It's always fun to offer up a new aquatic botanical, and the lovely Magnolia seed pod is no exception! Long coveted by frog and herp enthusiasts as a habitat enrichment "vehicle," these gorgeous pods live up to they adoration they receive. Since we have so many frog enthusiasts as customers, we want to get you guys and gals the botanicals and such that make your hobby more fun and enjoyable! You asked us to source these great botanicals, and we're happy to oblige.
They do a great job as a habitat enrichment "prop" in vivariums, because they stand up to the moist environment really well! Of course, if you place them in such an environment, they will often initially get kind of gross and moldy/"fungusy", which can look nasty, but this unwanted growth will be consumed by a rapidly multiplying population of creatures like the (beloved by her enthusiasts) hexapods known collectively as "Springtails", which are eager to jump on that chow line and take down the nasty stuff...Of course, frogs aren't stupid, and many of them appreciate the work these guys do in keeping their homes free from mites and fungus, so they're likely to leave 'em alone.
(Springtails are Scary up close, but they're tiny!)
As a fish geek, of course, the first thing that you think to yourself when seeing a pod like this is, "Can I use it in my aquarium?"
And the answer to that simple question is...well, we have personally NOT tried them out with tropical fish, but we have no reason to believe that they wouldn't work. We marketed them mainly for frog enthusiasts, but far be it from us to discourage responsible fish geek experimentation! Maybe my answer is not too convincing for you? Here's the straight skinny: Our "beta testers" used these both in their vivaria on "dry land" and submerged, for use with their tadpoles. They consensus was that they worked great when submerged! The tadpoles tended to congregate among them, which means that they probably were seeking the usual benefits of hanging around stuff underwater: Protection and some foraging ground...kind of similar to the reasons why a fish would hang out around them, right?
The bottom line is, Magnolia seed pods are not any different, really, than the many different varieties of pods that we tend to embrace for aquarium use. So, with that caveat, we'd recommend that, if you're going to play with them in an aquarium- you: 1) Rinse them again thoroughly, 2) Boil them for at least 15 minutes, 3)Soak them in freshwater for another couple of days. Yeah, we're all about being conservative. Some frog people even recommend baking them a bit in the oven to really dry 'em out and kill of any potential pathogens...I can't really argue with any practice that is for the well-being of your animals!
So, if you're into frogs, and for that matter- fishes too, I say that you'll probably want to try out some of these gorgeous botanicals and see for yourself what the fuss is all about! It's cool to have a botanical that offers such a variety of aesthetic, biological, and utilitarian benefits!
If you've been using them in an aquarium setting, we'd love to hear more about your application and results..of course, pics are cool, too!
Stay curious...
And Wet!
Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics
I gave this a lot of thought today, actually...If you had to ask me to name what I think might be the most important and dynamic aquatic botanical we offer, I think it just might be "Fundo Tropical." Why is this? Because it can really help turn your biotope aquarium into a real "slice of the bottom." When mixed with more typical aquatic substrates, like sand or fractured clay gravels and such, it creates a substrate that looks almost dead-on like the bottom of a tropical stream.
Made from coconut fiber, it's lightweight, clean, sustainably sourced, and leaches just enough tannin into the water to create that "blackwater look" we so admire around here! You need to boil the stuff for a while to get it to sink, and then my advice would be to soak it in freshwater for a week or more, as it will continue to leach out tannins for some time- and you never want to overwhelm a system.
When you mix it in with other materials, including some seed pods, leaves, and other aquatic botanicals, it will ultimately recruit some bofilm and other particulate, attracting grazing fishes, shrimp, and some micoralgae, to take on a look so natural, you'd swear that you just dug up some substrate in the Amazon River system!
We're talking about substrates that are dynamic, natural-looking, and natural-acting- harboring valuable ecofauna, creating a literal foundation for a highly successful biotope aquarium.
Stay Wet!
Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics
When it comes to leaves that you can utilize in your aquarium, it seems like almost everyone has heard of, and even tried, Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa). Of course the Almond Leaf is popular- it's attractive, breaks down moderately fast, and does impart desirable tannins and their associated "tint" to the water.
Of course, the exhalted Catappa leaf is NOT the only one that we recommend- and might not even be the very best for every circumstance. Like so many things in the aquarium world, it's important to utilize a variety of leaves in many setups. Having different types of leaves provides both diversity AND the opportunity to achieve different effects.
Guava leaves have become increasingly popular in recent years because of their use as a food for ornamental shrimp. They are slower to decompose than other leaves, in our experience, and are aesthetically one of the most beautiful ones out there! When you incorporate them into your "leaf litter zone", they adda note of "jungle sophistication" that compliments the other more popular leaves and pods so nicely! They also seem to be exceptionally efficient at generating a nice "biofilm" for grazers to consume- more so than most other leaves, in our opinion!
They can be steeped in boiling water before you use them, or simply soaked and rinsed for some extended period of time...Mainly to get 'em to sink. They tend to hold their shape and form a long time...unless of course, you happen to have some hungry shrimp, which tear into them eagerly! They will give your water some of that tint, but not nearly to the extent of the Catappa and other leaves that we offer. This is nice, because you could conceivably use more in a given water quantity to achieve the effect that you'd get with just a few Catappa leaves, for example.Of course, they look awesome when mixed with other materials!
All in all, these beautiful leaves are both aesthetically and practically beautiful for aquarium use! We have a lot of frog enthusiasts who use them as a supplemental component of the leaf litter in their vivariums and terrariums as well, and they are equally in love with these cool leaves. If you're looking for something just a bit different, definitely check them out!
Not too long a go, I was driving by an area where a tropical fish store has long resided, one that I used to go to as a kid. Being in an introspective mood, I decided to drop in and see what was cooking! At first, you’d think, “Why is this owner of a couple of internet-based marine aquarium companies dropping in to a local fish store?” It’s an easy question to answer: Because I’m a hobbyist, and as a hobbyist, there are few better places in the world to go than the local fish store! It’s one of the best things that we can do!
In this postmodern, internet-enabled hobby world, it seems that the venerable local fish store (“LFS”) is under constant attack. Online vendors, hobbyist garage-based start-ups, group buys, eBay, Amazon, and even club auctions and frag swaps are but a few of the challenges facing the brick-and-mortar fish store’s very existence. These guys get it from all directions! Our hobby changes constantly and quickly. What was hot 3 months ago is yesterday’s news. Trends and shifts in interest happen so quickly in this internet-based world that the LFS barely has time to source a hot new item before it fades into memory.
Add this to the fact that many “dialed in” hobbyists seem to enjoy bashing the “guy at the LFS”, and you’ve got a big-time assault on one of the hobby’s most endearing institutions. Why is this so? What created this unfair stereotype? Does being active in a forum or buying only online make you somehow cooler? Does everyone who owns works for an online vendor have some special “instant cred” because they have a fancy logo and an email address? (Wait, don’t answer that..LOL). But seriously, what gives?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- it’s time to re-think the much-maligned LFS and take a look at what it does so very well.
Believe it or not, the LFS has significant advantages over many other forms of aquatic businesses.
First, think about convenience. For most hobbyists, the LFS is convenient, close and quick, especially if you know what you want. If you need a pack of frozen food, a replacement filter cartridge, or a length of tubing, you can get it the same day. No worries about shipping, lost packages, and weekend delivery delays. And, you have the chance to check out some cool livestock while you’re there! Sure, you can do that on line, but there’s nothing like seeing that hot new Apistogramma swimming right in front of your face!
Sure, the LFS will not have every item that you see on line, but neither do many on-line sources. You’ll need to do some legwork to find the more exotic things. Many good LFS owners will try to source specialty items for you if they can. Remember, the LFS owner has different overhead to cover, and his/her business model is quite different than an online business.
That trendy LED light, German filter system. or ultra-hot protein skimmer that’s all the rage on the forums will sit on the shelf at the LFS for months or longer before it’s sold, so you’re more likely to see more well-established products with broader appeal at the LFS. Notice I said “broader appeal”? The LFS has to cater to a far wider variety of customers than your typical e-tailer, who, with less overhead, and the wonder of drop-shipping, can typically offer more obscure products much more easily. It’s just unfair to expect the same from the LFS. They sell what works, because they have to. And you know what? There is room for both in this hobby.
