February 08, 2016

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The official aquarium "Don't and Never" list- V1.0

-Never top off your aquarium at "Omigod o'clock" in the AM in the dark. Trust me on this.

-Don't think that this is the one time you'll be able to skip rinsing that bag of gravel because it "looks pretty clean." 

-Don't start re-arranging "just a few" rocks in your tank before you head out the door for work, or you'll be calling in sick within the hour. You will.

-Never setup a new reactor, lighting system, or anything involving multiple plumbing connections prior to departing on a trip of pretty much any duration. Just don't do this.

Don't assume that "it's all good" because you have an electronic controller monitoring everything. Nope.

-Don't put that cube of brine shrimp or frozen bloodworms on the shelf in your closet to thaw a bit while you're putting on your tie before rushing off to work. You'll no all about why at 5:30PM that night. Enough said.

-Never tell yourself you're just going to pick up just ONE pair of new fish at the club auction. Won't happen. Forget that notion altogether.

-Don't reach into the tank to make that "quick adjustment" on something without having a dry towel handy. Do this once with the skeptical spouse/roommate/significant other around and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

-Don't think that this will be "the last  fish" you add into your tank...

-Never log onto a fish auction website just before a major bill is due. Yup.

-Don't believe that you'll be the one guy who can keep multiple Centropyge angelfish in a 55 gallon tank without bloodshed. You aren't.

-Never assume that the siphon hose is in the bucket before you start it. Please believe me on this.

-Don't assume that you have "one more outlet" left on that power strip. You don't.

-Never try to "shake a small amount" of fish food right out of the can into your tank. Nope.

-Don't believe the words "easy to set up" in reference to an aquarium component. Especially when the component is of international origin.

-Don't forget to stop at the AM before your next fish club meeting. Seriously.

-Don't fool yourself into believing that you can net that fish that's been terrorizing your tank without pulling out all of the rocks and driftwood.

-Never believe that your new fish won't need to be quarantined "because the LFS does it..."

-Don't think that you'll be able to house and raise all the fry from that pair of cichlids.

-Don't believe that you'll just be satisfied with one aquarium! You suffer from "Multiple Tank Syndrome" and may not even know it. Yet.

And never forget to...

Stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

February 07, 2016

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Simple ways to avoid screwing up your tank and killing your fishes with aquatic botanicals!

Well, I think the succinct and (if I say so myself) somewhat snappy title worked pretty well...got you here, right?

Actually, today's piece has some pretty serious undertones, as the title implies. Yet, you don't need to freak out or anything. We're simply going to discuss a few of the finer points of how to use aquatic botanicals in your aquarium without causing all kinds of trouble!

Obviously, the most important step in utilizing the many botanicals in our that we offer is to properly prepare them for aquatic use. This is the step that absolutely will affect the kind of experience you have with these products, and can impact the lives of your fishes or herps directly and profoundly in either a positive or negative manner, depending upon how you do this.

With zero exceptions, you should never simply drop any of our botanicals right into your aquarium without any sort of preparation process. Yeah, "preparation" in our parlance means cleaning with a light rinse, followed by either boiling them in freshwater, followed by a prolonged "soak" in clean fresh water, or just the prolonged soak. The reasons for the soaking and boiling process are many, far beyond the simple fact that boiling breaks down the structures of many botanicals to the point where they can absorb water and sink easily.

 Boiling serves to release or eliminate some impurities, dirt, dust, and other organic matter that might be trapped in the structure of your botanicals. Remember, these were once part of trees, bushes, and other plants, and as such, were exposed to the elements in their native environments before being dried. Rinsing and boiling them serves to help "sterilize" them to a certain degree as well. If you skip this process, you're adding all sorts of potential impurities and foreign matter into your carefully controlled aquatic environment. It simply makes no sense whatsoever to skip this process.

Boiling and soaking will help release the initial burst of tannins and other organics bound up in the tissue structure of your botanicals, too. This will help manage some of the impact of the humic acids, etc. on your water. Some materials, like Catappa leaves and bark, or Alder Cones, are well-known for this capability and are often employed in aquarium strictly for the purpose of impacting water chemistry, so this gives you some idea as to their capability to affect environmental conditions in a closed aquatic system. Almost any of the other botanicals we offer will release some tannins and humid acids into your system, yet to a much lesser extent. 

Regardless, common sense is important when adding these materials to you established aquarium.

A large quantity of botanicals added to a stable, established aquarium can  potentially affect the general water chemistry of your tank in a rapid manner, including the pH- driving it down quickly in some instances, profoundly affect the fishes and even plants, which don't cope well with rapid environmental changes. Just be cautious and use common sense here. I mean, yeah, to a certain extent, this is "Aquatics 101"- you simply don't want to do anything to your aquarium that results in rapid, significant environmental changes, and using aquatic botanicals is no exception.

So one of the most important- if not, THE most important- rules of using aquatic botanicals is just to not add a ton of them to any established tank all at once. You'll simply create all sorts of potential problems by doing this.

Oh, and it's never a bad idea to use some activated carbon or other chemical filtration media (we love Seachem Purigen) to help manage some of the tannins, humic acids, and other organics that are released into your aquarium water when new botanicals are added.

Soaking of botanicals both before and after boiling is super advantageous, because let's face it- the minute you add botanicals to water, they'll start to break down. Soaking help steep a little of the organic materials out of the botanicals that were released during boiling into an external holding vessel instead of your aquarium-never a bad thing. Waiting a few more days before placing them in your tank is well worth it, IMHO.

Products like leaves will break down over the course of 3-4 weeks or so, whereas many of the "harder" botanicals, like seed pods, etc., will break down over many months. Some of the harder pods, like "Jungle Pods" and "Savu Pods", have lasted for several years for me! Depending on your water chemistry and the degree to which your fishes and inverts (I'm referring to guys like Plecos and ornamental shrimp) "graze" upon the botanicals will directly impact how long they last.

