The Tint

Romancing the stones...and other aquarium hobby caveats!

Have you notched that the hobby goes through many phases, where some product, methodology, or approach is all the rage? This stuff changes constantly, and it's often hard to keep up with them all! Sometimes they are all-new ideas or developments. Other times, they are a "recycling" of previous ideas, products, or methods. Call it the by-product of progress, research or even good old "marketing hyperbole", this stuff  what keeps things interesting! 

Now, if you've been in the hobby/industry long enough, you've seen a lot of these things play themselves out. Often, materials and such which have diverse applications are marketed to the aquarium industry, often with much fanfare, pomp and circumstance, being touted as the "next big thing" for fish. As a veteran hobbyist, your built in "bullshit meter" will definitely start to go off as soon as you see stuff marketed with wordy, vague claims of its incredible properties. Many are often poorly translated into English from other languages, resulting in even more confusing, verbose, often even authoritative-sounding stuff, yet with shaky grammar and a tone of simplicity that screams "this sounds a bit too good to be true!"

Now, that's a seemingly unfair statement, right? Something used in another industry, applied to aquarium keeping, is not necessarily bad. Think LED lights, protein skimmers, etc., etc. And of course, just because it may have been originally marketed to aquarists in a language not familiar to us doesn't mean it's a bunch of crap! (That's a terrible attitude.)  However, it often means simply that it's a decent product which can be very useful for aquariums, packaged and distributed hastily by minimally competent marketers who couldn't afford a good translation! So, some very useful products often suffer from the stigma of what I call, for want of a better expression, "shitty presentation."

It cheapens the product and creates confusion, fostering both skepticism in some hobbyists (good!) and cult-like devotion (bad!) in others.

Yep.

It's a double-edged sword, in my opinion, because you get a rather shoddy product description and shaky-sounding marketing claims, yet the product is often quite good..and a lot of hobbyists are utilizing the stuff with great results. For products like this, skepticism is good. You simply need to do a bit of homework, get some background on what it actually is/does, talk to people who actually use the stuff, and formulate your own conclusion and reach a "comfort phase" before using it yourself.

There are a lot of products out there that fall into this unfortunate category, IMHO.

One of those products which finds its way into the market is the calcium product known as Montmorillonite. Often called "mineral stone" or "white mineral stone" in the aquarium trade, it's been standard fare for shrimp hobbyists for a number of years.

(Full disclosure- I think 90% of shrimp fanciers are super cool, super-talented. There are many very serious, extremely capable and highly competent hobbyists and manufacturers in that genre. However, parts of the "culture" surrounding the shrimp segment of the hobby, are in my opinion, also a bit "fluffy", filled with a lot of anecdotal ideas, repurposed products, and arrogant, opinionated subscribers to odd interpretations of more accepted techniques. They can often unwittingly perpetuate some of the shaky hyperbole of some products, giving new or inexperienced shrimp hobbyists the impression that everything they do or say is THE way to go.. Now, that's the minority of hobbyists, no doubt...but, as with any aquarium segment, those types are often the most vocal ones, leaving an outsider like myself with the impression that this is a tricky world that you need to navigate carefully in..Hmm- oddly like my reef keeping world, huh? )

Okay, now that I've managed to piss off everyone in the shrimp keeping world, back to my  discussion...

There are 2 main types of this mineral, Sodium montmorillonite and Calcium montmorillonite. Montmorillonite is a very soft phyllosilicate group of minerals that typically form in microscopic crystals, forming a clay. It is named after Montmorillon in France, and is derived from geologic tectonic plate activity, volcanic action and river hydrolysis. Montmorillonite silicate attracts valuble mineral nutrients from mountain soils and streams.

This stuff usually finds its way into the hobby in the form of little stones, which are placed into the aquarium (you can get powders, too, BTW). These stones contain a "suite" of minerals, such as silicon, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Silicon is vital for building exoskeletons in crustaceans, while calcium is important for developing their shells. Magnesium is thought to activate some of the enzyme systems within the shrimps digestive system, assisting it in metabolizing food. Sodium is vital to osmoregulation within the shrimp tissues.

It's suggested that these minerals dissolve from the stone over time, and help keep aquarium water quality high via ion exchange. Montmorillonite clays have a reasonably high cation exchange capacity, and are effective as an adsorptive of heavy metals in water. They will attract and bind ammonia, nitrite, methane, and other metabolic waste products in the aquarium water, because they possess a negative charge, while many toxic substances that we don't want in our aquarium water have positive ions. That negative-ion charge within the stone is what attracts positive ions of toxins and binds them. Oh, and it can also keep water visibly clear by the ionic bonding of flocculants.

Sounds impressive. And it is. Once you discern the fact from the fluff. But Im a real cynical type, aren't I? Why do we offer this stuff on our site?

We decided to offer this stuff because we played with it in our own shrimp tanks over the years, and its addition made sense. Media which can remove some potentially harmful substances from aquarium water are never a bad thing to incorporate into our tanks. Now, I never saw any "miraculous" color or health changes to my shrimp as a result of its use, but it certainly didn't hurt anything. It was sort of there as an "additional insurance policy" for the tanks because of the very real ion exchange capabilities that Montmorillonite possesses. As a reef keeper, I've always been of the mindset that you can't have too many types of nutrient control and export in your system, and this was just another "layer" of protection. Granted, it also can positively impact KH and ph as well, and the dissolution of "bioavailable" minerals into the water makes it kind of a "bonus" for shrimp. 

Despite all of these claims and virtues extolled upon the stuff, it absolutely does NOT relieve you of any of the responsibility for diligent overall husbandry in your shrimp tanks.

I think the biggest "danger", if you will, of products like this is the way the "popular culture" within the hobby ascribes all sorts of wonderful attributes to a product, and it is seen by some (often the inexperienced, impressionable hobbyists) as some "Holy Grail" solution to our challenges. It's why I cringe whenever I see a product which claims that it "Eliminates water changes!" or "Makes delicate fishes thrive!" 

No product does that. That's on you. It's about your skills, your observation, your diligence. Sure, a product can assist in your efforts- but it's not the product that makes you successful. It won't make an incompetent hobbyist into a talented one. It might prolong the period of time before the inevitable disaster strikes, but it won't make you some super aquarium hobby demigod!

If you suck as an aquarist...well, your results will, too. No sugar coating here.

It's the same with botanicals.  

It would be really easy for us to ascribe all sorts of amazing properties to these items if that were our style. I'm sure we could easily "spin" them as the ultimate natural "additive" for aquariums. While we love hearing stories of people who added seed pods, leaves, etc. to their tanks, and weeks later saw their Apistos, Rasbora, or Pencilfishes spawn like mad, you can't ascribe these accomplishments entirely to the use of botanicals.

It's as much a testimony to your skill and effort as anything else. Sure, the addition of botanicals and their impartation of some humic substances and tannins to the water might have given the fish (which were already thriving because of your efforts) that final "push" into spawning condition...but that's really about it.