In my travels, I’ve met many really cool LFS owners and visited some amazing stores. The great ones are always run by passionate, committed, and knowledgeable people, and they are clean, well stocked, and thoughtfully configured. The really great ones become what I call “destination” stores – businesses you’ll gladly drive an hour or more to visit, schedule a layover to see, or take every out-of-town fish geek to. There are plenty of ‘em out there, too.
A common knock on the LFS is the stereotype of the “ignorant employee”. Hobbyists on forums love to share stories of the LFS employee that sold that Catalaphyllia to the hobbyist as an anemone, or the one who sent the beginner home with a Nano Cube, two Oscars and a Plecostomus at the same time. Let’s be honest here- ignorant fish people are not limited to the LFS. After perusing forums and message boards for decades, I’ve seen far more absurd “advice” and stupidity online than I ever have in the local stores.
Some online coral “vendors” are (I will be frank here) some of the stupidest hobby people I’ve ever met. Just because you can buy a cheap coral from Indo, hack it into 3 pieces, and sell it on a website under a trendy name for an obscene price does NOT make you more qualified to dispense hobby advice, or even a good business person. In fact, I’d sometimes be more inclined to take the advice I’d hear from the 17-year-old passionate reef geek working behind the counter at the LFS than I would from the “expert” at the online “coral chop shop.” At least the 17-year-old is physically working with fish and corals daily, and his work is obvious to all those who see. He’s not hiding behind a URL or fancy logo.
OK, I just bashed one of my own industry sectors. Is NOTHING sacred, Fellman? Nope.
Advice from ANY source in this hobby should always be taken with a grain of salt. Whether you’re buying on line or buying at the fish store down the street, caveat emptor applies! The ultimate responsibility for bad decisions is that of the hobbyist. A little reading and talking to more experienced hobbyists before making that purchase will go a long way towards greater success.
The LFS is a “breeding ground” for hobby/industry talent. Many great hobby movers-and-shakers got their start at the LFS. I vividly recall the first time I ever saw captive-bred Cardinal fish many years ago at my LFS. The enthusiastic teenage employee proudly pointed them out to me and lovingly showed me how he fed them, etc. An amazing accomplishment at the time-and the kid was just over-the-top stoked!
I never forgot his enthusiasm, and neither did he! His name is Dustin Dorton, who is now President at a little aquatic business in Florida called ORA. Yeah, those guys. He’ll be the first to tell you that it all started at his LFS, where he gained valuable experience that you just can’t gain through other retail avenues. Who knows what other future “superstars” are out their right now, netting Neon Tetras for customers while experimenting with the next great hobby breakthrough in the back room?
Let’s face it-even in this Facebook-optimized, Twitter-enabled, Instagram-powered world, there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction with other fish geeks. The idea of 140 characters being able to communicate all that you need to know to make a buying decision is just stupid. There, I said it again: I think that some of the social media platforms we embrace (and yeah, I embrace them reluctantly) and hold up as a “better way” to reach consumers are…well…idiotic. Who is stupid enough to make a buying decision based purely on an Instagram pic? Are today’s consumers too dumb, too busy, or too important to read more than a few words about something they supposedly love? What’s wrong with a conversation with an LFS employee before you buy? Better to “dumb down” the message? Who is the benevolent, apparently “godlike” patron of the marketing world who decided that consumers don’t like to actually understand what they are purchasing?
Calm down, Fellman….
The LFS is, and hopefully always will be, a “watering hole” for local hobbyists. A place to swap stories, exchange experiences, offer wisdom to beginners, and to keep the love and lore of the hobby alive. When you’re at the LFS, you’re among friends. It’s our tribe. You can’t always get that from a keyboard and monitor. It’s one of the delightful intangibles that the LFS can offer than no other hobby source can.
So stop trashing the LFS.
Finally, there is the…wonder. I remember seeing my first Sea Anemone at the LFS when I was a kid, and I never forgot the thrill. It seems like every time I visit my LFS, there is some kid just like me, with his face pressed up against the glass as he squeals with excitement at seeing a real “Nemo,” a Black Ghost Knifefish, or school of Neons for the first time. I still enjoy seeing fish that I’ve only read about, right there in front of me. Just because I have a couple of websites and a traveling hobby lecturer “career” doesn’t mean I’ve seen it all. For many of hobbyists, their first brush with the wonders of the aquatic world was at the LFS, and it launched a passion that changed the direction of their lives.
