The Tint

August 06, 2017

And then...there were none.

This title definitely sounds very "Hitchcock-like", but it's very apropos, IMHO...

Ever notice how some fishes are sort of…well…Man, I really hate to use the phrase, but kinda…expendable? Or maybe a better term is “predictably temporary"- in our aquariums?

Yikes, that sounds so harsh, and I kinda feel bad for even couching it in these terms- but I think you may understand what I’m getting at here. I mean, there are some fishes that you can add to your tank that are seemingly “programmed” to…vanish…like, without a trace. And I’m not talking just about that rare snail or the odd "African Frog" (remember those?). Oh, no- we’re talking about fishes that are rather common in the trade…for whatever reason, they seem to follow an almost predetermined path to their own end…weird, right?

My friend Dave calls them “doinkers”- fishes that tend to just be there one day and mysteriously gone the next. Perfect name for them, actually. I think author Bob Fenner used to call ‘em “Aqua Popcorn”- same thing, different expression…Animals that are seemingly there and alive one minute, then vanishing like this month’s favorite Snapchat celebrity the next..Generally without a trace or clue as to what happened.

Here, in no particular order, are some of the most common “predictably temporary” fishes I’ve personally encountered- no doubt you have many more..it’s your job to continue this list as you see fit:

Neon Tetras: These are pretty much the “poster child” for vanishing fish. You start out with like 6-8 in your tank, and they form an impressive little shoal…for like, oh..3 days. Then, without any reason…they start to...vanish. They just freakin’ disappear, right? I mean, you wake up one morning, and there are 5 of ‘em…and then 4, and then…Eventually, you’ll just end up with one or two…interestingly, in a strange twist on teen "slasher movie-style" plots, often the weakest-looking, most meek ones always seem to survive. Really, who maintains a school of like 20 of them for two or three years, never having to bring in replacements? Oh, sure there are probably a few of you out there, but for most of us, they’re a true enigma. (EXTRA CREDIT: Substitute the Cardinal Tetra as needed...)

Otocinculus Catfish: C’mon, everyone loves them, but they are another one of those fishes that just sort of “fade to black” over time…And I don’t know how long you manage to keep them. Don’t matter which species, either: They just…fade. Sure, they seem to establish themselves just fine, finding an “algae groove” in your tank to feast on They seem to hang on for a time, looking and acting great, and then one day, they just sort of disappear, one by one...failing to emerge from the plants. Until there are...none. Bizarre. But predictable.

White Cloud: Ohh, another one guaranteed to just sort of “bail” on you…You add a few of the little cuties with the best of intentions to your tank. They provide the predictable aesthetic you want for a few weeks…then it happens. They check out immediately, like a vendor on the last day of the ACA conference who sold out all of her Apistos…gone. See ya! And they don’t ever turn up. Yet we keep them- year after year- and they’re so...inexpensive, right- so we replace them when they vanish…wondering what they’re up to…

"Assorted" Hatchetfishes: Okay, like the "generic" varieties- these are virtually the ultimate “programmed destruction” fishes, in my book. “I have no competition for them in my tank..They should be okay...” I used to hear fishkeepers say. Doesn’t mean anything, IMHO. And they shouldn't be viewed as "moderately easy to keep" characins, either. They have smaller mouths, are skittish...and they jump! Need we say more? They can be tricky to feed, too...They appear to pick at..something on the surface…as they begin their near-instant decline into oblivion. Sure, you’ll catch the occasional one apparently picking at…something. And this goes on for weeks..And they always look emaciated- on the verge of death…Sure, you’ll get the occasional fat, super hardy one that lives for a long time but most of them check in, and check out soon after. These fishes have the annoying and sad “habit” of practically being hit in the head with a piece of the right-sized food( often painstakingly placed there via hand by a desperate hobbyist in a last-ditch effort to get ‘em to eat), only to literally hobble right past the food, as if it has somewhere else to be..and it usually does: That "big aquarium in the sky."

Okay, so there are my top 4…

Man, I hate to think about it in these terms, but it’s almost like these fish are “activated carbon” or a “filter sock” for a lot of hobbyists: Many are cheap, have a very finite “service lifetime”, and are always available. Easy to replace. Sad to speak of living creatures like this, but it’s true. There is a reason why most of these are relatively “inexpensive”, as fishes go…although I wonder how they fell into this category in the first place? Perhaps they are so abundant and easy to catch in their wild environments, or breed so easily, that they are…taken for granted. Nah. Nope. Scratch that. That NEVER happens in the aquarium world, right?

Why do they vanish? Well, the reason or theories behind the reasons are many. IMHO, the most common reasons are the usual ones: Many of these are fishes that are recklessly caught poorly handled and fed along the chain of custody from river (or hatchery) to store, and in such weekend condition upon arrival at the LFS or vendor that they’re barely viable by the time the hapless (?) hobbyist gets ‘em. And of course, no one seems to quarantine anything these days, right- so they never have the chance to “fatten up” or recover from the rigors of their journey before being placed into a "community tank" with all sorts of competitors, dangers, and challenges…Many are not strong swimmers or aggressive feeders. It’s literally “sink or swim” for many of these poor animals. Sure, some make seemingly good recoveries and settle in…for a bit.

Problem is, most of these fishes are so weak- perhaps (as in the case of wild or newly imported Corys, characins, and some Apistos) dealing with intestinal parasites, or even the after-effects of the collection and shipping processes- that there is little more they can do than “rally” for a while before taking their cue and exiting.

Sad.

Now, some ARE handled well. And they eat at the LFS…and perhaps even in your tank. But they still take “the Stairway to Heaven”, as one of my fish-geek friends calls it- and bail quickly…or sooner, rather than later, at least. Why?

Who knows? Yet, each year, countless thousands of these types of fishes are sold…And the ones mentioned here are just some of the more common ones..There are thousands and thousands of fishes of different species that could easily fall into this “class”, so it’s not that unusual.

What can you do to help avoid this? Well, you could simply not buy any. Not the popular solution. Or you could quarantine them for a few weeks before adding them to your tank (even less popular). Or, you could just “dump and pray”, and hope that you have the one in a million Zebra Danio group that makes it through the long term like a contestant in a TV reality show. Or, you could simply support retailers who offer consistently healthy, well-acclimated fishes from great sources. It pays to investigate. You have choices for quality fishes, particularly specialized ones. Soon you'll have more.

So, the fact that some fishes mysteriously vanish is reason enough for a guy like me to replace them over and over again, regardless of the moral or ethical implications of doing so. It’s a challenge. So, if you’re gonna play the “doinker” game, consider doing all that you can to ensure success…specifically, selecting carefully, and employing some form of longer-term acclimation/quarantine…end maybe, in the case of wild fish, some sort of anti-parasitic purging of their digestive system…much has been written on these topics.

In the mean time, it IS sort of funny, in a dark sort of way, to “laugh through our tears” about the absurdly predictable path many of the fishes mentioned in this piece take! Sort of therapeautic, and I know many of you have some funny stories and anecdotes to share on the topic.

So, let’s lighten the mood, (after giving due consideration to how to get better outcomes, of course) and let’s hear your thoughts about and additions to the fishes on this list!

