The Tint

Blowing up brackish...sharing our vision of the "slightly salty" world...

As we're progressing towards our brackish water debut, I thought about some interesting stuff that I just had to share with you. A sort of "primer" once again on the state of the brackish aquarium world and where we think it can go...

First off, the world of brackish water aquariums is filled with a lot of cliche, a lot of guessing, erroneous assumptions, and plain old misinformation. And some fear...Yeah, fear...People are a bit afraid of some of this stuff...well, they're afraid of the potential impact of questioning some of the stuff that is considered "the way it's done..."

Oh, and there's a lot of outdated stuff floating around out there, too. And some really good information, mixed right in there with the crappy stuff. 

Yeah, this has an air of familiarity to it, doesn't it?

I mean, it's an awful lot like what we encountered when we dove deeper into the blackwater world. There seems to be a sort of common theme in the hobby when it comes to the more "obscure" areas of specialization: The greater hobby community seems to "pre-judge" it based on presumptions from the limited information that is available, even though many have never tried it first-hand.  It's human nature, I suppose...but it's sad. We're better than that. We need to lose this attitude really quickly, IMHO.

When I first started playing with brackish water aquariums, almost 25 years ago (gulp), I made a ton of assumptions...you know- stuff like all Mollies are brackish water fish, plants can't grow in brackish water, you needed to use dolomite or other sands to create a brackish tank, you need to maintain "near sterile" conditions...just to name a tiny few.

And then I looked at nature. Nature always has the answers. We just have to know what kinds of questions to ask, and what to look for. 

I mean, over the years, simply by studying, playing with, and actually visiting tropical brackish-water habitats, I learned a lot. I read a lot of interesting scientific papers on these habitats- many of which were over my head, but some provided bits of information that was perfectly applicable to my theories about how to manage a brackish water aquarium. I realized that, as aquarium hobbyists, over the years, we've sort of created a "template" for how you're supposed to create and manage a brackish water aquarium. And the template is kind of...well, I can't put it delicately- BORING! With a few notable exceptions, many of the brackish tanks we've seen in the past are sort of the equivalent of those 1970's-style saltwater tanks...What nature does is far more interesting.

Now, I'm nowhere close to calling myself "well versed" on the brackish water game, but I'd say I have a better than average understanding. And my approach is different, honed by years of practice and working my methods. It's not really any more difficult than anything else we do. It requires that most important of all things from the aquarist who wants to work it: the "mental shift."

You already know about that, right?

As we've touched on before, the Tannin approach to brackish water habitats is not the crystal-clear, white-sand-bottom and coral-skeleton version that seems to dwell in the greater hobby's general perception of this type of system. Rather, it's a world of tinted, slightly turbid water, darker, muddy substrates, leaf litter, biofilms, fluctuating salinity, algal films, mangrove roots, oysters, clams, botanicals, and plants. Life. In many forms. I think my reef keeping background has given me some good stuff to draw from. And for those of you who keep reef tanks, planted tanks, African Rift Lake cichlids, and other specialized systems...hmm- like blackwater/botanical-style systems- you're going to bring a lot to the table!

(Mangrove Oysters on Rhizophora mangle- the Red Mangrove. Awesome shot by Alan Cresller)

When our "Estuary" line launches in just a few weeks, you'll see that our approach is a bit different. As with so many things we do, it will not appeal to a large percentage of aquarists. It might even offend some people, for many of the same reasons that Tannin initially did: It's not a pristine, diorama-style, garden-like interpretation of nature. Rather, it's a rich, earthy, dynamic environment. And the environment itself is a big part of the draw here!

It's not as "clean-looking" as what has been presented as a brackish style aquarium in the past. Yet, those who have taken this similar approach realized for themselves that it's an amazing, dynamic one- filled with interesting interactions and insights. We won't only dwell on the aesthetics of what we'll come to know as botanical-style brackish systems- we'll dwell on the functionality of them, too. We'll look into ways that we can perhaps replicate some of the processes and relationships found in natural brackish water systems. We'll talk a lot about mud, substrates, algae, epiphytic materials...and Cryprocoryne ciliata.

We'll rely heavily on components of Mangroves and palms, because they are the true "anchors" of the brackish water, estuary habitats that we find so alluring. As hinted above, we will look at ways to not only "channel the aesthetics" of mangrove habitats- we'll look at ways to enable some of the processes which occur in them, and how we can make them work for us.

We'll start by giving you access to some materials that you've probably never had access to before, and a bunch that you've probably seen before, and applying them to this new "venue" in ways not previously utilized- but with which you are now rather familiar. We'll start gradually, and gain momentum.

Oh, and we'll have lots of discussions on fishes which reside in these habitats. There seems to be two classes of fishes that have historically used in brackish tanks:

1) Big, sort of ugly grey and black fishes that are not the most interesting (You know, Monos, Scats, gnarly Puffers, etc.)

2) Fishes like Molies and Chromides, which we've found do okay with salt in their water, even though not all actually are typically found in these habitats; yet, we've sort of thrown them into the "brackish fish" category...

3) More interesting fishes that actually are found preferentially in brackish habitats and would make great additions to our tanks...

So, we'll consider lots of cool fishes, no doubt. And we will bring up more questions than we'll answer, I'll wager! If your recall my piece on Mollies not long ago, it was a most confusing tale- yet indicative of the work we need to do as hobbyists to unravel what's fact- and what is misconception...and to avoid further clouding the issues! 

We will have lots of inspiration. We'll see some cool videos and pics from some of the world's best-known aquascapers of brackish water tank builds, to inspire and enthrall you. And we will provide a forum for you to share YOUR work with the world, as we have with the blackwater/botanical-style systems you've shown us!

And we will make some mistakes. Bad assumptions. Errors. And we'll also find out a lot of cool new stuff. we'll challenge past assumptions. Find out that some of them WERE correct...and that others were completely absurd. We'll do it together- as a community- and we'll share in an open, frank, and humble manner, within a supportive, adventurous environment.

You will never be chastised by us for being bold, adventurous...even a bit contrarian. As we continue to move forward into previously unfamiliar territory, we can help each other- and the hobby as a whole- rediscover, reinvent, and reconsider what may once have been yet another obscure niche within the aquarium hobby.

Stay excited! Stay adventurous. Stay engaged.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Back to the litter bed...And on to innovation!

We talk a lot about those flooded Igapo forests in South America. We share the awesome pics, and we talk about ways to replicate the look- and more recently- the function of these fascinating systems. And, although they are compelling and alluring to us, they are vital to nature.  It is known by science that the leaf litter and the community of aquatic animals that it hosts is, according to one study "... of great importance in assimilating energy from forest primary production into the blackwater aquatic system."  It also functions as a means to preserve the nutrients that would be lost to the forests which would inevitably occur if all the material which fell into the streams was washed downstream. The fishes, crustaceans, and insects that live in the leaf litter and feed on the fungi, detritus, and decomposing leaves themselves are very important.

In the aquarium, leaf litter certainly performs a similar role in helping to sequester these materials. However, in the closed confines of the aquarium, what are the impacts of deep leaf litter beds? Is there a practical limit? Do various botanical materials have different impact and function within the bed?