For the above reasons, and for hundreds more that I didn’t think to touch on, the LFS must endure. Support your LFS- encourage it, and participate in the culture that it perpetuates, just like you do on this forum. Think about the many benefits that the LFS offers, and think about what it will mean to our children to have this precious hobby resource, and to the generations of children as yet unborn.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it yet again! Long live the LFS!
Until next time...
Stay Wet
Scott Fellman
I field a lot of questions from fellow hobbyists every day…Email, calls, texts..whatever. Part of the fun. The JOY of being in the hobby and industry.
Do you know what the most common questions I field from fellow hobbyists during my days at Unique Corals and Tannin Aquatics are? “My shipment was delayed and the coral died? My food is delayed in Memphis!” Nope. “What’s that 'hair' you packed with my Savu Pods? Food? Nah (shredded wood fibers). “Do you have any…?” Not that, either.
Give up? (Please do, I don’t want to keep giving examples, lol). The single most common question I get is “My tank just doesn’t look right. The fish are just not..well..looking good. What’s the problem? I’ve tried everything. Should I give up and try stamp collecting?”
No you shouldn’t give up. And you sure as heck shouldn’t get into stamp collecting…
What seems to be the biggest problem in our hobby is when stuff doesn’t meet our expectations…And when we are ready to throw up our arms after seemingly trying every avenue. We turn to friends and even strangers like me for answers…hope, a possible suggestion of something we missed…Anything.
What to do? How do you recover from what appears to be an inevitable tailspin?
You do SOMETHING.
Yeah, very prosaic, huh?
Look, I’ve been know to dispense some very “Tony-Robbins-esque” crap about unlocking your inner reefer and all that crap, and it works to an extent..Getting yourself excited be alive and just involved in this game does help. But in the end, there is only one thing you can do to make a problem with your tank better.
Do something. Take action. Try something else. The almost insulting absurdity of my “advice” is almost eclipsed by the stark reality and appropriateness of it.
We’ve said it ad naseum in this column over the years. Problems happen for a reason…The only way to fix them is to get to what caused the problem in the first place. Then you can think of solutions- in fact, they usually become obvious.
Ask yourself, objectively- why you think whatever disaster befell your system happened. When did it first manifest? Was there some event, some failure, some…thing that could have made things go south?
If there is one thing I learned in a lifetime in the hobby, it’s that there will always be assorted problems…And there will always be solutions out there, ready to be found…simply by asking questions. And the problems? Well, they’re really easy to solve. If you just do…something.
Until next time.
Stay Wet
Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics
At Tannin, we're always looking for ideas, products and applications that help you create a real "slice of the bottom" in your home aquarium. Building biotope aquarium displays has become a popular diversion within the hobby, and has proven to be both educations for the hobbyist, and beneficial for the fishes he/she keeps. A win-win!
One of our favorite newer products is what we call "Fundo Tropical", which we offer as a "natural substrate enhancement media." In other words, the stuff helps you create a more natural-looking substrate in your aquarium!
Comprised of clean, natural coconut fibers, this material is easy to work with, and when mixed with more traditional substrate materials, like gravel and sand, evokes the look of a tropical stream bottom, hence its name!
One of the cool things about "Fundo Tropical" is that, once you've prepared it, it lasts almost indefinitely! When you first boil it, it will definitely color the water a dramatic dark brown...probably more brown that you might care for. It leaches a lot of tannins after immersion and boiling, and this will continue for a while.
So, we recommend that you place this material in a large bucket of clean fresh water (RO would be awesome!) to let it soak and leach out more tannins before you add it to your aquarium. Each day, dump out the "soak water" into your garden bed, and refill the bucket with fresh water. This process can take some time- several days, evan a week or two. You need to be patient! Depending on how much "Fundo Tropical" you are using, and how large the bucket is, eventually, the water will be a bit lighter in color, as most of the initial tannin will have leached out.
Incidentally, this type of "wait it out" preparation is recommended for almost every botanical we offer. Sure, some will be read sooner rather than later- and some, like Catappa leaves, will start breaking down rather quickly, so you have to use some judgement. As mentioned before, go slow when adding any botanical, so you can gauge the affect on your water quality and most important, the fishes.
When the water is looking a whole lot less dark brown, this is the optimum time to utilize this material in your tank!
You could mix it into gravel or sand substrates, as well as incorporate it into leaf litter and other aquatic botanicals that you might use. It creates a very realistic bottom for many South American fishes, like characins and cichlids, and catfishes, just to name a few.
Now, one of the coolest features of "Fundo Tropical" is that you can use it as a peat moss replacement for spawning of many bottom spawning killifish, including Fp. gardeneri and its relatives, as well as more "annual" species, such as Cynolebias, Austrolebias, Nothobranchius, and Austrofundulus. They readily dive into it as easily as they do peat moss. And, I know some enterprising hobbyists with very understanding significant others, who grind up "Tropical" into a super-fien consistency for breeding, which facilitates the easy removal of eggs from the substrate.
Best of all, this stuff is easy to reuse. Just boil it again and rinse thoroughly, and it's ready for another spawn! So it's economical as well! An added bonus!
All in all, "Fundo Tropical" is a versatile, attractive, and highly useful material that you'll find lots of uses for in the aquarium. I even know of a few customers who use it as a water conditioner, placing some prepared "Tropical" in mesh micron filter bags and installing it in their canister filters. Since this is a far, far more sustainably sourced material than peat moss and other products traditionally used for this and the aforementioned other functions, it's not only effective, but it's ecologically more sound, in our opinion!
If you're looking to rev up your biotope, check out "Fundo Tropical" today!
Oh, and stay tuned for a more "fine grained" version of "Tropical", coming soon! It's that much easier to use as a spawning substrate!
Stay Wet!
Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics
If you've read my ramblings before, or have seen one of my talks, you know that I'm always trying to push fellow hobbyists to create aquariums that are a bit out of the ordinary.
So, I present you with my latest challenge: How about a system based on the needs of just ONE animal? What would you keep if you could just keep one species of fish? Would you even be able to do it? Coming from the "reef" side of the hobby, I'll take the liberty of speaking for my people and saying a resounding "No!"
Postmodern reefers have pretty short attention spans. We like variety, we like diversity, and we like action! I wonder if it's even possible for a reefer to keep just one species of coral? I'm the ultimate reef geek, and it challenges even my crazy sensibilities! Heck, I have a warehouse with hundreds of species...I wonder if I could handle it.
On the other hand, as freshwater hobbyists, we're far better equipped, mentally, to do this. I mean, with dedicated breeders working with Guppies, Discus, Plecos, etc., it's a non-issue.
Or is it?
Let's take the specialized fish breeder out of the equation for a minute and wade into the more populated waters of the mainstream aquarium hobby.
It seems that, short of hobbyists who breed certain fishes, you rarely see anyone keeping a tank devoted to just one species in a display tank- fresh or saltwater...
Why is that?
How cool would it be to just create an aquarium around ONE species of fish, coral, etc? I think it would be off the hook! I mean, you'd be an expert on Lamprologus steppersi, or the go-to-geek on Nannostomus trifasciatus, or..well, you get the idea. Limited thinkers may scoff at your apparent narrow-mindedness, but you'll know in your heart that your tank with 12 Scarlet Badis in an Indian jungle stream biotope is as cool as it gets!
There are a number of benefits to keeping a dedicated species aquarium. First and foremost, the fishes will not have to deal with the competitive stresses caused by the presence of others. Fishes will be more likely to develop a natural social structure, feeding habits, and reproductive behaviors than they will in a typical captive "community" situation. It will become much easier to develop a "baseline" behavioral/growth model for the animals you keep this way. Deviations from what you will come to recognize as "normal" for the species will be readily apparent and obvious over time.
Of course, breeding fishes and propagating plants is not only a fascinating specialty, it may be the key to survival for many fishes in the hobby, as wild collection becomes less and less sustainable for many. You hear it everywhere from hobbyists more familiar with this dynamic than I, but captive breeding is truly the future of the hobby. We've done an amazing job in the freshwater world, and the marine sector is playing catchup, steadily but surely!
By devoting a tank to one species, and possibly creating conditions conducive to their reproduction, you're embarking on a journey to learn all about them. This is truly taking the first steps towards reducing the pressures off of wild populations, so that we'll be able to enjoy them for generations to come.