No miracles. Just some benefits that can help you achieve better results if your fundamental aquarium "toolkit" is already in place.

The hobby is filled with challenges and uncertainties. And what will help us navigate through them are the very things which work so well in other endeavors:  Patience, diligence, observation, skepticism, open-mindedness, humility, and effort. 

Oh, and a healthy dose of intuition now and then!

Stay smart. Stay calm. Stay diligent.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The "why's and hows" of mangrove wood in the brackish water/botanical-style approach...

Yes, it's Summer, we're out doing other stuff, and we're really a couple of months away from prime "aquarium season", yet it's always a good idea to start thinking about some of the cool projects we want to play with during the upcoming cooler months of Fall. And, if you're looking for something new to play with when you head back indoors, may we suggest a brackish water aquarium? Or, our version of a brackish-water aquarium?

Our vision of a brackish water aquarium utilizes many elements common to other aquascaping approaches and aquarium environmental management methods. Although we are taking a sort of different route and philosophy in regards to the functionality (mainly, creating a rather "rich system" from an ecological standpoint), the concept is not that much different from what we've been working with in blackwater. It's just that greater emphasis is placed on the specific components in the system.

One of the most obvious differences (besides the salt, of course!) is the use of a different type of wood than we're used to. We utilize the branches and roots of the Red Mangrove tree (Rhizophora mangle), because, well- they're the "real deal", and we have a legally-collected source for them. 

Mangrove wood imparts many of the same properties to the water as any other type of wood used in aquarium setups. It will slowly release tannins, which may tint the water, and recruit biofilms and algae. The main difference between our approach to utilize mangrove versus any other wood is that it looks like the real thing because it IS the real thing.

And the actual mangrove wood is different than wood or branched from other trees that might be used in aquarium work. For one thing, it's structurally different. Red Mangroves prop themselves above the water level with stilt roots and can then absorb air through pores in their bark. Red mangroves eliminate salt through very impermeable roots which incorporate a waxy substance called suberin. Its main function is as a barrier to movement of water and soluble substances within the tree itself. In the case of the Mangrove, the suberin is used as a sort of filtration mechanism to export sodium salts from the rest of the tree. It's really efficient, too. Scientists have discovered that up to 97% of the salt has been removed from the tree via the root! This is very special wood!

Mangroves grow in muddy substrates which have little free oxygen available. Anerobic bacteria present in these substrates liberate nitrogen and other compounds that are present, leaving it rather devoid of many substances plants need for growth.  The aerial roots of mangrove trees (known as "pneumatophores", allow then to absorb gasses directly from the atmosphere, and to derive some nutrition from the relatively non-nutritious soil. These trees are also able to store atmospheric gasses within the roots, processing them at all times (submerged or not).

These are extremely adaptable trees, and are thought to be major buffers against the tidal actions of cyclones, tsunamis, and other storms. They foster a diversity of animal life, and for the basis for a unique and fascinating habitat.

With so much usefulness it's hardly surprising that these are highly valued in many parts of the word, and are, indeed, protected in many of them. In fact, you might ask how we in all good conscience can offer the wood for sale! The answer is as surprising as it is legitimate. The only reason we are able to legally offer this wood is because our source is from the State of Hawaii, where the local government has declared the species to be "highly invasive", damaging the local ecosystem, and extensive eradication efforts are continuous. Red mangroves in Hawaii have been found to grow to higher densities than in their native range, because Hawaii lacks the species that attack the flowers and propagules. They grow uncontested; out of control, causing problems for the local flora and fauna. Removal is important.

And it's not just the growth that's problematic- it's the leaves they drop. Beneficial in ecosystems that are "equipped" by nature to accommodate it, the leaves are extremely problematic in Hawaii. The amount of "litter-fall" from mangrove stands at Nu‘upia Pond, Oahu, for example, has been measured at levels which exceed the "net primary productivity"  of the Red Mangrove tree in its native range in Florida  These added organic inputs have led to detrital accumulations and algal blooms in Hawaiian waters, negatively impacting aquatic life.

Surprising, huh?

The local authorities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are happy to see us take them off of their hands! So, in a strange twist of irony, you're actually helping the local Hawaiian ecosystem and the government to a certain extent by purchasing this mangrove wood from us. And, as an added bonus, you're utilizing the branches and roots- which would otherwise be chain-sawed down and burned- for aquarium decoration, sparing the need to use other methods to dispose of the material. And you could argue that gas-powered chain-saws, and bulldozers and burning them releases carbons into the atmosphere which can contribute to global warming, etc., so I suppose one could make a (weak) argument that taking a tiny, tiny fraction of them for aquarium use is sort of doing something to combat this!

Yup, strangely ironic, regardless, right?

So how do you use mangrove wood in the aquarium? Well, really, just like any other type of wood, really.  Preparation is just like any other wood we all use. The main differences when using mangrove are the context and the physical orientation. The context being, we're using them in an aquarium that has a specific gravity of around 1.003-1.005, and that we're okay with it releasing some tannins into the water and creating some tint. It's as much an "environmental enrichment vehicle" as it is an aquascaping "prop" for us. It beautifully replicates the look of the habitat, while providing some functional benefits (i.e.; a substrate for organisms, plants and algae to attach to and hide amongst).

From an "orientation" standpoint, to get maximum functionality and realism out of the wood, you would be best served to orient it vertically in the aquarium, as opposed to horizontally or in some other configuration as we do with other wood. In particular, the mangrove branches that we offer are essentially identical to the appearance of the prop roots that project downwards from the mangrove trees into the water. By orienting the branches this way, and supplementing them with the thicker, more gnarled mangrove root pieces, you'll end up with an incredibly realistic-looking simulation!

Now, I suppose it's fair to question the idea of "function" when we're talking about dead wood pieces, as opposed to the living tree. Of course, the wood will not perform any nutrient export (any more than other types of aquatic wood does in any type of aquascape) or exchange salts, etc. The point here is that when we incorporate the wood into a brackish-water aquarium with a rich substrate (the other component of our brackish approach, which we'll delve into some other time), and some mangrove leaf litter, we're replicating the aesthetics and at least part of the function of the mangrove root habitat. In our opinion, it's a far more realistic and functional approach than the typical "rocks/white sand/seashell" approach than has been the typical "brackish" display tank for decades.

And, if you incorporate some live mangrove propagules and some adaptable aquatic plants (like our fave Cryptocoryne ciliata) into your display, you can have significant functionality (oxygen production/nutrient export from the plants), and the decomposing leaves and botnanicals can help foster, to some degree, a "food web" of microorganisms and macro fauna (snails, crabs, etc.) which can contribute to a more biologically-diverse closed ecosystem if managed properly.

This is sounding very much like our approach to blackwater/botanical-style aquariums, isn't it?

Yep.

The idea of fostering a unique closed-system ecology and all of the challenges and benefits that can come with it is irresistible. And don't get me wrong- there will be challenges: We're talking about creating very rich, sediment-based substrates with a lot of leaf litter and some plants in a brackish water environment.

A lot of stuff going on here, right? On the surface, it seems like a recipe for trouble! I had many people telling me (without even trying this) over the years that it would be a total fail. They said "Too much bioload!" or "Your pH and alkalinity will be all over the place!" Or "Crash!" The reality is that, just like a blackwater, botanical-style system, it works really well if you use common sense husbandry techniques. Understanding bioload and utilizing the benefits of nutrient export via plant growth, denitrification, and water exchanges are the keys here. I've never had a crash doing this. I've never had a crash with a blackwater-botanical-style system, either, nor have most of you.

It's about how you manage the system. It's about common sense, husbandry, and observation. And taking some risks. And figuring some stuff out along the way as we get into it more. "Crowd- sourced" exploration of new aquarium approaches is very exciting, because we all learn together. Sure, some of the basic "proof-of-concept" has been done before, but putting it all together, playing with some of the nuances and subtleties, and applying finesse to it all- evolving the aquarium-that's still going to be an ongoing thing. Mimicking some natural processes from a complex habitat in the confines of an aquarium will be very challenging!

We have a lot more to discuss/debate/postulate/explore over the coming months with "Estuary", as more and more hobbyists are starting to play with this stuff and the botanical/brackish approach.

It's wide open for experiments, projects, discoveries, failures, and yeah- breakthroughs. We simply need to loose the chains of "how we've always done it" and  "that can't work because..." and move forward boldly and with an open mind, understanding that there will be challenges whenever we forge into previously uncharted territory. It's not "plug-and-play", or without any possibilities of failure. But the potential is amazing. Hope you come along for the ride.

It's super cool! 

Hope we've whetted your appetite and ignited your curiosity just a bit.

Exciting stuff. Different, yet familiar in many ways. Always challenging. Always enjoyable.

Something you might want to play with in your fish room when the first chill of autumn hits. 

Stay excited. Stay curious. Stay realistic. Stay engaged.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Making the cut...

Like so many hobbyists, I enjoy virtually every aspect of aquarium-keeping. However, one of the parts of this game that always drives me a bit crazy is stocking! Now, it's not the aspect of, "I want more fishes than my tank can handle!" No, I'm pretty disciplined about that going in. With me, it's more of a question of, "Which of the 14 candidate fishes do I want to add to the tank?"

Is this a unique "Scott-Fellman-is-a-bit-wierd" problem, or do we all have this, to some extent? I suspect we all do...Okay, I HOPE we all do!

I mean, I generally know the types of fishes I want.

I am a huge fan of little characins, especially in my botanical-influenced "blackwater" aquariums. They are often found in these environments in nature. They're small fishes which aesthetically "fit" almost any-sized system and provide perfect "scale" for my aquascapes. I like them...no issues here. Where I run into difficulty is during that age-old debate: Let's say my tank can accommodate 50 characins of the size I am contemplating. Is it more interesting to have a dozen of four varieties, 16 or so of three varieties, or 10 of five varieties of characins? Or, do I just make it a "monospecific: tank and go for one large school of a single species?

Maybe it's not even characins. Maybe Rasbora! 

It's overthinking at its finest...and it's enough to make my head spin. It's the same with most varieties of fishes that we maintain in the hobby, isn't it? I know Mbuna people run into this stocking dilemma all the time- and the are people who maintain some of the largest aquariums in the freshwater hobby- they have a lot of real estate to work with! 

Traditionally, I've taken the "middle ground." I mean, this gives me a perfectly tolerable, yet still aesthetically-pleasing "ratio" of variety to aesthetic bliss. Depending on the size of your display, I've found over the years that having numerous varieties of fishes in a modest-sized (or even a large sized) tank is actually kind of...distracting! Seems like it's always nicer to have more specimens of less species. Sort of more like what you see in nature usually...

If we think about how fishes are distributed in nature, does it support this thinking? Well, not really..or sort of, depending upon how you look at it. In studies I've read about leaf litter systems in the Amazon region, a 200-square meter area was found to be home to about 20 different species of fishes! That's  surprising population density. Another researcher observed that Apistogramma are often found in nature at population densities of up to a thousand individuals in an area of less than 10 square meters!  That's a LOT of fish!

Now, in the case of the leaf litter studies, there is a reason for the species richness: Utilization of different parts of the litter bed by different species. In the Apistogramma study it was similar, in that the fiefs were distributed throughout a leaf litter bed of almost  a meter deep! Obviously, our aquarium are a lot smaller, and few of us could duplicate 3-foot deep leaf litter beds (nor would few of us want to..). And if you extrapolate down the size of the habitat to aquarium dimensions, you'd be working with a lot of species in a relatively small space i the "diversity" model, or a hell of a lot of Apistos in the "compact population" model! 

And then there are Lake Tanganyika shell dwelling cichlids...which live in huge aggregations in the shell beds...they sort of have their own model, right? I mean, they do really well when kept densely... So there are social as well as physiological factors at play here, huh?

There are numerous factors that contribute to population diversity and density of fishes in nature. In captivity...very few, right? I mean, it's our call, limited by available tank space, finances...and in some instances, our relative audacity! (don't underplay THAT!)

The reality for us is some sort of compromise. We need to juggle aesthetics, the ability of our aquarium to physically provide space for the given fish population, as well as the biological and mechanical filtration capabilities we can offer. Not to mention, the potential for aggression, predation, etc. is higher in such a densely-populated model!

So back to "square one", right?

Yeah, for me, it is. I'm about modest numbers of several small species...It's the fish geek in me who wants maximum "bang for the buck", as they say. I am okay walking that delicate dance between what I want and what I can provide..And doing it in a responsible, ethical manner. I fantasize about the 500-fish school of Tetras someday as the sole occupant of a larger tank- but the reality is the fish geek in me finds that a pretty tough pill to swallow!

Arrghhhh...More tanks. The solution is more tanks. That's it.

So I'm now narrowing down my final choices for one of my office tanks...seeing how many of which fish "makes the cut."

This is going to be interesting. And a bit agonizing...

Todays dissertation on density, diversity, and just me being a general pain in the ass.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Stay curious. Stay disciplined. Stay calculating...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

There is a season...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."- Ecclesiastes

Okay, that's about as biblical a quote as you'll ever read from me. (I was thinking of it in the context of the 1960's folk song, however...). But it's perfectly appropriate for our little piece today, I think.

So I read that today,  there are apparently going to be 16 hours of daylight in North America.

Okay, cool.

Not really earth-shattering, as it's happened for eons this way. However, it got me thinking...Do we create true seasonal variations for our aquariums? I mean, changing up lighting duration, intensity, angles, colors, increasing/decreasing water levels or flow?

With all of the high tech LED lighting systems, electronically controlled pumps; even heaters- we can vary environmental conditions to mimic what occurs in our fishes' natural habitats during seasonal changes as never before. I think it would be very interesting to see what kinds of results we could get with our breeders if we went further into environmental manipulations than we have been able to before.

I mean, sure, hobbyists have been dropping or increasing temps for spawning fishes forever, and you'll see hobbyists play with light durations. However, these are typically only in the context of defined controlled breeding experiments. Why not simply research and match the seasonal changes in their habitat and vary them accordingly "just because", and see if you achieve different results?

We've examined the interesting igarape habitats of The Amazon, and how these seasonally-inundated forest floors ebb and flow with aquatic life during various seasons.

I think it would be pretty amazing to incorporate gradual seasonal changes in such a biotope aquarium, to slowly increase/decrease water levels, temperature, and lighting to mimic the rainy/dry seasonal cycles which affect this habitat. What secrets could be unlocked?

And what about annual killifishes? Would we get more predictable, achievable spawning results by mimicking the seasonal changes in a proper sequence? 

I don't know.

But it would be something cool to try. An interesting avenue to go down, right? Very simple thought for a Friday.

Consider it...

Scheme, plan, explore.

Stay excited. Stay Experimental. Stay creative.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Don't fear...Don't hate. Just grow.

I sometimes find that my blogs open up or expose an idea or issue that I hadn't really considered before. Other times, they reinvigorate older ideas I've held. Yesterday's piece on sumps in the freshwater aquarium (or general lack thereof, really) was one of those which reignited an ongoing "thesis" that I've had about the state of the freshwater hobby.

Okay, well, let's start it off by me pointing out that this is my opinion...based on personal observations and those of others I know. It's not the last word, or even the first word on the subject. You might find it a bit annoying. Perhaps even insulting a bit. Please don't take it that way. ("Good, Fellman, because who really gives a f---- what YOU think about it, anyways!")

In general, I think we're doing really well, and the "art and science" of maintaining all sorts of rare and unusual fishes, and breeding them, has never been better. The body of knowledge surrounding aquatic plants and their culture is growing rapidly. Aquascaping, although stuck (IMHO) in sort of an endless, "Groundhog Day" type of "loop" of derivations of one style, has progressed over the years (Well, if you can call 14,000 variations of the same idea "progression", of course- sorry snobby 'scape crowd...). Yet, for all of this advancement in the freshwater world, as a group, we seem a bit, well- stuck in our ways, or at least, reluctant to embrace different ways of approaching stuff.

Yes.

It's not the first time I've seen this, nor the first time I've heard it discussed. While I often rail on my friends in the reef-keeping world for the laughable attitudes of "trend chasing" and hype that seem to be pervasive in that segment, there is one thing that's obvious in reef keeping that isn't in freshwater- an overall desire to embrace "new" without fear. As a reefer, you tend to want to try the latest and greatest stuff to get the edge that you perceive you need to keep your corals and fishes happy and healthy, and if new stuff drops in, you try it with little hesitation. Yes, that's an extreme, too...but it's progressive.

However, the freshwater hobby seems to be in a different sort of mode, if you examine it honestly. We are, in my opinion, willing to try new fishes, plants, inverts, etc. We're willing to look at some new techniques, if they seem to not deviate too far from what "everyone" says is okay. Yeah, it seems that for some reason, when it comes to some stuff, there is a complete lack of desire to deviate from established ways of doing things. It's like we compartmentalize it as "not for us" and that's that.

For example, going back to the sump thing...I can't even begin to tell you how many p.m.'s and emails I received from members of our community who expressed interest in the idea of using one, but were prefaced by stuff like "I had no idea this could be done" or "I always thought it was too complicated", or "It seemed to expensive or impractical.." and my favorite,  "I thought it wasn't for use in freshwater.." Stuff like that.

Where the hell is that coming from? 

I think it's an attitude. A sort of collective mind set. We seldom, if ever, hear it discussed. No authors seem to want to touch it. Okay, I will. There is no real "nice" way to present it. I have a theory, and you may not like it:

The FW world, although progressive in terms of animal and plant husbandry and propagation, is slow and reluctant to adapt to new technology or different approaches to things.  I mean, you are seeing adaptation of some reactors and controllers for "high tech" planted tanks, which is cool. You're seeing fertilization regimens embraced by a lot of these hobbyists. Cool. And you're finally seeing greater employment of advanced LED lighting systems. More (mass-market-available) foods that are comprised of organisms actually found in the natural environments of our fishes are coming into the freshwater market.

Why does it take so long? Why the stubbornness?

Don't agree?

It's glaringly obvious to "outsiders." (there should be no "outsiders", BTW- different topic for a different time!)

I get a lot of good-natured teasing from my fellow reefers that going to freshwater is like some groovy retro trip to the 1970's. Seriously. Look at the sump thing again. I mean, the sump idea has been around since the 1980's in reefkeeping, and some 30 years on, we see just a handful of them in freshwater, even though the benefits and potential breakthroughs that could be achieved by utilizing one are pretty obvious. Yet, we cling to our canisters and outside filters as if there is no better way to do stuff. We come up with a lot of excuses: "Well, most freshwater hobbyists have multiple aquariums..." or "Brine shrimp is more economical than the new preserved flies."  Okay, so a $300 canister system is cheaper than a $300 sump system? Not sure...I'm not attacking canister filters or frozen brine shrimp. Yes, they are great and they work well...but there are other ways to approach it. There can be some new stuff. We just seem so reluctant to give up the way we've always done things...the way everyone does it. The way "everyone" SAYS we should do it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it..."

Don't like this? Don't believe me?

Look into Tannin's own history. When we first presented our approach to the blackwater/botanical-style system, the amount of pushback was significant. We were called "irresponsible" by many for proffering what they perceived as some reckless, casual foray into a "dangerous" and "unstable" world, with unproven ideas and methods. Stuff that few really played with. Or, some "old timers" told me "this is nothing new" (Which I agreed with), but told me it doesn't work without so much as steeping a catappa leaf. And the idea of seriously elevating blackwater aquariums floundered in obscurity or "novelty sideshow" status for years.

Yeah. Why?

Is it some desire to cling to the gentle ways of a bygone era, following the same well-worn path without some much as questioning why? 

Not sure. But it keeps coming up. I know I sound like a jerk for even discussing it like this, but it's my opinion, supported by numerous observations. Seems like it's almost a...fear. Or at least, a disdain. And I think it's really important that we just look at it and move forward.

Still with me? Good.

I know that many of you might not agree with me here. That's why I prefaced this piece with the disclaimer that it's my opinion.

And don't get me wrong. This rant is not targeted at everyone who keeps a freshwater tank. There is a lot of forward thinking in freshwater, but so much seems to get confined to a few categories, or held tightly in small circles. Not getting through the "noise" of the greater hobby narrative. I mean, look at shrimp fanciers, Rift Lake cichlid people, or Betta breeders. They're doing crazy shit. Why no generalized hobby progression or large-scale acceptance of some different approaches?  

Are we so compartmentalized/specilized/obsessed with our own specialties that we won't look outside the box? I have a hard time swallowing that. If for no other reason, I'd think manufacturers would want to integrate some new things into the mix. Pull over some of the sexy reef stuff and reconfigure/remarket to the freshwater world, who, once they overcome their initial reluctance to change will blow away anything that's previously been done with them in the reef category! Yes, it's great that we have more high-tech versions of the old stuff, but it sure is nice to apply totally new thinking "at scale" to our hobby, right? Besides, the FW world has a lot more buying power!

But it's not just about "stuff."

I think that some big-time freshwater hobby thought leaders need to do more to push progression which incorporates ideas from outside the boxes that we're comfortable in. I mean, look at the talent pool out there in the freshwater world! It's insane. We're breeding fishes that were once thought impossible to even keep alive! We're tissue-culturing and propagating rare plants that were once unobtainable  in the hobby, and shipping them around the world like they're Water Sprite. We have a collective patience that the reef keeping world seems to have only in tiny quantities at best. We can share that. The freshwater world has an amazingly talented group of lifetime, hardcore hobbyists who possess specialty knowledge and experience that is almost mind-boggling. 

Yet we seem close-minded in a lot of ways as a whole, IMHO.

Do we want to change this? I  know that I do.

So, how do we change this? (Assuming any of us want to..) 

We simply look outside of our boxes, peer over our fences, and think about how what's going on in other categories that can help us. You always see me talking about wanting to see more planted tank people get into botanical/blackwater systems because of their extensive knowledge of water chemistry, substrate management, and fertilization, for example. You hear me calling out my nay-saying reefer friends to try a blackwater or brackish tank and apply some of that "testosterone-fueled" thinking to freshwater. Because it works both ways.

We need to "cross-pollinate" a bit. We need to look at what aquarists are doing in other hobby "disciplines" and share and borrow and try out new ideas. And give them some of ours. Some won't work. Others will require lots of modification or adaptation. But the potential for breakthroughs is huge. Can't we all do this? I think so. Or is it just easier to reach for the outside power filter and call it a day?

I hope not.

I'd like to think that this 100+ year-old hobby simply needs a kick in the ass from time to time. We are like a bloated, arthritic giant that needs a wakeup call, a cup of coffee, and a hot shower. Once you wake up this amazing juggernaut and get it firing on all cylinders, the hobby as a whole will grow, with more kids getting into it, and more and more breakthroughs and progress than ever before. 

Again, many of you already get this. For those who don't agree, just contemplate before you trash me.

Don't hate on some new stuff from "the outside." We're all fish geeks, and we can learn from each other, utilize our experience, talent, equipment, techniques...Don't hate on change.

Time to wake up.

Rant over. Don't hate me. Think about it. Dismiss fear. Accept this easy challenge. Blow up the hobby even more. Achieve more great things. Grow.

Together.

Stay driven. Stay thoughtful. Stay innovative. Stay motivated.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The Fish Room- A place of wonder...a place of magic.

A few years back, I was fortunate enough to have a fish geek experience that really made me sit back and think about this crazy hobby of ours in a whole new light. I attended a meeting of a local club in Duluth, MN (Yeah, in February! It was a bit colder than L.A. in February...LOL) to give a talk, and got to stay at the home of a dedicated hobbyist- My friend and prototypical all-around fish geek Matthew Pederson (of Amazonas and Coral Magazines...his blogs and articles are awesome BTW)- and his very serious fish room!  I swear I spent as much time down there as I did with him. It was the first time in a lot of years that I was exposed for more than a few hours to a dedicated home fish room. I even got to scrape algae for him; epic! Felt great. The memories of that brief weekend hanging out in a serious fish room really got my wheels spinning. Something in my "programming"- in our collective "programming"- makes it feel "aspirational." Oh, what was that I wrote, a "fish room?" You got it. A room filled with dozens of aquariums of varying sizes (freshwater and saltwater!), dedicated to the study, care, breeding- and sheer joy of fish keeping.

Now, a fish room is not at all an alien concept to many of us, although we don't hear about 'em as much as we did in the past. And some of us have never had a fish "ROOM", per se- just a lot of tanks scattered around various locations throughout our residence! However, the idea of a dedicated fish room, with all of its exciting little nooks and crannies and potential- is the stuff of dreams for many of us, right?

Fish rooms used to be a lot more common in the hobby. Serious hobbyists thought nothing of filling their basements, garages, and extra bedrooms with lots and lots of aquariums. It seems that in the last few years, the fish room has gone the way of the CD- a once pervasive product that seemed to just sort of fade away. Unlike the CD, technology did not force the idea of a fishroom into retirement. Rather, technology has benefitted the hobby immensely, making it easier than ever before for a hobbyist to create his or her own little nerve center to practice the state of the art in aquarium keeping with several aquariums.

Yet, for some reason, the multiple aquarium fish room was starting to become a thing of the past. Maybe it was economics; time, or the demands of other areas of life that made the commitment to a room full of aquariums seem impractical. For a long time in recent decades, dedicated fish rooms were just the domain of the hardest of hardcore fish geeks...However, with all of the new focus on conservation and fish breeding, it seems like a resurgence is in the works on a large scale!

And for the first time, marine fish breeding is starting to move beyond just Clownfish, and it seems like we’re starting to see some serious breeders move to trying to reproduce all sorts of fishes. And even when not breeding fishes, dedicated marine hobbyists are devoting entire rooms to their obsession, and are pushing the state of the art forward every day. An interesting overall hobby change.

And of course, crazy freshwater fish breeders are popping up everywhere- and along with them, multiple tank fish rooms! Check with any club's Breeder's Award Program if you don't think that's something that's happening all the time!

And, yeah, some of us took it to far and opened up an entire warehouse full of fish stuff... All part of that weird thing of just being a round a ton of fish tanks most of my life. I think that, on some level, all of those of us in the business- whether we care to admit it or not, sort of use the "business" as a cover to play with fish tanks full-time! 

For the hardcore hobbyist, it's no different. The challenge is to fit it into our lifestyle. Sure, given factors like economic uncertainty, time pressures, and other commitments, today’s home hobbyist is more pressed than ever to find time for his or her hobby, even for one aquarium, let alone a dozen or more. Yet, there is something about this hobby that makes it so hard to stop at just one aquarium, isn’t it? And we keep going...

What we only half-jokingly refer to as “Multiple Tank Syndrome”- the "addiction" to the hobby that gives us the urge to set up more aquariums-is alive, well, and very real! We have so many ideas, and a desire to try them all...and it seems the only way to do it is to set up more and more aquariums..!

Some people collect souvenir shot glasses, coins, or cats. 

We collect aquariums. And fish. And plants. And all of the "junk" that goes with 'em.

Cool.

