The Tint

I can’t help but wonder what it is that brings various fishes to a certain location of niche within an environment. In this episode, we contemplate stocking of our aquariums in a more natural sequence. Blurring the lines, for sure!

It’s time to push out our botanical aquarium “practice” and express Nature in a more “literal” way. That means not-so-spotless aquariums, turbid water; more decomposing materials. It’ll challenge our aesthetic sensibilities, our skills, and our patience. However, the potential benefits of this “blurring of the lines” between Nature and aquarium are manifold and exciting! Go next level!

Sure, it’s hardly a mystery that Nature offers tons of materials that we can play with in our aquariums. In this episode, we get into the basics of “doing it yourself”- and Scott delivers a bit of “tough love” on taking the responsibility to research...

I love looking at aquarium “movements” and techniques. I love seeing them rise to prominence and being embraced in our work. The so-called “Walstad Method” provides an amazing context for our botanical-style aquariums- and we need to study it more closely....

The philosophy of meeting Nature where it is, and appreciating the constant changes occurring in a natural aquarium is fundamental to what we do. No where in the aquarium world is this more evident than in the botanical-style natural method that we love...

Let’s be a bit more accurate- less “superficial”- in our interpretations of the natural aquatic habitats of the world! You might just fall in love...

The continuous replacement and supplementation of leaves and botanicals as they break down is a sort of process...it not only creates a continuously evolving aesthetic- it helps maintain biological diversity and stability in the aquarium...

It’s logical to imply that botanicals, wood, and other materials, which we utilize in our aquascapes not only have an aesthetic impact- but a consequential physical-chemical impact on the overall aquatic environmental, as well. Could the concept of “terroir”, which applies to wine or coffee, apply to botanicals?

For some reason, the “myth” exists that simply adding a bunch of catappa leaves or botanicals to your aquarium filled with hard, alkaline tap water will create instant, nature-like conditions. Hey, I hate to be the buzzkill, but...Let’s talk about how this process really works- and how you CAN get there...

If there’s one thing that lovers of the botanical-style aquarium can’t seem to agree upon, its whether or not to remove botanicals as they break down. Today, a little breakdown on stuff that breaks down- and the case for leaving it in your tank!