Monospecific- One species....A very cool idea...And, if nothing more, it's a great excuse for another aquarium! "Honey, I'm trying to save the Xenophallus umbratilis from extinction..." Say THAT With a straight face, as you pitch the idea of yet another aquarium to your skeptical spouse, parent, or significant other!
In the end, it's just another way to enjoy an aquarium- one of many possible concepts you can try for interest, aesthetics- and just maybe- a chance to bring about the next hobby breakthrough! So here's to you and your bravery as you take the "road less travelled!" See you en route. In the mean time, let's see your "monospecific" tanks, or hear your equally wacky ideas for one! Inspire, share...scare! LOL
Until next time,
Stay Wet
Scott Fellman
Tannin aquatics
Oh, a very Hitchcock-like title, wouldn't you say?
Actually, there's a whole lot less intrigue in it and more philosophy... This is a saltwater story today, but I think just about any hobbyist- fresh OR salt- can relate...
I finally received my Innovative Marine "Fusion Lagoon 50." Yeah, an aquarium- an All in One aquarium- right there in my home office...ready to rock and roll. Nicely-built, and filled with potential. Yeah, I'll be giving a blow-by-blow review later, as I use the "everyman's reef tank" to prove that you can do cool reef aquariums with a "pret a porter" aquarium system. (not like this tank is some kind of let down- it's not. In fact, it's very nicely built- more so than a few of the custom jobs I've owned over the years, trust me!).
So, I'm at this new phase now. I have this tank, some of the equipment I'll be using, and a whole lot of ideas bouncing in my head. Some are new thoughts on how I want to approach familiar problems, like like "If I go with these corals, who will I have to position them to take advanatage of the tank's footprint, water flow, and lighting?" Others are far more esoteric, like thinking through positioning of circulation pumps within the display, or thinking through maintenance strategies.
Still others are...well- weird.
Case in point. Like any good reefer, I spent some time this weekend pouring over "build threads" on a few reef keeping forums, to kind of get a read as to how other reefers are approaching certain things. Funny, actually, because one of the first things I told myself is that I wouldn't allow any of my decisions to be influenced by others...Kind of a ridiculous position, actually- because we can't help but be influenced by the work of others in this hobby, right?
So anyways, as I pursued a few threads, I'd see the usual iterations of live rock, the fancy equipment shots, the ridiculously over-blue lights-on shots (I mean, it's late 2015- we've had LED's for like a decade, and we're still into making our tanks look like Studio 54? What gives. Ever heard of "full spectrum" or "daylight?"). Apart from stuff I'd laugh and comiserate about, I saw IT. You know. The big "hurdle." The right of passage.
ALGAE.
Yikes, I forgot about that phase. Yeah. That part when all of your good work looks like...well, you get it, as it's covered with that familiar patina of algae while the tank goes through its nutrient cycling phase. The part where every hobbyist, experienced or otherwise, has those lingering doubts; asks questions- goes through the mental gymnastics to try to cope: "Do I have enough flow?" Was my source water quality any good? Did I cheap-out on the salt mix? Is it my light? When does this go away? It does go away. I know it's just a phase. Right? Yeah, it goes away? When? It WILL go away. Right?"
I mean, it's one of those rights of passage that we all go through. The early doubts. The questioning of ourselves. The reviewing of fundamental procedure and practice. The need to reach out to the community to gain reassurance. It's normal. It's often inevitable.
The point of this piece is not about algae, per se. It's about the mind set that we bring to the table when we experience such things. The "algae bloom" phase brings out familiar feelings...
But it IS a phase. I know this..and you do, too.
Yet it bothers us, huh?
We reach back into our minds- our experiences- every time our protein skimmer releases micro bubbles into our tank, or whenever our pumps make that funny noise...Whenever the temperature seems to be harder to dial in than we expect. We KNOW what stuff should be like, we know that we set ourselves up for success...yet we look, and ponder- and we worry. But we DO know better. We know that all of this wonderful thing are just a phase. Our experience- and the experience of our "tribe" tell us this.
Yet it's part of the game. The worry. The reflection. The doubts. The...learning- which comes about as a result of our doing something that, in reality, is among the most enjoyable of pursuits in the hobby- starting a new tank.
We know what to expect.
And perhaps- just maybe- we know too much.
We understand all of this stuff. We experienced it many times over the years, and have watched- and even reassured- others that "all of this is normal" and to "just be patient and it will pass..."
You know- reef stuff. But it's really "aquarium stuff", so as not to alienate my fellow freshwater enthusiasts!
Outright beginners actually have it much easier in this regard, I think. I mean, when just having a glass or acrylic box of saltwater or freshwater in your home is a novelty- a cause for rejoicing- you tend to live in a bubble of gentle "ignorance" (eeehw- that's kind of harsh)- okay, let's call it "blissful lack of awareness" that some of this stuff sucks...
And that's a beautiful thing- because a beginner is taken by the sheer wonder- and joy of it all. They don't stress out about stuff like micro bubbles and Asterina starfish and bristle worms in their rock work. They're not worried about that yucky age like we are, because they don't KNOW that it can linger a long, long time if you don't manage the tank correctly at this phase. They're not handcuffed by their past experiences and the knowledge of having set up dozens of reefs over the years. Rather, they're just stoked as all get out by the thought of Azure Damselfish, Banded Coral Shrimp, Green Star Polyps and ultra-common pulsing Xenia taking up residence in the new little utopian microhabitat they just set up in their New York City apartment.
Perhaps the beginner knows something we don't.
I think I- we- know too much.
And I don't mean that from an arrogant perspective.
I think I, like so many reefers at my level of hobby experience, tend to overthink every aspect of the reefing hobby, particularly the new tank startup phase, rather than just letting ourselves enjoy the moment- the wonder, and the awe that comes from doing something special, beautiful, and, let's face it- incredibly cool! We do it in freshwater just as often- and we've been doing it a lot longer. Yet this IS something amazing, huh?
Something that nine tenths of the world will never get to experience or even comprehend.
I think it's entirely possible to release ourselves from the "burden" of our own experience, and to allow ourselves to enjoy every aspect of this great hobby, free from preconception or prejudices. To just make decisions based on what our research- gut, or yeah- I suppose experience- tells us is the right thing to do, then letting stuff happen. In other words, taking control of the influence our own experience provides, rather than allowing it to taint our whole journey with doubt, dogma, second-guessing, and over-analysis of every single aspect.
So, I'm in that cool phase of setting up some new tanks at home...And with it comes the excitement, anticipation, fun...and a certain "Don't f*** it up" attitude!
I mean, I haven't created a new aquarium in my home for over 4 years. Oh sure, I've worked on a lot of tanks in that span, most associated with my other business, Unique Corals. Tanks of all sizes, ranging from nanos to 500 gallon reef tanks, a tank in my office, and of course, our coral growout facility, which encompasses more than 6 raceways and around 16,000 gallons of saltwater...Yeah, I've had my "hands wet", but when it comes to creating and managing a tank in my own home, it's been a while.
The "hiatus", if you will, was kind of cool- very good for me, actually. It gave me the chance to want it a little more- to sort of "crave" the whole personal aquatic experience that I missed out on for the past few years. It gave me a chance to sort of clear my head, so to speak, to rid my mind of preconceptions I had and maybe even purge some old bad habits I've accumulated during a lifetime of personal aquatic experience.
The thought of waking up on a rainy Saturday (gosh, do we EVER get them here in L.A.? We're supposed to get a LOT of 'em this winter!) and scrape algae, tweak my plumbing, adjust my lights, obsess over fish health, corals, and plants is looking so good right now...And it feels so right.
Really, I think for the first time in my life, other than a few brief years when I was in diapers, I experienced life without a tank in my home. And it worked for me...if only for a while.
But I don't think I'll ever do that again. The urge, the appeal, the enjoyment is too great to forgo again. There's nothing quite like being able to relax in front of your own home aquariums- your own little aquatic dreamscapes that YOU created, and feeling the connection to your animals. They say that only an aquarist understands the feeling- and I agree.
Yeah, sometimes it's okay to take a little "sabbatical", but it's only okay, IMHO, if it's for a short length of time...and only if it served its purpose- that being to refresh, revitalize, and renew your love and enthusiasm for the hobby. So if you feel you need a break- for whatever reason- go for it.
But come back.
And, if you're like me- coming off of such a hiatus with a new enthusiasm and feeling of excitement- there's a whole world to come home to!
So, I disagree with the expression "You can't go home again."
I'm proof.
I'm home.
So, until next time..
Stay wet (or dry, as the case may be).
Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics
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