Not bad. Just different.

One of the fundamental "mental shifts" that we ask every "recruit" to the blackwater, botanical-style aquarium world to make is to understand that the natural world is not the neat, orderly thing that we in the hobby have made it out to be for so many years.

Rather, the natural world appears to be an almost random, somewhat chaotic, even, dare we say messy place with random arrays of materials distributed among dark, tinted water (in the blackwater habitats, of course!).

Not bad. Just different.

Different than what we've become accustomed to in the aquarium world. Our vision will take some getting used to before you can accept it...

The difference is something that I think we as aquarists seem to have a difficult time dealing with, to be honest. I think I get it...I mean, for a lot of us, it's awful hard to think about a "controlled" and aesthetically pleasing display filled with decomposing leaves and other botanical materials. And when biofilms and fungal growths appear on these leaves and botanicals, and even driftwood, we collectively sigh.

However, I think that a little "tough love" is in order here. 

We need to be honest with ourselves...

If you want to make that mental leap to a different kind of functional aquarium aesthetic, accepting the fact that these things are not only a normal part of the blackwater/botanical-style system- they are essential to it's function.

Sure, you can create a botanical-style system with long-duration materials like larger seed pods, etc., run activated carbon I the water to remove tint, and meticulously scrub every botanical as soon as the biofilms and fungi appear. You can remove these pieces once they start breaking down, and replace them with brand new ones.

And yeah, you'll achieve a beautiful, unique-looking, meticulously clean aquascape. And there's nothing wrong with that. However, I think that you can't fool your self: That version of a botanical style aquarium, gorgeous though it is- is functionally not a true representation of this type of habitat. In fact, I'd dare say that it is as closely related to the wild habitat as a garden is to a forest.

Not bad...just different.

Or, you can let your preconceptions of what you think an aquarium should look like go, and let nature do what she does best...

Nature will do in your aquarium what she's done in the wild for eons: Allow bacterial biofilms and fungi to colonize unprotected surfaces, and gradually break them down. The tannins and humic substances present in these materials will be imparted into the water, coloring it golden brown.

Not bad...just different.

Remember, there are no "rules" in this game, except those which Nature has created, and will continue to execute on, if allowed to do so.

Make the mental shift; be flexible like a ripple in the water...

Be bold, and allow yourself to accept a different vibe, a different aesthetic...and a more realistically functioning aquarium habitat.

It'll take some adjustment; some getting used to. Yet, once you make that adjustment- if it resonates in you-the entire way you look at aquariums- and nature- will change forever.

Stay open-minded. Stay inspired. Stay creative. Stay curious. Stay resolute...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Pivoting as you go...

As you know, one of the things that we preach almost above everything else here in our tinted world is patience...The patience to wait for an aquarium to break in, evolve, and mature.

The patience to observe and study. The patience to allow an idea to come forth and mature.

Yet, in all of this invaluable patience, there is often a hidden element of spontaneity that encourages you to do things a bit differently- or to try something altogether different- than you had previously planned on. Or, perhaps to use the current situation as a chance to execute on an idea that has been floating in your head for some time?

This is top of mind for me today, as I started a small project with a nano tank earlier in the week, with the intention of creating more natural-looking, yet sort of aesthetically higher-end aquarium for killifish. Simple and not exactly earth-shattering, but something I've been playing with on my "to-do" list for a long time. 

The idea was to utilize a few peices of wood and an entire bottom covered with leaf litter and some small botanicals, to more-or-less replicate the. natural habitat of some bottom-spawning Aphyosemion species. Funny, but in our world, a tank configured like that is not exactly "unusual"- it's kind of "routine" in a funny way, right? However, applying it to a tank that would be species-centric would make it a bit different...and satisfying, regardless.

Now, I started with great intentions, using ga very nice ADA 60F- a very shallow, wide, rimless tank. Oh....rimless. Yeah, I know what your thinking. anyone whose ever kept killies knows that there is almost a guarantee that they will go carpet surfing at any time- for any reason- if the tank has an open top.  And, I sort of realized that part of the fun of keeping killies is the "controlled breeding" aspect- placing the fish in a container with peat moss (or a substitute like "Substrato Fino!) or spawning mops, and harvesting eggs, incubating them, collecting and rearing the fry. 

So I pivoted. 

Like every fish geek on Planet Earth, I have a head full of "Plan B's."

My "Plan B" this time was something I've been toying with forever...A monospecific (one type of fish) nano display dedicated to....the tiny and beautiful Paracheirodon simulans- AKA "The Green Neon Tetra!" It's a classic nano tank fish; one which you see in a lot of those artsy, so-called "Nature Aquarium" setups, filled with lots of plants and crystal clear water. Interestingly, you seldom see them kept in a blackwater aquarium which better represents the habitats from which they come.

This was my opportunity! 

And, with one of Mike Tuccinardi's igapo pics at my disposal, I knew what I wanted to do, functionally and aesthetically, with this tank.

Yes, the fishes n the pic are Cardinals, but the habitat is what I'm looking at here...and the contrast in colors! Boom! 💥 

This fish, which comes from the Upper Rio Negro area, is known to be an almost exclusive inhabitant of blackwater habitats...Perfect! And the fact that you almost never see them kept that way made them irresistible. And a large group in a relatively small tank set up to simulate their natural habitat...yeah...What a cool pivot!

And off I went...

Of course, the move from killifish, which can adapt to room temperatures, to these little characins, which tend to come from waters with temps of 24.6-35.2 °C/76.3-95.3 °F  (scientists have postulated that it may have evolved to require higher temps, btw) necessitated the use of...a heater.

I hate heaters. Let's face it. They're f- ing ugly. 

