, we hope it's inspired you to look beyond just the pretty looks and to contemplate where your botanicals come from, how they grow, and what sort of possibilities await you when you use them in your aquatic display! 

Stay intrigued. Stay curious. Stay inspired. Stay creative. Stay unique...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Power from the Palms...

If you're into botanicals, it's not much of a stretch to think about how the materials that we use can influence the aquatic environment that they're immersed in. And, with greater emphasis on the origins of our botanical materials, you'll start noticing that quite a few of our most popular botanicals come from a single source- the Palm.

Nothing really screams "tropical!" quite like a palm, right?

Yep. We think so!

With over 2600 species of palm identified, it's a diverse and wide-ranging group of perennial plants. Hailing from the botanical family Arecaceae, palms may be climbers, shrubs, creepers, stemless plants..and the most widely known form- trees. And yes, as botanical-style aquarium fans, we're most interested in the "tree" forms of palm. 

Most palms hail from tropical climates, with only like 120-odd species coming from non-tropical environments! So, yeah, they're pretty much the "Official Plant of the Tropics" by almost anyone's definition! And crazy adaptable; the main requirements for their growth being essentially warm temperature, decent amounts of water, and unfiltered sunlight.

There are a few families that we are particularly interested in: The Nypoideae, which contains just one species- Nypa- which offers a lot of interesting materials in our selection; among them are the Nypa Palm Pod, the Nypa Palm Flower, and the Mangrove Palm Pod (a specialized variant of Nypa fruticans, which can grow in partially submerged brackish conditions- Hello!).

The other subfamily, Arecoideae, includes some of our other fave "tribes", Areceae, Caryoteae, and some well-known genera we find in our botanical selection,  such as Phoenix, Cocos, and Borassus, to name a few.

The genus Cocos, where the species Cocos nucifera (the "Coco" or "Coconut Palm") hails from, contains a bunch of our favorite botanicals, such as Coco Palm Bracts and Mini Coco Palm Bracts (the modified leaves of the palm tree), Coco Curls, "Fundo Tropical", and the humorously-named "Coco Pedaco" (essentially chunks from the exocarp, the outermost layer of the fruit).

This genus has so many commercial uses that it's not even funny...They're very commonly commercially cultivated for their utility. Almost every part of the tree is usable, ranging from food to building material to...aquarium use! You've probably heard of coconut carbon, which is derived from the coconut shell, which excels at removing organic impurities from water. 

And then there is the genus Borassus; specifically, Borassus flabellifer, which is known as the "Tala" or "Palmyra" Palm, is an extremely versatile and useful tree as well. We derive the very cool Tala Palm Husks from this species, and they are a really interesting and long-lasting botanical material, which provides not only an interesting look, but a good substrate for biofilms to grow upon- and a "direct food" for species like Plecos and shrimp.

From the species Caryota mitus, the "Fishtail Palm", comes one of our all-time favorite botanicals, the "Fishtail Palm Stem." It's a very cool-looking botanical, which looks great scattered among leaves and other materials on the substrate of the aquarium.

In general, palm materials are long-lasting, aesthetically interesting, and provide great environmental and biological support for our aquatic ecosystems. Interesting fact:  Palms have living cells that may be sustained throughout an individual palm's lifetime, and thus, it's argued by some scientists that palms may have some of the longest living cells of any organism! 

And of course, the fruit of the palms contain tannin, as well as flavonoids, catechins, carotenoids, and organic acids, making them potentially very "biologically available" for the health of our fishes.  Palms produce chemical compounds via "primary" and "secondary" metabolism. The secondary metabolites are compounds that play an important role in plant survival, providing a defense mechanism against predation by insects, herbivores, and microorganisms.

Does this "translate" into value as a fish "prophylactic" of sorts when used in our aquaria? Hmmm...

Now, it's that same kind of theoretical "stretch" that we make about Catappa leaves, for example. However, it's always thought-provoking to contemplate that these are scientifically verified properties that might, might-have some of the same "health benefits" for fishes as often ascribed to Catappa! Interesting at least.

The antimicrobial activity of the chemical compound found in the fronds of many palm species also raises a few eyebrows in our world. Again, it might be a stretch to think that a palm frond in your tank could prevent diseases; however, it's interesting to contemplate the possible benefits that could be derived from their use when submerged. 

At the very least, the much-loved Pygmy Date Palm Frond (from Phoenix roebellenii), is a really beautiful "functional aesthetic" accent to the botanical-style aquarium. We've used these attractive, interesting  fronds in our own aquariums for years, and they've become one of our most popular botanical-items for a lot of reasons!  You'll typically receive them as gently dried specimens, still retaining much of their living green color. They last a decent length of time when submerged, and provide a very unique look! 

Yes, there is "power" from the palms- be it the power to provide a unique type of aesthetic, a useful "substrate" upon which other life forms can grow, find shelter, and reproduce, or to provide supplemental food sources...and there is that "possibility" that they might offer some of the same potential health benefits as are often attributed to other botanical materials.