Until next time…Stay positive. Stay contemplative. Stay generous. Stay humorous.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

August 05, 2017

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Moving mindsets...one aquarium at a time.

It's interesting seeing how we are changing our perceptions as to how an aquarium "should" look.

As we've discussed before, for the longest time, to most aquarists, the term "blackwater aquarium" evoked images of dark, "dirty" brown water, decomposing leaves, and an overall "neglected" and somewhat "anomalous" image. Fast forward a couple of years, and we've sort of evolved and romanced the concept of a blackwater aquarium to the point where the perception is starting to shift...

Sure, there are still a lot of people who just don't like the aesthetic, and that's understandable. However, with more and more aquariums being created in the blackwater, botanical style, we're starting to see minds shift a little bit. Yes, images of dark water and decomposing leaves still dominate...Yet, there is an evolution of a philosophy that embraces the process- the process of leaves and botanicals breaking down to impart their tannins into the water. The understanding that this is a natural process, and should be embraced as part of the aesthetic and function of a blackwater system.

I believe that we're exiting the (no pun intended) long, dark phase of the greater aquarium world's perceptions that blackwater aquariums are a "side-show"; an excuse for a poorly managed system, or a dangerously precipitous path to disaster. Hobbyists are realizing that there is management required of these systems that is beyond just "dumping stuff into a tank and watching the water turn brown..." There are methods, ideas, operational guidelines. We've entered a phase of experimentation, where we are seeing and actually working towards, specific tangible results, such as spawnings of fish, etc. It's a very exciting time!

Aquarists who have no interest in blackwater aquariums of their now can at least understand that there is sort of a "method to our madness!" We as a community have been very open about sharing the good, bad, and the amazing in our blackwater obsession with the greater aquarium world. Now, when an aquarist sees one of our tinted tanks, he or she still may have an aversion to the look, but thanks to all of you, has a greater understanding and appreciation for what's actually happening in the aquarium, and why we are so obsessed with this stuff! And our enthusiasm is sort of contagious...

We're changing mindsets with each and every aquarium we share. Yup. one aquarium at a time.

Keep minding the craft. Keep sharing the art.

Stay obsessed. Stay engaged. Stay generous.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

August 03, 2017

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Embracing the tangible benefits of our blackwater world...

With a few years of experience under our collective belts as a community of blackwater, botanical-style aquarium enthusiasts, we are definitely starting to see some opinions, techniques, and yeas- tangible benefits that might be more than coincidence!

For example, not too long after we started offering our botanicals, hobbyists would report stuff like increased vigor, color, and most interesting of all...increased frequency of spawning. At first, I attributed this to a lot of things: Sheer coincidence of timing, ongoing expert care from the hobbyist, extra attention paid to the fishes because the aquarist just did a "tank makeover", or other random factors...

And then we noticed a pattern to these reports of "good stuff." Specifically, with fishes like Apistos, certain catfishes, Gouramis, wild Bettas, and some Characins, you'd see them display much more intense colors soon after they acclimated to the new blackwater conditions. And it's happened so frequently now that I no longer think it's sheer coincidence. Rather, I think it is the tangible result of providing our fishes which evolved in softer, acidic, blackwater habitats conditions more conducive to their health and natural behaviors.

This is not exactly earth-shattering, in terms of botanical materials creating positive impact for fishes. As we all know, better hobbyists and cichlid guys, killie breeders, and Characin enthusiasts have used materials like peat moss and Catappa leaves for many years to induce breeding. What I think is different nowadays is that we are incorporating the botanical materials as a permanent part of the environment for these fishes. We're building the aquarium system around the needs of the fishes, and the botanicals are a key part of the equation.

And I think that the manifold benefits of tannins and humic substances for our fishes, as confirmed by much scientific research over the past decade or so, are playing out more regularly as we continue to utilize materials containing these substances in our aquariums. Now, sure, you could keep things ridiculously simple and use a "tea" made from these things, or a commercially available "blackwater extract" and derive many of the same potential benefits for your fishes.

However, I think that the one thing that you will get by using the actual botanicals in your aquariums versus a simple additive is the behavioral benefits of having a "structural" aquascape that provides function as well as aesthetics. Our friend Mike Tuccinardi wrote an excellent guest blog on this very subject right here in "The Tint!" The observation is pretty straightforward, and the implications are important: Fishes adapted to living in habitats replete with botanical materials on the substrate and into the water column will simple respond in a more natural way to the presence of these materials. In this way, the botanical items provide shelter, territory, feeding and spawning surfaces for a variety of fishes.

I think we're seeing a gradual, but very tangible evolution in how we keep our fishes, and the benefits are becoming increasingly more apparent. And I think we will see more benefits when we breed- and rear- our fishes in water conditions provided by the botanical materials as well. That's an area yet to be thoroughly studied, and I'd love to see more of you breeders work on this. In fact, if you're contemplating rearing your fry in the same blackwater, botanical-influenced environment that the spawning took place in, we'd love to work with you. Let us know what you're up to, and we can arrange to send you some botanicals to work with in your rearing system. The only "charge" is that we'll ask you to provide some feedback, in the form of pics and information, about what happened! We really want to share these types of things with our ever-expanding community, and your feedback is super-important to help advance the "state of the art" in blackwater aquaristics!

The other area that you will soon see some interesting and tangible benefits from will be in the handling of wild-imported fishes along short custody chains from source to hobbyist, with the fishes acclimated and maintained in hobbyist-replicable botanical-influenced blackwater conditions while being held for sale. The long term benefits of this practice, we feel, will be well worth the slightly higher expense and effort involved. Like everything we do in the hobby/industry, time, patience, and commitment are the variables to success.

Now, no discussion of botanical "benefits" would be complete without the usual caveats to be responsible, prepare thoroughly, move slowly, and observe and test your water. Fishes like Apistos can be notoriously finicky and even delicate if they're subjected to rapid environmental changes. Blackwater is not a "miracle tonic" that will make every fish thrive, but it can provide some very interesting benefits if applied with common sense. When switching over your existing, inhabited aquarium to a botanical-style blackwater aquarium with a lower ph and alkalinity, you are making significant environmental changes that can impact the health of your fishes, and the need to move slowly and carefully is mandatory.

That admonition aside, the opportunity and potential to create a real tangible and beneficial change to the way we keep and breed our fishes from specialized environmental niches is too great to pass up! The extra dedication and care required to initiate these changes and to maintain them on an ongoing basis is well worth it, IMHO!

Let's continue to work together, observing, experimenting, and most important- sharing- the interesting and perhaps evolutionary changes that applying our knowledge of blackwater, botanical-style systems can bring to the hobby and industry.

Stay excited. Stay dedicated. Stay brave. Stay creative.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

August 02, 2017

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An internal dialoge...

I have been playing around with some new tank ideas- a virtual "given" for any experienced aquarist, right?

It's ON.

So, I'm at this new phase now. I have the tank, some of the equipment I'll be using, and a whole lot of ideas bouncing in my head. Some are new thoughts on how I want to approach familiar problems, like like "If I go with these fishes, how will I have to position the wood to take advanatage of the tank's footprint, water flow, and lighting?" Others are far more esoteric, like thinking through positioning of circulation pumps within the display, or thinking through maintenance strategies.

Still others are...well- weird.

Case in point. Like any good fish geek, I spent some time this weekend pouring over "build threads" on a few aquarium forums, to kind of get a read as to how other hobbyists are approaching certain things. Funny, actually, because one of the first things I told myself is that I wouldn't allow any of my decisions to be influenced by others...Kind of a ridiculous position, actually- because we can't help but be influenced by the work of others in this hobby, right?

So anyways, as I pursued a few threads, I'd see the usual iterations of wood, rock, plants, the fancy equipment shots, the ridiculously artistic lights-on shots, etc.Apart from stuff I'd laugh and comiserate about, I saw posts about...IT. You know. The big "hurdle." The rights of passage of starting a new tank:

NITROGEN CYCLE. ALGAE. STOCKING.

Need I remind you? Need we dread it?

Yikes, I forgot about that phase. Yeah. Like when the first algae appear.. That part when all of your good work looks like...well, you get it, as it's covered with that familiar patina of algae while the tank goes through its nutrient cycling phase. This was huge in reef keeping ..The part of the process where every hobbyist, experienced or otherwise, has those lingering doubts; asks questions- goes through the mental gymnastics to try to cope: "Do I have enough flow?" Was my source water quality any good? Did I cheap-out on the salt mix? Is it my light? When does this go away? It does go away. I know it's just a phase. Right? Yeah, it goes away? When? It WILL go away...Right?"

I mean, it's one of those rights of passage that we all go through. The early doubts. The questioning of ourselves. The reviewing of fundamental procedure and practice. The need to reach out to the community to gain reassurance. It's normal. It's often inevitable. And it's temporary.

The point of this piece is not about algae, per se. It's about the mind set that we bring to the table when we experience such things. The "algae bloom" simply brings out familiar feelings...

But it IS a phase. I know this..and you do, too.

Yet it bothers us, huh?

We reach back into our minds- our experiences- every time our filter releases micro bubbles into our tank, or whenever our pumps make that funny noise...The appearance of biofilms on our botanicals. Whenever the temperature seems to be harder to dial in than we expect. We KNOW what stuff should be like, we talk about it repeatedly...we know that we set ourselves up for success...yet we look, and ponder- and we worry. But we DO know better. We know that all of this wonderful thing are just a phase. Our experience- and the experience of our "tribe" tell us this.

It's never this bad. But it seems like it, huh?

Yet it's part of the game. The worry. The reflection. The doubts. The...learning- which comes about as a result of our doing something that, in reality, is among the most enjoyable of pursuits in the hobby- starting a new tank.

We know what to expect.

And perhaps- just maybe- we know too much. Perhaps we suffer from the burden of our own experience?

We understand all of this stuff. We experienced it many times over the years, and have watched- and even reassured- others that "all of this is normal" and to "just be patient and it will pass..."

You know- aquarium stuff.

Outright beginners actually have it much easier in this regard, I think. I mean, when just having a glass or acrylic box of water in your home is a novelty- a cause for rejoicing- you tend to live in a bubble of gentle "ignorance" (eeehw- that's kind of harsh)- okay, let's call it "blissful lack of awareness" that some of this stuff sucks...(any better?)

And that's a beautiful thing- because a beginner is taken by the sheer wonder- and joy of it all. They don't stress out about stuff like micro bubbles and Asterina starfish and bristle worms in their rock work. They're not worried about that yucky algae like we are, because they don't KNOW that it can linger a long, long time if you don't manage the tank correctly at this phase. They're not handcuffed by their past experiences and the knowledge of having set up dozens of tanks over the years. Rather, they're just stoked as all get out by the thought of Tiger Barbs, Amano Shrimp, dried botanicals and palm fronds taking up residence in the new little utopian microhabitat they just set up in their New York City apartment.

Might as well be from another world to the beginner...

Perhaps the beginner knows something we don't.

I think I- we- know too much. Or, enough for it to occasionally be a burden.

And I don't mean that from an arrogant perspective.

I think I, like so many hobbyists at my level of hobby experience, tend to overthink every aspect of the aquarium hobby, particularly the new tank startup phase, rather than just letting ourselves enjoy the moment- the wonder, and the awe that comes from doing something special, beautiful, and, let's face it- incredibly cool! Something that nine tenths of the world will never get to experience or even comprehend.

I think it's entirely possible to release ourselves from the "burden" of our own experience, and to allow ourselves to enjoy every aspect of this great hobby, free from preconception or prejudices. To just make decisions based on what our research- gut, or yeah- I suppose experience- tells us is the right thing to do, then letting stuff happen. In other words, taking control of the influence our own experience provides, rather than allowing it to taint our whole journey with doubt, dogma, second-guessing, and over-analysis of every single aspect.

Rejoice in everything.

I'm looking forward to the next phases of my journey with the new tank. Looking forward to solving problems, creating solutions, trying new things, experiencing the familiar ones- and just taking each step as it comes. Not over-thinking, and not being completely ignorant, either.

Because I certainly don't want to carry the burden of my own experience.

Stay excited. Stay engaged. Stay tuned!

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

July 31, 2017

0 comments

On spreading the darkness...

With so many hobbyists now showing an interest in blackwater aquariums, I think it's fantastic that we as a global community are demonstrating all sorts of cool aesthetics for everyone to see. It's very exciting to see that no two blackwater, botanical-style aquariums are the same, with each one looking significantly different from any other. To the casual outsider, seeing the exploding number of tinted tank pics showing up on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media feeds and forums, they might all have that initial similar "look"- tinted water- and that may or may not be enough to either captivate or repel- depending upon one's aesthetic tastes!

However, beyond the initial "Oh, the water is brown", it's obvious that there are numerous aesthetic and functional approaches being taken by members of our community in developing fascinating and compelling aquatic displays. It's not just, "Boil seed pods and soak leaves- throw on gravel. Done. Blackwater tank" (Trust me, when I first launched Tannin Aquatics, I was definitely concerned that this would be the extent of the interest in the idea...Fortunately, that fear lasted about two days or so, after I saw the cool stuff that our customers were doing!).And it's exciting that Tannin has become sort of the "nexus" or "watering hole" for blackwater enthusiasts, sharing ideas, experiences, and their work...nothing makes me prouder! It's bigger than just Tannin Aquatics, our products, or me, or us.

Every once in a while, I'll see a comment on a forum or elsewhere in social media talking about blackwater, botanical-style tanks as a "hot new trend" in the hobby. I think we're really well beyond being a trend. Sure, since we've been around, we've shared our obsession and gathered a like-minded "tribe" of formerly "scattered" hobbyists who are fascinated by this stuff, becoming a cohesive, inclusive, and somewhat vocal lot! We as a community have elevated and refined it. To simply write off blackwater as a "hot trend" or "fad" is, IMHO, kind of ridiculous, because: a) We didn't "invent" this-aquarists have been creating blackwater tanks for decades, b) The opportunities to understand the natural habitats and conditions from which so many of our favorite fishes hail is huge, c) A completely different aesthetic is taking shape around blackwater, botanical-style aquariums, and d) There are so many functional benefits of utilizing a blackwater approach (fish health, coloration, breeding, etc.), that the hobby as a whole benefits from work in this area.

Some things that I think will benefit our community and the greater hobby as a whole will be to communicate more information about the water parameters we have in our aquariums. Beyond the simple water color, I think that it would be most beneficial for us to share data such as pH, alkalinity, nitrate, etc., as this not only answers a lot of questions for the many new hobbyists who are interested in creating their own blackwater aquarium, it provides a "database" of information that will help us spot trends, characteristics, and identify techniques which will give us all a greater basis for discussion, and for understanding the nuances of this compelling hobby specialty.

I think it's important to continue to share our experiences- the good, the bad, and the horrifying- with fellow "tinters." You've seen me talk endlessly here and elsewhere about biofilms, decomposition, brown water, and "mental shifts" that we have to embrace, and I think that sharing with all who are interested how this works will benefit so many. For the neophyte "tinter" to have at least some basic expectations of what happens-good and bad- in a botanical-style blackwater aquarium, will help us refine our techniques and have a greater understanding of how this "medium" works.

It's important to share. I've literally written posts like, "How to kill your fish and crash your tank with botanicals..." Yes, we need to share our failures, too. We don't need to sugar coat it. We need to talk about the potential disasters that can happen- or that might have happened- because we pushed things too hard, took stuff for granted, or simply tried something that hasn't been done before. We're still very much in the "experimental" phases of the serious blackwater, botanical-style aquarium hobby.

Blackwater aquariums have different "operating parameters" than typical neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water tank, and require an understanding of pH, the nitrogen cycle, ammonia/ammonium, and husbandry. 'best practices", if you will. It's definitely not rocket science, but it's not as simple as thawing some leaves into your tank and calling it a day. I think we, as a community, all know this by now. We stress- and must continue to stress to all who ask- the importance of preparation, monitoring, going slowly, and observing our aquariums carefully. Understanding that these types of aquariums evolve and change over time, and are dynamic and ever-changing. And not to everyone's taste. The look, the function, the dynamics- the limitations- each are considerations that everyone who travels this path has to reconcile for themselves.

And of course, above all- we need to stress patience. It's the key element to hobby success in ANY speciality; absolutely critical to ours.

We're doing a tremendous job of stressing the importance of sharing, discussing, experimenting, and learning about the many aspects of blackwater, botanical-style aquariums. Every single day, we see pics of new tanks, and hear stories from different hobbyists who have discovered the amazing benefits of a properly-managed blackwater system. We're seeing tremendous interest in not only creating and managing the aquariums, but in the natural habitats we attempt to replicate in some way...and the fishes and other organisms which reside in them. Our aquariums, in both form and function, represent these habitats in a very realistic manner, as we are starting to learn. With this greater emphasis on understanding and accepting nature as it is- rather than how we interpret it to be, I think our community is in an ideal position to lead the way in calling attention to the wonders of- and perils facing- the natural blackwater habitats that we love so much.

Let's keep sharing, learning, growing. Together. For the benefit of all who love the aquarium hobby.

We're doing a pretty damn good job of it already.

Stay bold. Stay experimental. Stay dedicated. Stay generous.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

July 30, 2017

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"Knowing enough..."

So I’m knee deep in planning my next tank, and exploring the myriad of options out there for equipment and such. And I find that, even though I'm really in touch with the aquarium world in general, I’m actually a bit “rusty” on some of the equipment choices…I guess being in my “botanical bubble” at Tannin Aquatics for the past 2 years (offering what my reefer friends call “twigs and nuts”) has left me a bit myopic and hyper-focused on one aspect of the hobby.

I can tell you all about what fish comes from where and grows in such-and-such a fashion, and what kinds of materials we can provide to help recreate aspects of the habitat and water parameters, blah, blah…I use that knowledge daily. But when it comes to the “latest and greatest” hardware, I’m a bit…humbled most of the time.

Oh sure, I’m up on the latest technology and concepts, and I know who makes what, but if you ask me who makes the best canister filter or LED light, and why, I might not have a tremendous depth to my answer. I know what works for us on a commercial level from my experience in the coral propagation business, and these are dramatically different products than I’d use on my home system. “I know what I know”, I suppose…or rather, "I know enough."

Staring at manufacturer’s websites and reading about “bluetooth-enabled" this-and-that made my head spin. Honestly. I mean, somewhere along the line, super-high technology just settled into the aquarium game- for the better of the hobby. But wow, in just a few years, things have changed a LOT! Seems like you have to be an expert at things like computers, cell phones, and home electronics just to grasp how some of this stuff works and what it actually can do! I think I have a better grasp on how to replicate an igarape than I do on how to program my controller!

The research phase for my new system has been kind of…well- humbling… Made me realize that, even after a lifetime in the aquarium hobby, you simply can’t know everything there is to know. Sometimes, you DO need to rely on “experts” in other aspects of the aquarium field.

Just a few of days ago, a friend of mine and I an out to our favorite LFS for the time-honored tradition of looking for fish for our aquariums. My friend was looking for Tetras and livebearers, and I was focused on finding a pair of dwarf cichlids. When we were browsing the FW section, we had more than just a working knowledge of these fishes, but the reality was that we were woefully “out of practice”, so to speak, on many of the finer points of fish ID, etc. We did what everyone does- we relied on the guys at the shop to steer us in the right direction! And it was a great experience!

Fish shopping is no different to me than the hyper-focusing we do in aquascaping on things like wood and rocks. When haunting some of the planted tank forums and specialty discussion groups (like cichlids, livebearers, and killies), I realized that there is so much knowledge out there that it’s almost impossible to absorb it all. I was really blown away by the sophistication of you planted people…I mean, it makes running a basic community tank look comparatively simple; a lot like a reef tank (which I know REALLY well, BTW, if I say so myself!). And the people who breed some of the crazier cichlids and catfishes- they are on a whole different level.

In addition to being humbled by the awesome amount of “stuff” there is to know in the aquarium world, I was struck by a sense of excitement and enthusiasm that I haven’t felt in years…It’s fun to learn about all of these new (to me) things. There are products, procedures, trends, and “experts” in these areas of the hobby that are completely unknown to us…how cool is that? These people have decades of experience with say, South American Cichlids- or even more obscure- the genus Amphilophus, for example. Etc., etc., etc.

To know what they know, you simply have to DO stuff for a long time…Or ask those who know and LISTEN- then do your own followup research-Just like in the reef world. Sure, you can learn a lot by reading, and more by asking-but in the end, you have to DO stuff in order to get the valuable experience.

My advice, if you find yourself in a rut, looking for something to get you mentally back in the game? Do something, anything- that gets you mentally engaged in a new aspect of the hobby. Do some research, seek out advice of others with experience in those fields, and then…to coin a phrase from an old Nike campaign- Just DO It.

With an almost infinite amount of stuff to learn, and enormous resources at our fingertips, including friendly, experienced hobbyists-there has never been a better time to embark on new journeys in the aquarium hobby. Yes, the usual caveats about taking people’s advice with a grain of salt apply, but with the proper attitude, and the willingness to be humble and “new” at something again, the possibilities for enjoyment in the aquarium hobby are as vast as the rivers and lakes of the world.

Yeah, it's perfectly okay to "know what you know..."

It might just be more than you think!

Think about it.

Stay educated. Stay curious. Stay enthralled. Stay excited.

Stay wet!

Regards,

Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics

July 28, 2017

1 comment

Let's hear it for the...dull?

If I look at it objectively, I've always kind of favored small, grey-brown fishes. Or subtly colorful ones, at least.

Why do I like these small, grey-brown fishes so much? Why do I covet fishes that most people find rather uninteresting? I mean, lately, I'm really obsessed with Elachocharax pulcher, which is really kind of a brown and grey "cammo" colored fish. Hardly "exciting" in the traditional context. Yet, I am totally into that fish. Like, what's up with that? Do I not get out enough or something? Am I too "cool" to jump on the bandwagon of sexy designer bettas and African cichlids?

No- I love them. I do. Yet, they're not the particular subjects of my adoration.

Why do I covet seemingly "boring" fishes so much?

Well, could it simply be that, after a lifetime in the hobby- I’ve learned to be honest with myself about what I like? Perhaps I am more into the "overall" aspects of a fish than I am about their color alone. I mean, behavior, habits, environmental digs- the whole picture is what makes a fish "sexy" to me. I mean, Elachocarax puncher is an inhabitant of Amazonian leaf litter beds..and as such, it's particularly fascinating to me!

I find these "chromatically challenged" fishes fascinating for so many other reasons...

And, when I think about it- I know I'm not alone.

I was contemplating; just for a second- how easy it is to take for granted what has become “common” to us. Like, for example, some of the "common" Tetras that we see- Pristella, Glowlight Tetras, and others.

These fishes are popular in the aquarium hobby for a reason: They are readily available, inexpensive, adaptable, and easy to care for (hardly "minor details", right?) They have become "staples" in our hobby..and they're subtly beautiful, not trendy. Not overly flashy. Which all too often translates into "fishes we take for granted." Yet, they are interesting creatures. They are precious, regardless of the price tag- and they are worthy of our respect and admiration. Fishes need not be expensive and flashy to be worthy of our admiration, do they? (The reef keeping world, from which I hail, has yet to fully grasp this concept, IMHO.)

To further validate my opinion, I need only slip over to my LFS, and admire the (very grey!) “Tanganyika Lampeyes” that they received not too long ago. Okay, on the surface, these grayish Rift Lake killifish are about as unexciting (is that a word?) as a fish can get- a "poster child" for the freshwater “haters”, who claim that every freshwater fish is dull (i.e.; most of my reef keeping friends)…

But wait a minute. Have you ever even seen one? Probably not that often. Probably because they are rather…well- bland, and collectors toss ‘em back. But man- that’s what’s so cool about them! They are different! Subtle. And just uncommon enough in the trade to actually stand out for being so! Imagine how awesome they’d look as "contrasting players" in a tank full of colorful African Cichlids!

Probably pretty cool.

The hobby needs fishes like that.

And let's be honest- some of the popular cichlids, or ones that fanciers covet- are not exactly the most colorful ones out there. Rather, they are kind of...dull. However, their personalities, behaviors, and general deportment are so alluring that the color aspect is simply not a factor for their owners.

And when you think about it- so many fishes are grey-brown because this color provides lots of protection from predators in the wides variety of circumstances! And in some instances, it helps the predators by not betraying their presence to their potential prey! I think some fishes are cool because of their “cryptic coloring”, especially if they are matched to an aquarium which offers an environmental niche that’s similar to that which they inhabit in nature.

For example, the Amazon Leaf Fish looks amazing if placed in a tank containing leaf litter, right? As opposed to a bright, sparse, "community" tank, where it would just be a dark brown fish (or grey, depending upon it's stress level and other factors), with little to arouse interest for many. Place it in a blackwater, botanical-style tank with lots of leaves and wood...Different story!

Some fishes simply need to be "staged" correctly to be given the opportunity to show themselves in their "best light."

(Image by Daiju Azuma, used under CC BY-SA 2.5)

Even wild forms of Angelfishes are admired, not so much for their colors, but because of their regal deportment and ability to blend into the environment they hail from- and of course, for their scarcity in the hobby.

Glass Catfish are as colorless as a fish can be, yet are an all-time favorite…and they “go” with just about any “aquatic color scheme”, right?

The list is endless.

I think many fishes that lack the killer colors are popular or loved because they have fascinating or endearing habits and behaviors. For example, some of the little shell-dwelling Lake Tanganyikan cichlids are not what you'd call "inspiring", color-wise- but have utterly fascinating behaviors and social patterns. Many hobbyists obsess over them, and it's easy to see why!

The beauty of the hobby is that there really IS room for all sorts of fishes and inverts. Seems like pretty much every animal out there gets at least some love from the hobby masses! Admit it- you’ve occasionally stared longingly at a brownish fish of indeterminate origin in your dealer's "All fish in this tank $2.00" section and wondered, right? You’ve contemplated purchasing that grey-brown blenny with the cute eyes before, huh? You may have even owned a "Corydoras sp." (you know, the sort of "generic-looking" ones) once!

There is hope for the hobby after all…Long live the...dull!

So..who loves those grey/brown fishes? Who celebrates them? I really think that we all do.

Yep. Let's hear it for the...dull!

Until next time…

Stay thoughtful. Stay curious. Stay appreciative.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

July 27, 2017

0 comments

From drawing board to dripping wet: A most ambitious plan..Er, plans...

By now, you know that my mind works sort of strangely. I always have different ideas and I’m always moving. It’s a good thing, but it can also be bad when you have limited time, space, money, etc. Yet, the desire to try all of the new ideas I have keeps me moving forward. And hopefully, inspires a few of you now and again.

Ok, so I'm in one of those modes again where I've decided to plan a new tank for my home...This is usually the totally fun part of the hobby...I mean, you have a world of possibilities, you've made the mental commitment to move forward, and you haven't spilled a drop of water or spent any money yet…

Yeah, it's pretty cool.

One thing I have decided is that this will be a marine aquarium. The allure of having a freshwater, brackish, and marine tank under one roof is just too cool for a fish geek to pass up! Besides, my “pedigree” (and reef keeping buddies) are demanding it, lol. And with a clean slate, it’s kind of ridiculously exciting. Although, I’ve given myself a “dangerously comfortable” starting date of “2018” (like, that gives me 364 days before I even have to start!)… Now, I don’t want to blow it. I’ve seen too many hobbyists decide to set up a tank- or more than one- with great fanfare- only to have them be just new versions of the same old thing that they and every other hobbyist has played with for the past decade.. Yawn. Blown opportunity. I mean, where’s the fun in that? How does this push the hobby forward? Okay, I suppose it can be fun- and who am I to ridicule? But still, it’s a blessing to be able to set up another tank, and I want to create something kind of different.

And of course, nothing I ever do is “conventional”, concept wise…

So, I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I mean, I have a bunch of ideas that have been percolating in my head for...well- years! I told myself that "...My NEXT tank is gonna be the one where I finally do_________."

All of these ideas...And I still have that same feeling of-what would it be…restriction? Frustration? Not sure what it is- when you just have to have one tank to make it happen...Ridiculous that I should feel this way- I'm fortunate to be able to build even one tank. Of course, in my head, I have unlimited ideas...many of which never really get out of the theoretical phase. I used to laugh at news reports when NASA announced that it committed $4,000,000 to the study of building a starship, or some other thing for which the actual capability doesn't even exist yet- and likely won't for decades, if not longer. I mean, why? And yet, I kind of understand now...It's like, I am appropriating all of this "mental funding" to study some of my concept tanks that I really don't have the means to pull off.

Well, that's kind of fun, actually! What hobbyist doesn't look at their tank and think (or even say!), "Next, I'm gonna build a tank that has___________."

I think that's what keeps us moving forward, right?

So anyways, I've narrowed down my range to a few concepts- each one quite different from the other. Although the exercise works with freshwater, too, this is about saltwater today, and might bore the shit out of you. Some of you who are 110%, dyed-in-the-wool freshwater fanatics will probably stop reading at this point, questioning why I’d even consider this…I totally understand. Not your thing. Can’t blame you. Catch you tomorrow.

Yet, I continue…going back and forth, getting mentally committed to one idea, and then seeing pics or videos a habitat I like, or talking to a fellow hobbyist, and then getting turned around into one of the other ideas I've been playing with...Wow. Crazy. The goal is not to get into an endless loop of "analysis paralysis" and never make a move simply because I'm "still planning..." Yeah. I've seen guys do that, and the new tank literally sits and collects cobwebs for years while they are "contemplating." Yuck.

I've learned that, in this internet-enabled age, it's sometimes cool to throw your ideas out to your friends in “cyberworld” for their two cents worth...So, why not, right?

So here are some of the finalists in my "2018 concept" reef study...I'm curious about your take on them:

Goniopora "lagoon", with Goniopora, Catalaphyllia, and some Fungiids, on a non-conventional rich, deep substrate with seagrasses and macro algae. These are really interesting corals, which are often found in the sand in lagoons…So, this means minimal rock work. Maybe even a few gorgonians. Kind of unconventional. Really, a sort of “botanical-style” marine tank, with a completely different vibe than the “clinically clean” ones, filled with “fuzzy sticks” (“SPS” corals) which come to everyone’s mind when they see the words “reef tank.” Fishes would be interesting- mostly Blennies, gobies, and a few Pipefish. Perhaps I might throw in a captive-bred Filefish…

A small "patch reef" simulation...Like the kind I saw a lot in Fiji and French Polynesia: Little "islands" of rock in an otherwise sandy “wasteland”, covered in Acropora colonies. Lots of tiny gobies, and maybe some Damselfish for good measure. Really bright light. Simple and familiar in some respects, but a bit unconventional form a ‘scaping perspective, by means of its large amount of negative space…Yet, I think I’m ready to squelch this one…Yawn.

A near-monospecific soft coral reef, with only really “choice” specimens of either Sarcophyton (like the killer Yellow or Neon Green ones), Sinularia, or perhaps a few Capnella...Or, the variation would be a simply old-school 1990's soft coral-dominated reef tank, with all sorts of softies in an “allopathic soup” of terpenines and other chemicals to fight for turf...perhaps with some macroalage thrown in for good measure. ON the other hand, this usually ends up being a tank packed with lots of wavy, bright coral that you need to trim constantly and give away to anyone who wants it. It will make me popular at frag swaps, perhaps…but may not really push me into new ground. Then again, when was the last time anyone set up a dedicated soft coral tank that was designed specifically with them in mind? Maybe I can just keep some of the less-represented, rare soft corals that are found in the hobby. That could be helpful…Hmmm.

A "deepwater" Acropora tank, with a maximum about 7-8 different varieties selected for appearance and interest….Targeted LED spotlighting…lot’s of blue..The fishes would be Leopard Wrasses, Halichoeres Wrasses, some Assessors, and perhaps a Genicanthus Angelfish. The obligatory gobies and blennies would be there, too, along with a “Marine Betta"...Rockwork would be highly "justified" to one side of the tank, with a lot of open sand on the other side. Maybe a smattering of rubble here and there…restraint. Hmm…still not sure I like this one..

A super-diverse, ultra biologically-rich microcosm, reminiscent of the ones I've seen in Julian Sprung's office and home aquariums. Just a combination of everything that I like, interspersed with lots of macro algae, seagrasses, gorgonians, and even a mangrove or two sticking out of the top. Brimming with life in a variety of forms. Extra credit- “evolving” my brackish water “Estuary” tank (which has yet to make its “media debut” (stay tuned) towards a full-strength saltwater tank… Ideas begat ideas…

My little Palau "coral island" palladium concept that I've been toying with forever: A centered island of rock, projecting out of the water (tank would be about half filled). In the exposed rock work, I'd create a hidden planter box for terrestrial ferns and other tropical houseplants, to create a sort of jungle. Below, would be a mixed collection of Acropora, Seriatopora, Faviids, and perhaps even a Capnella or two. A lot of brightly-colored corals in contrast with the cool green of the terrestrial plants. I'd populate the tank with lots of really colorful Halichoeres Wrasses (probably Canary Wrasses), Damsels, gobies, and maybe a Centropyge Angelfish.

A Royal Gramma-inspired Caribbean biotope simulation, with a large cave and like 20 Royal Gramma. Lots of gorgonians, and macro algae like Dictoyota (I'm serious), Padina, and some killer corallines. A collection of corals that most reefers would freak out about ("ALGAE?!?! Arrghhh!") Maybe an Indigo Hamlet and a Blackcap Basslett or two thrown in for good measure- but the Royal Gramma clan would be the stars of the show. I dove in a habitat like this in Belize a few years back and it never left my mind...

Okay, that's just a few of the "finalists" in my never-ending "elimination round" of concepts. You see, like many of you, my imagination, appetite, and enthusiasm are often larger than my ability to get the job done. I've concluded that to do all of my crazy concept tanks, I'd probably need like 17 aquariums of all shapes and sizes, many with technologies and components that would carry a breathtaking price tag...sigh.

And, this is AFTER I've eliminated some of the early front runners, like the Seahorse and Pipefish tank, the monospecific Pocillopora tank, the “Zero Diversity" concept tank, tropical tidepool, and others that are earmarked for some “indefinite” future date….

And of course, that’s just my reef tank. I’m already deep in the work on evolving my office blackwater tank, and…Yeah, never ends. Gotta keep inspiring our community with new looks and ideas.

I'm curious about what your "next" tank is going to be (fresh, salt..whatever), how you arrived at the concept, and if you actually have gotten out of the planning phase..

One of the best parts of my business is getting to help fuel the dreams of other hobbyists. It gives me great pleasure to see you guys enjoying the holy, and motivates me to do more...And of course, when it comes time to do my own tank, I have to weed through all of these crazy ideas...

On second thought, maybe I'll just do a straight-up freshwater tank! Hmm, a planted tank, with only Crypts? Botanical style, or a "jungle" concept? Hardscape? Or an African river Biotope? Would it have Nannochromis, or maybe Mormyrids and Tetras? Or maybe an Asiatic Stream tank with lots of loaches..Oh, and Sundanio, or just Danios…Maybe tons of Boraras…Or perhaps...

Arghh...I love this hobby!

I'm glad you do, too.

Until next time...Keep dreaming. Keep scheming.

Stay creative. Stay Ambitious. Stay unique. Stay focused.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

July 26, 2017

0 comments

The surest path to success with blackwater, botanical-style aquariums?

Periodically, it's neat to deviate from my "botanical philosophy" posts and some of our deep dives on more arcane aspects of blackwater. botanical-style aquariums, and focus on something more basic and practical.

Today, a little bit of a "refresher" once again. Some of you who have been at this for a while don't need to hear it, but that many of our community would benefit from. I was thinking of a working title like, "How to crash your tank and kill your fishes with botanicals"; however, although a very descriptive title, leaving little doubt about what the topic is, I think it would be a bit too negative in tone. :)

But that's what today's little piece is about.

As our global "movement" expands, the excitement is palpable, and as more and more beautiful blackwater botanical-style tanks start showing up here and elsewhere online daily, it's easy to overlook the necessary practices and precautions required to manage an aquarium to get to the "ooh and ahh" phase! Much like what I've written about so many times, hobbyists seeing blackwater aquariums for the first time are often smitten with their "charms", and if they are, there is typically a desire to get going...quickly! And of course, the word "quickly" is always a scary one for us to hear. It's not as easy as purchasing a pack of botanicals from us and dumping them into your tank, and hey- "Instant Amazon!"

Nope.

If you look back at the 500-some blogs we've published here on our site, that we regularly discuss process, patience, moving slowly, and the need to understand the way these tanks function, and how our practices can dictate the success- or failure- of a blackwater, botanical-style, aquarium. There is no special secret to keeping one of these aquariums successfully long term. There is no dark cloud of doom waiting to take you down either- unless you don't make the effort to learn the function...The idea of maintaining a specialized aquarium of any type requires looking beyond those pretty pic of the finished product. Keeping a blackwater aquarium is no different from setting up and maintaining a planted aquarium, reef tank, African child tank, etc.- it starts with understanding the impacts of what we're doing when we add these materials to an aquarium, and how best to maintain them.

Once you get one of these systems established, and understand the "operating procedure" and some of the unique attributes of a lower pH system, there is absolutely no difference, "challenge wise" between a blackwater, botanical-style aquarium and any of the other aforementioned types of specialty systems. In fact, as someone who has maintained diverse, complex reef aquariums for almost three decades, as well as a 15,000 gallon coral propagation facility, I can tell you that a blackwater, botanical-style tank is way, way easier than almost any reef system I've kept. And I've probably killed more aquatic organisms in my career than most of you combined will ever kill- and a lot of it was as the result of sheer ignorance, bad judgement, or plain old arrogance. I share this not to wear as some "badge of honor", but to emphasize that I understand what can happen when you push too hard sometimes.

You just have to be slow, patient, and observant.

Really, the easiest way to run into trouble when utilizing botanicals is to add a large quantity of these items to an existing aquarium in a relatively short span of time. What happens is that a large influx of organic material that can overwhelm the biological filtration capacity of the tank, while simultaneously depleting oxygen levels. A number of us know this firsthand from pushing it and ending up with fishes gasping at the surface- or worse. Remember, you're adding material which will decompose in the water, and if adequate nutrient export systems are not in place to deal with it, you could have some problems. This isn't some new revelation; it's something we've been talking about here for a long time. And it's common sense- "Aquarium-Keeping 101", really. We're just talking about adding lots of dried botanicals instead of lots of fishes or corals all at once, but it's the same kind of impact. However, it's important for us to bring up the potential "dark sides" in the context botanical-style aquariums now and again, as more and more hobbyists start experimenting with this stuff.

I've seen similar issues in reef tanks over the decades, when people overwhelm their systems with large influxes of live rock/fishes/corals. As we all know, aquariums are closed biological systems, and disrupting the "status quo" of their function (i.e.; changing inputs of material, etc.) requires observation, patience, monitoring, and adjustments to routine maintenance procedures. There is no mystery here. It's the same old story we've been taught for the better part of a century in fish keeping.

So, how do you manage a "transition" of an existing system to a botanical-influenced blackwater aquarium safely?

The key is to:

A) Add botanical materials slowly, over the course of several weeks

B) Add modest quantities at any given time

C) Provide surface agitation to maximize gas exchange

D) Conduct regular water exchanges as you would with any aquarium.

E) Utilize some chemical filtration media, like Poly Filter, carbon, etc. during the initial additions or on a continuous basis as you see fit.

F) Monitor basic water chemistry (pH, alk, ammonia, nitrite) during the "transition, and ph/alk/nitrate (if you want) continuously as part of regular maintenance.

G) Employ good circulation within your system, which not only results in greater oxygenation and "mixing" of water "strata" - it physically suspends fine particulates in your system as well, making it easier for mechanical filtration to remove (of course, that assumes you don't like the look of "stuff" in the water, as some of us do!).

If there were ever a "hard and fast rule in the botanical/blackwater game, "Rule A" would be it. It's all about the cadence...the "secret", if you will, which sort of sets up everything else. And, by observing and assessing ("Rule F"), you'll get a real feel for how botanicals work in your aquarium.

Regular, though not obsessive- water parameter monitoring is always advisable to ascertain just what is going on in the aquarium. The need to monitor parameters like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is obvious, but you also need to look at pH or TDS. When you're dealing with a lower ph, low carbonate hardness system, TDS may ultimately prove a more useful "yardstick" than pH in the long run, but for many of us, a good pH meter can provide an accurate assessment of the pH of the system regularly. We’ve talked previously about establishing “baseline” operating parameters for your tank, and trying to stay within that baseline for the life of the aquarium. And we've also talked about ammonia in a less toxic form at lower pH...Lots to refresh yourselves on here; we've covered some of this before, and no doubt we'll be discussing it again.

It's absolutely not doom and gloom, but the realities of any aquarium, as you know, are that, even with regular maintenance practices and monitoring in place, you can’t truly set a tank “on autopilot” and let it run itself. There is a constant “war” between good and bad chemical concentrations going on in your system, and you need to be on top of things in order to assure that the “bad” doesn’t outweigh the “good.”

"Aquariums 101", right?

More or less.

On the more positive side, I've had some conversations with more science-minded botanical aquarists who postulate about the possibilities of fostering some form of denitrification in deeper botanical beds, and it is interesting! One of the questions that seems to come up a lot in this context is the extent to which hydrogen sulfide or other undesirable compounds can build up in a deep bed of compacted botanical materials.

In a botanical bed with materials placed on the substrate, or loosely mixed into the top layers, will it all "pack down" enough to the point where there is a complete lack of oxygen and we develop a significant amount of hydrogen sulfide or other nasty compounds in our tanks? I think that we're more likely to see some oxygen in this layer of materials, and I can't help but speculate that actual de-nitirifcation (nitrate reduction), which lowers nitrates while producing free nitrogen, might actually occur in a "deep botanical" bed.

And it's certainly possible to have denitrification without dangerous hydrogen sulfide levels. As long as even very small amounts of oxygen and nitrates can penetrate into the substrate this will not become an issue for most systems. I have yet to see a botanical-style aquarium where the material has become so "compacted" as to appear to have no circulation whatsoever within the botanical layer. Now, I base this on visual inspection of numerous tanks, and the basic chemical tests I've run on my systems under a variety of circumstances. I could still be wrong.

And another fun thing a number of you are thinking about and working on is the ability of a blackwater, botanical-style aquarium to function as a sort of "refugium", producing supplemental food sources for your fishes via fauna "resident" in the botanicals. Many of you can't help but wonder if our botanical tanks, simply by virtue of the fact that they have accumulations of decomposing plant materials, foster a significant enough of a population of "edible" microorganisms for fry to consume. In theory, I'd think so. However, the aquarist in me can't help but think that we should also consider stocking our aquariums with cultures of organisms like Paramecium and various "infusoria" at various times during the "startup" phase of our aquarium to sort of "kickstart" the populations, if reproduction of fishes is our goal.

And there are so many more cool things to learn. But it starts with the basics that we all know, and applying some of that experience and knowledge to what, for many of you, is an entirely new style of aquarium.

The surest path to success with botanical-style, blackwater aquariums, as we've stressed repeatedly, is to move slowly and incrementally. Sure, one you gain experience, you'll know how far you can "push it", but, quite frankly- nature doesn't really care about your "experience"- if the conditions aren't right and the bacteria in your system cannot accommodate a rapid significant increase in bioload, she'll kick your ass like a personal trainer!

Respect nature. Learn from her.

Stay patient. Stay inquisitive. Stay humble.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

July 25, 2017

0 comments

What would YOU do? (When the @#$% hits the fan)

Like many people "in the business" of aquariums, I field a lot of PM's, emails, etc. from customers who have issues with aquariums, fishes equipment, etc.- 99% of it is totally unrelated to our specific niche, but it's "fish stuff", and I'm a "fish guy", so, when we're not tearing our hair out getting your orders filled, it's our honor to respond the best that we can.

Part of the game. Yeah, we're fish geeks.

As fish geeks, we love to talk about "stuff" like "how-to's", tank selection, and which fish to get. And even problems. As a culture, fish geeks talk to other fish geeks and try to mutually figure out what went wrong and how to fix the problems. Which made me think...How would I- and you -handle certain things that crop up in our own tanks? What types of reactions do you make? Do you make quick, decisive ones- regardless of possible outcomes? Do you freak out and make "knee jerk" ones? Do you research and implement solutions slowly?

As someone who's "knee deep" in the fish world 24/7, I guess it's a pretty good exercise to periodically imagine certain situations with my fish stuff and think how I'd react/respond. And not a bad exercise for you, either. I mean, you're pretty much "24/7", too, right?

How would you respond to a couple these sorts of common fish-keeping scenarios?

1) You just purchased some new awesome fish from, well- whoever...You acclimated them carefully, dipped them, and placed them in your display tank. You know in your heart that you should have quarantined them, like every new purchase..but you're not feeling badly about your odds for success. That is, until a week or so later, when a couple of the fishes start "scratching" on rocks and wood in your tank, twitching around a bit, acting strangely...Could it be ich? so other disease? Stress? Something else? And to make matters worse, you nice similar behaviors from the other fishes in the tank. Yet, no physical outward signs of disease other than those..

Do you: /Freak out and dump medication- any medication- right into the display tank? /Launch a nasty accusation campaign against the vendor on social media, accusing him of selling you a sick or infected fish? /Dip and isolate, and inspect each fish? /Observe to see if the behavior continues? /Get all the fish out of your tank for an extended period?

Here's one for my reefer "homies":

2) Your water testing indicates that there is some trace of copper in your water. (For those of you who are FW "lifers", copper is to marine inverts and corals what kryptonite is to Superman"- toxic, and very bad news!) You have noticed that your corals haven't quite looked their best recently, so this is not entirely surprising. Of course, it's COPPER! What to do?

Do you: /Do a 100% water change?/ Go crazy on Poly Filter, Cuprisorb, and other removal media?/ Systematically look for all possible sources of the contamination?

Okay, I could go on and on and we can play 30 rounds of "What would you do...?" and you'd get the picture after the first go around. The bottom line is this: DO you take a more thoughtful, reserved, analytical approach to problems with your tank, or do you tend to be a bit more emotional, dramatic and panicked (okay, my fish friends tell me that I'm a bit of a "drama queen" at times, lol)?

There's no shame in being emotional about our aquariums...I mean, they're living things, and we have a lot of time, energy, and cold, hard cash tied up in them...They are, in many cases, a reflection of our personalities, and extension of our essence- just like the home we live in, our clothing, our cars, etc. (Okay, that sounds really "L.A.", but I AM a product of my environment, okay?).

The point is that, to us-our tanks are not just a piece of furniture to set and forget...

Which is why we tend to get so emotional about them. I've seen genuine online knock-down-drag-out fights about various fish-keeping subjects played out in bloody full color on online forums over the years...and they're sometimes less than entertaining- and occasionally, actually scary.

Perhaps we take stuff too seriously?

Or maybe, not seriously enough? Or…

I dunno, but I enjoy analyzing useless things, as you know. Seeing how people react to problems in their aquariums always makes me realize that I might be more "sane" than I think I am! Of course, this remains to be seen once the fishes start jumping, the corals start melting, and the plumbing seals start leaking in my own tanks!

As summer winds down and the start of "aquarium season" looms ahead in a month or so- and like millions of fish geeks worldwide, I will find myself spending excessively large amounts of my free time playing with my tanks again, I cannot help but think about the way I’m going to react now to the inevitable things that will go wrong…(“Arrghhhh…the siphon hose should be in the bucket, right? Oops.”)

You know- reality. Having a coral warehouse with concrete floors and floor drains was the ultimate fish geek luxury…I mean, when you spill some water, it’s like no biggie, right? Or in the office...okay- it's part of a fish business. Goes with the territory. Of course, at home- totally different ball game…Pricy hardwood floors, quality furniture, and the usual obstacles…Oh, and my wife.

Fortunately, my wife, who is the ultimate neat freak, bless her heart- totally gets the ins and outs of aquarium-keeping, including the calamities and emergencies that go with it- and knows my tendency to- you know- spill a 'little bit" of saltwater on the floors now and then.

That’s why we have lots of really good towels. And tarps.

Yup.

And of course, she knows me and my aquarium "urges" well.

I was "green lighted”, as they say in Hollywood, by my wife for yet another home tank…a new reef this time. And a revised blackwater tank with some different stuff. My current status: A bit out of practice…A billion ideas in my head…access to all sorts of cool stuff- and way to many enabling fish friends.

This is gonna be a fun year. And expensive. I can tell. Fasten your seat belts, please!

Stay calm. Stay cool. Stay collected.

And Stay Wet- er, DRY…

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

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The Tint

August 06, 2017

And then...there were none.

August 05, 2017

Moving mindsets...one aquarium at a time.

August 03, 2017

Embracing the tangible benefits of our blackwater world...

August 02, 2017

The burden of our own experience?

July 31, 2017

On spreading the darkness...

July 30, 2017

"Knowing enough..."

July 28, 2017

Let's hear it for the...dull?

July 27, 2017

From drawing board to dripping wet: A most ambitious plan..Er, plans...

July 26, 2017

The surest path to success with blackwater, botanical-style aquariums?

July 25, 2017

What would YOU do? (When the @#$% hits the fan)

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