Yes, there are inline models, but in a tank this small with a little Ehiem 2211 canister, there wasn't even enough room to employ even the smallest inline heater. And of course, the reefer in me immediately tried to figure out a workaround- you know, employing a reptile heating mat (could crack the tank- scary!), or perhaps building a sump and employing an overflow and having the heater down there like any proper reef tank...and before you know it, my little chill project would turn into a $750USD highly-customized system! I mean, it's like an 8 gallon/32 liter tank! If it were 50 gallons, yeah- totally worth it...but for a simple nano- no way! 

Sooo...that meant only one thing: Find a nano-sized heater and figure out the best way possible to hide the goddam heater in the tank- something that I totally hate to do, or actually getting off of my lazy ass and seeing if I could make the inline work. These little challenges are all part of the "price" of pivots, right?

And, with a little creative tube cutting and jury-rigging, I got the thing to work. Not the most optimal placement, but it does the job! 

 And, just like life- once you have one issue solved, another comes along to challenge you....

I hate surface film. It's the reefer in me, accustomed to tanks with built-in overflows.  Of course, in these little nanos without such luxuries, if you're going to use those stupid "Lily PIpes" for returns and intakes, like I did, you'll have surface film if you don't agitate the surface...and you can't unless you run the water level really low, which results in noise and turbulence on the surface- great for a reef, not-so-godo for an iagpo with leaves on the bottom! 

So, I added the damn extractor; I'll ultimately have to re-work some wood to block it from view, but it's not that bad for now...

Now, we're well on the way...temperature managed, most aesthetics handled...Seeded the tank with some Daphnia and sand and leaf litter from my home blackwater tank (like we used to do with reef tanks, remember?)...

Has a sort of "broken-in" look already, which I love! 

This tank is coming along nicely...next up are the fishes, of course...In the mean time, I'm enjoying just vibe surfing another tank in my office. A great contrast from the brackish tank right across from it!

It's going to be a lot of fun to evolve this little guy...and it all started with having to abort on one plan and pivot...all good! 

The moral of this rambling little narrative?

Don't be afraid to picot as you go..It just might take you somewhere unexpected and interesting...something on that "to do" list of yours that you didn't think that you'd be getting around to this soon! 

Stay flexible. Stay creative. Stay diligent. Stay persistent...

And Stay Wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The joy of simplicity...

If you're like most hobbyists, you've done your share of collection over they ears, right? Now, I don't mean, you went down to Peru and grabbed those rare cichlids yourself (although that may be true for some of you!); I'm referring to our love of collecting and accumulating "stuff."

Most of us fish geeks have boundless enthusiasm for the hobby. We collect lots of fishes, plants, and aquarium stuff. We create all sorts of interesting aquariums and aquascapes with many components.

It's what we do.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

Have you ever noticed, however, that many of the nicest aquarium and setups you've seen seem to revolve around one thing?

Simplicity.

Like, in the design, amount of materials, etc.?

Yeah, really- the art of not going too crazy- embracing the balance between "too much and to little." A beautiful aquascape has just the right amount of plants, wood, rock, botanicals- whatever. 

Too much, and it becomes an annoyingly busy hodgepodge of "stuff." Too little, and it is somewhat harsh, cold...incomplete.

Good aquascapers seem to have this innate ability to find the balance. To achieve beautiful results with what seems to be a breathless simplicity.

And interestingly, even our 'prototype'- nature- seems to beckon us with the call of simplicity and balance.

Ever look carefully at a natural underwater scene- be it a river, lake bottom, coral reef? Yes, you may see an explosion of life- a diversity of forms...Yet, underneath it all is a beautiful, elegant simplicity.

Nature provides exactly what life needs. Seldom more. Nature corrects its rare "mistakes" with decisive, well-perfected necessary moves- storms, tidal action, rock falls, etc.

Attempting to replicate some of nature's "practices" in our aquascaping is never a bad thing, in my humble opinion...precisely because nature seems to "know" exactly what is needed. 

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Sometimes it IS a bit more complex...yet in a, well... "simple" way.

Attempting to replicate nature is not the only way to create a beautiful aquascape.

However, it is a wonderful way.

Stay focused on the world. Stay open to nature's influence.

Stay observant. Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay enthused...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Tannin Aquatics

It all starts with rain...

As aquarium people, we are obsessed with water. Of course, it's fundamental to what we do. We are fascinated by its characteristics and life-giving properties. And of course, we take it for granted, like so many things. Perhaps not like the non-hobbyists, to whom if you ask, "Where does your water come from?", you're likely to hear an answer like, "Duhhh...from the faucet!"

Nonetheless, we as hobbyists also probably don't give it a ton of thought in the grander scheme of things. I think that, on occasion, we as lovers of truly natural-style aquariums owe it to ourselves and our fishes to consider- occasionally- how water arrives in the wild aquatic habitats of the world and its role in shaping them.

Of course, it starts with rain...

One of the most essential and life-giving processes of our planet is rain. 

Rain is truly the bearer of life.

It's transformational, essential for our existence...and for the continued existence of many of the fishes we love, as well as the habitats from which they come.

And specifically, what interests me about rain is what happens when it rains in the wild habitats of our fishes, and how they behave. How do their habitats change with the coming and going of the rains?  What happens to the fishes during the rainy season?

I know, you're gonna say, "They get wet..." 

Look, no one likes a smartass, okay? 😆

Well, what happens in the "rainy season" in say, the Amazon Basin? (like, why did you know that I'd start there? Hmm?)

A lot of things, really.

The wet season in The Amazon runs from November to June. And it rains almost every day. And what's really interesting is that the surrounding Amazon rain forest is estimated by some scientists to create as much as 50% of its own precipitation! It does this via the humidity present in the forest itself, from the water vapor present on plant leaves- which contributes to the formation of rain clouds.

Yeah, trees in the Amazon release enough moisture through photosynthesis to create low-level clouds and literally generate rain, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)!

That's crazy.

But it makes a lot of sense, right?

That's a cool cocktail party sound bite and all, but what happens to the (aquatic) environment in which our fishes live in when it rains?

