We’ve talked about some interesting concepts over the years, but few are as potentially important to us botanical-style aquarium geeks as the idea of our tanks cultivating natural foods for our fishes. Let’s look again at the ridiculous simplicity of this idea, and the benefits it brings us!

Okay, this one might be tough to listen to for some. Let’s face it: The aquarium hobby, while not difficult- isn’t “easy.” It shouldn’t be! We’re taking on the responsibility of caring for live animals. We can’t dumb this stuff down. We need to learn some fundamentals. And those of us in the industry, or content creators, need to level up our game. We’ve got this…

The idea of terrestrial materials accumulating in your aquarium is fundamental to our practice. It literally builds up the biome of our aquariums. Letting this happen is a tough mental shift to make- but an essential one.

The “D word!” A bad thing? Or just another phenomenon which our fishes have adapted to work with. I’m thinking that a little disruption in our tanks from time to time isn’t such a bad thing. It might even be a benefit!

Sometimes, the most challenging aspects of trying different approaches to aquarium keeping are mental. They task us to accept stuff which likely freaks out 90% of the aquarium world. The challenge- as we see it- is to push through.

Perhaps no idea we’ve discussed here in the past few years has created so much interest- and confusion- as the “Urban Igapo” it’s a dynamic, radical departure from what we are all familiar with- and that’s part of the appeal! A chance to learn about a unique transitional habitat, and an opportunity to make mental shifts which will enhance your hobby experience!

WARNING: This podcast may piss you off. It’s my opinion- and I’m quite opinionated- that there are some personality types who you need to be on the alert for in the hobby. People who will bring you down- because that’s what they do best. No sugar coating here! We need to talk about this!

Botanicals have a surprising capability to alter the aquatic environments in which they are placed. How capable? It varies. There is a lot of misunderstanding about what botanicals can and cannot do.let’s give a little time to this topic today!

Algae, biofilms, detritus… words that stroke fear into many hobbyists. Why? Because we’ve always been told that they’re a “problem?” Or because they are REALLY a problem? Perhaps they’re not- and perhaps we simply need to make a mental shift to accept them!

Botanical materials have a profound impact on the aquarium environment and ecosystem. There is so much that we have to learned- yet so much more to really grasp this concept.