Botanical “style” aquariums.. I maybe shouldn’t have selected the word “style” to describe this methodology. Words have multiple meanings, consequences, and interpretations. We in the hobby need to be a bit more careful with the words we use, how we use them- and the assumptions that arise.

Yeah, it’s about time I dove into this topic. Here are my first few faves. I hope this doesn’t become another one of those morning “top 10” things. Nah, it won’t be- trust me!

Let’s try something a little different with our next aquarium.. a sort of “one way” version of our “Urban Igapo” concept.. huh? Interested, confused...or both? Check it out!

Yeah, we’re obsessed with substrates. You kinda knew that. And our “NatureBase” substrates are becoming pretty popular! And of course, there are a lot of questions about what makes these sedimented substrates tick! Let’s hit on a few!

Bigger is NOT always “better” in the aquarium hobby. In fact, it’s often worse. Let’s look at the pros and cons of “modest sized” aquariums!

Little, shallow, often ephemeral aquatic habitats are compelling, fascinating, and enjoyable to replicate in both form and function in our aquariums! Yeah, we should be doing more of this...

In the aquarium hobby, we need to compromise, accommodate- to be flexible. And that’s not always a bad thing. In Nature, fishes need to be flexible to adapt to a changing environment.. we should, too. Because when we’re open to being flexible, all kinds of good stuff can happen!

The idea of keeping substrate intact as we “remodel” our tanks shouldn’t be seen as “weird.” When you view the substrate as a living, breathing entity, it makes a ton of sense you preserve it and continue with it, right?

Yeah, it sounds a bit “Star Trek-y”, but it’s an important thing to discuss: The idea of truly trying stuff in aquariums that hasn’t been tried before. Questioning “them” and your reasons for ever hesitating. Questioning “conventions” of aquarium practice...not just to be rebellious- but to push the state of the art in aquarium keeping for the benefit of the hobby, our passions- and our fishes!

The idea of “operating” our tanks via environmental manipulation and other practices is not new to fish breeders. However, to the biotope-inspired aquarist, these practices go beyond just recreating a “look”- they’re perhaps the ultimate expression of an aquarium which functions like Nature does...