This is what I'm excited about! The idea of botanical aquarists experimenting with novel approaches to starting up systems. I'm very excited to see experimentation with alternative substrate materials, like soils, muds, and clays- things many of our planted aquarium brethren have been experimenting with for a while. The idea of starting up an igapo-themed aquarium by creating a vivarium setup to simulate a rain forest floor,  and literally flooding  it over a series of days or weeks is just irresistible to many! And I think this is where we will see some significant discoveries, in terms of the ecology of aquariums.

I would assume that there would be a "cycle", although, in a moist environment, would some of the same strains of denitrifying bacteria which occur in soils, survive the "inundation?" What would be the extent of the "cycle?" These questions clearly demonstrate my ignorance of the finer points of biology and soil ecology, but it is a legitimate one to ponder- and those with a scientific background could really help here! I would presume that there would be a definite period where the now-submerged substrate and associated materials (leaves, botanicals, etc.) would begin breaking down- leaching out some of the materials contained within their tissues (much as occurs during preparation). What kind of impact would this have on an aquatic environment? How long would it be before you could safely add fishes? Will the system, once "flooded", education like any other aquarium- or will the fact that it has a full compliment of "stuff" from day one impact the long-term function, stability, and ecological balance of the vivarium-turned-aquarium? 

Lot's of questions. More questions than answers, at this point. Yet, when taking a truly different approach to an aquarium- literally a cyclical, seasonal one, would there be any advantage- any benefit? Or would it simply be a goofy "experiment"- an oddity that is good for passing conversation at fish club meetings or on social media posts ("Flooded my forest last night, and THIS happened!") You know, stuff like that. It would take a truly patient, truly engaged hobbyist to take such an approach. I mean, the big takeaway from a hobby level might be as ridiculous as "When you flood the vivarium, the water is cloudy for 3 weeks.." Most of us don't have the means to analyze the biological processes on more than a superficial level...but does it really matter? We'd be doing something truly unique. At the very least, we'd be gaining a small appreciation for a natural phenomenon in nature which supports one of the most interesting ecologies on earth.

Like some many things we do- and can do- in the hobby- unusual approaches and experiments don't always yield immediate knowledge. But they DO give us one thing immediately- inspiration. Confidence. Satisfaction. Because, when you embrace on roads less travelled in this hobby, as we've discussed here numerous times- seemingly unwarranted hobby criticism, self-doubt, and the unknown are your only real companions.

We'd love to change that. We'd love to support hobbyists efforts to forge responsibly ahead, trying different stuff. Perhaps, even contrarian stuff. Yet, ideas that might have not only some merit, but the possibility for real hobby benefit. Not every idea will yield fruit. Not every idea even makes sense. Many will get you questioned by other hobbyists, who don't share your adventurous spirit and sense of purpose. Some get "beaten down"- which sucks. I don't think that our community will deny you the joy of trekking off into the unknown. I know that Tannin won't. We welcome responsible, innovative work. We support it!

And that's why it's time for us to embark on another aspect of our business..One that we  have allowed to "germinate" until the conditions were right.

Here's our offer:

I like to put my money where my mouth is, literally. I also like hobbyists who are doers and not "talkers." I want Tannin to "sponsor" your botanical/blackwater-related aquarium experiment. 

We're looking for ONE (1) hobbyist with an idea that we can help out with.

We will provide your choice of botanical materials from our collection (within reason), and $50USD cash to execute your plan. 

Here's how it would work:

First, If you're thinking of some unusual idea involving botanicals and blackwater aquariums, let us know about it.

Now, I'm not talking about something like, "Yeah- I want to do an entire mountain made up of 'Jungle Pods' and plant Anubias on them!" or "I want to do an Iwagumi scape using Monkey pots and Savu Pods in place of Oyaishi, Fukuishi, Soeishi, and Suteishi stones..." No, No , No, No NOOOO! I'm talking something real. Something with an a approach that can unlock some ideas about the "functionality of the process" of our approach. An idea that can lead to breakthroughs or evolutions of the state of the art in the botanical/blackwater aquarium movement.

So, you need to actually give us a proposal. Now, not a long-winded scientific thing...But a summary of sorts, describing what you want to do, and how you'll accomplish it. And a definite time frame. Endless experiments with no tangible progress or process are not what this is about.

And you have to actually DO something. If you're looking for us to hook you up just so you can "Set up a new tank and see what effect a blackwater aquarium has on my fish club's perception of me asa hobbyist", you'll be shot down, lol. We will ferret out bullshit really quickly. And although I adore kids, we're not really looking to sponsor little Jennifer's 5th grade science experiment, either...That may be next, but not this time. This is about being a fish geek with an idea. And getting a "grant" to breed _______ is not what this is about, either. Nor giving a tank to someone who really wants one...Your local club should have a program like that!  We love making people happy, but this is not intended to be a charity thing...again, that may happen down the line, but not right now. You get the idea by now what we're looking for, right?

Just be honest and real.

We'd like a summary of what you did and the results you've unlocked, within a reasonable length of time, so that our community can see what you're up to! We don't want to just hook you up with pods and some cash and have you vanish into the mist. 

So, if you're up for it, and really have an idea you'd like to execute on because you think it will lead to some interesting advances for the community, let's hear it! 

We'll have a cutoff of May 15th, 2017 as the deadline for proposals. Send them to us at:

tanninaquatics@gmail.com.

The title of your email should be "Tint Grant" so we can locate it quickly!

We will probably do an initial "narrowing of the field", and perhaps ultimately put up the finalists for a vote by YOU- "Tint Nation" to see who wins the "grant."

We'd love to do this quarterly...or maybe more or less frequently- depending upon interest and involvement. It's not intended to p]be a contest, gimmick, or "one off" thing. It's something we want to continue in perpetuity. It's the first of what we call "Tannin Special Projects", aka "The Tint Works"- a way to support things that will advance our hobby and support the people within it. We want to make a small difference, not just sell you things- and doing stuff like this is a start. 

In the future, we'd love to do other, more "advanced" things, like supporting expeditions to the wild habitats we love so much, and sponsoring experiments by university students- and yes, actually hooking up some needy kids with an aquarium. This stuff is important to us. It's part of our core values...and likely part of many of yours, as well. We'll try to do what we can with the resources that we have. Small at first, but hopefully much larger in the future. If you have ideas to make this bigger, better, and more helpful, as always, we're open to your input.

We want to continue to foster a vibrant community of aquarists, interested in advancing this hobby we love so much. It's a small thing- a little thing, but the idea of a "Tint Grant" is something we've thought about for a long time, but we needed to have more visibility and credibility before executing on it. And now, with a global community and significant hobby visibility- it's time. 

50 bucks. A package of botanicals.

Not a lot, in the grand scheme of the world. But a start. Something. An it sends a message, as well.

What is the message? 

We care about you. We care about the hobby. And we want to support you.

Stay bold. Stay enthusiastic. Stay unusual.

And Stay Wet

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

It's no contest-well, it is..but it's different!

Well, something about being down with the flu that forces you to think about other stuff, besides just the day-to-day of running your business!

Yesterday, I shared with you my long-standing desire to have some sort of tank-build contest, sponsored by Tannin, run somewhat differently than the usual ones you see on line...I've been somewhat critical of the traditional popular contests, so it's time for me to shut up and do something...And I want YOUR input and ideas. It's a different time. The aquarium world is evolving, and we need a contest that does more than just create pretty pictures. We need to use the attention created by a cool contest to educate, inform, and maybe do some social good.