The "scuzz" , as one of my friends so eloquently referred to it, which often accumulates on some of the harder botanicals, forming "fungus-like" sheets, is a "biofilm"- a natural byproduct of the bacterial action that is breaking down some of these materials. It typically will go away on it's own after a few weeks, or is consumed by shrimp. Of course, you can simply wipe down your botanicals and siphon it out. Regardless, it's something you'll probably encounter at some point, and it's perfectly natural, albeit a bit gross to some people! If you want to know more about biofilms and the decomposition process of botanicals, I did an entire blog on it here some time back.

Even with the best prep work, you may occasionally encounter stuff like cloudy water. This is often caused when you add a large quantity of botanicals to a new aquarium, which simply doesn't have the biological capability to break down all of the organics quickly. A few small water changes, continuous use of the aforementioned chemical filtration media, and the passage of time will deal with this issue.

 Once in a while, you might encounter a few aquatic botanicals that will develop a stinky, hydrogen-sulfide-like smell and float to the surface (this happens with "Capsula Pods" on occasion). Simply remove them from the tank as you encounter them. No point in hanging on to one of them in this state!

Aquatic botanicals can help you create dynamic, natural-looking (and functioning) environments for your fishes and plants, with the potential to aesthetically and chemically impact our aquariums in very natural ways. Like anything we add to aquariums, they can also create problems for our tanks if they're not used properly. Proper use involves careful, yet simple preparation before use, and observation and monitoring of the aquarium once they're in the system.

The two key ingredients- patience and common sense- will help any aquarist safely appreciate the joys of using aquatic botanicals in the aquarium.

So, keep observing, apply a healthy does of common sense to your botanical prep..

And stay wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

 

 

February 06, 2016

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Whatever angle you can use...a fish story in the truest sense.

As you know, tropical fish enthusiasts are a pretty crazy bunch. Sometimes, we have spouses/significant others/family members who don't share our obsession, which makes understanding our obsession a bit tougher, and we have to become more creative to keep the rest of the household on board as we add to our collection. Sometimes, we have to use whatever means have to justify getting more stuff. Here is a true story from one of our customers that I think effectively demonstrates this!

Our customer, a stay-at-home dad, had a young baby who was extremely fussy, to the point where he wouldn't settle down for an afternoon nap, resulting in a frazzled dad, a really fussy baby, and an exhausted mom (a busy attorney) coming home to a screaming kid and a stressed out dad every day, with dinner not quite ready.



This was causing serious stress in their relationship...They struggled for a solution-any solution- that would restore order and peace in the household. Dad, a lifelong aquarium hobbyist, knew instinctively what to do: He plopped the crying kid in front of the small fledgling, and forgotten aquarium that he kept in the living room. You know- the one that was sort of forgotten as more important family needs arose. Of course, the baby was enthralled, and would settle down almost immediately. Yeah, you know where this is heading. Our customer was a hardcore fish geek- and he saw his "in" to revive the aquarium!



Of course, being a hardcore hobbyist, he didn't just leave it at that. His aquarium was sort of basic, as it took a back seat to other, more important things in the household. So, he did what any self-respecting hobbyist would do: He successfully argued with his wife that, if the aquarium was MORE visually stimulating, more captivating, and more full of life, it would be a better "relaxation tool" for the baby, and would improve everyone's quality of life. His wife, ever the logical type, agreed with his theory.

After a series of system ugrades (LED lighting , electronic pumps, and a controller ("...because having a controller means that I will spend less time with the aquarium and more time doing important stuff" was the argument for that), it was time to do a new 'scape, with a more natural, unique aesthetic.

That's where we came in.


Dad had pretty good taste! And his once-forgotten aquarium has become an impressive display...And of course, a source of relaxation for the whole family! I leave it to you, the reader, to contemplate the creativity and ethical aspects of his arguement!  


So, I could say that we don't just sell aquascaping materials- we help keep families together...right?  

Yeah.

I love the creativity of a fish geek!

What's the best excuse you've ever used to justify more stuff for your hobby? C'mon, I know you've come up with a few...Let's hear 'em!

Stay sharp. Stay focused.

Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

February 02, 2016

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New year. New dream. You've got this.

I am lucky.

Well, I dunno about lucky…How about grateful, maybe?



I mean, I pushed, screamed, stumbled, fought myself into a career in the aquatics industry. Like many of you, I had a dream of doing something I enjoyed, and wanted to make my passion my life’s work. So I just went for it…a combination of ambition, brashness, planning, passion, ignorance, timing, effort, and pure luck put me into the situation I am now. I am fortunate enough to have helped build a great company in Unique Corals, based on values and ideals that myself and my partner put first. UC has received worldwide acclaim in the reef keeping community, and has become a "thought leader" in the world of sustainable coral propagation. I'm very proud of that.

Ever the restless type, and always the freshwater lover at heart, I divested myself from my ownership interest in UC and recently launched Tannin Aquatics, with a completely different vibe, approach and aesthetic than has been seen in that realm before, and it’s off to a great start, thanks in large part to you!



Now, I’m not here to present my resume or talk about how great I am, FYI.

I present this very brief dossier as an example- a small and perhaps insignificant one- about how anyone with the passion, a dream, and the fortitude to build something in the aquatic world CAN do it. I’m a very ordinary guy…way more ordinary than many of you- with far less talent…But I went after my dreams. I’m not the pinnacle of aquatic industry success…there are many way more successful than I’ll ever be, but I think I know a thing or two about how to build and sustain a business in the category, and I’m willing to share my scant knowledge…And apparently, a bunch of you wanted my feedback..and, since no one else is talking about it, I might as well. 

Yes, every time I write a piece like this, I’ll get a PM from someone in the industry somewhere telling me that I’m "sugar-coating" everything, lulling people into potentially disastrous circumstances, and somehow “diluting” the industry by inviting more people into the game, and that I’m no business guru and have no place telling people about this stuff, blah, blah, blah- whatever.…to which I reply, “Grow up. Up your game and stop worrying about potential newcomers!” New blood is great for everyone, and anyone who can’t figure that out should do something else, IMHO.