In the end, the ultimate "power" of palms might just be their ability to inspire, excite, and motivate us to push the boundaries in aquarium keeping; to search for potential new breakthroughs, discoveries, and challenges. Time will tell what new things we learn from them! 

In the mean time, we'll keep studying them. Admiring them. Treasuring them.

Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay thoughtful. Stay skeptical. Stay educated. Stay inspired...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics  

The names may have changed...but the song remains the same...

Things are changing fast.

The world of blackwater/botanical-style aquariums is exploding, with new techniques, applications, and ideas...

And along with the new ideas, comes new interests. New excitement. New breakthroughs. And new responsibilities that we, as "thought leaders" (hey, YOU called us that!) in this tinted world, need to accept.

We've been making changes...We're going be making tons of changes this year.

You might have noticed that, in addition to the evolving new look of our site, we've changed most of the names of our botanicals.

Yep...

Now, why would we do this? Everything has been going amazing. We have a growing global following, all the "cool kids" are dabbling with our stuff- the brand is exploding...Why would we do something radical like that?

Well, it's simple. I mean, I think it's pretty simple.

When we first started Tannin, it was fun to sort of create a "flavor" for our site and come up with exotic names for the materials we sourced. We made up a lot of fun Portueguese names for the botanicals. Why Portueguese? Because that's the language spoken in Brazil, where there happens to be that cool region called "Amazonia" that we're kind of intrigued by, and...

Well, yeah- it made sense at the time. Helped define us. Distinguished this stuff. Helped popularize botanicals. Romanticized it a bit.

But here's the thing.

It was kind of...stupid.

What? You heard me.

Let me digress.

I came from the world of reef aquarims and coral propagation...You know, the expensive, hyped $100-per-square-centimeter coral frags that have, well- silly names and equally silly prices. I used to laugh at that stuff. The names...the over-romanticizing of them...

Yet, in an odd way, it sort of made sense to do this with botanicals to create more interest in them initially- to make 'em more relatable; to give context and identity...

And it did. For a while.

In fact, I think- I think- we were actually the first to even utilize the term "botanicals" to describe this stuff...I don't think that, prior to 2015, you even heard about botanicals described as..."botanicals!"

So I think it's kind of cool that it perhaps helped get things more popular...

Yet, at times,  I kind of wish that I "kept it real" from the start, because not only are the actual names and scientific ones intriguing, they're more helpful when you're the real hardcore type, trying to figure out what belongs in a specific aquarium...That sort of thing! However, it did serve to create a "vibe" and a buzz around Tannin and what we do initially...Fostering new excitement in a hobby sector that was obscure at best, and virtually non-existent at worst.

Fast forward to late 2018, and we have a full-blown hobby movement with botanicals! People all over the world are into this! We're at a new "maturity" level in the practice of utilizing botanicals and creating more natural, "functionally aesthetic" aquariums...And with this "maturity" comes more responsibility for us as a "thought leader" in this area. A responsibility to educate, inspire, and inform. A responsibility to be more accurate and authoritative.

Yeah, time to ditch the cutesy names.

It was getting a bit too much, even for me. Although it might be a bit easier to pronounce and remember the cute names, it is better in the long run to embrace the more accurate nomenclature. This botanical movement is bigger than any one company. More important than any one brand or person. 

We offer botanicals. Nature "makes" them. And we are a brand which stands for something. And the brand supersedes the individual "product names." And the botanical-style/blackwater aquarium movement supersedes any one brand...

And a few other vendors doing this botanical thing now, too- which is great. Where it is a bit funny, however, is that a few of 'em are using the very names that we coined to describe similar materials that they are offering-even though they're essentially "meaningless"...And in at least one instance, someone "translated back" our silly botanical names into English to name his offerings...A 360 degree cycle of absurdity. We're not going to continue to perpetuate this silliness. 

It was inevitable, I suppose.

And I realized that if I didn't step up and show some real leadership and confidence now, this could turn into the world's goofiest "coral frag swap" all over again, with out of control names, absurd claims, "limited edition" botanicals and such. And this wouldn't be helpful... I mean, here we are at Tannin, with over 700 blogs all about the most arcane aspects of the botanical/blackwater aquarium hobby- pushing and poking around the hobby in lots of crazy ways- hopefully educating and inspiring...

And then, there we were, calling a Dregea volubillsis pod a "Concha Pod."

Cute. Entertaining. But not helpful. 

As I've said a million times, no one invented this stuff. 

We curated it. Studied it. Loved it. Sourced it. Shared it. But we didn't invent it. NO ONE DID.

Now I admit, I am rather fond of a lot of the names we came up with...some of these materials simply never had a "common name", so we invented ones that fit our vibe. When I embarked on this road to transitioning to more appropriate names,  it took a lot of research and talking to my suppliers in the countries of origin to find out if there is a common or popular name for some of these materials..

