The Tint

Common threads and functional aesthetics...

I like to look back on some of my favorite tanks over the years, and they have some  interesting commonalities. Generally, these include things like certain elements used in the "operating system" of the aquarium.  Things which operate very similarly to the natural habitats which they aspire to recreate in the aquairum.

What do I mean? Read on!

The idea of biotope aquariums is well-covered territory in the hobby. I really don't need to discuss the whole concept with you. However, the idea of 'biotope" or "biotope-inspired" aquariums should be, in my humble opinion, more than just trying to capture the look of a habitat. The finest biotope-inspired systems foster the function as much as the aesthetics.

And, when we approach recreating some of these habitats from a "function forward" approach, as opposed to just trying to recreate the look, not only do you create interesting "operational parameters", you get many unusual benefits as well- some of which are analogous to those which the natural environment offers to the organisms which reside there. And of course, the aesthetics often look substantially different than what you get when you just go "diorama mode."

One of my favorites is an aquarium that I set up earlier in the year to represent the form and function of a flooded Pantanal grassland. This was a very different interpretation of a very unique ecological system.

For those of you who aren't familiar with it, The Pantanal (derived from the Portuguese word "pantano"- meaning "swamp", "wetland", or "marsh") is the largest wetlands region Earth. Full stop. Primarily located within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, it also extends into the state of Mato Grosso, and the nations of Paraguay and Boliva as well! We're talking about region estimated to be as large as 75,00 square miles/195,000 square kilometers!  

It's freakin' huge! 

Essentially a large depression in the earth's crust, the Pantanal constitutes a huge river delta, into which a number of rivers converge, depositing sediments and other biological materials. Now of course, with a habitat this large, there are multiple ecosystems contained in it- as many as 12 have been defined by scientists! 

(Image by Alicia Yo- used under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Now, our main focus is, of course, fishes- and the Pantanal offers plenty of places for fishes to reside in! The cool thing about the Pantanal is that as much as 80% of it is floodplains submerged during the rainy seasons (in which up to 59inches/1,500mm of rainfall have been recorded! That corresponds to water depths which can fluctuate up to 15'/5 meters in some areas!), and is home to an astonishing diversity of fishes and aquatic plants!

With it's enormous expanse of shallow, slowly-flowing water (velocities of no more than 4"/10cm per second are typical), dense vegetation tends to be the norm here- both aquatic and terrestrial.

The water itself tends to be turbid, very slightly tinted, and perhaps even a bit anoxic at times. And, interestingly, the highest levels of pH and dissolved oxygen in these habitats tend to occur when the water level decreases and aquatic and terrestrial plant growth is stimulated. Curiously, however, scientists are not 100% certain if this is because of the plants going crazy with photosynthesis, or mixing of the water column due to influx of water. 

Is there a takeaway here for hobbyists?

Over 400 fish species call this region home. Interestingly, the biological  "keystone species" of The Pantanal is a snail- the "Apple Snail" (Ampullaridae), which is a real survivor, as it has both gills and lungs, which makes survival possible during the early part of the flood season when huge amounts of terrestrial plants decay and use up the available oxygen, resulting in suffocation to all of the larger decomposers in the ecosystem.

This remarkable- and fortunate- adaptation enables the humble snail to consume the majority of the dead plant matter and turn it into "fertilizer" for the aquatic plants...And, in an ultimate sort of insult, really- the snails eventually become feed for other animals.

A rather undignified end for such important creatures, wouldn't you say? 

(The "keystone species"- image by Stijn Ghesquiere, used under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Many of the fishes which are found in The Pantanal are migratory, moving seasonally between the river channels and the flood plain regions. As you might imagine, the bulk of them are detritovorous, feeding on the fine particles from the accumulated sediments and macrophytes (remember them?) within the ecosystem.

Macrophytes supply shelter, food resources and cover for the resident fishes. Still other fishes consume the aquatic insects and microorganisms/biofilms that are recruited in this habitat. Most are well-adapted to the relatively oxygen-poor waters of this vast flood plain.

Characins are represented big-time in this habitat, with species of Moenkhausia, Hyphessobrycon, Pyrhulina, Aphyocharax, and Characidium all present. Oh, and Apisto lovers will be pleased to know that there are some cool ones found there- Apistogramma borellii, A. trifasciata, A. commbrae, and some others. Even species as wide-ranging and diverse as Corydoras, Crenicichla, Otocinculus, Abramites, and Leporinus are found in this ecosystem.