OK, fine- bring on the cheerleaders!

Yeah, it’s probably “Rah-Rah” time again, where I encourage everyone to go for it- and that’s okay. I’ve talked to a number of people in recent days looking to “break in” to this crazy industry, and it’s inspiring! It got me thinking about my experiences thus far. I hear a lot of different ideas from fellow reefers about businesses in this field. Many are really cool. A lot of reefers have what it takes. And many seem hesitant- as if they are lacking some skill or talent, which is typically absurd. 

It must be the time of year or something…a time when people re-consider those little dreams about starting a business that they’ve tucked away in some far and dark portion of their mind. Yet they ask me about it…and I’m happy to share my meager knowledge and personal thoughts about this stuff. I love seeing excited, motivated, talented people going for it. Who wouldn’t?


GO FOR IT!

First off, let me tell you that, no matter what you might think, you’re not required to “break in” to this industry as if it’s Film, Music, or Television. There’s no “audition” or nepotism that prevent you from getting in. The “barrier to entry” is YOU. Anyone who is a serious fish geek with talent, ideas, motivation, and a work ethic can do this.

Of course, not everyone can succeed.




Like so many entrepreneurial endeavors, starting an aquatics business requires some degree of planning, business acumen, and financial resources. You can’t just blindly stumble and say, “I’m a business.” However, I’m not talking about having to go and do the Silicon Valley thing and pitch angel investors at an “incubator” for “series A” financing to start your venture, either. I’m talking about having a minimum viable plan and the means to sustain yourself while you get started. Let’s face it, most of us can’t ditch our 9 to 5 job and jump headlong into such a venture. 


Can you cut and run from the traditional 9-5 grind? Yes!

And that’s okay. You can build it in your spare time. What’s that? Spare time? No spare time? Hey, if you want it bad enough, you’ll find the spare time. You’ll make it.Yeah. You have to make sacrifices if you want to succeed. That’s “Business Startup 101”, for ANY industry. That means giving up sleep, weekends, time off, etc.- to cut frags, upload products to your website, work on infrastructure, run to the post office, balance the books, write a blog, contact potential customers, etc.

You have to want it. Badly.

And guess what? You need a plan. Maybe you want to sell frags from your reef tank; turn it into a business; sell cichlids. Maybe you’re a good person to go to for setting up planted tank tank automation systems…Cool niche. Maybe you’re really good at helping others creating stocking plans. Okay, cool. Maybe you want to be a personal shopper for other busy hobbyists, sourcing cool stuff. It’s possible. Gonna sell fish stuff. Awesome. But ask yourself: To WHOM? Hobbyists? Fish stores? Wholesalers? Fine, but there are dozens of businesses doing that. What makes yours different? Why should people do business with you? How will you serve them? Is there even a market willing to pay for your product/service?


Can you find customers?

Tough but real questions. Vital, actually. You need to be able to answer them immediately.

Make yourself different. And own it. Scream it from the highest perch. Maybe you only sell 3” frags of fully encrusted rare Millies. Maybe your business exists solely to provide companies like Unique Corals or Live Aquaria with access to the elusive “named, high-end corals” for their inventories. Maybe you want to specialize in aquatic mosses…all sorts of cool mosses. Do you want to sell direct to consumer, or to retail businesses? Are you a “hyper niche?” What kind of “pain point” are you solving for your target market. Are you even solving a “pain point” for your target market? Just being another company offering “great corals at a good price” or “excellent customer service” is really not enough any more. Be different. Act differently. Fill an empty market gap.


Disrupt the market. Do something way better than it’s been done before. Shake up the status quo. Create your own segment. OWN IT.

You can totally do this. 

State your values. Create a unique position and make it part of your brand ethos. Don’t be normal. Don’t be meek, wishy-washy, or tentative. Shake up this business and make everyone look over their shoulders. Don’t be a jerk, either, but confidently assert yourself and your company’s right to a piece of the aquatic industry pie.



Sure, there is a great camaraderie in the aquatics game; everyone typically likes each other, and to a certain extent, even looks out for each other. It’s pretty cool- sort of like the microbrewery industry. But it IS a business, and that requires you to compete. Don’t like that notion? Maybe you don’t want it badly enough. Ask yourself this- if your business was failing, do you think any of the other coral vendors out there would offer you money to keep it afloat? Should they? Would YOU do that? Would that be true in any industry? Then let that fantasy go immediately, ok? Not everyone will like you. And who really cares? Believe me, it’s not that everyone in the industry is a bad guy- it’s just that it’s- well- business- and everyone needs be self reliant to a large extent. When the dollars start flowing, the “hobby” part of this game diminishes somewhat.

Oh, it probably sounds harsh…and that’s sort of an extreme example, but the point is, if you want to be in a competitive business, you have to think about it AS a business, and that means thinking about the potentially unpleasant stuff as well. It’s not just a hobby when you monetize it. And not everyone will welcome you with open arms, even though they should. I distinctly recall when we were setting up UC, of a well-known competitor stopping buy and literally telling us, “I’m going to kick your *****; you’re gonna fail.” Gee, friendly. But it lit a fire in me, and it’s alway in the back of my mind. I never fully let that go.



Make yourself look good. Act professionally; avoid “amateur hour” marketing and business tactics. Think big…LOOK big. But deliver. It doesn’t matter if your propagation system is a 40 gallon breeder hooked up to your reef tank- if you deliver the goods, and live up to your promises- it doesn’t really make a difference. 

A startup is just that- a startup. A challenging, terrifying, invigorating- and hopefully, ultimately fulfilling proposition.

And I believe- no, I KNOW- that there are many of you out there who can not only do this- but do it well; do it better and differently than has been done before- in a way no one has yet done it; with a style, functionality, or method that sets you apart from everyone else that’s ever come before you.

Just go for it. The hobby, the industry- heck, the economy- all need you. Today is as good a time as any.

