The Tint

The connection between the aquatic and the terrestrial environments is most eloquently demonstrated by observing what happens to a leaf when it falls into a body of water. The processes which occur that break down leaves carry profound implications for our botanical-style aquariums. Let’s look at the process a bit more closely.

Nature is filled with many amazing ecological niches and aquatic habitats which fishes reside in, which are seldom, if ever replicated in aquariums. Let’s discuss just a few unusual ones that you might want to research more- and create cool aquariums representing them!

The term “blackwater” in the aquarium context is as confusing and misunderstood as it is fascinating and engaging. What exactly IS blackwater, how does it form and what are the keys to recreating the blackwater environment in our aquariums?

On occasion, it’s important to look back at why things might be “off” with your hobby experience. I get a lot of good feedback from hobbyists who were burned out until they “discovered” Tannin... why is this? Let’s dig a bit...

Some fishes get the label of “difficult” or “challenging.” Are they really? Or, could it be that they simply task us to meet THEIR needs instead of ours? Let’s look at how to deal with “difficult” fishes in our work and prove that THERE ARE NO DIFFICULT FISHES!😎

An aquarium is an ecosystem. This is something we have known for a century or more. That’s not new. Yet, the idea of embracing the processes which occurs to build our little ecosystems- to facilitate all of this stuff... is.

Where does aesthetics fit in with the botanical-style aquarium approach? What does it mean, and why are we only now, as a hobby, starting to embrace the idea of truly natural aquariums?

There is something compelling, alluring, and utterly beautiful about the temporary nature of botanical materials when they’re exposed to water. And there is something equally as alluring about ephemeral aquatic habitats. There is so much to learn, embrace, and enjoy about things that are ephemeral in aquatic ecosystems.

Seems like it’s common practice in the hobby to include some Otocinculus or other catfishes and snails as “scavengers” or “cleanup crews”, right? It seems like a cool idea.. but it actually belies a sort of “dark side” that we need to consider...

The idea of embracing the development of food webs within our aquariums to provide supplemental nutrition for our fishes is an integral part of the botanical-style aquarium methodology. It’s an amazing gift from Nature that we as aquarists are only now starting to appreciate!