The Tint

The botanical-style aquarium approach, although yielding a rather unorthodox-appearing tank, is optimized to “run on autopilot” now and again. If “life happens” and you miss that water exchange, or forget to feed your fish… you won’t experience a “crash.” Your tank has got your back!

I think that, in our zeal to “correct” what we see as “problems” in our aquariums, we sometimes create new ones! The idea of looking at “problems”, their root causes, and the way that we approach them requires some fundamental perception shifts in our hobby. As usual, I think the botanical-style aquariums that we embrace here provide the “education” we need to look at many so-called “problems” through a different “lens”.

The idea of a “botanical-style” brackish water aquarium is not only compelling- it’s the logical extension of the work we do in the freshwater world. The key to creating more unique brackish water systems is to apply our “function first” mindset to the game. Here’s a little “primer” to get your creative juices flowing!

Doing things differently requires us to be bold. To take on risk. To face criticism. Some of it is constructive- some not nice. Yet it goes with the territory when you go against what is common and accepted. Be brave.

New to the botanical-style aquarium world? Perhaps a little discussion about what to expect is just what you need!

We love the fact that so many hobbyists are trying botanical-style/blackwater aquariums. Yet, that term “blackwater” seems to mean different things to the hobbyist that it does to the scientist? What’s it mean? What do we call every tank with tinted water a “blackwater aquarium?” What can we learn here?

Few fish are influenced as deeply and profoundly by their environment as killifishes are. They’re the perfect “case study” for the concept of “environmental intimacy”, and a perfect group of fishes which can garner more popularity if we explore their husbandry with a different mindset!

Substrates are perhaps one of the most dynamic aspects of an aquarium. They are not just there for looks; rather, they foster an enormous amount of biodiversity, and okay a huge role in the evolution and function of the botanical-style aquarium.

The idea of employing “filtration” in botanical-style aquariums makes perfect sense. You can use all sorts of filters. However, when we think of the very aquarium and the micro biome it contains as the “filter” in our aquarium, not only does it mess with our head- it starts changing the way we think about “filtration”

It’s been 6 years since Tannin Aquatics has launched, plowing the unknown seas of this unique botanical-style approach to aquariums. Thanks to you being fearless, and making mental shifts, this little hobby segment is more popular than ever!