And when applicable, we'll use them. Or, we'll go by the genus/species name and call them "_______ Pods." 

It will be a bit confusing at first, I admit.

And I could have gradually phased into it. But in the end, if you want to continue to be the leader, you need to act like one. We cut a path into this area before there was one...Now it's time to push out a little farther. As you've likely already noticed, we've started to change our look- and now we're upping our game all around. 

Time to grow up.

And we're doing this "cold turkey"- for better or worse. Just a few more to change...

Now, I admit- some of you may not like it at all. Some of you will cheer..and some of you couldn't give a ----.

Ahh, the risks you take when you want to lead.

What's in it for YOU? 

Well, after the initial confusion and realization that "That is now THIS", you get to have a better knowledge of the botanicals you use in your tanks. You can research places of origin, the growing habits of the plants they come from, etc. And when you learn about these materials, you can help unlock more ideas about how best to utilize them in our aquariums.

Or, you can just enjoy them, look at the pic for ID when you purchase them, and learn along with us to use their more correct names.

Simple as that.

So, if there IS a common name- ie; "Monkey Pot", "Coco Curl", etc.- or a logical common descriptor- like "Jacaranda Pod", Alder Cone, etc.- we'll use that. Some old faves, like "Jungle Pod" might hang on for a bit. However, some really popular ones, like "Savu Pod", have simply mutated into "Cariniana Pod" (the genus name).

Maybe not quite as sexy...or even as memorable.

I mean "Clown Killie" is probably easier to remember and more "fun" than Epiplatys annulatus, but in the long run, the hobby- and the hobbyist, benefit more from the accurate description, IMHO. I mean, you could probably call a number of species "Clown Killie", creating far more confusion than education and progress.

However, we'll all be better off for it in the long run. And the picture will always help,  just like it did when we first marketed Aegle marmelos as "Sino Xicara."

And what about our competitors who "appropriated" our absurd botanical names? I get a lot of questions about this from you guys. My answer? Maybe they'll keep 'em for a while...or simply do what some of them been doing all along, and just copy the new naming convention...I suppose it's inevitable; likely better for the hobby in the long run, too. As one of my friends told me, they can copy names, but they can't copy our brand; what it stands for; what we've done.

That's pretty satisfying!

Here's a list of some of the most noticeable changes we've made:

"Savu Pod"= Cariniana Pod 

"Capsula Pod"= Dysoxylum Pod

"Casulo Pod"= Kurrajong Pod

"Lampada Pod"= Mokha Pod

"Sino Xicara"= Kuruchi Pod

"Encontro Pod"= Kielemeyera Pod

"Concha Pod"= Dregea Pod

"Estalo Pod"= Parviflora Pod

"Manta Pod"= Cuspa Pod

"Flor Rio Pod"= Latifolia Pod

"Teardrop Pod"= Pyrifolium Pod

"Tartaruga Pod"= Jacaranda Pod

"Ceu Fruta"= "Skyfruit" Pod

"Rio Fruta"= Nypa Palm Pod

"Ra Cama Pod"= Afzelia Pod

"Pequeno Pod"= Schima Pod

"Rio Passaro Pod"= Nypa Palm Flower

"Milho Pod"= Pandanus Pod

"Descasca Pod"= Swietenia Pod

Yeah, WAAAY less romantic. Way less sexy. Way more accurate. Way more useful.

Other than that, not much has changed, lol.

Song remains the same.

So, keep pushing the limits. Keep learning new things. Keep playing with botanicals and all of the fun ideas that go with them.

Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay creative. Stay bold. Stay innovative...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The art of "Active Monitoring..."

When we think about our botanical-style aquariums over the long term, they will evolve in many ways, much like a natural river or stream, without much intervention on our part.

As water flow decreases, plants might grow differently. As the substrate begins to take on a "life of its own",  with more life forms growing in its matrix, fishes will forage for supplemental food items in it. 

As wood begins to soften, releasing more tannins into the water, the water darkens. Leaves and botanicals start to decompose, enriching the environment with humic acids, tannins, and other organic materials, further spurring plant growth, etc. Algae, although often dreaded, grow based on the available nutrients, waxing and waning. Biofilms emerge, providing supplemental food for the aquarium's inhabitants.

And you'll be involved. You'll interact with your aquarium; play some role in it's evolution, progress, and growth. Hopefully, you'll strike a balance between too much and too little. Or better yet- an understanding as to why they appear, and what it really means to your tank. No two aquariums are alike, and this is a foundational piece of aquarium keeping.

All part of a little "dance", that, although important to monitor, is not necessarily something that we as hobbyists have to intervene in. We do quite a bit when we simply perform our regular water exchanges, filter media replacements/cleanings, and occasional plant trimmings.

In fact, I sometimes wonder if that is ALL we need to do?

So why not simply enjoy what's happening in your aquarium as it evolves?