Yeah, it’s a perfect day to get the ball rolling on this.

Today is the day.

We can talk about this more if you want, or maybe I can just shut up about it…I don’t really mind. It was on my mind, and I’m happy I was able to offer my two cents worth, and I hope maybe it provided a tiny bit of motivation to someone out there.

Stay engaged. Stay on target. Stay committed.

And Stay Wet.

Regards,


Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

January 30, 2016

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Common...Rare..Does it matter to a fish geek?

Okay, so I’m in the aquatics business…I see lots of fishes, plants, and corals.
But I still like looking for cool stuff. It’s this weird affliction, I guess. You understand, I’m sure you do.



I was at a local fish store a couple of weeks back (Yeah, I STILL go to the LFS…because I’m a fish geek and that’s in my DNA!) and I was looking at the cichlid selection (imagine that), trying to see if I could actually identify some of the fishes on display (“Hmmm…looks like an Apisto!” - That’s my advanced ID skills in action!) and to check out the random, colorless characins that this shop always seems to have (yeah, I like grey fish…I just do. We can talk about that some time...), when I stumbled on a pretty nice fish that caught my eye. Now, mind you, I do see a lot of stuff in the course of my business, some of it pretty incredible. Yet, on this day, my eyes stumbled onto a most beautiful neon-hued Pelvicachromis pulcher! Yeah, the pretty much generic-issue Krib, with with a tinge of yellow…It had beautiful fin extension, and was putting on a show dancing in the current in the planted aquarium in which it was displayed…A KRIB- arguably one of the most “common” cichlids that we see in the hobby and trade….! Must have seen and kept a hundred of 'em over the years...

And I wasn’t alone in my admiration for this fishl. A couple of other apparently hardcore fish geeks noticed it , too - perhaps jaded by the somewhat typical selection of uber-expensive African cichlids and Acropora frags. I mean, this fish was absolutely haaawt! A real screamer…And yet, it was one of the most common fishes around. Imagine being able to afford such a really cool-looking fish! What a concept! To add to the awe of the moment was the fact that these two hobbyists were actually arguing over who would take the fish home. It actually went from light-hearted to heated (Us hardcore fish geeks are serious!). What a strange spectacle to witness! Or was it? Who could blame them- the fish was awesome.

We are so caught up looking for the newest and rarest, that we may often overlook that which is always in front of us, huh? It got me thinking, which is cooler: An ultra-rare Pleco or Mbuna, or a fantastic specimen of a common fish like this Krib, that inspired such passion between the two fish geeks? I know, I know. The first thing you think of when you hear the words “common fishes” are those "government-issue" translucent grey "Bloodfins" or boring "assorted" Cichlisoma, or dull silvery-colored Barbs...whatever. 



Enough of the dirt-brown Corys, non-distinctive Swrodtails , and generic Neon Tetras! How about looking for truly gorgeous specimens of these so-called “common” fishes? How about looking for those outrageous colors and perfect finance in the most commonly available fishes? They are out there- and they are rare, too! Ya know why? Because there is a small subculture of hardcore fish geeks that is looking for them, too! You’ll have to go the extra mile to find them. You might have to do the same thing you do when you stumble on that specimen of rare Cichlid in your dealer’s display tank- you’ll have to beg for one! All fish geeks know how to do that…It’s like "Fish Keeping 101" (Oh- and idea for another column!)

How funny it is to imagine a serious collector of fish pleading with the post-pubescent kid behind the counter at his or her LFS for “just a few” of that orange and green Boraras he spied in the little nano tank on the check-out counter? Humility. And groveling. Oh, but that’s the price of admission when you play the “rare/common” game. You have to be willing to put it all on the table! And these deals don’t always come cheap or easy! If you're a reefer, you’d do it for a “Ultimate Utter Chaos” Palythoa, right? Why would you expect this type of deal to go down any differently? I know at least one local reefer here in L.A. that had to swap a sizeabl *frag of his prized Acropora echinata from the Solomon Islands for an amazing yellow-and chocolate-brown Caulastrea ("Trumpet Coral")! Each side thought they got the better end of that deal, too (I know, because I heard it from both of ‘em!), too!



Speaking of “common” fishes in unexpected collections- one thing I have noticed about many excellent tanks that I’ve visited around the world is that these aquariums almost always contain a fish or two that makes you think, “Wow- what is that?” Inevitably, the owner points out that it was just a Harlequin Rasbora or an Anostomus rubrocaudatus that took on an abberant color pattern.  It was the sharp eye and dedicated heart of the hobbyist that brought that fish into the fold. And the real beauty of that sort of thing is that the hobbyist put his/her prejudices aside about how “common” it was, and acquired the fish because he or she liked the way it looked, not because it will make him/her cool at the next tank tour or club auction! It’s this sort of mental step that takes a hobbyist to the next level, in my humble opinion. The willingness to walk one’s own path, defying the prevailing trends of the time! The sign of a true visionary. A rare hobbyist, indeed!

So the next time you’re fish or coral shopping and that beautiful orange Fungia screams at you from across the store (or from the web page, of course!) to take it home, answer the call. Make it yours. Love it,. Own it. Treasure it. Share it. Because one day, that so-called “common coral" might just be banned from wild collection and export, or might be forgotten by the masses, leaving future generations of reefers without the opportunity to enjoy what was once an ubiquitous coral. A simple idea, perhaps- but that’s how the hobby seems to have gone. 



So, be sure to keep an eye peeled and your mind open while searching for fishes, corals, and plants, because awesome things happen when you appreciate an animal for what it truly is!

What "common" fish or coral have you stumbled on that became a standout show-stopper in your tank? Ever had a "common" species develop into something completely unexpected? Do tell!

Until next time...

Stay Sharp...and stay wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

January 29, 2016

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Just can't get enough...ever.

If you hang around in the hobby long enough, you get acquainted with some really amazing people. I love my friends that are serious fish geeks, for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that they think nothing of spontaneously embarking on a major fish room project, aquarium upgrade, or tank build. 