Well, for one thing, rain performs the dual function of diluting organics, while transporting more nutrient and materials across the ecosystem. What happens in many of the regions of Amazonia is the evolution of our most compelling environmental niches: The water levels in the rivers rise significantly- often several meters, and the once dry forest floor fills with water from the torrential rain and overflowing rivers and streams.

The Igapos are formed. 

All of the botanical material- fallen leaves, branches, seed pods, and such, is suddenly submerged. And of course, currents re-distribute this material into little pockets and "stands", affecting the (now underwater) "topography" of the landscape. Leaves begin to accumulate. Tree branches tumble along the substrate  Soils dissolve their chemical constituents, tannins, and humic acids into the water, enriching it. Fungi and micororganisms begin to multiply, feed on and break down the materials. Biofilms form, crustaceans reproduce rapidly.  Fishes are able to find new food sources; new hiding places..new areas to spawn.

Life flourishes.

So, yeah, the rains have a huge impact on tropical aquatic ecosystems. And it's important to think of the relationship between the terrestrial habitat and the aquatic one when visualizing the possibilities of replicating nature in your aquarium in this context.

It's an intimate, interrelated, and "codependent" sort of arrangement!

And of course, I think we can work with this stuff to our fishes' advantage!

We've talked about the idea of "flooding" a vivarium setup designed to replicate an Amazonian forest before. You know, sort of attempting to simulate some of the processes which happen seasonally in nature. With the technology, materials, and information available to us today, the capability of creating a true "year-round" habitat simulation in the confines of an aquarium/vivarium setup has never been more attainable. Just check out our friend, Paul Dema's Vivariums in The Mist website for some prime examples..

The time to play with this concept is now!

Sure, you'd need to create a technical means or set of procedures to gradually flood your "rainforest floor" in your tank, which could be accomplished manually, by simply pouring water into the vivarium over a series of days; or automatically, with solenoids controlling valves from a reservoir beneath the setup, or perhaps employing the "rain heads" that frog and herp people use in their systems. This is all very achievable, even for hobbyists like me with limited "DIY" skills.

You just have to innovate, and be willing to do a little busy work.

Or, you can purchase an off-the-shelf product like the Biopod, which our friend Paul has used to create some amazing setups, some incorporating our botanicals! 

Think about the possibilities here! It's crazy!

As the display "floods", the materials in the formerly "terrestrial" environment become submerged- just like in nature- releasing nutrients, humic substances, and tannins, creating a rich, dynamic habitat for fishes, offering many of the same benefits as you'd expect from the wild environment.

Recreating a "365 dynamic" environment in an aquatic feature would perhaps be the ultimate expression of a  biotope aquarium- Truly mimicking the composition, aesthetics- and function of the natural habitat. A truly realistic representation of the wild, on a level previously not possible.

Of course, I have no illusions about this being a rather labor-intensive process, brought with a few technical challenges- but it's not necessary to make it complicated or difficult. It does require some "active management", planning, and diligence- but on the surface, executing seems no more difficult than with some of the other aquatic systems we dabble with! (Like, hello- my reef tanks, for example!)

Yes, you'd have to make some provisions for "relocating" the terrestrial inhabitants of your system, like frogs, to "higher ground" (i.e.; another vivarium) during the "wet season"...or your could create a paludarium-type setup, with both a terrestrial and an aquatic component simultaneously, and not sweat it.

The possibilities for education, creative expression, and flat-out experimentation are really wide open here. A great way to examine and appreciate the cycle of life for many organisms!

One could mimic all sorts of geographic locales, including Africa and Southeast Asia. Annual killifish would be another beneficiary of such a process/system, with the ability to literally "desiccate" their environment for the "dry season", and flood it once again when "the rainy season" returns!

We kind of do it already with the old "peat moss in a bag" trick to incubate their eggs...this is just a more interesting (and probably a bit more tedious/less efficient) way to do it...but one which may yield some interesting insights into their natural habitats!

There are so many possibilities here...Well- it literally could create an entirely new "sub-hobby" within the aquatic hobby...not just biotope replication- I'm thinking biotope "operation!" The idea of a  truly dynamic aquatic display has never been more approachable!

Okay, I'm just going stop here, because I could easily go on and on and on....

Think about it. Build it. Play with it. Learn from it. Share it.

It all starts with looking at the natural environment, and considering the role that rain plays in this dynamic- then figuring out how to incorporate it in to our aquariums...

"I'm only happy when it rains
I'm only happy when it's complicated
And though I know you can't appreciate it
I'm only happy when it rains..."

- From the song, "I'm Only Happens When it Rains" by Garbage, 1993

Yeah, rain is cool!

And today's topic allowed me to quote lyrics from an obscure, yet satyrical post-punk song from one of the better bands of the 90's! 

Does it get any better? I don't think so. 

It all starts with rain.

Stay dynamic. Stay creative. Stay inquisitive. Stay imaginative. Stay inspired. Stay relentless...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The low down on the way down...

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." - Hamlet Act 1, Scene 5 

Yeah, that just happened. I just went Shakespeare on you. 

For a good reason. There are still many things I the blackwater/botanical-style aquarium that we collectively don't understand, or perhaps have misconceptions about. And there are a few, more technical aspects of our fascination with blackwater which can even be a bit intimidating- even a bit "over many of our heads"

Well, definitely over MY head, anyways! 

I regularly field a fair number of questions from hobbyists who add a bunch of botanicals and leaves to their aquarium filled with tap water, and are surprised and often frustrated that the pH and hardness are unchanged, despite the "tinted" look of the water. There seems to be a collective misunderstanding about the "capabilities" of botanicals; many "powers" have been ascribed to them: For example, the idea that leaves and botanicals can soften hard water.

They can't.