I asked for your ideas, suggestions, and thoughts, in order to make this more of an open source, community-derived thing, and I've loved what we've seen and heard thus far. Response and excitement has been incredible, and we've gotten some pretty amazing ideas thus far!

To recap, here's the basic premise of the contest:

One of the habitats we have a pretty healthy interest in here at Tannin is the so-called "igapo" inundated forest floors of the Amazon. This is a rich, diverse, botanical-influenced habitat which meshes perfectly with our love of botanical-style, blackwater aquariums. We've talked about this habitat several times here in "The Tint." It's seldom been intentionally replicated by hobbyists, until rather recently. And, with the "New Botanical" movement in full swing, and a global community of hobbyists working with botanicals and blackwater more fervently than ever, we kind of think it would be time to bring even more attention to this unique habitat by creating a contest to see how far we've come!

The aim of the contest is for entrants to replicate the look and function of an igapo by using a set of botanicals in a small tank, assembling their scape, and allowing it some time to run in and mature prior to final judging. So, each contestant would receive the same pack of botanical items from us, and could use a many or as few of them as he/she desires in their aquarium. We're probably talking about a two month contest period to really get the tanks going. My thinking is that we'd offer up some inspiration in the form of some photos; possibly videos of these habitats- the ones our friend Mike Tuccinardi has made are perfect for this! These would serve as inspiration, not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but to get entrants thinking about function.

The goal is not to create the static contest-oriented "dioramas" that, in my humble option, dominate the global aquascaping contest landscape. We get it...they're cool and all- but we want to see your skills used to do something different.  The idea in OUR contest would be to utilize the skills, attention, and experience that our community has to recreate a specific habitat in the aquarium. It's not just about one or two good photos. Oh, and we're not going to go the other way and represent that every twig and seed pod being from the exact habitat we're trying to recreate in our tanks. That is a different thing altogether. We're trying to call attention to the concept, function, and aesthetic of this habitat by using materials which are a reasonable facsimile of those which accumulate in the iagpo.

So, the creativity is going to come from how you'll utilize the set of materials provided to help recreate this habitat. We're still working out a few details- such as, can you add your own wood and substrate? And plants? I looked into possibly providing these items to contestants; however, both the subjective nature of what constitutes a "good" piece, as well as the financial impact of sending wood to every entrant make this impractical. We'll probably allow contestants to choose their own wood pieces, and if desired, substrate materials.No other botanical, however. Oh, and tank size...we think it should be 10 US gallons (40L) or less. This will work well with the small selection of materials that we'll provide, and will put everyone on a sort of "level playing field." 

All entrants are going to go through many of the same processes- the initial setup, seeing biofilms, breakdown of botanicals, dark water, etc. Stuff we know, but that the greater "contest world" never seems to focus on. This is a contest that is not for everyone. Some people will hate this. Those who love "made-for-one-shot-cinematic- "diorama-style"-photo-shop-enhanced 'scapes need not apply. Those of you who hate the idea of having to use one set of materials to create a specific habitat will not want to play. That's okay. This is about embracing the process of a botanical-style aquarium as much as the unique aesthetic. You're going to have to grow a little microcosm to make this work. And share ideas, and be open-minded, humble, and motivated.

And you'll have to "show your work!" We will have "check-in" deadlines at various points. Initial setup, one month, and the final...so we have some documentation and understanding that this is a process as much as a "result." We'll probably have some specific questions you'd have to answer about your aquarium. Not only will this give you a sort of "track" to run on- it will help create a great database of information on this type of aquarium for hobbyists to reference!

And you'll be loved. Yeah. Embraced by our amazing global community of adventurous hobbyists who want to learn and grow and try new stuff. They will support you, empathize with you, and grow with you. Kindness, empathy, and gratitude. Yeah, they're real and part of our company core values, and what we want to instill more of into the hobby.

Now the other thing that goes through my mind is my desire to support Project Piaba and the unique work they do...particularly in the flooded igapo forests- and to be able to use this contest not only as a vehicle to call attention to the botanical/blackwater world we love, but to understand the habitat from which some of our beloved fishes come. I am thinking about an entry fee of sorts. The reality is that a nominal fee- say $5-$10USD or so- makes sense, as we could donate a set amount to Project Piaba, and use a smaller amount to help defray a tiny bit of the costs associated with getting everyone their botanicals. Oh, and it weeds out those who simply want to score a free pack of botanicals! (yeah, there are people like that..I recall a few social media "influencers" we sent stuff to when we first started, who disappeared without a trace after we sent them a bunch of stuff...)

Of course the donation is small...but it's something, and it's a statement. It says to these people that the hobby not only cares about what they do- it cares about the habitat in which they operate. It calls attention to something that we at Tannin find important. I really want to do something- anything-that can help this organization, because I believe so strongly in it.

For a number of reasons (not the least of which is the expense associated with shipping worldwide contestants a pack of botanicals to work with), we'd want to limit the entries to a manageable number- say a maximum of 20-25 entrants. Remember, this is not intended to be some grandiose all-comers aquascaping contest, with thirty categories and all sorts of criteria. We have a business to run- our full-time gig is not running contests, and the time and resources required to running a big-time global contest would detract from our primary mission to build a great business with amazing products, inspiration, and service. We want something more "grass-roots." This is why we've went out of Facebook to get your ideas- and we'll continue to do so as we lock down the final details.  

The contest is intended to highlight the emerging segment of blackwater. botanical-style aquariums and your amazing skills. To give everyone some of the same materials to work with, and to have to deal with many of the same issues...Besides, every aquarium that is set up this style increases the knowledge of this type of aquarium, and helps add to the body of work that will inspire others. 

Who will judge this? I think- and we're still looking for your ideas- that, rather than a "panel" of "experts"- it might be cool to have the community of "tinters" judge entrants! Now, I reserve the right to change this position before we finalize here, but that would be kind of cool. I think that more and more members of "Tint Nation" understand the criteria of what makes a good botanical-style, blackwater aquarium. And restricting every entry to try to replicate this specific niche puts everyone on a level field.

And prizes! Of course we have to have some really good prizes. We'll probably do 1st, second, and third. Should we do a 4th place, too? We'll try to get some really good prize packages together to make all of the work you'll do worthwhile! I will contact some industry friends to see if we can get some great prizes...Anyone out there who is in a position to offer some prizes, please do let me know!

Oh- and the pics. Look, we want to inspire people. You should be okay with people sharing them on Facebook and other social media. I know that I'd want to share them- less to "sell my stuff" than to share the idea- and provide inspiration on blackwater, botanical-style systems.

This contest is really about a process as much as it is about producing an "end product." The joy of working with some natural materials to create a very specific type of aquarium. The process of learning, sharing, and discovering. And if this works- next time, maybe we'll try another niche. Another challenge. 

I'd love to get this contest underway within the next month or so. Let's keep an open dialogue about this, and we'll do our best to create a fun, interesting, and enjoyable contest which will inspire, educate, and excite not only our global community- but the larger aquarium hobby as a whole.

Thanks for the amazing outpouring of enthusiasm we've enjoyed thus far! Let's keep it up.

Stay excited. Stay motivated. Stay innovative.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Botanicals- Top to bottom..new applications/new ideas/new thinking...

The botanical/blackwater "evolution" is in full swing. Hobbyists worldwide are trying new things, sharing amazing new tank setups, and exploring new avenues of applying botanicals in their systems. It's a very progressive, exciting, and "fluid" time, and we're really happy to be one of the proponents of this movement! Every day, we receive pics and videos from hobbyists worldwide, proudly sharing their amazing work!

Let's be clear about one thing: No one individual or company "controls" things, and there are no real "mysteries." We didn't "invent" this stuff. We've worked with it for years. Studied it. Sourced it. Nuanced it. Romanced it. Branded it. Elevated it. Shared our love for it, in over 500 daily blogs since we started. Supported clubs and hobbyists worldwide. Received some nice accolades. We've seen others get into the game- great for the hobby! And the botanicals? Sure, you can find some of these materials all over the world. You can purchase them from us- or others. (I mean, we'd rather you purchase them through us...). Although,we're certain that some of our upcoming "next gen" stuff is going to blow you away, and you simply won't find it anywhere else (heh, heh, heh).

And you? Your work inspires everyone. And there are no dogmatic rules to hold you back! No one here telling you that you "Can't do that!"

Super cool.

You can innovate, iterate, and postulate. And share. Oh, and you know what else? You're helping to make a difference in the world by helping us support Project Piaba!  We hope to eventually sponsor some research into the habitats and fishes that we cherish so much, and perhaps at some point, sponsor some expeditions and even scholarships or research projects. It's not just about selling leaves and stuff, trust me. It's about legacy, and making a difference.

Oh, and I totally want to sponsor a surf team. LOL

And whats really cool is that we've seen a growing, global body of work that's both educational AND inspiring!  We have a community that arose organically around Tannin that I couldn't be more proud of. I learn from you people every day, and it's incredible! No attitude. No bashing. No hate. It's super cool.

We've even seen trends...

(Mike Bognich...Blackwater Adventurer)

Now, it seems funny to use the word "trend"in the context of this New Botanical" movement (which up until recently might have been seen as more of a "fad" or "trend" itself than anything else you could call it), but I think there are actually a few trends that we are seeing, in terms of concepts and ideas that hobbyists are playing with. And although it may seem like some of the stuff we're talking about here as "citing edge ideas" is ridiculously simple, it really sort of IS. There is a tremendous effort to understand just what botanical items do when submerged; How they affect the aquatic environment, and what the long-term impact of botanicals in the aquarium is.

(Kelly Leary's tank has got it going' ON!)

One of the coolest things I've noticed lately is a really simple thing, but it actually is a real "evolution" in how we play with botanicals in our aquariums: We're seeing lots of hobbyists do some minimal preparation of their leaves and other botanicals, and simply place them in the aquarium to float and sink in their "own good time." This is exactly what happens in nature, right? Botanical materials which fall from trees often don't sink immediately. 

And the coolest thing about this "trend" (I'm still laughing at using the term) is that I always thought people wouldn't like stuff floating on the surface before it sinks, and that fully saturating botanicals was just the way to go.  This is a "mindset shift" even within our little movement! Now, many of you are creating an "ephemeral floating botanical microcosm" by just dropping cleaned materials in and letting them sink on their own. A very cool replication of nature, and I must admit, pretty neat to look at! And, add to this the fact that there might be some fishes, such as Hatchetfishes or Butterflyfishes, which dwell at the surface and could benefit from the natural protection such microcosms create- and you've got the making of some cool displays! 

(JT Martin's tank pushes new ground-literally.)

If you recall, we actually found some scientific research on such ephemeral floating leaf/botanical structures in The Amazon, which host a variety of life forms, much like the Saragassum of the Tropical Western Atlantic does in the oceans...Hmm... Can you see this being done deliberately in our tanks, and allowing the materials to ultimately sink on their own, while replacing them as they sink? Just like nature...and very cool. And think about the opportunity to cultivate live food sources "on board" a floating botanical mass..maybe? Interesting to ponder, anyways!

This is a really interesting sort of idea, because like so many of the best things we do in aquarium hobby practice, it mimics a process that occurs in nature. 

The other major thing we are seeing is a trends toward very diverse, deep, and complex botanical beds. We have a number of enthusiasts that have been working with such systems, and not only are they creating aesthetically beautiful tanks- they're unlocking some things about the functionality of botanicals in aquariums. Complex, rich substrates are being created, which not only seem to be supplying tannins, but they seem to be fostering biochemical processes- maybe denitrification(?)- as well as serving as supplemental food sources for our fishes and other aquatic animals.

More and more hobbyists are working with plants in heavily botanical-influenced aquariums, which is a great progression. I hope we see more and more of our very experienced planted tank enthusiast friends jump into this and share some of their invaluable experience with us. Oh, and my reefing-world friends are starting to come to the party, bringing with them an entirely different set of experiences that are surprisingly synergistic with what we're doing! 

And Estuary is going to a launch soon. It'll be a gradual, hopefully compelling, and definitely complimentary thing, which will be a perfect area for us to apply some of our new-found botanical knowledge to this sort of neglected segment. 

Lines are being blurred. Ideas are being concocted. Theories are bing tested. Boundries are being broken. A movement which is bigger than any one person, one brand or one mindset is taking hold, spurring us on to bold new adventures in the greatest hobby ever!

From the top to the bottom...it's a whole new, exciting and engrossing game.

Glad to have you here!

Stay bold. Stay open-minded. Stay disciplined.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics.

The patient ones...

The patient ones have near-empty tanks for months as they ramp up the population.

The patient ones understand the nitrogen cycle.

The patient ones grow corals from frags, and plants from cuttings.

The patient ones don't get the adult fish; they buy the fry or juveniles and grow them out.

The patient ones keep annual killifishes!

The patient ones steep, boil, soak, and prepare their botanicals before using them in their aquariums.

The patient ones add botanicals to their aquariums slowly, over time. 

The patient ones build their aquascapes over time, and let them evolve.

The patient ones take the time to do things right.

The patient ones appreciate every step of he process of building a tank.

The patient ones follow the same husbandry procedures that always work.

The patient ones take the time to "get the shot."

The patient ones collect your aquariums fishes by hand, the way it's been done for generations.

The patient ones are wary of "shortcuts."

The patient ones trim their plants regularly.

The patient ones turn to nature for inspiration.

The patient ones keep fishes that might not be the sexiest!

The patient ones quarantine all of their new fishes.

The patient ones change their water.

The patient ones disassemble pumps and filters and clean them regularly.

The patient ones cultivate their own Daphnia, Brine Shrimp, and Fruit Flies.

The patient ones know that changes to their aquariums' environmental parameters need to be done slowly.

Are you a patient one?

Simple thought for today..fun blog topic coming tomorrow!

Stay thoughtful. Stay diligent. Stay patent.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

"Try SCE to AUX" - Or, the value of remembering obscure stuff...

It was November 14th, 1969. Just 36.5 seconds after liftoff, a colossal Saturn V rocket, en route to the moon as Apollo 12, with astronauts Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, and Allan Bean aboard, experienced one of the most dramatic failures in the history of space travel: The vehicle triggered a bolt of lightning through it's exhaust plume, which traveled up the rocket, taking all three fuel cells off line, along with much of the onboard instrumentation. In the command module, the astronauts puzzled over their control panel, which signaled a malfunction on pretty much every system on board. The rocket was hurtling upward at supersonic speed on backup batteries only.

Back in Houston, controller John Arron, a twenty-something engineer, remembered an obscure command, involving a set of switches on the instrument panel, from a training exercise a year before, and called up to the CAPCOM, "Tell them to try SCE to AUX (signal conditioning control to auxiliary)!" On board Apollo 12, Commander Pete Conrad exclaimed, "SCE to AUX? What the hell is THAT?" Yet, Lunar Module pilot Alan Bean remembered it from the same exercise, and threw the switch...the computers and instruments reset, and the Saturn V was back on line, ready for the historic second landing on the moon.

Conrad, Bean, and Gordon could be heard on the communications loop laughing all the way into orbit. Arron's call went down as one of the great Mission Control decisions in the history of manned spaceflight, and earned him the nickname, "Steely-eyed Missle Man" by his colleagues. Quick thinking, and drawing on a past experience saved a billion dollar rocket, the second moon landing, and 3 astronaut's lives.

What does this reference to a space-travel issue almost 50 years ago have to do with what we do in the aquarium hobby?

A lot more than you think.

During the course of our fishy "careers", we experience all sorts of stuff, good and bad. We make observations, some monumentally important- others mere casual "mental notes"- references on some adjustment we made to our tanks, some fish that did well for us, or some technique that worked.

Sometimes, they come in handy.

Remembering that "thing you did" when the filter mysteriously stopped working last year will come in handy when you least expect it. That "recipe" for how to get those rare Angels to spawn...adjusting temperature, water changes, etc. Stuff like that. 

Or, the emergency procedures that you engage in when you have some sort of problem with the tank. Things that you almost rarely use, but when the time comes, you're ready to spring into action at a moment's notice to save your tank.

It's part of the reason, I think, that us fish geeks have that collection of "stuff"- you know, plastic containers, cups, buckets, filter parts, hose, plumbing fittings, etc., accumulating in the garage or basement...Stuff that becomes more than just a bunch of "clutter" on those rare occasions when an emergency strikes.

You have those little "mystery procedures" for your tanks, don't you? Sometimes, the "procedure" is simply a way of banging on the side of the canister filter to get the air bubbles out of it. Or, it can be that little "recipe" for making your own blackwater extracts. Knowing how many of what leaf to toss into your  replacement water holding containers to get the exact "tint" you like. Or a way of setting up your filter returns just so, to create the exact type of flow you want in the tank. 

These things are called "mystery procedures", only because you probably don't have 'em written down somewhere. They're not part of your everyday practice. Nope, they're "filed away" in your mind...Could you imagine the "book" that could be written if we all took the time to write down just a few of our little obscure procedures? The ultimate hobby "open source" resource, right?

We have them for everything. From system design to aquascaping, to fish selection, and for everything in between.

I know that I have a sort of "process" in my head on how I do tank startups; you know, starting with the sterile gravel and then gradually working in all of the hardscape and botanical materials, and the life forms that will inhabit it...stuff like that. A lot of us now "pre-stock" our aquariums with crustaceans and such as supplemental food sources...part of the "recipe", right?

We all have those little things we do, filed away in the backs of our minds, ready to call upon when the need arises. It's a remarkable tribute to the adaptability, ingenuity, and flexibility of the aquatic hobbyist. We've been practicing this for generations, and will be far into the future.

So, these little procedures and ideas might not have the incredible impact of a cap com call on a space mission, but to us- fish geeks of the world- having the treasure trove of "obscure stuff" on hand is like gold. Especially when we share this stuff...You might just get a cal fro ma frantic hobbyist who is experiencing the same problem you did last year...and you'll remember the "SCE to AUX" command- or its fishy equivalent, at least! 

And, just like on that day in 1969 in NASA's Mission Control  Center, your memory of what to do just might save the day for a fellow hobbyist. It might not make you the stuff of aquarium keeping legend, but it just might make you a hero to some appreciative hobbyist!

Keep accumulating. Keep learning. Keep sharing.

Stay curious. Stay diligent. Stay helpful.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Do you.

Yeah, I HAD to do it.

Couldn't keep my mouth shut. 

I made the fateful mistake of telling everyone that I'm trying to do "something new" for my next tank. And being the "open-source idea" type of guy (at least when it comes to ideas for tanks!), I have heard some amazing suggestions which have my head spinning and the gears turning...

Yup, I'm deep into the execution on my first new aquarium in 2 years. Actually, I have two new ones coming up...but the "redo" of our highly visible office tank is the one on my mind at the moment. I don't know why, but I almost feel like this tank is YOURS- the "Tint Nation"- because every pod, every crazy botanical- which we have offered since Tannin began has, at one time or another, ended up in this tank. We've documented a lot of things in there...shit, it's practically "public domain", lol.

It's a great feeling, I'm now in that most exciting phase of the planning process (in my warped opinion, anyways): the "Which idea do I try?" phase! On the surface, this seems like a really great place to be- and it is-but it's actually a very crucial (and sometimes soul-searching) process for me, that can make the difference between a memorable, unique display and "just another tank." In 40-something years in the hobby (wow, painful to say that!), I've tried a lot of stuff. And, let's face it- I've set the bar pretty high for myself! "Big mouth" that I am, I've spent that last decade years jet-setting around the country talking up unique system design and aquascaping of marine aquariums at clubs, conferences, and in various aquatic media. Following my start up of Tannin, in this amazing freshwater niche, I've preached "be YOU" to our community to the point where it's like ingrained in me.

Of course, it's practically expected of me that I do something a bit different. Man, it's time to "put up or shut up!"  Who needs this pressure! This self-appointed "purveyor of inspiration" and ideas for the hobby should take some of his own advice. Maybe I'll just have FUN! I'll just do what pleases me. Yeah!

Yet, that's where it gets "interesting" to me. As I told you yesterday, some parts of my tanks I just jump right into: The basic setup, environmental parameters, and usually, a "skeletal" wood layout. 

Check. Done.

That's MY version of a "blank canvass."

And then the fun starts. Right?

Rather than trying to create a system specifically designed to knock everyone's socks off with some brilliantly radical concepts, I'm thinking I might actually go with a semi-conventional concept done REALLY well. You know- just great quality animals displayed in an attractive manner. My favorite fishes. really an emphasis on the fishes! On the other hand, I've publicly kicked around a few slightly different ideas for my aquarium, and you- "Tint Nation"- have come up with some really cool ideas as well.

Ideas that have me in that familiar position once again, wondering if I should go left instead of right- up instead of down...you know...wondering. Re-thinking. Evaluating. 

No...not that endless analysis loop!

See?

I mentioned the other day that part of my extraordinary patience in aquarium keeping is because I can't seem to make up my mind which way I want to go after I get the tank sort of going...And things have a great chance to "settle" while the internal debates rage in my head. I call it "patience by indecision!" 

A number of you have suggested Southeast Asian and African themes, neither of which I've played with in a long time. Both could be cool. Both could push me into some interesting areas...

However, my love of South American biotopes and fishes is well-documented here. I have a healthy obsession for the igarapes, morichals, and streams of Amazonia, to the point where most of our products are named in Portuguese, the language of Brazil.

When I contemplate "turning east" to Africa, I get pretty damn excited at the possibilities. Of course, The blackwater habitats and fishes of Southeast Asia beckon. However, with the setup I'm doing for "Estuary", I'm "riffing" on those locales.