I know that I perennially overthink stuff, instead of merely enjoying it. "Active monitoring" is a great way to run a tank, IMHO. You do the necessary functions to keep things stable and consistent, and little more.

Just observe; enjoy.

Watching a display aquarium evolve and sort of "find itself" naturally over time is proving to be one of the most enjoyable discoveries I've made in the hobby in decades. By simply following established maintenance routines, and monitoring what's occurring in the tank, as opposed to constantly trying to "pre-empt" problems, I've had more stability, more growth...more success than ever before.

Accepting that there is most definitely a "dance" in our aquariums, and becoming an "active monitor" instead of an "active intervener" has added a new and rewarding aspect to my love of the hobby.

I think that it not only makes you a more engaged hobbyist, it gives you a remarkable appreciation for the long term evolution of an aquarium; an appreciation for the pace by which nature operates, and the direction which your aquarium goes.

"Monitoring" versus "intervening"...An interesting, if not critical- choice on the path towards aquarium success.

Stay focused. Stay observant. Stay patient. Stay engaged...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Mixing it up in the litter bed...following the food- and thriving.

I'm obsessed with leaf litter in the wild and in the aquarium. I think it's because it's literally an oasis of life. Compelling, diverse, and productive.

Many tropical rivers and streams are characterized by large quantities of leaf litter and decaying botanicals on the bottom, with typically clear (but tinted) water. As discussed many times in this column, leaf litter is used as shelter, spawning ground, feeding area, and in some instances, as supplemental food itself. This is a highly productive habitat in nature that also just happens to look really cool in our aquariums, performing exactly the same function!

And fish population density is often correlated with the availability of food resources- and, as we've discussed many times here, leaf litter beds are highly productive food resources! 

In wild habitats, there have been many instances where researchers have counted literally hundreds of fishes per square foot inhabiting the matrix of botanical materials on the bottom of stream beds, which consists primarily of leaf litter.  As dead leaves are broken down by bacterial and fungal action, they develop biofilms and associated populations of microorganisms ("infusoria", etc.) that are an ideal food source for larval fishes.

When you take into account that blackwater environments typically have relatively small populations of planktonic organisms that fish can consume, it makes sense that the productive leaf litter zones are so attractive to fishes!  That being said, leaf litter beds are most amicable to a diversity of life forms These life forms, both planktonic and insect, tend to feed off of the leaf litter itself, as well as fungi and bacteria present in them as they decompose.

The leaf litter bed is a surprisingly dynamic, and one might even say "rich" little benthic biotope, contained within the otherwise "impoverished" waters. And, as we've discussed before on these pages, it should come as no surprise that a large and surprisingly diverse assemblage of fishes make their homes within and closely adjacent to, these litter beds. These are little "food oasis" in areas otherwise relatively devoid of food.

The fishes are not there just to look at the pretty leaves!

Major rivers like the Rio Negro are often called "impoverished" by scientists, in terms of plankton production. They show little seasonal fluctuations in algal and bacterial populations.  This is a fact borne out by many years of study by science. However, "impoverished" doesn't mean "devoid" of life. And in many cases, these populations of food organisms do vary from time to time- and the fish along with them.

Other blackwater systems do show seasonal fluctuations, such as lakes and watercourses enriched with overflow in spring months. At low water levels, the nutrients and population of these life forms are generally more dense.

Creatures like hydracarines (mites), insects, like chironomids (hello, blood worms!), and copepods, like Daphnia, are the dominant fauna that fishes tend to feed on in these waters.  This is interesting to contemplate when we consider what to feed our fishes in aquariums, isn't it? 

There's a lot of food out there, for the fishes willing to look for it...which, pretty much all of them devote most of their lives to doing, lol

It's not really that much different in the aquarium, is it? I mean, as the leaves and botanicals break down, they are acted upon by fungi and bacteria, the degree of which is dependent upon the available food sources. Granted, with fishes in a closer proximity and higher density than in many wild systems, the natural food sources are not sufficient to be the primary source of food for our fishes- but they are one hell of a supplement, right?

That's why, in a botanical-rich, leaf litter dominated aquarium, you see the fishes spending a lot of time foraging in and among the litter...just like in nature. 

There is something oddly compelling to us when we look at both aquariums and natural biotopes with a diverse, interesting botanical structure. You set the stage with wood, plants, and then enhance it even more with botanical materials. 

Nature does the rest. 

The fishes will follow.

Stay engaged. Stay excited. Stay focused. Stay patient...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Why I hate Cory Hopkins. (Or, not being able to see the forest for the trees...)

You know how it goes in our hobby.

We get into some obscure interest. We develop technique and approaches and ideas to execute.

And sometimes, in our zest to just "do"- we overlook the entirely obvious. Someone comes along with an idea that sort of throws us into a spin!

Enter Cory Hopkins.

I hate him.

I hate him because not only is the guy one of the top aquascapers in the world- he's a botanical-style aquarium savant, and an innovator! Cory has executed some of the most exciting and compelling BWBS aquascapes we've ever seen, helped us source some of our most popular botanicals, and experimented with all sorts of ways to play with said botanicals in unique ways in aquariums.

So, why do I hate the guy? Really?

Let me explain.

Well, I think I hate him because he figured out a great way to do something that we just take for granted...Yeah, he made the first great innovation to the art of botanical preparation.

The process of prepping leaves, as I tend to execute it, has been to boil or steep them for anywhere between 10-20 minutes. It's not a difficult process, but it takes a bit of time and effort to do this.

So what does Cory, the self-professed "lazy" guy- the world-class 'scaper; the "sourcer" and tinkerer of cool botanicals, do? 

He develops a freakin' "hack."

He throws the damn leaves in a Pyrex bowl, hits "5 minutes" or whatever, walks away, and boils them...in the damn microwave...

Yes.

Yeah. A hack. A shortcut. A very, very cool idea. Simple. Effective. Shockingly innovative.

Shit.

Why didn't I think of this?

It's so obvious. So simple. So...

And it works. Of course.

I know this 'cause, yeah- I tried it myself, damn it. At 10:00PM.

Now, I haven't tried this with pods...but I can't see why it wouldn't work...just needs longer periods of time, right? If a microwave could expedite the process, then...

Hate.

Cory- I hate you. I hate you because I can't believe I haven't thought of this idea myself already.

So to you, Cory my friend. Keep creating great 'scapes. Keep blowing our minds with your botanical ideas...Keep being "lazy."

You just might change the world...Well, our world, anyways.

In the mean time, I will keep hating you- but in the nicest, most respectful way possible! 😆

Stay bold. Stay innovative. Stay curious. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics.

The "Asian Transformation..." Already underway. Already exciting.

The world of tropical fishes is as broad and diverse as the environments from which they come- and few regions offer as much diversity in this respect as Asia. The sheer number of habitats and the fishes which live in them in Asia is staggering. And so many of them are blackwater or otherwise "botanically-influenced" habitats that the opportunities for us to experiment with them in our aquariums is almost limitless!

From a standpoint of fishes, Asian species have never been more available in the trade, nor the selection more diverse. With many being captive-bred, the opportunity for us to try species that were previously obscure or otherwise under-appreciated in the hobby is easier than ever before!

I credit some of this to the exploding popularity of planted aquariums, which has resulted in more interest in small, "plant-compatible" species. And with more interest in different fish and plant species comes more interest in replicating some of the wild habitats from which they come!

And, oh, yeah- planted blackwater aquariums are an exploding area of interest within our botanical-influenced world! There are numerous species which do very, very well under these types of conditions- so much to be done here! Yes, the Asian blackwater habitats often contain terrific plants, like various Cryptocoryne, Bucephelandra, etc. And many of these plants do better in aquarium designed to meet their requirements.

PREDICTION FOR 2019: I think we will see a lot more interesting setups featuring plants and mixes of plants and other elements as more and more aquarists play in this area. And with more experimentation will come more understanding of the plants that come from other blackwater habitats around the world.

We've seen a big surge in the popularity of wild Betta species and lesser-known Gouramis. Having the experience in playing with Tetras and other South American blackwater fishes has given ideas and let's face it- a confidence boost- to many hobbyists who have been keeping the compelling Asian fishes for years, and were looking for something a bit different for them.

The same mindset that we've been applying to South American fishes: The mindset that makes us say to ourselves, "What if I keep this fish in an environment similar to the one where they come from I the wild?" (okay, well- I say that to myself!)

This is interesting and exciting.

Some forgotten favorites, like Barbs, are starting to see an uptick in popularity again. And what better way for us to appreciate their fantastic colors and behaviors than to provide them aquarium conditions similar to what they evolved in?

I  think we'll see some very interesting developments in breeding some of these fishes. Now, Im not saying that no one has ever bred Snakeskin Barbs or Tiger Barbs. What I am saying is that we generally have no problem keeping and breeding them under "typical" aquarium conditions- but that we'll potentially have far more interesting results with them when we maintain them under the conditions that we provide in blackwater, botanical-style aquariums. 

Some of the Barbs that where perhaps less appreciated and (how do we say it nicely) "more subtly colored" when kept under harder, more alkaline conditions will show substantially more attractive coloration when they are exposed to the manifold benefits which a BSBW aquarium can provide!

And of course, the health, appearance, and breeding possibilities for the fishes we collectively refer to as Rasbora have long benefitted from the use of leaves and other botanical materials in their aquariums. Only now, we have a more "focused" ability and desire to provide them with natural conditions in our aquaria. And of course, the opportunity to replicate many of the unique environments from which these fishes come, along with...aquatic plants....um, yeah. Who wouldn't be excited about this stuff?