Period. Nothing to discuss. We've covered this before a few times, but for some reason, the myth persists that adding catappa leaves and pods and other botanical materials will create instant nature-like conditions in your hard, alkaline, city tap water.

Nope.

Oh, now sure, tannins and humic substances are imparted to water, even hard, alkaline water. Even brackish water. So, yeah, it looks all dark and tinted, even though the pH and hardness might be quite high.

That's a different subject.

To understand why, we need to all re-familiarize ourselves with the concept of carbonate hardness.

Now, before we get too far, I'll dispense with the necessary disclosure that my knowledge of water chemistry is quite basic, and I'm not preferring that anything discussed here is the "last word" on the subject. It's an explanation of some facts and ideas based on my limited college chemistry and understanding of these things from being a practicing aquarist. At a certain point in discussion about this stuff with really knowledgable people, my eyes start to glaze over...There are plenty of you out here who could "school me" on this stuff, and I encourage your input on these more esoteric, yet very important aspects of the hobby. We will all benefit.

Ahh, back to that bit on carbonate hardness...

This is one of those terms, along with "general hardness" (GH), that we see bandied about all over the internet and in books and hobby discussions...It's super-confusing to me, as there are multiple ways of determining the hardness of water (in general, but for us it's for aquarium purposes). "Hardness", is essentially a measure of the total concentration of specific minerals dissolved in the water, including calcium and magnesium, as well as other minerals like potassium and sodium. It is said that the concentration of these minerals in a given quantity of water contribute to the "hardness."

There are a few ways of measuring this.

As a reef hobbyist, I was long ago indoctrinated to utilize KH (from the german word "karbonate") to measure the carbonate and bicarbonate ions in a given aquatics system, which function as "buffers", and keep the pH from dropping. And KH is a component of GH, to make matters more confusing (KH can never be higher than the "general hardness" of the water because of this fact). And a lot of test kits will measure both...as if a guy like myself needs more confusion in his life...

The easiest way to make "hard" water "soft" for us fish geeks is to invest in a reverse osmosis/deionization unit (RO/DI unit). This gives you water with little to no (ideally) general hardness, setting the stage to more easily reduce the ph utilizing botanicals and such.

And of course, that's where the fun (and confusion) begins!

A lot of people ask about utilizing leaves and other botanicals to lower the pH in their aquariums. It's a good question, and one worth addressing. As you are no doubt aware by now, many of these natural materials release substances such as  tannic and humic acids into the water, which can acidify it- IF the water has a low enough KH.

I'll say it again:

Most botanicals won't do much to significantly reduce the pH if you start with hard, alkaline water, as the KH will prevent the acids released by these materials from reducing the pH. In general, it's fairly safe (gulp) to state that soft water is usually acidic, and "hard" water is usually alkaline.

And with a soft-water, low pH aquarium, you really have to think about stuff like the nitrogen cycle, too, and how it functions at very low pH levels.

I'm also curious, as many of you are, about the long-term "function" of what I'd consider really low (from an aquarium standpoint, anyways) pH systems...like 5.5 and below. I personally have used straight RO/DI water for years in my systems with lots of botanicals , and do use a substrate (sand),even when I mix in botanical materials, and my pH is almost "pinned" in the "mid sixes", so my hypothesis is that there is at least some buffering taking place in the tank from carbonates that might be the sand.

The bacteria which perform denitrification really function optimally at around pH 7.0 (neutral), and as the pH goes down, their performance significantly decreases. When you get below a pH of say, 6.0, into the "fives", it's safe to state that the bacteria are barely functioning. In those really low pH tanks, chemical filter media (which remove ammonia directly) are your best option. We're talking about commercially-available zeolites and such. These materials need to be exchanged regularly to function optimally and remove ammonia.

Now, it's not "disaster time" when you get into this range- it just requires greater understanding and a different approach to nitrogen cycle management. Taking the time to learn about the arena in which you're playing. Learning the rules and dynamics, and adjusting your practices to accommodate the requirements dictated by these parameters. Understanding the impact of the materials you put into your aquarium water.

Or, as one of my buddies so eloquently put it during one of those alchohol-fueled fish conference discussions some years back, "The idea is not to kill fish with this shit..." Yup. You don't "dabble" in very low ("aquaristically-speaking") pH systems-or any specialized aquatic system, really- without a game plan. Oh, and a pretty good understanding of chemistry- like, way better than what I have. 

I guess it could be safe to say that, in the majority of my systems, I play in "the higher end of the lower pH range", if that makes sense! Quite frankly, this pH range has satisfied me, and my fishes seem to benefit from it. I personally have not experienced any nitrogen cycle issues, pH "crashes", or any other scary things while managing my tanks in this range. 

I suspect (hope) that many of you are also operating in the "sixes" in your systems. I personally have never attained super-low pH (like in the "fours") in my systems, even when using "straight-up" RO/DI and just botanical materials for a substrate (no sand). Now, your results might vary...but that's my experience.

That being said, I think there is  plenty of room for responsible and disciplined experimentation here by those interested and knowledgable in the subject. I was talking with Ted Judy some time back, and he was talking about techniques utilizing acid solutions to really get the pH down way low in systems housing fish like wild Altum Angels and such; the thought being that ammonia is bound up as less toxic ammonium at those low pH values...and these guys can be pretty touchy fishes when first imported, as we know. Interesting idea in responsible, patient, experienced hands!

Now, this is pretty cool stuff, and quite frankly, beyond my particular scope of interest and even my skill set; however, it certainly is relevant to this stuff! And interesting! To me, adding pH-reducing acids to get down into those low ranges is serious business, and quite a bit out of my personal comfort range- especially NOT being a "chemistry-minded type!"  

And of course, most fish are utterly intolerant of significant ph swings and you have to be very careful (and slow!) if you attempt to make large changes to the chemical composition of your water in this fashion. I'd dare say that this type of pH manipulation falls in the "experts only" category for now.

So this leaves most of us in a position of doing what we're already doing: Managing our soft, acid (in the "sixes") water aquariums in a manner consistent with good husbandry, going slowly when adding botanicals, and generally testing and observing our fishes. Ours is a world of balancing too much- and not as much as we want- a world of observation, measurement, continuous self-education and experimentation.

We can't be "casual" or "seat-of-the-pants" when we get to the lower pH ranges. It's not "set and forget"...Active management is required. We don't enter this arena lightly, and I think we are all aware that each and every blackwater, botanical-style tank requires thoughtful husbandry and a generalized understanding/consideration of water chemistry.

Disasters occasionally happen, as we've reiterated countless times, especially when we go too fast, or make too many changes to existing aquariums in a compacted time frame. Restraint and patience are mandatory. And an understanding that taking new and different approaches always involves risk and a learning curve.

It's part of the game.

However, I do think we're getting beyond the "dump and pray" part of this, and finding what we consider to be reasonably good compromises in terms of safety and benefits. We're developing and refining knowledge and technique. More and more hobbyists are playing with blackwater, botanical-style aquariums every day, and unlocking the secrets, demystifying some of the fears, reiterating the cautions, and sharing their knowledge of these unique systems with the aquarium world.

The "way down" to lower pH can be intimidating, filled with unknowns, cautionary tales, and spotty information. However, it doesn't have to be, if you approach it with the correct mindset.

And that mindset is to learn as much as you can, and incorporate what you've learned into your aquarium practice. Then, simply move forward. Carefully, of course.

Don't be afraid. Be empowered.

Be cautious, bold, informed, observant, and methodical.

Stay educated. Stay careful. Stay experimental. Stay in control...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Style is always in style

It's been extremely gratifying to hear about so many fellow hobbyists playing with botanicals, blackwater/brackish, and niche biotope aquariums. I love that, more than ever, hobbyists are trying new stuff all the time! I love the effort. The discoveries. The education...The sharing of ideas, triumphs and failures, and the results of hard work.

Yet, all too often, I hear people talk about their tanks in an almost "fear" that "they" probably won't think it's good, or it's not the right "style",  because___________ or _______________ aren't exactly right, or whatever. 

I hate hearing that.  This thing about "style" and those who apparently "dictate" it.

And I hear it a lot. 

Who are "they?"

WHO in this hobby has the monopoly on taste, style, and knowing everything? And for that matter, knowing how YOU should execute and enjoy YOUR tank, right?

There is NO "style manager" for the aquarium world.

It's an art, a science, and a means of self expression. There is never ever, ever a need to apologize for your work, unless you're offending people or out-and-out ripping off someone and claiming it as yours. 

I feel really bad when some hobbyists starts off sharing his or her tank on Facebook or where ever with, "Well, it's probably not that good...."

Ughhh.

I think we need to get over this right away. I think it's probably an artifact of our social media environment, and everyone showing only their best work, in it's "ultimate" state. There's an unstated "peer pressure" that seems to develop around this in our hobby.

As fish geeks- we all love this stuff, and are remarkably accepting of almost everyone's sincere effort to enjoy their hobby the way they want to.

For the most part. 

Yet, apparently, those "exceptions", whomever they are, seem to make a lot of hobbyists feel kind of inadequate at times about their own work. I know, because I hear it regularly.

No one should be judging, outside of contests.

Don't apologize for aquascaping your tank the way YOU want to, even if it's "not exactly" the way "they" say it should be, or according to some prevailing collective "style" mindset. There is no need to conform to someone else's standards of "cool", or to gain approval of "them" whoever "they" are.

Constructive criticism, helpful input, and advice are important. However, the rigid "groupthink" rebukes I'm hearing about are a different animal altogether. 

And not a very good one.

It sounds insane, but I literally hear this "apologetic" attitude form hobbyists presenting their work to the world all of the time, and I hate that we somehow  feel that we "must" pander to "them" in order to be considered a "successful" hobbyist.

Every hobbyist can learn something useful from every other hobbyist.

Thats a fact.

There's likely someone out there who is executing some idea you never even thought of. Something that the majority of the hobby hasn't thought of. Just because it doesn't conform doesn't mean it's not good...or great.

And "greatness", whatever that may be, often comes as the result of multiple failures. 

And that's okay.

And even when we try and fail at something in the hobby, it still serves a useful purpose. Something can always serve as an example of what NOT to do, right? So, nothing is ever wasted in the aquarium-keeping universe.

The takeaway from all of this isn't about us being judgmental, or negative. It's about being ourselves.

Every day, little victories are won by ordinary every-day hobbyists like you and I, who set up amazing tanks and accomplish things with them that provide them and their family with hours of pleasure. That's what it's all about. In fact, that's the ONLY thing that this is about.

What I think the aquarium world needs is simply for you, me- all of us- to be ourselves; march to our own drummers, and to share our experiences. Not in a dogmatic way, mind you- but in the spirit of sharing hard-won knowledge, for the benefit of all. Sure, our efforts may make our aquariums "aspirational" for someone, but they should not be presented to others with an attitude of undisputed authority, nor with the aforementioned apologetic attitude.

I'll declare right now that there will never be an official "Tannin Style", in terms of how an aquarium should look. No rigid rules on "composition" or arrangements. Just the natural rules of biology, which govern aquatic ecosystems. We look to nature. Nature dictates our "style"; writes our "rules." 

Our mission statement is clear: 

"Tannin Aquatics is more than just a purveyor of aquascaping materials. We’re a mood, an atmosphere, a space to be inspired. Our products support an earthy, organic canvas upon which you can express yourself through the art of aquascaping. We provide information, the muse, and natural materials for you to create blackwater and brackish microcosms which blur the lines between nature and aquarium." 

"Style" is subjective in our world. Inspiration is everywhere.

It's far more important for us all to do things the way we believe they should be done, consistent with humane, acceptable standards of animal husbandry. You don't need to do something a certain way just because someone tells you that theirs is the best way, or that it's the hot new trend. And if by chance, it inspires others along the way, you could hardly ask for more!

The best hobby discoveries and breakthroughs come from people who do things because...they want to.  

That's being "in style", IMHO.

Enough said. Enjoy your day, and your hobby.

Stay true. Stay humble. Stay engaged. Stay open-minded. Stay tenacious...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Bottoming out...Rising Up. Another look at he "substrate only" aquarium concept!

Let's get to the bottom of things...again.

Today, we dip into the Q &A for a great question and what I hope is an interesting and motivating discussion! 

Q- You place a lot of emphasis on the stuff on the bottom of the aquarium. How does this differ from "active substrates" for planted tanks, and are there other benefits for aquariums that you can gain by using botanicals as the substrate?- J.C., Rockford, IL (USA)

A- I love your question! I think one of the most "liberating" things we've seen in the blackwater, botanical-style aquarium niche is our practice of utilizing the bottom itself  to become a feature aesthetic point in our aquariums, as well as a functional mechanism for the inhabitants.

In other words, in a strictly aesthetic sense, the bottom itself becomes a big part of the aesthetic focus of the aquarium, with the botanicals placed upon the substrate- or, in some cases, becoming the substrate! These materials form an attractive, texturally varied "microscape" of their own, creating color 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.

There are many examples of small pools and other aquatic features in nature to provide inspiration.

And the interesting thing about these features, from an aesthetic standpoint, is that they create an incredibly alluring look with a minimum of "design" required on the hobbyists part. Remember, you can to put together a substrate with a perfect aesthetic mix of colors and textures, but that's about it. We have to "cede" some of the "work" to nature at that point!

Once it's in place, nature takes over and the materials develop that lovely "patina" of biofilms and microbial growth, and start breaking down, are moved by fishes, or otherwise slowly redistributed around the aquarium.

A literal "active substrate", indeed! Yet, something that is fascinating and beautiful for those who give the idea a shot!

This is a big aesthetic shift in the hobby, but it goes beyond that.

I mean, sure, we've done hardscapes before, with wood and stones dominating the 'scape. However, our tanks have placed far more emphasis on the "functional" aspects of the botanical materials we use.

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 of our 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.

They've become not only physical places for fishes to hide and forage among- they've become an integral part of the entire closed aquarium ecosystem itself, helping influence water parameters, foster growth of fungi and microorganisms, and just maybe- some form of nutrient export/denitrification (although that last part is still a bit speculative).

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.

And, as we play more with botanicals, we're finding out more unique ways to work with interesting materials to create substrate-centric systems that check all the boxes: Functionality. Interest. Aesthetics. Stability.

We've talked about "functional aesthetics" created by botanicals in the aquarium, the potential for additional biological support/filtration (and potentially even denitrification), and it's a big, BIG topic, with lots more to be explored,  discovered and deployed in our aquarium...flirting with a "substrate-only" tank is one of those tantalizing, at first seemingly awkward, yet ultimately transformational little projects we can play with. 

Lots of cool things we can play with. Lots of cool experiments to do. Lately, I've been thinking of playing with our "Twenty Twigs" pack, mixed with a matrix of small leaves and botanicals, to be the entire scape in an aquarium. This could be interesting, I think!

Stuff like that truly pushes the boundaries between what we do al the time in the hobby, and those outer regions where few have tread before. There will be challenges, discoveries..and rewards for taking this road less travelled.

Who's in?

Stay excited! Stay unique. Stay adventurous. Stay creative. Stay undaunted...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Green Crush.

There is a real fascination that we as hobbyists have for aquatic plants.

Over the century or so of the "modern" period of the aquarium hobby, aquatic plants have evolved in their use from a strictly utilitarian purpose- helping to create a "balanced" aquarium (a concept popular in the early "modern" years of the hobby), or as "purifiers" or "conditioners" of water, to more of an aesthetic component. Indeed, becoming a sort of "sub-hobby" of their own!

That's kind of where we are now- an exciting, fascinating time.

Now, I'm one of those aquarists who will be the first to admit that he really doesn't know shit about aquatic plants. I mean, I know who to identify a handful of 'em, and perhaps some of the basic nutrient needs of plants...but that's about it. I really like plants, but for some reason, they never quite "grabbed me" like fishes did, or like the compositions of the whole aquatic environment have. And, being really into blackwater aquariums and the wild blackwater biotopes, plants have always been viewed by me as a sort of a minor component, if that.

However, I have played with them in blackwater tanks before- as have many of you.

It's fair to say that aquatic plants are not a huge part of the blackwater biotopes that we are attempting to replicate; however, they are present in some of these habitats; indeed, forming rather large aggregations, as in the Lufimi River in The Congo, as shared by our friend, Thomas MInesi.

Aquatic plants certainly look pretty cool, and have some definite value (besides just aesthetics) that warrants their inclusion in our tanks. I see more and more hobbyists playing with live plants in blackwater botanical-style aquariums, and I think it's great! I hope to see more and more of this! There is a lot to learn here.

And yeah, I do have an affection for some plants. A real "green crush", if you will.

And there are some plants, like some fishes, which I have a very soft spot in my heart for, as this story will relate...

I grew up in a "fishy household." My dad was an avid breeder of fancy guppies (Blue Delta Tails, specifically). From my earliest years, aquariums filled with guppies were a part of my life. 

And he, like me, was an avid reader of aquarium literature, and had an extensive library of fish books of the day. I spent many hours perusing them as soon as I was old enough to read!  Most of these books were vintage 1960's, a sort of "golden age" for the aquarium hobby, when all sorts of interesting developments and advances were happening. Looking back, or even re-reading some of these now classic aquarium books reveals a lot of interesting "pearls of wisdom" which are often still applicable today.

I specifically loved reading about how breeders were setting up their aquariums for optimal functionality. This included information like tank size, filtration, husbandry, stocking...and the use of aquatic plants. One of the things I read over and over in my dad's guppy books was that most of the best breeders at the time felt strongly about the use of plants in their breeding tanks, specifically Water Sprite, Ceratopteris thalictroides.

This plant was quite revered among guppy breeders. In fact, the common sentiment of the day was that, "If (your) Water Sprite grows well, so will the fish!" And even more general, "If you water is good enough for a healthy growth of Water Sprite, it will be perfect for guppies..."

There were even statements about how the top breeders of the day revered Water Sprite for it's "purification" properties...

Interesting. 

I have wondered for years what it was about this plant which inspired such devotion among the guppy elite of the 1960's, and why this plant is still associated with them. With all of the attributes and strong statements made about Water Sprite, there must be something special about it, right? Some kind of "magic" or something?

What inspired- and inspires- such strong sentiments about Water Sprite?

I suppose that it's not really that unusual a set of statements, when you think about it. I mean, if the water that you use in your aquariums supports healthy plant growth, it makes sense that it would be likely be acceptable to keep fish in. And of course, rapidly-growing plants do remove CO2, nitrate, and other organic nutrients from the water, right?

In today's era of "high-tech/high concept" planted tanks, Water Sprite is equally loved as easy to grow, and reviled as a plant that can take over your tank if not tended to regularly. Now, is there some specific thing about Water Sprite that makes it extraordinary for guppies?

Well, it IS versatile.

It can live in temperate and tropical water temps easily. It can grow immersed or emersed. It can grow rooted in soil, or floating freely in the water column. It can grow in both soft and hard water; alkaline and acidic...Hmmmm....could this beauty be one to use in a blackwater aquarium? I have even kept it a number of times in relatively low-specific gravity brackish water (1.003-1.005) and it grew just fine, BTW...

Like most plants, it can remove nutrients from the water via its root system. It's fast growth and efficient nutrient uptake helps it outcompete many nuisance algae growths in the aquarium, which is always a plus in well-fed grow-out tanks. The plant's reproductive technique is similar to other ferns: small "adventitious plantlet" grow on the mother plant and are then released when they are ready to grow independently.

I suppose the big benefit of this plant for guppies, specifically, is that it grows rapidly with minimal amounts of care, can provide protection, physical separation, and shade for young fishes. And, by virtue of it's fern-like morphology, it can retain bits of food for fishes to forage upon (a good and bad thing, depending upon how you look at it!).

I'm afraid that there is no real "magic" to Water Sprite other than the fact that it's all-around awesome. Oh, and the fact that you need not be a hardcore plant devotee to grow it well. And the fact that it's pretty adaptable. And that it can be grown in a number of ways.

Oh, and it happens to look really nice!

I think that its attachment to guppies is largely...well, sentimental in nature. It's continuously recommended for guppy tanks over virtually all other plants because it's sort of a "tradition" to do so. And, like many hobby traditions, this practice is likely based more on an emotional attachment to this plant than for any specific reason. A real "green crush."

Maybe THAT is the magic.

And quite frankly, there's nothing wrong with that.

Stay sentimental. Stay enthusiastic. Stay excited. Stay engaged. Stay inquisitive...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The "art" of the Enigma!

Okay, I have to admit, occasionally I will write a post that is, well, overtly commercial. You know, those kinds of posts where there is little I could do other than to discuss something that is about our business. 

Well, today is one of those days, but I think it's about something that you've really enjoyed, so maybe we get a "pass" for that? 

One of the best things about Tannin (if I say so myself) is that we have a variety of botanical materials which we can all combine in an almost unlimited number of combinations for a wide variety of aquatic applications. When we first began, I knew that the almost bewildering variety of stuff necessitated some curated "variety packs", intended to create certain effects, or suited for specific applications; even inspired by types of fish or habitats.

Yet, I realized that it would still be a really good thing to create a way to be a "consultant" and offer fellow aquatic hobbyists a variety of custom-curated botanicals tailored to their specific needs...and thus, the Tannin "Enigma Pack" was born! And of course, a big part of the fun of this pack is that you never know what you're getting until you receive it. 

Oh, and you're pretty much assured that you'll receive more stuff than you paid for! One of the best things about the "Enigma Pack!"😆

Everyone loves a good mystery, now and again, right?

One thing that you are guaranteed is that your "Enigma Pack" will contain an assortment of cool stuff selected from our website collection...but you won't know exactly WHAT until you receive it! We get to geek out and "deep dive" into whatever it is that you're into, and select stuff that WE would want for your stated purposes if it was for our own tanks! 

Yeah, it's as much fun for us to select your stuff as we think it will be for you to work with it! 

And the beauty of it is that we will customize your pack for your specific needs! Looking to keep that cool Apisto from that unique environmental niche? We'll select stuff for that! Trying to develop a 'scape that only features botanicals which can also serve as hiding places for fishes? We can do that! Need a selection of stuff for your Axolotls? We'll select the stuff which works best for them. Want to build a botanical variety around "Savu Pods?"

On it.

Maybe, you are totally into botanicals, and are simply looking for a little "gift" for yourself- a surprise for a new project...Or, maybe a gift for your fish geek buddy or an item for the aquarium club raffle...

So, yeah, we can do THAT. Whatever "that" might be! 

Our thinking is that you likely know the overall idea or need that you have, and we're privileged to do some custom curation for you within our extensive botanical collection. 

So, what are some things you can do to help us curate the best possible "Enigma Pack" for you? Here's are a few more questions that you might want to consider when advising us about yours:

1) Let us know the size of the aquarium(s) you're working with. Are the botanicals intended to compliment or provide foraging, shelter, or spawning sites for specific fishes?

2) Are you looking for the botanicals to be the "dominant" role in your tank, or just be part of the "supporting cast?"

3) Are your trying to adhere specifically to materials found in a given biotope, or are you okay with a "biotope-inspired" selection? (Remember, while many of our materials have their origin in a specific region, they might not all find their way into aquatic habitats in said region...)

4) Are there items that you DON'T want included in your pack?

5) Are you attempting to create a very "tinted" look, or to influence the water chemistry in your tank, or is your intent simply to have botanicals in the aquarium, with "tint" being a secondary consideration?

6) Do you want larger or smaller botanical items in your pack? Specific colors? 

7) Did you want only items from a specific geographical region? 

8) Is your intent to use all the materials in the "initial installation", or do you need to have enough materials to replenish those that break down?

9) Are you only looking for botanicals, or would you like us to include some other, non-botanical "stuff" in your pack? (stickers, gear...coffee?)

10) Is this pack a gift for someone else, or just for you? 

Obviously, these are merely a few of the many questions that you might want to consider when you order your "Enigma Pack", as it's really all about YOU, er, your fishes... 😆

Just let us know what you need.

It's really as much fun for us to create these packs as we hope it is for you to receive and work with them! It's all about fun, trying something different; inspiring creativity! And we admit, we LOVE seeing your pics and videos on Facebook and Instagram, (we love when you use the hashtags #enigmapack, or #tanninenigmapack , by the way!) showing the "unboxing" and those sexy "arrangements" you do before you utilize them in your tanks! Oh, and no one ever gets tired of those prep pics, and of course, the aquatic displays you create!  

It's all about fun, creativity...and sharing.

There is no mystery to that!

What can we curate for YOU?

Stay excited. Stay creative. Stay engaged. Stay unique...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Food from within: The botanical-style aquarium and "feeding optimization"

Pretty much every one of us has had a period of time when we couldn't feed our fishes. Maybe we were out of town. Maybe work got in the way...maybe we just got lazy!

It's not all that uncommon. And of course, it's been very widely known that fishes can go a while without eating. In fact, it's not only perfectly fine- it is, in many ways, a sort of replication of what happens in their natural environment, right? I mean, does every fish find all the food it wants every day?

Probably not.

Now, sure, fishes tend to migrate to where the food sources are. Now, we've talked extensively in several blog posts over the past couple of years about the idea of allochthonous input (literally, food from the sky, lol) and how it impacts the feeding habits of many fishes, as well as their social and behavioral habits, and what could loosely be referred to as their "migratory patterns."

It's long been known that fishes which inhabit the flooded forest floors (igapo) of Amazonia, for example, tend to literally "follow the food" and move into new areas where greater feeding opportunities exist, and will even adjust their dietary preferences seasonally to accommodate the available foods.

In this instance, it typically means areas of the forest where overhanging vegetation offers falling peices of fruit, seeds, nuts, plant parts, and the occasional clumsy insect, like an ant or small beetle, which falls from the branches of said vegetation.

So, here is where the idea gets interesting to me:

I think that our botanical-style aquariums are truly "optimized" for providing supplemental food resources for our fishes, especially when we "forget" to feed them directly. Decomposing leaves and botanicals form a "substrate" for fungal growth, microorganisms (like Paramecium, Euglena, etc.), small crustaceans (like Daphnia, Gammarus, etc.) and worms.

Algal films and bacterial biofilms are a food source for not only the aforementioned organisms, but many fishes. And of course, for fishes ranging from catfishes to barbs to livebearers, the botanicals and leaves themselves (and the detritus they produce as they decompose) form a "direct food" for fishes.  

All of these food sources are important to fishes at all stages of heir lives. We've all seen this before in planted aquariums, where baby fishes will find plenty of supplemental foods.

Macrophytes- aquatic plants which grow in and around the water, emerged, submerged, floating, etc., contribute to the physical structure and spatial organization of the water bodies they inhabit, and they are primary contributors to the overall biological stability of the habitat, conditioning the physical parameters of the water.

Of course, anyone who keeps a planted aquarium could attest to that, right? 

One of the interesting things about macrophytes is that, although there are a lot of fishes which feed directly upon them, the plants themselves are perhaps most valuable as a microhabitat for algae, zooplankton, and other organisms upon which fishes feed on. Small aquatic crustaceans seek out the shelter of plants for both the food resources they provide (i.e.; zooplankton, diatoms) and for protection from predators (yeah, the fishes!). 

So, those "jungle style" tanks have a very functional aspect to them! 

And leaf litter, botanical materials, etc. serve as perfect  shelter for these macrophytes to grow and multiply as mentioned above. And where you find these life forms...you find fishes. Often, baby fishes.

So, in my opinion, it goes without saying that a botanical-style blackwater or brackish aquarium would be an optimized system for feeding fry of many fishes, right?

We talked about killifishes and keeping them in permanent, biotope-inspired tanks, and I think you can stretch it and suggest that many different fishes can be kept in botanical-influenced tanks for the specific purpose of offering supplemental foods for fry...and adults.

I'd like to see more aquariums set up in a botanical-dense style for the specific purpose of providing an "in-tank refugium" of sorts for feeding baby fishes. You could "inoculate" the botanical bed with cultures of microorganisms and crustaceans and let the tank run in a bit before adding fishes.

Those botanical beds we utilize as part of our "functional aquascaping" practice will lead the way in creating unique rearing systems for a variety of fishes.

I suppose one could actually breed the fishes (as in the case of killies, for example) in the setup, or you could transfer newly-hatched fry into the aquarium for rearing. 

The possibilities for productive (or, reproductive, as the case may be!) experimentation are endless! And the potential breakthroughs for spawning, rearing, and grow-out for many fishes previously considered difficult or challenging are many!

We've talked about this concept of botanical-style aquariums as vehicles of "feeding optimization" before, and I believe it's time for us to do some more work in this area!

Who's in?

Stay bold. Stay creative. Stay diligent. Stay curious...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics