We receive a lot of questions asking stuff like, “What botanicals are appropriate for an aquarium intended to replicate_____?” The answer? In short, almost all of them! And the processes which govern their function in our tanks are the same everywhere on the planet- a fascinating thing, when you think about it, right?

We receive a lot of questions about how much botanical materials should be added to our aquariums, and how quickly. The answer is a tale of cadence, nuance, tempo, observation, and patience.

Ever want to try something new but are a bit put off by the process of starting 100% from scratch? You don’t have to. As always, if we observe how Nature evolves habitats, we find that the answers are right in front of us!

There’s more to aquarium substrates than sand or gravel.. well, there SHOULD be! Let’s talk about some ideas and how’s and why’s behind this idea!

There are some real mental shifts that we as botanical-style aquarists are asked to make. And they’re not all that bad, or difficult. We just have to look to Nature for the reassurance that we need!

It’s amazing what we do as hobbyists. It takes a certain mindset to keep live tropical fishes in little glass boxes of water. It takes skill, dedication, and audacity. There are good and bad forms of audacity in this hobby- and a time to apply them.

Every aquarist needs a little place where he or she can keep a few little tanks, play with some new ideas, and turn dreams into little realities. Enter the “idea shelf!”

There is tremendous value in letting go of convention. To playing hunches, exploring new avenues, approaches, and ideas. Experimenting. Do this.

Manipulation of pH in botanical- style aquariums is a sort of basic “tenant” to what we do. Yet, the concept- and indeed the execution- are both filled with a significant amount of assumption, misunderstanding, and confusion. Maybe we can clear up a few things?