The Tint

The hobby is truly a journey. And the best journeys start with not only knowledge of-and a desire to get to- the destination, but with an understanding of what it takes to get there. In the aquarium hobby, it seems that many have tried to run before they learned to walk. We can fix this- for the future of the hobby. Here’s how.

There is something utterly compelling about the little books and crannies in Nature where roots, branches, leaves, and sediments accumulate. Fishes are drawn to them- as are fish geeks! So, why not replicate them in functional detail in the aquarium?

Much like our obsession with botanical-style blackwater aquariums, the charms of brackish water ecosystems are irresistible to us! Studying the form and function of these habitats unlocks a ton of secrets- and parallels some of our freshwater work! Time to look at brackish- from the bottom up!!

A tree falls in the forest. Water comes, inundating the habitat. Fishes follow, exploring this newly aquatic habitat. How can we replicate the function of this process in the aquarium?

Let’s keep at our 2020 theme of cutting through the clutter of misinformation that’s out there in botanical-style aquariums! In today’s podcast, we look at some of the most common “myths” out there about these types of aquariums and look at the facts! Great for sharing with friends eager to jump in to this cool hobby speacialty!

Of all of the fishes that we play with in the hobby, perhaps none has been as widely misunderstood as the molly- or the group of fishes that we collectively refer to as “mollies!” Are they BRACKISH fishes? Well, yes- and no. Let’s unravel, at least a tiny bit- the “molly mystique” and try to get to the truth!

We need to stop being so hardcore in our “interpretations of Nature” and appreciate the effort-and passion- that helps create them. Time to call out the BS of dogmatic thinking and get back to having FUN!

Yeah, it’s time to let go of some old notions. It’s time to think about stuff like our old friend, detritus. By looking at this stuff as an important, even vital part of Nature- and the aquarium.

The aquarium hobby is as much a journey as it is anything else. And journeys involve experiencing the known and the unknown. As experienced hobbyists we know a lot. Sometimes perhaps too much. The beginner, on the other hand, doesn’t. He or she enjoys things differently. Could we benefit from a “mental rewind?”

It’s a new year! Time for our “state of the tint” report to you- our global community! Part blog, part informercial, and entirely “is”- here’s our look ahead for 2020!