Ohh, and what about the implications for keeping some of the oldest of the "old school" fishes- and among the most under-appreciated- the Gouramis? Think of the incredible potential here...Many of these fishes come from habitats which are not only fascinating- they're vanishing. Endangered by environmental changes, man's encroachment into them, and other artificial pressures. Learning about these habitats, and attempting to replicate their form and function in the aquarium may prove to be critical to the long-term survival of many species in both the wild and the aquarium.

(The call of the Gouramis is real! Pic by Luke Bescoby)

PREDICTION FOR 2019:. This could be the dawn of a new era for the Gouramis! These "staples" of the aquarium trade will be seen in a new and better light...appreciated as much for their interesting habits and fantastic colors as they are for the way they can thrive under BWBS aquarium conditions.

And of course, the always-popular dwarf shrimp have long benefitted from botanical-style aquarium conditions. It's something that's been known for a long time, but being able to tie it together with what we do simply opens up more and more opportunities for success.

And then there are the Loaches. 

Who hasn't kept an entertaining and attractive Loach or two over the years?

Yeah, such a diverse and fascinating group of fishes. Many, many species are already in the hobby. New species are being described (and re-described, in some cases) on a regular basis, and are popular fishes already, of course. However, with more of an emphasis on providing them with more naturalistic (both functionally AND aesthetically) conditions in the aquarium, you open up numerous possibilities for breakthroughs in their husbandry and breeding. 

I know, it's a theme we are seeing again and again. However, it's quite an exciting one, filled with opportunities for almost any hobbyist who's willing to do a little research and devote some time and effort; to be a part of the building potential breakthroughs on yet another group of fishes which have "just sort of been there" in the hobby for decades.

PREDICTION FOR 2109: A growing interest in Loaches in botanical-style aquariums. 

I can go on and on and on with "predictions"- many of which are just as likely to be "hopes" as to what I'd like to see, lol.  The "transformation", if you will of the way we look at Asian-themed aquariums is already underway, but the interest and excitement in our community is growing daily. That being said, I can promise that we at Tannin Aquatics will do our part to pump out some inspiring and hopefully- motivating- Asian-aquarium-themed content which will encourage experimentation!

And we'll be releasing more and more interesting botanicals, hard goods, and other aquascaping materials in the coming weeks that will enable you to create some compelling and interesting aquatic displays! Stay tuned!  Add these to the many Asian-origin botanical materials we already offer, and you'll have a real "arsenal" of natural materials to create a compelling Asian-themed aquascape/environment for your fishes!

Yes, it's literally a whole new world to explore! One filled with exciting possibilities for aesthetics, husbandry breakthroughs, and increased knowledge of the (often threatened) wild environments and fishes of Asia. 

Who's in? Who's ALREADY in? 😆

Stay excited. Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay engaged...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

World in a box.

It's fun to see how the paradigms have shifted in the aquarium hobby over the past few years, particularly when it comes to our embrace of more natural, blackwater/botanical-style aquariums.

We've gone from tentatively keeping fishes in aquariums that more carefully embrace some natural conditions they evolved under, to full-blown replications of their environments, tinted water, decomposition, and all.

We've begun to understand that it's not all about creating the most scrupulously clean environment possible for the animals under our care- it's about maintaining the best possible dynamic for their overall health, growth, longevity, and hopefully- reproduction. Creating and fostering processes and conditions that create a biological balance within our little (or not so little) glass and acrylic boxes we call "aquariums."

I've seen this a lot in the "reef" side of the hobby: Within the past 10 years in the reef hobby, we've went from a doctrine of "You should have undectable nitrates and phosphates in your reef aquarium because natural reefs are virtual nutrient deserts!" to "You need to have a balance between too much and too little."

We've come to understand that reef aquariums- like any type of aquarium- are biological "microcosms", which encompass a vast array of life forms, including not just fishes, corals, and invertebrates, but macro algae, benthic animals (like worms, copepods, and amphipods), planktonic life, and more.

Reefers came to understand- as freshwater pioneers did generations before- that just because a reef has undetectable phosphates and nitrates in the waters surrounding it, our aquariums don't have to run that way. Corals need nutrients and food, and an aquarium is not a natural reef; an open system with uncounted millions of gallons of water passing through it hourly.

And they change and evolve on a continuous basis. 

I used to feel that the whole idea of keeping an aquarium was to keep it pristine and untouched, like the day it was set up...sort of like a new car...you know...don't get that first scratch on it! Like, I was afraid to do stuff  in my tanks that would stir up the sand or to move stuff around too much. Disrupt the system to the point of no return.

I was worried it would stress the fishes too much, or whatever. As if nature isn't filled with all sorts of natural occurrences which our fishes need to compensate for in some manner? Now, I realize that in nature, a fish can escape pretty far away from a disturbance, but still..a disturbance is a disturbance, right? And fishes survive all sorts of "disturbances", right?

Yup.