Like, any time! It seems like not a day goes by when I don't read about some cool fish geek setting up a new tank. And it's often the guy who works two jobs, is raising  family, retired, or otherwise financially challenged- yet they pull it off and make it..easy. I think it's so easy for so many of us, because we just always have tanks just lying around everywhere, empty, waiting for that impulse or spark, to fill 'em up with some sort of amazing assemblage of fishes, plans, or corals.

I love when I speak at fish club meetings, and they have the club raffle at the end. A curious phenomenon ensues: Hobbyists, many who have multiple aquariums all over the house, seemingly "stuffed to the gills" (LOL) with fishes and corals of all sorts, always seem to find more space for their spontaneous newly acquired tanks, gear, cichlids, catfishes, tetras, plants, coral frags, etc. that they win. And the "winners", of course, are almost always club members who claim they're "downsizing", or "done adding new fishes" to their collections, etc. Yet they bought like $40 worth of raffle tickets anyways!

Why is that?

 It's almost like there is no need to exercise any restraint on buying raffle tickets or bidding on that batch of fish in the bag on the table. Fish people just find a way to make room for more. Always.

It's in our makeup. Our DNA. Whatever. We just love to acquire new challenges, try new things, and create new adventures for ourselves. Every empty tank is an opportunity to try something different. Rather than look at yet another tank as an additional demand on time, space, and money, the serious fish geek takes it in stride- indeed, can't get enough of this fun stuff, and jumps on every opportunity to expand and acquire. That's why cichlid fanatics also have 18 tanks of livebearers, killies, tetras, and Plecos. That's why reefers have a display tank and a frag tank. We don't want miss any opportunity.

Perhaps it appeals to some genetically-programmed "hunter-gatherer" thing. Or, perhaps, we ARE really geeks about fishy stuff.

Those of you who are "garage breeders" or owners of brick-and-mortar stores no doubt witness a sort of complimentary phenomenon: A giddiness that real fish geeks seem to get when they stop by your place. Yeah, it's palpable! I have seen this hundreds of times at Unique Corals, when reefers from all over the world would stop by our facility when visiting Los Angeles: Even the most hardened, battle-tested, ultra sophisticated reefers would simply melt into a morass of child-like excitement upon seeing thousands of eye-popping corals! Like, every time. 

They just can't seem get enough.

And the best part about the sort of "aquatic euphoria" that serious fish geeks get? It's downright contagious! When you're around other excited, enthusiastic fish geeks, you almost can't help feel the same. Trust me, many an impulse acquisition was triggered by merely accompanying one of my fishy friends to an event, store, or wholesaler! Notice I said "impulse acquisition?" Yeah, because there it isn't always about buying stuff...There is another related phenomenon you encounter when you're around real hardcore fish geeks: Generosity. 

Yeah, like to a fault, almost!

When you're geeking out over a friend's display tank, fish room, plant selection, coral propagation tank, awesome spawn of cichlids, catfishes, loaches...whatever- if you like it, they'll often just give you some. And the most amazing part- they will not accept a penny...and will never put any kind of condition on the "transaction!" The closest thing you might hear to "compensation" for this is usually, "Oh, maybe one day when I visit your fish room, I might just want a cool frag of something, or maybe one of those A. cacatoides fry you've been raising!"  The only "condition" is that you "pay it forward" to other hobbyists someday. But, like that's it. It's not about money. It's about passion. Love. Sharing. 

These are crazy-cool human traits that are at the core of every serious fish geek's existence. Values that exemplify the best of our hobby. And of humanity, for that matter. I sometimes wonder how the world would be if more people became hardcore fish geeks...and then I realize that there are simply not enough aquariums out there to handle all of the "acquisitions" we're continuously making!

Yeah. We just can't get enough. And quite frankly, we love it that way!

Have a great weekend. Keep paying it forward. Keep sharing, growing, and staying engaged in all things aquatic. And most important:

Stay wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

 

January 28, 2016

0 comments


It starts in a garage...

I was chatting with a customer yesterday about his purchase, and he started going on about how much he liked my company, and how professional we are, etc. (ok, flattery will get you somewhere, I think…LOL). Further, he asserted that he purchased something from a “garage vendor” and that the quality of the experience was nothing like what he received from us, and that the garage people are "not worth supporting, etc."

On initial thought, you’d think I’d be like, “Yeah, those guys give us a bad name…blah, blah, blah…”

My response startled him a bit: “Why would categorically dismiss hobbyists that are trying to turn their love of tropical fish into a business? Some of these guys really know their stuff!”


What great propagator lurks behind the door?

I mean, let’s think about it in context. 

Just because a guy is working out of his garage, closet, or wherever, part time, doesn't even register to me as a reason why you shouldn’t support his attempt at launching an aquarium-related business. Look, not every skilled hobbyist with a dream has the capital available to launch a full-scale fish or coral propagation facility in a commercial space right off the bat. In fact, some never aspire to do that. They just want to make a little cash back on the fish, plants, and corals they’ve been growing for years to cover expenses of their hobby. Some even have to be coerced into selling their highly sought after fish, plants, and coral frags. Others, are starting to make a big name for themselves as dedicated aquatics experts, expanding into something a bit more serious. These are true hobbyists, and the love that they show in every fish, plant, or frag is what it’s all about. 



And what’s more, just because someone has invested lots of money and has a splashy web site does not make him/her a “better” vendor. There are plenty of crappy vendors out there with relatively high visibility and hubris, trust me. And I didn’t even mention the awful subculture of coral “chop shops”, which simply have access to some imported corals, a camera, and a Facebook page from which to “market” their garbage to the unwary public. Losers. They deserve special mention as the true “Avoid at all cost” sector of the “coral economy.”

Ouch. Nasty.

As a full time e-commerce “professional’ aquatics vendor, I am no more qualified to call what I do “superior” to a “garage-based” aquatics vendor than any hobbyist who keeps fish can call him/herself an “expert." However, I do feel that, because I’m doing it for a living, I can at least make some observations that are based on MY experiences and opinions (my stock disclaimer, huh?). 