It seems that with every dedicated hobbyist, there is the desire to expand or horizons, to try new things, learn about one more fish, plant, coral, ecological niche, etc. And that requires "just one more" aquarium... or perhaps a few more! It requires the need to expand, explore, and experiment.

To this I say- Go for it! Don’t fight the urge to get that next aquarium. Not only are you giving yourself something that you will enjoy immensely, you might just be able to try something altogether new, break new ground, or better yet-inspire others to persue their aquatic dreams. Maybe you don’t have the space or finances for a true "fish room", but satiating your desire with another aquarium somewhere in the house is a good start!

As a child growing up in a fish-geek household, seeing my dad’s many tanks virtually cemented my destiny that someday I’d be deeply involved in the aquarium field. I always had more than one bowl, plastic container, or aquarium in my bedroom...and all over the house, eventually.

I was inspired, man! Couldn't fight it off...Who knows what kid might be inspired to entire the science field as a result of a visit to your fish room? Or just your fish tank? Or tanks? I mean, virtually every household has more than one car, so why not more than one aquarium? It's a good thing...Well, at the very least, it’s good for the aquarium industry! (Sorry, couldn't resist that one...LOL)

l’ll say it again: "Fish room." A place of magic. A place of wonder. A place of awe. A laboratory. A retreat. A launch pad for dreams. I dedicate this post to all of you out there who practice the art of aquarium keeping each and every day, regardless of if you have one fish bowl or 200 tanks in your basement. You are the very essence of the hobby- the living, breathing soul of our passion. I say it again: If the muse strikes, don’t fight it. Why stop at one?

Who has a "fish room" going? Who's contemplating setting up one? Or at least, who admits to having "Multiple Tank Syndrome?"

My advice to you if you?

Set up another aquarium! 

Oh, and I know this website where you can get really cool botanicals if you're feeling the urge to try blackwater... (heh, heh, heh...)

Until next time,

Stay Wet

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

If things were perfect...

If things were perfect...

Your LFS would be open 24/7/365!

Plants would never have snails, Hydra, and other pests.


Die, scum! You've been banned.

My plumbing connections would never leak; in fact, never even "sweat!"

Pods would sink to the bottomon the first try.

The expression “Limited Edition” would be banned from the coral industry.

Activated carbon wouldn’t need rinsing before use!

Acrylic would never scratch!

All Knifefish would max out at 4". (Can you imagine a "DWARF BLACK GHOST KINFEFISH!")



Flexible tubing would be easier to straighten out!

Discus wouldn’t be so darned fussy.

All salt mixes would mix up instantly to 1.025. Or 1.003!

Hatchetfishes would be incapable of jumping!

I wouldn’t keep gluing my fingers together when I play with coral frags!

“Wireless” pumps would actually have NO WIRES!

Shipping services would never mess up a delivery.



Aquatic putty would actually stick to stuff.

Frozen foods wouldn’t get freezer burn.

"Silent" overflow weirs would be completely silent.

Aquarium heaters would never fail.

A "reef safe" marine angelfish would be 100% "reef safe."

Live Black Worms would need no rinsing or refrigeration!

LED controllers would make it impossible to set your color to “Windex Blue.” (sorry reef world)

“Tank Of The Month” contests would be banned forever.

Driftwood would need no rinsing or soaking before use…ever.

Wild Apistos would eat frozen foods right out of the bag.

All coral vendors would use the same color settings and standards for their photography.

Pipefish would be super easy to keep and breed, and eat flake food!


"Eats TetraMin right from your fingers! Drops babies every 2 weeks....!"

I’d have an endless supply of complimentary Turkish towels! (800 thread count or better, of course)

Some Tetra would come in a deep, metallic purple color!

Frag saw blades would never get dull.

You'd never have to clean algae from glassware in your planted tank!



Fish would swim INTO the net on the first try, and be totally calm...

Those are like my first couple of dozen or so…let’s hear yours…

Stay hopeful. Stay relaxed. Stay calm. Stay creative.

And of course, if things were perfect...everyone would...

Stay Wet.


Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics

"High Tech/High Concept", or is it "Low tech/ High Concept?" Or..?

Like all of you, I spend a fair amount of time interacting and exploring on online forums. 

Although I'm not anything close to a serious planted aquarium keeper, I do enjoy reading up on the techniques, ideas, and evolutions within that hobby niche. In my personal opinion, it's perhaps one of the most rapidly-evolving  sectors within the aquarium hobby. Seems like every week there is some new development, some new idea, some adaptation of a new piece of hardware (like from reef keeping, which is kind of cool), etc.

It's a pretty happening sector within the hobby, and I think we can learn a little bit from our planted aquarium fantastic friends which might work with our blackwater/botanical-style and now, brackish water-botanical-style tanks.

One of the things I find fascinating is the concept of "low tech versus high tech" planted tanks, and where what we do dovetails with this line of thinking/practice. I have found this to be a most interesting dichotomy, one in which I think we may not only operate, but actually be positioned to contribute to the body of knowledge within the hobby.

I suppose a good working definition of "high tech" yields some clues: A high tech planted tank could be defined as one which utilizes intense light, injection of nutrients into the water column, a "nutritious" substrate, and CO2 injection (typically administered via a controller). It seems to favor high growth rate and the ability to effectively grow the widest variety of aquatic plants at a good growth clip.

A "low-tech" planted tank, on the other hand, as its name implies, tends to eschew many of the more complex equipment (like CO2 injection systems/controllers, cable heating, high-intensity lighting) in favor of operational simplicity, and relies on more "natural" processes to some extent (like the CO2 being provided by fish respiration and the bulk of the "fertilizers" coming from their waste), but seems to embrace the use of supplemental liquid fertilizers and may occasionally employ an enriched substrate. The lower light intensities utilized are an obvious "limiting factor" to "low tech" systems (although just because you cannot grow high light/high fertilization-requiring plants doesn't seem to me to be a reason for the "low tech" moniker).

Now, those are rough "definitions" that I've come up with based on my understanding of both. Your interpretation may vary and be significantly different from mine, but I think I'm sort of "in the ballpark" with them.

Now, how do these concepts "sync" with what we do? Well, first off, with blackwater/botanical-style tanks, the primary focus seems to be on the overall aquatic environment, and typical natural blackwater systems have few true aquatic plants, so, although more and more hobbyists are experimenting with plants in these tanks, to attempt to categorize them one way or another seems superfluous, in my opinion. Our systems sort of "are what they are", right? Light penetration and nutrient-poor substrates characterize many blackwater systems in nature.

Of course, there are streams and bogs and such with plants like Cryptocoryne, or Anubias, which do well in these environments, but these are exceptions typically. Floating plants seem to dominate many of the South American blackwater habitats in which true aquatic plants are found.

However, we also do embrace elements that could be considered sort of "high tech", like "enriched" substrates, advanced lighting systems (a lot of us use LED's for aesthetic effects), and controlled water movement. Although we're typically emphasizing plant growth as a secondary part of the aquarium, we do create an environment that is conducive to the growth of some species, don't we? I mean, with a lot of decomposing botanical materials and nutrient sources provided courtesy of leaves, and substrate materials, we have some of the elements to do the job nicely.  

Yet, our substrates are, in my opinion, "configured" with the intention of providing overall environmental conditions (like tinted, lower pH water) and fostering fungal/bacterial food chains and maybe, just maybe some denitrification/fermentation of organics.

So, where does this leave us as practitioners of the blackwater/botanaical-style aquarium? I think we're sort of "niche habitat replicators" as opposed to strict "fish-dominated systems" or "high/low-tech planted tanks", etc. Yet, we are utilizing many of the concepts and ideas from both regularly, wether we consciously think about it or not, right? I think employing some aspects of planted tanks in our systems is not only interesting- I think it can be very beneficial to both "disciplines" within the hobby. This very superficial, yet (I hope) though-provoking discussion sort of demonstrates that many different aquarium concepts rely on some of the same "operating systems", yet might employ different hardware/technique to get to their destinations. Some require the application of higher technology- others, a greater reliance on nature. 

Although one might say that the blackwater/botanical-style aquarium falls somewhere squarely in between, suffice it to say we can definitely contribute to the ongoing evolution of many aspects within the aquarium hobby universe. "High Tech/Low Tech"- doesn't matter. What DOES matter is that we are learning, experimenting, and hopefully- unlocking a few secrets along the way about recreating, maintaining, and perhaps even protecting- these compelling natural systems.

Keep doing what you're doing. Keep contributing to the growing global body of work and advancing the state of the art not only of this sector- but of the overall aquarium hobby!

Stay bold. Stay Adventurous. Stay open-minded. Stay experimental. Stay diligent.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The best moments?

I received a nice email today- one of many we receive weekly, from a hobbyist who just received his shipment from us and was so excited to get started with aquatic botanicals...

It got me thinking about things that get us excited in the hobby! I posed this question to some of my fishy friends,  and they had a wide range of interesting answers. The biggest and most exciting events in the hobby, based on this very un-scientific sampling, seem to be when you set up a new tank, and when you acquire/receive/purchase a new aquarium, gadget, aquascaping item, plant or fish....especially one you've been trying to acquire for some time...And I'm inclined to agree... And being in the business of helping fellow fish geeks do cool stuff with their tanks every day, I'd have to say that I won't argue with that one.

I love when I help a fellow hobbyist create a cool selection of botanicals and I get that email or text or PM and they say, "Man I can't wait to get the package...!"



Few things in this hobby or business thrill me like hearing the sheer joy of a fellow hobbyist, stoked as hell about getting something that he or she loves so much.

Coolness!

However, I think there are other exciting things...

Like seeing your favorite pair of fish spawn, and the appearance of the first fry. Few feelings in the hobby can match that!

Or, like going to conferences and having your head explode from all of the fishes, plants, gadgets, and fish geeks you encounter under one roof, or nailing the perfect aquascape, seeing your fave fish just thriving in your tank, securing that moss to a killer piece of driftwood just the way you wanted it...dozens and dozens of tiny little moments that provide us that little "rush" which keeps the hobby so addictive.

I don't know about you, but I still get that little ping of excitement every time I enter into my LFS! "Will THIS be the time I find that crazy weird dwarf cichlid I've been looking for? Will the store have that awesome new coral food I've read about but haven't yet tried? Will I end up walking out with a new nano tank?"

All those kinds of cool things that create excitement, and keep us engaged in the hobby. Granted, we all get excited about different things:

I hung with a bunch of guys at a reef conference (MACNA) once, who had very passionate and (to them) exciting exchanges about...testing for Vanadium in aquarium water (no, I'm serious! And they weren't really that drunk, either, and the discussion went on for hours! And to answer your next question: No, I bailed at like the 15-minute mark...)! And of course, I love "shopping" with friends for gadgets at aquarium shows; it's a thrill- (especially when they're the one spending money! Those vicarious adventures. Peer-pressuring your buddies into getting that _______ they're debating over is always fun! ("Dude! It's so cheap here! You know you'll go home and want it and it's gonna be like 25% more online...just get it NOW!" )

So many cool things.

And you know what? It even hit me this past month- after two years, I still get that twinge of excitement every time I step into the office. Because there is always something new and interesting...something to keep me excited, engaged, focused. Seeing your pics and videos of the awesome things you do with our aquatic botanicals- the sharing of your experiences and ideas with our ever-growing community...Amazing.

And then it all kind of goes back to what we mentioned at the beginning of this piece, about what is arguably one of the best moments for a fish geek: Waiting for whatever you ordered to arrive...Don't you just kind of "geek out" when you order something fish related online and it's going to be delivered today?

It doesn't matter if it's just a part for your RO/DI unit, a bunch of pelleted food, 10 pounds of activated carbon, or- on those truly special days- that breeding pair of Apistos or rare Gouramis- you still get this childlike excitement, like the night before Christmas or something, right?

If you're like me, you track your order online ("Oh, honey, Fed Ex says it's in their hub at Memphis right now! Oh, wait-it just got loaded on the plane to L.A.!!!), you watch your porch, you listen for every "delivery-truck-sounding" vehicle coming down the street (damn, just a school bus!), and look for an email from USPS, DHL, FedEx, or UPS with that beautiful subject line: "Your package is out for delivery..."

If you're at work when the shipment is due to arrive, of course, it's even more exciting, distracting, and nerve-wracking, isn't it? Your mind runs wild with every scenario: "What if it's a new delivery guy and he puts my package on the wrong porch?" Or worse, "What if the delivery person misreads the instructions and needs me to sign for the delivery? Where and when can I pick it up?"

Or even worse yet- the online status indicates that a "Delivery Exception" has occurred  What does that mean? Is it a weather delay that has held up your package, or is it damaged and undeliverable, or...?

Need to call...but can't get out of that meeting...Feeling sick...

You know, stuff like that.

It's such a weird thing that many a good fish geek will simply take the day off when he or she knows that a package is set to arrive. We can't risk it being handled by ANYONE else, not even our long-suffering spouse!

Even the word, "package", brings up some visceral, child-like feeling in a fish geek like me. A "package" is a magical thing that contains cool stuff that can help you really geek out even more! I love that word.

And when the package does arrive- when it all comes together and you are there to receive it from the delivery person (who has no idea that you were stalking her while she parked the mail truck at the curb, took out your package from the back of the truck, and slowly- agonizingly slowly- walk up the driveway to your porch), your pulse quickens...

And it takes everything you have NOT to open the door half a second after the doorbell rings...No, you're too cool for that- you wait another second or two, and casually open the door to grab the goods. And of course, you are hoping- praying- that the delivery person doesn't engage in any small talk greater than the usual pleasantries or comment about the weather, because you've got to open that package!

And you casually close that door...and run to the drawer where your scissors is...Where is it?

And you finally open that package- a complete sensory experience, the feel, the sound, the smell of cardboard and packaging tape- all seared not your brain circuitry from a lifetime of waiting for and opening packages...

What a moment!

And even if it IS just a 6-pack of new filter pads, it might as well be that rare Gold Nugget Pleco you ordered from the guy in New Jersey. You admire your prize, and feel...well, content. For now.

It's the culmination of a long process. The pinnacle of an experience filled with all sorts of emotions, impulses, and rituals. You feel something. Relief, perhaps? Or the desire to go through that whole thing again next week. It's a rush of sorts.

And, later that evening, you go back online and peruse the vendors' offerings...

"Hmm, how much do I have to order to get free shipping...?

You are a fish geek. Through and through.

And all of these things-all of these experiences, acquisitions, and moments of enjoyment of the hobby with friends- are what excite me the most.  All of 'em. Every single one.

We're all pretty lucky to have this, don't you think?

So, that being said...What do you consider the best moments...the most exciting things in the hobby? The most exciting moments in aquarium keeping? Let's here 'em!

Stay excited. Stay engaged. Stay geeky.

And stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Unwritten "rules", hidden meanings, and fish geek interpretations...

One of the best things about this blog is that I can test my bizarre theories, my philosophical inclinations, and just confirm if my ideas about the aquarium-keeping world hold any merit. Many of my discussions with you, my fellow fish geeks, give me the chance to pause and reflect, and confirm a theory that I hold near and dear:

There is a common (unwritten) “language” or set of “rules” by which our fish-keeping culture operates. I’ve touched on it before, here, but it’s time for a bit more depth..To this end, I decided to expand further in my test of this theory. I believe, much like the “certainties” about things you shouldn’t do, that there are things that you shouldn’t say to aquarists, as they will affect our onboard neural “programming”, compelling us to respond in ways that are common to all of us who hold the title of “fish geek.”

To that end, I support my theory with an analysis of several things that you can say to fish geeks that are sure to evoke specific responses. These are just a few- I’m relying on you to expand upon this theory by adding some of your own:

“That’s a very hardy, non-aggressive fish.. for a cichlid.” - That’s fish-geek-speak for, “Dude, you should take this fish off of my hands, because it’s taking over my tank.” And let’s be perfectly honest, in aquarium keeping parlance, the phrase “taking over my tank” is always a bad thing, unless it’s proceeded with the words, “These incredibly brightly colored Mbuna” or  “This super fast-growing Aerioculon" (things you’re not likely to hear). Usually, it’s in the context of a fish that the offerer is “done with” because their “interests have changed” (again, fish-geek-speak for “I finally got the initiative to get this brute out of my tank before he takes over everything!”). Unless you enjoy aggressive, modest colored fishes that dig in your substrate, beware!

“That ____________ is easy to install. Took me less than an hour.” - This phrase is generally delivered by your aquarium buddy who either: a) has a background in contracting, computer science, or engineering, b) is simply a beginner who is blessed with being able to charm other hobbyists into doing stuff for him/her, or c) had a stroke of dumb luck and is suddenly confident. This phrase generally comes into play after you were convinced to buy the same lighting system, CO2 system, reactor, or controller as your friend, because it “works so well for you.” This is a virtual guarantee that the “some assembly required” gremlin will pay you a visit over the course of the three days it will actually take to understand, assemble, install, uninstall, reinstall, and troubleshoot said device on your tank.

“Whoa! Was that fish picking at your Madagascar Lace Plant?” - Of course, it will be the fish  that you were told was “plant safe” (whatever THAT means)- the one that spends most of it’s days hiding deep in your extensive, newly re-done (at great economic, time, and spousal relationship cost) rock and wood work. It’s generally the fish that you maybe see a few times a week, and the friend’s assertion usually comes after you might- MIGHT- have noticed a slight decline in that favorite uber-pricy, crazy rare plant of late, so you’re especially sensitive and attuned to trying to resolve this emergent problem. I don’t have to tell you what that means After you’re done going over the problem every night and losing sleep, guess what you’ll be doing at some point? Yup.

“Your wife doesn’t expect you at your mother-in-law’s for two hours. You and I can easily plumb this tank with time to spare.”- Although it sounds like a great offer of help, which it is- there are a few things you need to consider regarding the source of the offer: Typically it means that your friend is single, just got out of a relationship with plenty of time on his or her hands, or just bought his/her spouse a big-ticket gift that hey/she has been wanting for some time. His/her relationship “account” is full, and just about anything he or she would do will not elicit a negative response for months. YOU, on the other hand, are walking that fine line between relationship bliss and being straight-up asked to give up your aquarium-keeping habit. You need to get this right, and you can’t ruffle any feathers doing it. Do you really need to tackle this tank project this afternoon, or is it best on some other day? Or will you tempt fate and forge ahead?

“Want some fry?” - Sort of the fish-keeping equivalent of the old cliche about drug dealers telling you that “The first one is free..” It doesn’t matter if your tank is full, and if the fish being offered is the wrong one for your type of system. You’re a fish geek for goodness sake! You know never to say no to a free fish, right? Um, right? Very little needs to be said here.

“That sale is too good to pass up.”- Usually proffered by your buddy who is: a) making way more than you and always seems to be able to afford cool stuff, b) in total financial free-fall and hides it well , or c) has a brand new credit card with a nice, juicy limit (doesn’t matter that his/her other cards are maxed out and in arrears). My unsolicited financial advice: just go for it. Oh, wait a second- that’s not particularly responsible from a financial perspective, is it? Then again, you’re a fish geek, and “financial responsibility” has a different meaning altogether, right? 

“You are so lucky to have all of those cool little snails in your plant tank!”- Typically said by a newbie visitor who has no idea that he just tipped you off to the fact that you have one of the most aggravating scourges in planted tank-keeping: Snails! It’s that indication of the “ah ha” moment when you realize that the problem that you thought was so small is now super apparent to even a non-fish person. That means it’s time for drastic action, right? A classic example of how a seemingly innocuous comment (to the the person making the observation, anyways) can radically alter your tank plans!

“Man, you really have a knack for breeding _______. You should do it for a living!”-  Scary. This is another one of those statements typically made by someone outside of the hobby, which may either spur you on to greatness or total failure, depending on your capability, determination, and fortitude. Often times, the decision to turn your passion into a career comes from internal motivation and dialogue, not outside observations. This doesn’t mean that it’s not a good idea, just because someone else suggested it. It does, however, mean that you need to think this through on your own, right? The old adage about "making a small fortune by spending a large one" comes to mind here.

So, there you have a little rundown on some of the real meanings behind commonly heard “fish-geek-speak”, which will hopefully give you a better insight into our culture. You no doubt have dozens of your own examples, and in the spirit of this blog, it’s important for you to share them with your fellow fish geeks!

Thank you for participating in our little social experiment! (willingly or not!)

Until next time…

Stay open-minded. Stay motivated. Stay creative...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics