Okay, I admit.. for a lot of my fish keeping “career”, I wasn’t the relatively calm, we’ll adjust aquarist you hear everyday. I was a bit of a nervous wreck.. almost a “drama queen” about stuff with my tanks. Then, I turned to the botanical method aquarium and things changed…

The aquarium hobby progresses constantly- borrowing from past discoveries, techniques, and technology. It’s how the hobby moves forwards. Think about some of the stuff from the past that still drives progression in the hobby today…

Our hobby has an amazing history. A history formed by thousands of unnamed hobbyists plying their craft- and by a few legendary “players” making breakthroughs that transcend time. Who are your hobby “influencers? What did they teach you which resonates with you?

Sometimes, unexpected stuff happens in our aquariums. Stuff way beyond our current skill set of body of experience. Stuff which pushes us- and shapes us.

The foundation for all that we do is ecology.. And the systems that we create in our aquariums are absolutely dependent upon an “operating system” which a nature creates and manages. We need to play nice with Her…

Most of us know what to expect when getting into botanical method aquariums. Some of us don’t.. and this one’s for you.

With all of the new exposure of botanical method aquariums in our world, we keep getting questions from this unfamiliar to our practice about the “cleanliness” of our botanical method tanks. Let’s clarify it!

You think there are no “sure things” in the aquarium hobby? I beg to differ with you. There ARE “sure things” in abundance- and most of ‘em ain’t good! Let’s go over a few “certainties” that you just don’t want to go up against!

The aquarium hobby is supposed to be fun. It’s not supposed to be a competition, or pressure and anxiety-inducing venture. Yet, for many hobbyists, it’s become just that. Here’s some tips on how to avoid getting caught in that nasty spiral- from a guy who’s been there- so that you can have an e table lifelong hobby experience!

Palm trees are pretty much the “Official Symbol of The Tropics!” They are fascinating trees, and the sheer number of materials and uses they can provide for the botanical method aquarium enthusiast is enormous. Let’s look at what the plans provide, and how we can incorporate them in a realistic representation of the (aquatic!) habitats in which they are often found!