Getting back to the small time “garage vendors”, I have nothing but respect for most of them. In terms of quality, you can scarcely do better. Part of it is the fact that a small operation with a limited inventory can monitor and control very tightly, keeping quality and consistency extremely high. It’s a lot tougher for us at Unique Corals to do this with thousands of corals and hundreds of species. That’s why we have a full-time team. The small guy can obsess even more on more arcane details when he or she has 6-10 varieties of coral, trust me! And of course, this goes for fish and plants as well.


You CAN be nimble when you're large, but even more so when you're smaller!

Another advantage of dealing with a small-scale breeder is that they often have very intimate knowledge of the care requirements of every fish in their inventory, and can often tell you things like the “lineage” of their variety, it’s specific temperament, tolerances, and maybe a thing or two about how it looks long-term in their display tank. 

Even though I have been playing with fishes, plants, and corals my entire life, and have seen and played with thousands of specimens, I haven’t kept every single variety of fish or coral that we offer in our facility in my own reef systems. It would be almost impossible. While that doesn’t give a big company handicap, it certainly shows one area in which a small, home-based fish breeder or coral propagator can excel. First-hand knowledge of an aquatic animal cannot be discounted, trust me.


And, with a much lower overhead, a small home-based propagator can (hopefully) keep costs down, providing a competitive price for his/her locally-bred fishes. On the other hand, as a large-scale coral propagator, my company was also able to keep costs down because of the sheer numbers we could inexpensively grow out. The difference in the coral industry is that many “larger” propagators/vendors DON’T do this, and continue to market chopped up wild stuff that has not been propagated. It’s not a sustainable long-term practice, IMHO.

Speaking of sustainability, most of the “garage gang” who work with a limited number of fish or plant species have been growing them for years and still have the original mother colonies of many of their varieties somewhere in their home tanks. This is the "crown jewel" of a sustainable aquatics hobby/industry- maintaining an inventory of frags or cuttings (in the case of aquatic plants) while actively maintaining one or more of the original mother colonies for an indefinite period. 

With that in mind, can you imagine if every fish breeder or coral propagator- either home-based or commercial, committed themselves to permanently maintaining and propagating just a few varieties of fish or coral? In theory, the need for importing massive numbers of wild specimens (or at least, the DEMAND) could diminish significantly. This looms larger than you think when you hear talk of proposed government restrictions on the trade and propagation of fishes and corals.


When coupled with the fantastic coral mariculture efforts going on in some parts of Indonesia, Fiji, and elsewhere, and the amazing fish breeding operations in Florida, there could be a day when a very high percentage of the hobby’s demand for fishes and corals will be met by “farmed” specimens. And the garage-based guy or gal has just as much skin in the game as us “full-timers” do- and we all will benefit from a more sustainable hobby/industry. In fact, they can and should be one of the key players in such a vision.

The one caveat I have for the “garage crew”: You have as much, if not a larger- obligation than anyone else in the “industry” to share your knowledge with fellow hobbyists. Secretive operations don’t help the hobby as a whole, IMHO. The hobbyist-level business is in even better touch with the pulse of the hobby, the clubs, and the humanistic drivers that move this whole thing, and should, and could have tremendous visibility in the community. Take out your computer and tap out something once in a while, for goodness sake!

Size of an operation is not a measure for judging the quality of an aquatics vendor. When we use that as our sole criteria for deciding on wether or not we should do business with a vendor, we’re potentially missing the point. 

Please don’t be like some of the egotistical, self-appointed “Internet Marketing Consultants” that spam me with email each day spouting how they can improve my company with garbage like “metrics” and “likes” and stuff, and tout that as the measure of “success.” These morons (yes- morons!) who never actually studied real marketing, have forgotten that it’s all about conveying your message to the right audience and moving them to purchase your product. It’s not about how many people visit your website and “like” your Instagram pics and Facebook page. Marketing is about creating sales. Duh. 

You don’t have to be huge to be a success growing fishes and corals. You have to be good. 



And finally, a direct word to the smaller guys and the up-and-comers out there: Big, small, or in between, the one common truth is that service is important. Take care of people. Listen to them. The extra mile, be it taking the time to answer a question about a coral, or throwing in a bonus piece, or whatever- will cement relationships, build loyalty, and create real lasting “buzz” about your company. Gimmicks, hype, and stupidity won’t work in this or any business or at any size. Having a fancy web page (be it one that you designed, or if it’s someone else’s aesthetic you copied - yeah that’s a shout out to some of our competitors who constantly try to mimick our website’s look...grow your own!) is not going to do it either. Think differently. Be original. Be yourself. Do unto others. Even if you're just selling a few fish or coral frags once in a while and want to make a few bucks on the side, follow basic principles and they won’t steer you wrong.

It simply starts with the desire and commitment to do a good job. Which brings me back to the original point of this whole thing: Don’t judge every book by it’s cover. Just like in my sector, the real gems rise to the surface and are clearly evident when compared to the masses. 

Long live the garage vendors!

Keep it real, keep it going…

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

January 27, 2016

0 comments


5 Surefire ways to tick off your tank!

Okay, we spend so much time, money, ink and bandwidth talking about how to keep your fish healthy and happy that I realized we never seem to talk about what makes them unhappy! That's right. Let's take a look at some things that aquariums DON'T like-and why you should correct the outmoded or incorrect thinking behind these things!

I'll start you off with a few ways that are pretty much guaranteed to tick your fishes off, in point/counterpoint fashion¦

*Constantly move your fishes and plants around and place them into new water conditions, flow regimens, lighting zones, and give 'em new, potentially unfriendly neighbors. Change is good!

Counterpoint: Repeatedly handling and stressing out a fish or plant is a sure recipe for problems, isn't it? They're adaptable, yes- but not always happy to relocate. Ask yourself: How mobile are most plants? Not very, right? I mean, an Amazon Sword, for example, has to slowly spread over to a new location or better situation by putting down a runner and gradually growing into different light and flow conditions. When these change in a natural stream or river ( let's say a rock falls close to a large plant and dramatically changes flow and lighting, or sediment covers it), or a manmade structure appears, the prognosis is often not good. In my opinion, once a plants has rooted and adjusted, it's best left where it is. Far better to plan ahead, and have an idea of the requirements, and therefore the proper placement- of each plant or fish you acquire.



*Never quarantine any new additions to your tank. Best to get them settled into their new home quickly, right? After all, fishes don't usually carry things like ich, parasites, and other pesky things, right? And besides, the store/vendor quarantines their fishes when they get them, and they have a good reputation for nice tanks.

Counterpoint: Quarantine isn't just a practice for public aquariums, well-to-do hobbyists, and uber-hobbyists. It's a procedure that every hobbyist can and should embrace. It doesn't require a large investment in equipment, and the time spend quarantining a new arrival can literally save your tank from a variety of potential pests and maladies. Despite the good efforts by a vendor or LFS, it's extremely difficult for them to eliminate all possibilities of pests or disease in their systems, with tons of fishes and plants from multiple sources flowing in and out constantly. Take charge and become a "DIY Quarantine Maven." The tank you save might be your own!



*When you're trying to figure out what's wrong with your tank, be sure to take drastic, quick, measures, including rapidly increasing pH, alkalinity, temperature, and other environmental factors. I mean, rivers change constantly and very quickly, right? 

Counterpoint: Ahh, the "hunt and peck" solution to problems. The aquatic equivalent of "exploratory surgery", I suppose. Well, the goal is good: try to adjust conditions to see if these tweaks make everything better. The problem is, without having some idea what is wrong in the first place, you're starting a potential "wild goose chase", trying to switch this, that, and the other thing in a frantic effort to right what is wrong. In very few cases are drastic, immediate changes imperative (scenarious like a mass die-off, overdoses of additives, chemical poisoning events), requiring large-scale, rapid water changes, etc. Most problems that arise in aquarium systems occur over time, and are the result of cumulative effects of bad habits, incorrect husbandry practices, or fluctuating environmental conditions. Most wild aquatic systems are among the most stable environments on earth. Things change slowly, and when they don't it's a real problem. Quick repairs are neither necessary or beneficial. When a problem arises, try to "back engineer" it; think outside the box, and, as marine aquarium author John Tullock so eloquently stated, "Test, then tweak."



This one is for the reefers out there:

*Don't feed your corals, because they get all the nutrition they need from light, and you should strive to keep your nitrates and phosphates at completely undetectable levels. In fact, make sure that your water is near sterile! Corals don't really need to eat, huh?

Counterpoint: The 1990's called, and they want their husbandry theory back! It's no secret that most of the corals we keep in reefs benefit significantly from regular feedings. There are so many outstanding foods out there today that it is downright backwards thinking NOT to feed your reef! And detectible nitrate and phosphates are not signs of impending doom in your reef, or an indication that you're a failure. Rather, they are a measure of water quality, and are also utilized by corals as nutrient sources. The key is to strike a balance between sufficient levels to keep your corals happy, and levels that encourage massive nuisance algae growth. There is a "sweet spot", and it's important to find it, and maintain it. Often, it's simply a matter of stocking your reef with fish, feeding them, and feeding your corals directly on a regular basis. Yes, water changes are still a must, but fixating on a specific number and bragging of your reef's "sterility" is sooo last century. Relax- watch your corals..Listen to what they're telling you..


"We came to take our husbandry theories back."

*Stock your tank as quickly and as densely as possible, because the wild rivers and streams are densely populated and you want to duplicate a wild environment as much, and as quickly, as possible. Besides, if you finish stocking your tank quickly, you'll be eligible for "Tank of the Month" by April!

Counterpoint: This is basic stuff, going back to our childhood 5 gallon "community tank" days, when we were reminded not to stock a tank too densely and too quickly, because the "filter couldn't adjust" to a rapidly increasing population fast enough. Yet, I see disasters almost weekly that trace their source to this issue! Well, things haven't really changed all that much. It's still not a great idea to cram dozens of fishes into your tank from the get go. Not only does the beneficial bacteria population have to catch up to an ever-increasing bioload, but the fishes themselves have to adjust to their new environment. You need to stock your aquarium in a steady, measured pace. What's the rush? Besides, wouldn't being named "Aquarium of The Year" be so much more satisfying when you actually "grew" your tank over time?



So, what are the big takeaways here (This is for the Twitter crowd, who, according to "marketing experts" that I know can't handle more information than can be expressed in like 140 characters or less)? :

*Don't stress your fishes and plants by messing with them constantly.

*Quarantine all new arrivals without exception!

*Correct problems slowly and carefully.

*Feed the @#$%^ out of your corals!

*Stock your tank gradually and carefully.


Now comes the fun part! I'm sure that you know dozens of other ways to tick off your aquariums, and how to correct them! Being an "open source" forum, it's time for you to add to the framework I gave you here. Share your wisdom, okay?

Never be afraid to voice your opinion, ask a question, or share your knowledge on aquarium keeping. And, above all:


Stay Wet


Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

January 26, 2016

1 comment


Playing "the waiting game" with Manzanita wood...totally worth it!

As a typical impatient aquarist, I'm totally on board with everyone who hates waiting for stuff like pods and wood to be ready for aquarium use. There is, unfortunately, no real "shortcut" to preparing wood for use. It simply needs to become waterlogged in order to sink effectively. 

My personal favorite wood is Manzanita, which we offer regularly here at Tannin. I love Manzanita because it makes creating a beautiful aquascape near effortless...I mean, you can literally drop a piece in your tank and looks like you're a master aquascaper! Okay, maybe it's not THAT easy, but it really has an amazing morphology, with many twisted and curving branches, great color, and beautiful texture..and you can often "interlock" a few pieces together to create really amazing hardscapes!

In my opinion, it's like the perfect aquascaping wood, as it lasts a very long time when submerged, and continues to look great throughout its ridiculously long "service lifespan". Just how long? I had a piece that was continuously submerged for 11 years, and other than a slight "patina" of algae, it looked as beautiful as the day I first placed it in my aquarium! 

Manzanita is actually a sort of "catch all" term for species in the genus Arctostaphylos, an evergreen shrub or small tree that occurs in Western North America. They are commonly identified because their smooth orangish or reddish bark and very twisty branches. There are 105 species and subspecies of manzanita, so it's a pretty diverse group!

(a typical Manzanita bush in nature- pic used under CC-BY SA 3.0)

Through trial and error, I've found that most of the Manzanita wood we offer (which typically has a branch diameter of no more than about 2"), takes about 4-7 days to get good and waterlogged to the point where it won't suddenly float right to the top of your tank. Now granted, this is an estimate; a sweeping generalization I am offering, based on my own personal experiences. I've tried to rush it many times- in fact, I tried this quite recently- with predictable (buoyant!) results! You can't rush the process.

Every piece of wood is unique; each branch has characteristics that may render it more or less buoyant than another piece of similar size. Manzanita, however, seems to be fairly "predictable" when you're working with pieces of a certain size- like the ones we generally offer for sale, which are anywhere from 15 to 21inches long , and generally have a branch circumference no greater than about 2 inches.

You can certainly speed up the process a little bit (maybe by a day or two, in my experience) by boiling the branch prior to a soak, but in my humble opinion, it's hardly worth the trouble...and besides, how many of us have the cookware necessary to accommodate a 20" long branch on our stove?

The good news about the prolonged soak is that any tannins contained in the branch will start to leach out, so you won't have a huge burst of 'em in your tank when you place the wood. I've heard (and can sort of anecdotally confirm with my own experience) that Manzanita has far less tannins in it than many of the other woods we use in aquariums (like Mopani, "Bog Wood", etc.); nonetheless, be prepared for some release of tannins and the tint associated with them.

Obviously, we are not bothered by this tint, but not every aquarist feels the same, so you'd want to soak as long as you can handle it to get the wood to release as much initial tannins as possible before placing in your display! Even with a prolonged soak, of course, you may still see some tint in the water. The best way to reduce this is to utilize activated carbon or other chemical filtration to remove it.

If you're the impatient type, don't mind the tint associated with the initial soaking of this wood, or simply don't have the facilities to soak it, you may elect to place the wood in the display and let it waterlog there. Although not the best way to go, I have done this many times. The only caveat here is that you might want to give the wood a good rinse before submerging it, and you really would be advised not to do this while fishes are in the tank (for a number of reasons- most obvious being that the water chemistry might be affected rather quickly, and that's never good...).

You will, of course, need to weigh the wood down with something (rocks, sand, etc.) to hold it in place while it's soaking- otherwise, you've got a floating log in your tank! And you might find yourself making frequent water changes in the early stages if your wood releases significant amounts of tannins and other visual impurities.

So, the whole point of this treatise is that Manzanita is arguably one of the best woods for aquarium use, but it still possesses that maddening buoyancy characteristic that we all have come to despise so much...and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it, other than...be patient, and savor the anticipation of knowing that soon, you'll have a killer new centerpiece for your aquascape!

Stay Excited. Stay patient.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

 

 

 

January 25, 2016

0 comments


Get your "botanical swatches" here...

It seems like everyone we talk to is pretty stoked on the idea of aquatic botanicals...and to many aquarists, Tannin is the first exposure they've had to many of these items. It's a lot of fun to create beautiful underwater biotopes with these unique materials, once you have some familiarity with them.

Of course, a picture only goes so far, and you'd love to be able to see feel, smell and otherwise handle these unique botanicals in the flesh, right? So, we've made it pretty easy for you. We offer free samples.

What? Really? FREE SAMPLES? 

As usual, many of my friends think I'm nuts for doing this, because they fear that aquarists will "take advantage" of this...Really? I don't think so. I mean, for one thing, if someone want's to aquascape their tank one "Capsula Pod" at a time, than we have more issues going on here...I've learned over the years that most- most-aquarium hobbyists are honest, forthright people, who don't take advantage of vendor policies that work in their favor. 

I heard a similar warning when we started Unique Corals. We created a 21 day unconditional guarantee for coral frags from day one. Fellow vendors told me that we were crazy. And, guess what?  Over 3 years and thousands of orders later, you know how many customers ended up abusing this policy?

Two. Yeah, two people (I would prefer not to label them as "hobbyists") who figured they'd be able to score some freebies by taking advantage of our policy. And they did. For a while. Until we cut them off and banned them from purchasing.

So in the end, I see absolutely no problem sending you- a serious hobbyist, potential customer, and hopefully, a friend- some samples of some of our botanicals. It's not that big a deal. Kinda like the spoon of ice cream they give you at Haagen Daz or the fabric sample you get at the furniture store, or the paint chips you get at Dunn Edwards. Common in most industries, but kind of unusual in the fish world.

Yeah, we're a different kind of vendor with a different kind of product, aesthetic, market position, and attitude towards our consumers. It makes sense for you to be able to see something we offer before you purchase a quantity of them. I'm not sure what other vendors don't do this sort of thing. In fact, I challenge ANY other vendor out there seeing this kind of stuff to offer free samples...

Chirp, chirp.

So here's the deal: We’re happy to send you FREE samples of up to 3 (three) varieties at a time of eligible specimens of pretty much every botanical we offer, with some notable exceptions-mainly our larger botanicals. (Savu Pods, Jungle Pods, Rio Fruta, Sino XIcara, Tapete Pods, Ra Cama Pods, Monkey Pods, Cholla Wood, Palma Abrigo Pods, and Magnolia Seed Pods...We reserve the right to add more to this list in the future, of course).

Hopefully, you'll be stoked enough seeing after one of something that you'll be compelled to order more!

Stay inspired.

Stay wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics