The Tint

Some of the most compelling natural aquatic habitats occur when a tree or its branches or roots fall into the water. To see how they impact the aquatic environment and it’s inhabitants offers compelling and inspiring lessons on Nature. Lessons that we can use to transform our aquariums into functional-aesthetic masterpieces!

You think that you’re not a “pioneer” of sorts when you set up a botanical-style aquarium? You think it’s all predictable and fully in our control? Don’t want to cede some of the work to Nature and accept her aesthetic input? Thinking about starting one of these tanks with that mindset will trip you up. Don’t even THINK about setting one up.. really!

We all have a responsibility in this hobby. A responsibility to educate ourselves, to ask questions.. to share experiences. It’s how we grow. How we create process, and manage and understand expectations.

Scott And Johnny Ciotti dive deep into some of our fave topics, and then answer some listener’s questions in a podcast that’s full of fire! AND- a first look at “Shade”- Tannin’s upcoming new product!!

Don’t get stuck if you’re trying to replicate a certain environmental niche in your aquarium and you just can’t find that exact plant, wood, leaf, etc... study your habitat well, think about how it formed... and look for “analogs!”

You can’t guarantee too many things in this hobby.. or can you? Here’s a look at what happens when you temp fate- and the aquarium “gods” by pushing your luck too far!

There is something very compelling about taking a small tank that’s working well and “scaling it up” to something bigger. In this quick one, I share one of my fave tanks and the idea I have of replicating it on a larger scale!

I think it’s time to look at natural aquatic habitats and ask ourselves WHY various fishes live in them. It’s time to examine what dress them to a certain habitat at a certain time. It’s a key “unlock” that we can all learn from.. and it’s an interesting way to develop a stocking plan- or sequence- for your botanical- style aquarium!

On this special edition of “The Tint”, we’re joined by my good friend and fellow botanical- style aquarium geek, James Sheen! Just a fun, wide-ranging discussion on all sorts of botanical stuff! Join in the geekiness!

Have you ever thought about how water reaches your favorite aquatic ecosystem? Moreover, have you considered how the surrounding geography and geology impacts the composition of the water? What are the implications for studying and replicating some of these processes in the aquarium?