The "earthy, organic and natural" vibe that we talk about so much here seems to be catchy! Unlike some of the more "sterile", rigidly-styled variations of "natural" aquariums that have been embraced by many for so long, this "style" of aquarium really seems to lend itself to a far more "realistic" presentation in the eyes of many, and provides the freedom of expression that only nature can provide.

Seeing the wonderful pics of wild blackwater habitats being shared by our friends has created a powerful and compelling message for many that these aquariums are some of the more accurate depictions of natural aquatic habitats than many had previously realized.

Unique. Vibrant. Brimming with life.

We've started to make the effort to really understand the differences- and similarities-between the natural environment and the little worlds we create in our own horns for our fishes. We're starting to blur the lines between nature and aquarium in ways not previously considered or thought about. 

A melding of the look and function of nature in our aquairums.

"Functional aesthetics."

And it starts by understanding how aquatic environments function in nature and in our aquairums.

With biotope and theme aquariums quite the rage, we've come to really appreciate the acceptance of this mind set...that an aquarium is a microcosm- a functioning little biological community, with a full compliment of life forms. Yes, I know, it's not new...Just something that was, IMHO, forgotten- perhaps tucked under the rug for a bit as we pursued different avenues within the hobby...

However, it's coming back. 

What many fish breeders knew for so long- that blackwater conditions created by tannins and humic substances can lead to healthier fishes and more prolific, viable spawns- is being experienced and shared by more "casual" hobbyists, which will have great long-term implications for sustainability of the animals we cherish. Maintaining these types of conditions "full-time"- not just when we want to spawn our fishes- is a big step.

An evolution of sorts.

It is important to understand that all natural bodies of water contain humic substances. From Ocean water, to the Mississippi river, to the Amazon River, to ice covered lakes in Antartica. This should be a lesson to everyone. Life has a way of producing what is needed to prolong life. If humic substances are found in lakes covered by hundreds of feet of ice in Antarctica, there is a reason they are there. It's because they are a foundational necessity.

In some environments, such as our beloved blackwater environments, they make life possible-allowing fishes to survive in very low pH conditions. Fish could not exist in these conditions without them. In other environments, such as Central American aquifer-fed streams, or African Rift Lakes, they make life better.

This is perhaps best stated in a March 2008 Study conducted by Humboldt University at Berlin, Institute of Biology, Freshwater and Stress Ecology, Germany, in which they came to the conclusion that, “It appears that dissolved HS have to be considered abiotic ecological driving forces, somewhat less obvious than temperature, nutrients, or light.”

The body of scientific evidence to support the manifold benefits of these compounds is compelling enough for us to make a strong conclusion:

Humic substances, once considered a "fringe" aspect of the aquarium hobby- products previously employed only by blackwater enthusiasts- should instead be considered an essential component of every aquarium, almost as important as temperature and food.

So, yeah, utilizing leaves, wood, and botanicals in all sorts of aquariums is not only beneficial, it helps in many ways to replicate the physio-chemical conditions under which fishes are found. 

Sure, there is so much we need to learn. So much to experiment with. However, we're finding out ways to apply what we do in our botanical aquarium world to a variety of hobby practices. 

Like planted aquairums. 

The area of planted blackwater aquariums is really starting to take off! And it's understandable: Lots of plants come from, and can do very well in blackwater habitats! And we're finding out all sorts of ways to utilize aquatic plants in blackwater aquariums-something which is going to have broad implication for the planted aquarium hobby. Something that has crossover potential for all sorts of aquarium work!

As we've said so many times before, the idea of blackwater/botanical-style aquariums is not just about a cool aesthetic. It's about understanding and embracing natural processes, and appreciating the many benefits they provide for the fishes we treasure so much.

It's about creating and managing a world in a box.

Make your contribution to the evolving art and science of blackwater, botanical-style aquariums. Everyone can make a difference. Everyone can break new ground in this exciting hobby specialty.

Stay involved. Stay excited. Stay experimental. Stay bold. Stay open-minded...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Elevating the bottom...Another look at the evolving art and science of "substrate enrichment"

Okay, that was a weird title, huh? Almost sounds a bit obscene; however...it's not what you think!

I'm really into aquarium substrates.

LIke, obsessively so.

Specifically, creating substrates that are a reasonable representation of the bottom of habitats as diverse and unique as streams, ponds, temporal pools, peat bogs, and igarapes, as found in the tropical regions of the world. Each one of these habitats has some unique characteristics, and each one presents an interesting creative challenge for the intrepid hobbyist. Until quite recently, the most common materials we had to work with when attempting to replicate these substrates were sand, natural and colored gravels, and clay-comprised planted aquarium substrates.

And, since, as mentioned above, I'm a bit obsessed with substrates, that's why we offer a variety of other materials into your botanical-style aquarium substrate! 

If you're truly adventurous, this opens up a lot of cool possibilities for interesting functional and beautiful tanks. The bottom itself becomes a big part of the aesthetic focus of the aquarium, with the botanicals mixed into, or becoming the substrate- the world opens up!

These materials form an attractive, texturally varied "microscape" of their own, creating color, biodiversity, and interest. In fact, I dare say that one of the next frontiers in our niche would be an aquarium which is just substrate materials, without any "vertical relief" provide by wood or rocks.

Well, that's just me, of course... 🤓

Scientists have identified a number of different soil classes throughout the world. In the Amazonian region, a type of soil known as "Podzol" is associated with with black water rivers and lakes. "Podzols" are soils characterized by a whitish-grey subsurface, bleached by organic acids. They have an overlying dark accumulation of brown or black illuviated humus.These soils support the rainforests surrounding blackwater streams, yet are the most infertile soils in Amazonia. Now, this makes a certain degree of sense, right, because we've long been told how "nutrient poor" blackwater systems are, and it starts with the substrate, right?

Even though it's nothing like the super fertile "garden forests" we imagine, there is a lot of terrestrial vegetation over this soil.  Locally called Varrillal which translates to “land of twigs”, it's a "stunted" forest, comprised of abundant thin, relatively short trees. A significant "root mat" covers the soils, and it's thought that most of the nutrient exchange must occur in this root mat, which keeps the remaining nutrients held within the system- hence the low nutrient levels. And it's another explanation for the relatively nutrient poor water in blackwater systems, right? The terrestrial plants are "hogging" all of the good stuff! (what little of it there is, anyways)

And then there are the aesthetics...

If you've seen pictures and videos taken underwater in tropical streams (again, I'm pulling heavily from the Amazonian region), you'll note that there is a lot of loose, soil-like material over a harder mud/sand substrate. Obviously, using an entirely mud-based substrate in an aquarium, although technically possible- will result in a yucky mess whenever you disturb the material during routine maintenance and other tasks. You'd need to "cap" it with more substantial materials to hold it in place. Anyone who's done a "mudded substrate" planted aquarium knows this!

So, how does the "tinter" create a more interesting, functionally aesthetic substrate in the aquarium?

Well, you could start with a thin layer of aquarium-grade sand, and build from there. I am a big fan of some of the finer sand materials, such as CaribSea's "Sunset Gold." This substrate , IMHO, faithfully represents (in appearanc,e) the podzol-comprised materials found in Amazonian regions. 

You could mix in stuff like our "Fundo Tropical", a course coconut-based material, or its counterpart, "Substrato Fino" (a very fine-grained version). These materials  have the added advantage of staying "down" nicely once you prepare them for use (boiling is the preferred method). They also last a very long time, becoming essentially inert after they releases their initial tannins into the water column. The intricate "matrix" it forms will become a very useful foraging area for many fishes, hosting small benthic life forms, just like natural stream bottoms do.

To this milieu, you could add materials like our "Mixed Leaf Media", a mix of several types of crushed tropical leaves, or "bits and pieces" of stuff like catappa bark, oak twigs, etc. These have that "functional aesthetic" benefit of looking very natural, while simultaneously imparting tannins and supporting the aforementioned life forms.

That's a lot of decomposing stuff, huh?

"Hey, Scott. Your proposing that I add a shitload of stuff that may trap detritus, uneaten food, solid fish waste, etc.- and some of it will break down in the process! Sounds like a recipe for a lot of debris in the system!" 

(Oh, just say it- you wanted to tell me it's a maintenance liability and sort of a mess if you're not meticulous and diligent in maintaining it). It's important to have adequate water movement, creation, and overall good husbandry when attempting such a substrate.

Well, yeah.

This kind of combination of natural materials can create a potentially messy substrate area if you are not a careful feeder, over-stock your aquarium, and tend to let things go. So, just be conscientious about maintenance!

That being said, I've found that, much like in nature, the materials that we place on the bottom of the aquarium will become an active, integral part of the ecosystem. From a "functional" standpoint, bottoms comprised entirely of, or supplemented with a variety of botanical materials form a sort of "in-tank refugium", which allows small aquatic crustaceans, fungi, and other microorganisms to multiply and provide supplemental food for the aquarium, as we've touched on before.

Stability and ease of maintenance are the (surprising?) benefits of such an enriched substrate, in my experience! 

It's certainly no stretch to call our use of botanicals as a form of "active substrate", much like the use of clays, mineral additives, soils, etc. in planted aquariums. Although our emphasis is on creating specific water conditions, fostering the growth of microorganisms and fungi, as well as creating unique aesthetics, versus the "more traditional" substrate materials fostering conditions specifically for plant growth.

About the most I could hope for in a quick piece like this is to pique your interest in taking a fresh look at the substrates that we typically give little to no "play."

I hope I've done that!

Let's see some experiments. Let's see some cool-looking 'scapes which aesthetically AND functionally represent the unique tropical substrates which form a highly important part of the fascinating ecosystems we love so much!

Stay innovative. Stay dedicated. Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics