The Tint

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.

Understanding that botanicals- in all of their ephemeral glory- are key components of an aquatic ecology in our aquariums is fundamental to all we do. These materials comprise a “fuel” for all of the biological processes which the fishes and other organisms we keep depend upon.

The botanical-style aquarium is a methodology- an approach to creating ecologically diverse, functional, and aesthetically unique aquariums. Let’s review some of the basic core components of our methodology and philosophy!

One of the best parts of the natural aquarium hobby is studying intersting habitats which can be replicated in the aquarium. The “Morichal” habitats of South America are just such a habitat worth studying and replicating in the aquarium. Home to a diversity of well-known aquarium fishes, and possessing fascinating physical characteristics, the Morichal is a fascinating and exciting habitat to replicate in our tanks!

We talk a lot about feeding fishes and culturing live foods for them in the aquarium hobby. However, we don’t often talk about the idea of setting up aquariums and stocking them based upon the feeding habits of our subject fishes. Let’s open that dialogue!