And so part of my mindset tells me, "Well, dude, you're sort of already there...just stick to your South American thing...You love it. It's you..."

And then my mind flashes to Kribs. The first cichlid I bred..when I was like 13! In a 2.5 gallon tank! Never forgot that...

And of course, the African characins...

...and the idea of killies in a community-type setting dances through my mind.

And those Ctenopoma. Always the Ctenopoma...

And yet, the lure of the Amazon is almost too great to resist. Like, it's just the freshwater region I identify with the most. Everything about it.

It just "works" for me, I guess..

Like, I could spend a lifetime as a hobbyist playing with all sorts of South American stuff and never feel like I've missed anything. SO much variety. So many possibilities. I mean, even if I break off and do something different than just my beloved leaf litter biotopes for a change, there are endless possibilities to play with South American themes... And after a lifetime in the hobby, I don't have to prove anything...just need to please myself.

Or so I say. We ARE in the inspiration business, right? 

Inspiration or otherwise- it's important to be me.

I know where my heart is in the FW world..yup. Definitely going to be a South American theme..For sure. 

Man, but those Ctenopoma....and Neolebias....and those killifish...

The struggle will continue.

And the fun? It never stops. Such is the life of a real fish geek. Indecisive or otherwise.

Don't ever lose sight of the fun.

Do "you."

Stay true. Stay engaged. Stay excited.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Tint nuveau.

Inside the mindset of a restless aquarist...

One of the things I like best in our hobby is changing stuff.

Yeah. changing stuff. Well, not just "stuff", but minds, minutes, ways of looking at things, and just everyday practices, thoughts, and ideas. Now, I'm not talking about just changing stuff "because", I'm talking about changing stuff because doing it the same way for the last 50 years is- at least to me- hardly stimulating...

When you're the guy who's at least partially responsible for helping to inspire your community, it's kind of good to have this trait! In my opinion, it's practically mandatory that I shake stuff up once in a while by showing you some new looks; new ideas. Sure, I'm a hobbyist, but I'm also an evangelist of sorts. Someone jokingly called me the "Pied Piper of pods", and I suppose it's not all that fall from the truth! It's nice to lead by example..to not just talk about ideas, but to execute on them! 

So...I looked at our office tank last week and thought to myself, "Okay, this thing has been up and running for almost 2 years-it's been the  visual inspiration for a number of our customers to try the blackwater/botanical approach, and the community has taken this and ran with it. Mission accomplished on this one. Time to iterate again!" 

(Literally, that's what ran through my head!)

Its kind of cool, actually, to be an "editor" of aquariums. Because I know now exactly how to do this tank again. And I told myself I don't want Tannin to be one of those aquatic companies who rests on its laurels based on one public-facing tank and pushes some agenda on the world. Nope. Amano had it right: You have to keep evolving, keep changing things; refining and trying new stuff; new looks. And with a growing, global community of "tinters" taking the ball and running with it, we've got a lot of amazing inspiration happening every day! In fact, YOU inspire ME with all of your amazing efforts, so I just HAD to try something else! Besides, in my house there are multiple aquariums (LOL). And as you'll see soon, there's that whole "brackish tank thing" going on in the background...

So...here we are.

Out went the leaves. Out went the Manzanita.

Empty tank. Nebulous plans... Tint nuveau.

Exciting. Undecided. Uncertain. Sort of my personal "comfort space." I have this thing about running without a fully formulated aquarium approach. I don't recommend it. It's a bit scary. I mean, you ditch a perfectly good, well-regarded aquarium setup that has sort of helped define your company since its public inception, and now you have this...empty tank...with some rough, yet incomplete ideas.

Yeah, I LOVE this.

Real aquascapers would tell me to my face that I'm making things much harder on myself than I need to by not having a well-thought-out plan to run with. The other downside is that I've broken down a long-term, stable-functioning leaf litter microcosm to do...what? I suppose one could say that we've lost some valuable potential data on the long-term function of a leaf litter tank. And it might be true, but there are many of you doing this now. Besides, my longest previous leaf litter-based habitat aquarium ran for four years without a single hitch. Yeah, it's time to try something new. 

Perhaps it's a bit unsettling.

And that's okay. I'm doing this sort of as an exercise for myself, although with it's public component, it will definitely have to deliver on the "inspiration" side over time. Yet again, I'm doing this more for the fun of just doing something new, satisfying an "itch"- than I am for purposely trying to do something that will be attempting to set some sort of "style" or inspirational standard.

It's just fun to do this. And fun is the key. And we'll document the process again.

So, what components will be involved in this seat-of-the-pants evolution?

Let's start at the bottom...

Well, we definitely are using sand. I went back and forth about trying some new substrates, but I decided upon sand once again. My trusty Carib-Sea "Torpedo Beach" white sand. I love the stuff. It has a particle size ranging from 0.5mm-2.0mm, and nicely replicates some of the substrates we've seen in various tropical riverine habitats. Plus, the lighter color adds a sort of "contrast" to the darker wood leaves and botanicals that I favor. 

Oh, and wood. I decided that this time, I'm going to use Mopani. I've loved this wood forever, even though it seems to have largely fallen out of favor in the aquascaping world as newer, "sexier" types of wood emerge. There is something I find incredibly appealing about it. I think it's the gnarled texture and contrasting grain colors. And it has a crap-load of tint-producing tannins "on board", so it's sort of a constant "touch up" of tint as long as it's in the tank.

And I wanted a wood layout that is really simple, open, NOT vertically-oriented. I wanted something that is just a few inches off of the bottom, more concerned with width than height, and a lot of sort of "craggy" spaces underneath for water to move in and fishes to swim, forage, and potentially spawn under. Lots and lots of vertical space in the water column for schooling fishes. 

This is the first iteration at "twilight."

Super simple. Hardly elegant or "high concept." But exactly what I was looking to do: Represent those kind of aggregations of drift wood that fall into streams and sort of settle o the bottom, almost serving as a little "reef" of sort for bottom-and-mid-water-dwelling fishes. 

Just a few small stones. 

I've been sort of just staring at it for a while, taking in the "vibe" of the wood as it's oriented in the tank, visualizing how the fishes will respond to it. And that's okay. I play a "long game." I'm in no rush, and with a very full slate of Tannin-related projects over the next few months, this plays nicely into my strategy of "restless patience" quite well. I can  make gradually adjustments and just absorb them.

And the botanicals? Of course!  However, I'm going to try a lower "diversity" in this 'scape", to still keep a sort of "open" feel to the whole thing.

We're going to use "Savu Pods" for "anchor pieces", and  maybe, just maybe, a few "Nano Jungle Pods" as well. They're really quite cool, and I've been itching to use them in a scape before.

And I'm pretty sure that I'm going to use the lovely, woody "Estalo Pods" as the "hard leaf" component of the display. They have a great texture, contrast, and color, and you don't need too many of them to create an interesting impact if well-placed. That "two-tone" thing they have going on plays well off of the Mopani, IMHO.

And I'm thinking of using the not-highlighted-enough "Rio Passaro" somewhere in the mix. They have a delicate look and color that is near perfect for setting off the strong wood and other botanicals....I've never used them in a wood-based setup before, so this could be fun! 

And of course, leaves. Always leaves.

Now, since this is not primarily a leaf-litter habitat setup, aesthetic-wise, I need to keep the leaves more "managed" in terms of where  they will be. I'm thinking of "deploying them" under and around the "reef" a bit...not "full coverage" like I've done in the past, but rather, a good concentration of leaves that still takes advantage of the open space underneath the wood structure. It may or may not evolve over time. And what leaves will I use?

Magnolia, my new "bestie." And likely some Guava leaves as well.

And then, the great debate. Will I incorporate some palm fronds in this one?  Hmm... I've played with them for a long time as supplemental pieces in breeding tanks and such, but never used them as a major component of a 'scape before. Seeing the work that Tai Strietman, Rene Claus, and Mike Bognich have done with their tanks using palm fronds has the gears in my head turning 24/7, and this might be the display to play with them.

We'll see. And if I do attempt to use them, I promise to share the whole episode, no matter if I use them or not- or if the look comes out good or bad...

Plants?

I have no idea.

And of course, the stars of the show will be the fishes!

What will I choose?

Well, the schooling fishes will be one of three completely common, "old-school" fishes:

The Glowlight Tetra! Yeah. Classic "old-school" characin...totally under-appreciated. Gets no respect. Perfect.

Can you imagine a school of like 30 or more of them?

Or...

Our old fave, the Neon Tetra. Although it's almost so cliche'd out as to be laughable, you generally don't see really big groups of them in "mid-sized" aquariums like mine. Could either be an "eye-sore" or an aesthetic triumph! I reserve the right to go for a "ginormous" school of the tiny "Green Neon Tetra", Paracheirondon simulans instead, for a serious overflow-weir-challenging (gulp) "anchor tenant" in this tank! The sense of scale would be epic (as would be the cost)!

Or, if I go rogue and abandon my "South American theme" for a bit, maybe, just maybe...

Nah. I can't get South America out of my head. I don't see this happening. That could lead to..Gouramis! And Badis, and Danios, and...ohh! Not this time. We'll get to that next...

My thinking can be a bit...bizarre, huh?

Other possible schooling fishes include the "Black Neon" or the Rummynose Tetra! Again, seemingly common, overused, almost 'cliche'd" fishes.

Perfect.

And what next?

Well, I wonder about the possibility of some "Darter Characins" down near the bottom. Like, a LOT of them! Scampering over the wood, the leaves, the pods. Could be very interesting. Of course, I need to source them in quantity first!

And of course, a cat of some sort. Do I bring back "Stick", my Farlowella vittata, who my friend has been "babysitting" for a while in her tank? Yeah, I think possibly, although we'll see how much algae this tank generates...

And for sure, my L134 "Leopard Frog" will be back from her "vacation" in my friend's tank, too. She's my sentimental fave! The star of the bottom, for sure!

And I'm almost certain to have Apistogramma. I think I know which one, and I think my friend William Garden is gonna have to get me some females...

Although, after seeing some of my friends playing with Checkerboard Cichlids, I'm tempted to do a group of them instead!  These little guys could be the perfect foil to the tiny tetras living upstairs!

So, lots of possibilities. But keeping it simple and not too diverse will be the key, I think.

One thing I do know. This tank will continue to be tinted. It will be dim. It will evolve. It will be biologically rich, yet not too diverse in variety. Hardly "restrained", but definitely a bit "tighter" than previous botanical-style/blackwater tanks I've played with in the past.

Interesting.

Whatever the iteration, whatever the final product evolves into, you can be sure that I'll always be looking over the next hill...guess it's my lot in life.

And it aint all that bad, actually. I like it.

And to you?

Don't stay static. Stay bold. Stay creative. Stay adventurous.

And always...

Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Why?

Today...enduring fish geek questions to ponder. 

Why?

Why does the water find the one part of the hardwood floor that isn't protected?

 And, for that matter:

Why does the smallest little thing we do in a tank result in spills on the floor?

And:

Why don't you have enough towels available?

Why does everyone else freak out  but us, when their new piece of driftwood "stains the water with tannins?"

Why does the super pretty fish always hide, while the ugly one is front and center?

What does your tank water only go cloudy after a routine water change just before you have visitors?

Why does that pair of Apistos that you've been trying to get to spawn for two years finally lay a viable clutch of eggs the night before you're leaving for a week-long trip?

Why does frozen food thaw so damn slowly when you’re in a hurry?

Why can't you ever remember if your Eheim uses 12/16mm or 16/22mm inflow/outflow pipes?

What can’t I get a “clean” drop from the reagents in my liquid test kits?

Why did you have to tweak "just that ONE piece of wood" in your aquascape right before heading out the door to work?

Why does super glue always end up dripping onto your fingers?

Why does the inside piece of the algae scraper magnet only fall off when it’s in the most inaccessible corner of the tank?

Why is the stupidly colorful male Aulonocara baenschii that you found in the "Assorted Africans for $3.00 ea." tank at the LFS the only one in the tank with a missing left gill cover?

(Photo by Torrecillas Jerome used under CC BY-SA 4.0) 

Why does the cool fish have to be the one that is known to be a "jumper?"

Why can you start out with like 12 healthy Otocinculus and end up with just one?

Why do you run out of __________ on Christmas  eve?

Why do I always end up with a mouthful of tank water when I start the siphon...no matter how fast my reflexes are?

Why do power failures only happen when you're about to head to the airport?

Why are your fish scheduled to arrive the ONE day that your regular mail carrier- who knows all of your weird, yet specific instructions about "just leave it on the front porch by the bench" and such- is out with the flu?

Why does it seem like the tank always scratches only on the FRONT viewing panel?

Why is the ONE rare fish you want only available after you just paid a major car repair bill?

Why is it that I can't think of any more at the moment?

You can add to this list. Please!

Stay active. Stay motivated. Stay engaged...

And Stay Wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The journey to 1.003...A mixing of waters. An opening of minds.

Wow- it seems like our announcement of "Estuary",  Tannin Aquatics' foray into brackish water aquariums, has generated a HUGE amount of excitement among not only our community, but with an even broader base of hobbyists. As something we've loved and played with for years, it made sense to develop a product line and concepts to bring the brackish water speciality a little more love; kind of like what we did with blackwater. It's a largely obscure and neglected segment, which is as compelling and fascinating as any other that we choose to replicate in the hobby. And of course, the words "obscure" and "neglected" in the aquarium context are like a "siren song" to us!

Now, first off- to answer a few quick questions- "Estuary" will not be a separate company. Rather, it will be a line of products available on our main site. And no, it will not diminish our blackwater mission at all. Rather, it will serve to create a more common, complimentary ground between these two seemingly unrelated hobby specialty areas, and the takeaways from our experience with both will benefit the larger hobby community as well. We'll be offering some ideas that are perhaps contrary to what has been done before, and some materials that, although we've thought about- have not previously been offered to brackish enthusiasts, to our knowledge.

A lot of people were wondering why we chose the name we did for this line. This might give you some insight:

Let's start with a quick definition of what an estuary is. An estuary is the areas of water and shoreline where a freshwater stream or river merges with the ocean. Estuaries can be partially enclosed bodies of water (such as bays and lagoons) where two different bodies of water meet and mix. Hence the whole "brackish" thing. Salinity varies in these habitats, often depending upon tidal influences. And these regions are very ecologically "productive," because of the nutrients brought in by rivers. Many of the fishes and invertebrates that inhabit these brackish water communities migrated from the ocean or freshwater habitats. 

Although aquarists have been playing with brackish tanks for decades, in my opinion, what's been missing is a focus on the actual habitat and how it functions. Just like what the hobby was doing in the blackwater area for years, I think we've been collectively focusing on the wrong part of the equation for a long time- just "salt" and basic aesthetics.  As we've done with Tannin, we're going to focus a lot of energy on the functional AND ( far different) aesthetic aspects of the brackish environmen than has been embraced before.  Our approach to brackish will be a little different than the "throw in a couple of rocks and white sand, a few teaspoons of salt per gallon, add some Monos and Mollies, and you're good to go!" concept that you've seen for a long time in hobby literature. 

(Diagram by Miss Julian APES used under CC BY SA-3.0)

Rather, we're going to really focus on helping you replicate and understand the complex web of life that occurs in brackish water habitats, and we'll evolve the practice and appreciation of this unique niche just like we've all done with blackwater. In fact, the approach that we will take to brackish is unlike what has previously been taken before, but one that is incredibly familiar to you as "tint enthusiasts."

Those of you new to the world of Tannin Aquaitcs will learn about making that "mental shift" to a different style of aesthetics and management of the aquatic environment. Veteran "Tinters" will have already made that shift in blackwater, so applying this attitude to a "new medium" in brackish will be easy!

Witness the rise of the botanical-style brackish-water aquarium. A system that embraces natural processes and functionality...And just happens to have a different aesthetic, too! Less emphasis on sterile, white sand and crystal clear water, and more emphasis on a functional representation of a tropical, brackish water ecosystem: Muddy, nutrient rich, and stained a bit from tannins. Beautiful in a very different, yet oddly compelling way. A "tinted" brackish water aquarium.

And it all starts with the Mangrove. 

(Red Mangrove. Image by Andrewtappert, used under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Mangroves are amazing trees, which literally form the "backbone" of many tropical brackish water habitats. As part of their growth, they frequently drop leaves in the waters  in which they reside. Yeah-Mangrove leaf litter...and of course, the leaves contain... tannins. Yeah. That's why the water in many brackish mangrove habitats is brownish.

Do you see where we're going with this?

I think you do.

We're sort of obsessed with the idea of Mangrove habitats in brackish water estuaries, much like we are with leaf litter communities in blackwater habitats. They do share some similar traits: They are complex, food-web-based systems with a huge diversity of life. And the food web in mangrove communities starts with the fallen leaves- just like it does in the blackwater systems. When leaves fall from the trees, fungi and bacteria decompose the leaves and turn them into detritus. Detritus, as we know by now, forms the base of the food web, and many species such as crabs, shrimps, oysters, clams, and fishes, depend on detritus for food in these habitats. 

From a "structural" standpoint, this is a very unique, fascinating environment to study and replicate in our aquariums. Now, I have no illusions that we're going to grow these huge trees to any sort of substantial size in the confines of the aquarium; they also grow very slowly. However, we can grow them and maintain them for many years, and replicate, to a certain extent, the communities which surround them. We'll talk more about Mangroves down the line, of course.

Mangroves, which grow at the water's edge, have roots that are either submerged or very wet most of the time, which makes them the perfect habitat for all sorts of aquatic life forms- mussels, oysters, crabs, fishes, etc. They draw oxygen from the air through small areas of spongy tissue on their bark.

Mangroves are what botanists call "halophytes"- plants that thrive under salty conditions. And they LOVE high-nutrient substrates! In many brackish-water estuaries in the tropics, rivers deposit silt and mud, which generates nutrients, algae, and other small organisms that form the base of the food chain. This food chain is very similar to what we've been talking about in our botanical-style blackwater aquariums.

The nutrients the mangroves seek lie near the surface of the mud, deposited by the tides. Since there is essentially no oxygen available in the mud, there is no point in the mangroves sending down really deep roots. Instead, they send out what are called "aerial roots" (that's what gives them their cool appearance, BTW), sort of "hanging on" in the mud, which also gives the mangroves the appearance of "walking on water."

There is a lot to be learned from the composition of the substrates in which Mangroves grow, much like we've learned about blackwater substrates in our journeys.. In many habitats, the "mud layer" is actually peat ( as much as 3 meters deep, in some instances) overlain with a shallow (0.5 m) layer of sand. Mangrove soils with a high content of organic matter  are very common. Planted aquarium hobbyists can be a huge help in understanding this habitat- welcome aboard. We need your skills and knowledge!

Another typical feature of the substrates in mangrove areas is the development of "iron pyrites" (FeS2). This typically occurs in estuaries because of the presence of plenty of iron (which is scarce in seawater, but abundant in freshwater rivers), sulphates (in the seawater) and all sorts of organic matter, coupled with a lack of oxygen in the soil. This creates a very unique substrate for growing Mangroves.

Of course, these thick, anoxic mud layers are awfully tricky to replicate without either making a mess (not that big a deal to me) or potentially producing conditions that could poison your fishes (a big deal to everyone, lol). Far better to use a sand-based substrate, perhaps mixed with a soil additive like laterite, used in terrestrial planting. We've got some possibilities here.

Interesting...

Oh, and here's something cool: Brackish stream mangroves are also accompanied by Nypa palms, growing side-by-side on the shore line...the only palms that are ecologically adapted to grow in the Mangrove biome! Specifically, we are referring to Nypa fruticans. If the name sounds familiar, it's because the botanical we call "Rio Fruta" is the fruit of the Nypa palm. It's the perfect, "biotopically correct" botanical for a tropical brackish water system! We have sourced a larger, more robust version of "Rio Fruta", which is more representative of the size of the fruits that fall into the brackish waters of Mangrove habitats!

And live plants. We're into using live plants in these setups. We'll chat more about them in coming weeks, and I encourage feed back from you plant people. 

 And of course, we've got some other stuff up our sleeves that, if you're familiar with our modus operendi, will not come as too much of a surprise...but we hope they will delight you!

Welcome to the journey towards 1.003.

Yeah, it's not really a new journey- rather, it's a different part of the same one. We will learn- together- as a globally interconnected, enthusiastic community. We'll make mistakes, chase down false leads. We will disagree, even argue. We'll screw stuff up. We will question why stuff was done the way it was done for decades. We will bring some of that with us. Other parts will be kicked to the curb. We are embarking on a journey to parts unknown to many of us. It's sure to be a fun one, filled with some interesting experiences, great discussions, stunning success, and spectacular failures. We're not "inventing the wheel"- we're merely using it in a more appropriate manner.

As we roll out some products for Estuary, you'll start noticing this icon, which is your cue that it's suitable for brackish...

There may be a lot we aren't familiar with along the way. I'm no expert, but I'm excited, open-minded, and humble. And eager to learn more. This is an open invitation to join our community. Everyone will contribute to this process. Everyone is welcome. Bring your ideas, your dreams, your fears, your creativity. However, please leave your ego, attitude, and "that won't work" attitude at the door. Loosen the chains of conventionality and preconception- and "rules." We're here to work together to push the boundaries in this formerly under-represented arena. 

And there is, of course, one thing we will all relate to on this journey to the saltier side...

The Tint.

Stay bold. Stay excited. Stay creative. Stay ready.

And above all-whether fresh or "sort of salty..."

Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics