The Tint

An aquarium is not just a static thing. Sure, we “build” it- or part of it. Yet, it’s a process- a slow, deliberate one- in which Nature takes the lead. To try to rich things is to deny our aquariums the chance to evolve as Nature intends them to...

Yeah, in 5 plus years of doing “The Tint”, I never did a series on how, specifically, I personally start and manage my botanical-style tanks! Let’s change that and start this party! We’ll literally start at the bottom- substrates, and my approach!

Okay, I’m no chemistry guru, but I do have a slight working knowledge about the topic as it relates to our botanical-style aquariums. Let’s touch on a couple of common water chemistry questions that we receive here...

It’s fundamental. Adding botanical materials to our aquariums is a way to replicate many functional aspects of Nature. We know this. The general hobby needs to know this.

We’ve all seen and encounters them: Those aquarium hobbyists who always seem to have it out for you. Those who are ready to offer all kinds of “advice”, or “suggestions” those who genuinely want to help. And those who will steer you down some weird path, just because.. here our concise guide to taking stuff in the hobby with a grain of salt!

We’ve all had it happen. You score that incredibly rare fish at the LFS, show, or auction.. and it was sold as something far more “common.” Yeah, you scored! Feel guilty? Exhilarated? Or just content? How’d it work out?

These is something about brackish water aquariums that I just can’t pull myself away from. Maybe it’s the salt? Perhaps it’s the Mangroves! Likely, it’s the “ecosystem” approach- the botanical-style brackish water aquarium. An idea who’s time has come!

We in the aquarium hobby glorify the perfect. The polished. The finished. We’re seemingly afraid to share anything which doesn’t meet some preconceived notions of how a tank is supposed to be. What a shame.

Don’t call me am aquascaper! Maybe I’m Nature’s “interpreter” or something. But I’m definitely not an “aquascaper” in the “traditional sense!”

We can and should question the way things are done in the hobby...and why they are done that way. We can explore what Nature does. Understand Her. However, we should never try to “outsmart” Her. We can’t. And that’s okay.