According to most of the studies I read on this ecosystem, the contributing factors to the fish population include stuff like the clarity of the water, the abundance of the food sources (ie, those macrophytes again!), and the connections between lakes and rivers. And, as the water recedes, the available macrophytes tend to settle on the margins of the habitat in the form of...wait for it...our old friend, detritus! 

There's just too much good stuff here, huh?

And during the low-water seasons, the resident fishes tend to occupy the areas where autochthonous resources- materials which formed in the areas where they are found, not from outside of the habitat a la our old friends, the allochthonous resources. 

(Damn, we talk about some obscure shit in this blog, huh?)

Of course, the seasonal flooding of the marginal lowlands increases the quantity and availability of allochthonous feeding resources for the floodplains and the fishes which reside there. An interesting example of the tight relationship between various habitats in the region, wouldn't you say?

When the water levels rise, the marginal vegetation in the habitats dies off and contributes to the levels of organic matter found in the water. This results in a decrease in dissolved oxygen, pH, and transparency of the water column. Those of you who are geeky hardcore biotope hobbyists, who obsess over stuff like creating a tank to represent a habitat in a specific time of year should take note, huh?

Even the lifestyles of the fishes play a role in the "operating system" of the environment.

Biologists tend to think that the small guys- the characins, specifically, benefit from fast growth, high fecundity (ie; they're prolific!), and rapid colonization capabilities- and that these characteristics tend to determine success in The Pantanal environment. And one more example of this is the "role" of fishes in the Pantanal which consume fruits (which come from the trees adjacent to the wetlands).  Around 150 species of fruit-eating fishes inhabit this system- that's a remarkable number!

When the fishes eat the fruits, they pass the seeds through, well- pooping. Amazingly, it's thought  that they are responsible for the dispersal of as much as 95% of the trees which comprise tropical forests of the region! That's literally the definition of "doing useful shit", IMHO...

This habitat is just FILLED with possibilities for replication!

This relative absence of representation of this habitat in the natural aquarium hobby tells me that not only is The Pantanal ripe for replication- it's a perfect ground-floor opportunity for studying, discovering, and creating evolutions and breakthroughs in the hobby. To work on replicating some of the function of the habitat as well as the form.

Okay, so we touched on that habitat enough to (I hope) whet your appetite to find out a little more and attempt to replicate its form and function in an aquarium!

And that's kind of what we're gonna do. I hope you join us there, too. At the place where what we know and what we think about in the aquarium hobby meet. At that "delta" at the intersection of science and art.

The aquarium that I created to replicate this flooded environment really went together easily... the "ingredients" are readily available...

It starts with a sedimented bottom layer, replete with dried leaves and some terrestrial grasses, maybe some twigs or submerged pieces of dried weeds. That not only helps recreate some of the look, it helps to foster the function as well.

That's the easy part of this whole thing. 

It's hardly "revolutionary" or even crazy...Yet, to attempt to replicate one of these complex natural habitats in the aquarium requires us to look ourselves in the mirror and see if we're up to the challenges (aesthetic and otherwise).

It looks weird. It involves ideas that we've touched on here for years- decomposition, fungi, turbidity, and...mental shifts.

Had enough of this shit? Or, are you thirsty for more?

I submit to you the idea of turbid, sediment-filled tanks, where dead branchy materials, decomposing leaves, twigs, biofilms, clays, soil and silt play...

This type of feature really pushes us out of our comfort zone.

You have silty, sedimented material which, when disturbed, will cloud the water a bit for days at a time. Sort of like what happens in Nature- but it's in your living room.

Could you handle this?

What's the "upside" to a tank like this?

Well, for one thing, you have the benefit of a substrate which actively leaches minerals, organic materials, and other compounds into the aquarium.  It also fosters  the growth and proliferation of fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms, which not only facilitate processing of dissolved organics, but serve as a supplemental food sources for our fishes.

In my 'late season Panatanal" tank, the water quality was great. I had nitrate levels which were almost undetectable, despite the presence of large quantities of decomposing leaves and other materials. And the need to heavily feed my fishes which resided in the aquarium was not that great. They continuously derived supplemental nutrition from the aquarium itself, similar to the "leaf litter only" system I ran a while back with great success.

This is extremely similar to the benefits which flooded grasslands and such provide in Nature.

"Common threads", indeed! 

And of course, it looks totally unique, too.

It's a very different type of "aesthetic beauty" than we are used to. It's an elegant, remarkably complex microhabitat which is host to an enormous variety of life forms.  And it's a radical departure from our normal interpretation of how a tank should look. It challenges us, not only aesthetically- it challenges us to appreciate the function it can provide if we let it.

"Functional aesthetics." Again.

One of the things that we've noticed lately in the hobby, particularly in our sector, is a trend towards more "realistic" aquariums. Not just systems which look like natural environments; rather, systems which are modeled as much after the function of them as the aesthetics.

"Functional aesthetics."

The aquarium looks a certain way because of its function.

A less rigidly aesthetically-controlled, perhaps less "high-concept" approach in the eyes of some- setting the stage for...Nature- to do what She's done for eons without doing as much to "help it along." Rather, the mindset here is to allow nature to take it's course, and to embrace the breakdown of materials, the biofilms, the decay...and rejoice in the ever-changing aesthetic and functional aspects of a natural aquatic system- "warts and all" -and how they can positively affect our fishes.

We're seeing that not only do botanicals, leaves, and alternative substrate materials look interesting- they provide a physiological basis for creating unique environmental conditions for our fishes and plants. We're seeing fish graze on the life forms which live in and among the decomposing botanicals, as well as the botanicals themselves- just like in nature...And we are seeing the influence- aesthetically and chemically- that these materials assert on the aquarium's environmental parameters.

Some of the "next" things that I see our community working on are further explorations into understanding and replicating natural water parameters and what the implications are for our aquariums. I also see more developments in trying to recreate some aspects of natural "food chains" in our BWBS aquariums, by facilitating the growth and reproduction of fungi, microorganisms, and small crustaceans within our botanical "beds" and leaf litter.

It's about expectations and understanding. If you're just looking for a cool aesthetic, that's okay. You simply need to understand what happens to botanicals when they are submerged in water...how they break down, what they do to the appearance and environmental parameters of our tanks. 

It's the era of "Functional Aesthetics"- and yeah, you're right in the thick of things.

The common threads which connect these aquariums is their emphasis of form versus function. Sort of like, "if you set up the tank to work a certain way, it'll look different, too!" 

And with Nature as our guide, we've got a pretty good track to run on!

Stay inspired. Stay excited. Stay busy. Stay engaged. Stay creative...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Celebrating the journey...

We've been about 5 years now into our mission of elevating and educating the aquarium hobby community about the joys, benefits, and challenges of botanical-style, blackwater/brackish water aquariums. We've touched on a lot of topics- ranging from big picture stuff to the extremely arcane.

I think we've done a pretty good job at spreading the word.

However, there is something that I keep coming back to. An idea that keeps popping into my head after numerous discussions with other hobbyists, seeing the evolving "market segment" for botanicals, and just answering lots of questions regularly:

I think that we- as a hobby, are not doing a good enough job celebrating the process of creating aquariums.

I think we celebrate the “finished product” and fail to celebrate the joy, the heartache, the time- and the patience- the journey-which go into an aquarium. And further, I don't think we as a hobby do enough to recognize the telltale signs of hobbyists going too fucking fast..

And we continue to coddle stupid behavior (yeah, I said it) by not instructing newcomers to do some of the research themselves, rather than plunge ahead blindly, only to ask specific questions when something goes wrong.

If you frequent various hobby forums or Facebook groups, you’ll see evidence of this issue all over the place. And I’m not the only one who has been noticing this, as evidenced by the considerable number of dm’s and emails I receive, and, the discussions I’ve had with other hobbyists on the subject.

A lot of hobbyists want to "not be bothered" with the details or background education, and just jump into the game without any effort to educate themselves or do some of the homework required. It's apparently far easier to just look at pictures, go the the LFS or online vendor and buy a bunch of stuff, set up the tank, and see what happens.

Okay, we do have “build threads”, which are pretty cool and often inspiring, I think! We at least facilitate the sharing of the process of building aquairums. They’re pretty popular, as they are inuring, interesting, and for many- aspirational.

While the bulk of them do just that- celebrate the process- a disturbing number of them seem to exude an underlying feeling of “impatience”- a sense that there is a “destination” to get to- and that the person posting wants to get there really quickly! And I get this sense when I talk or correspond with some hobbyists, too. I see these types of “dysfunctional” (for want of a better word) build threads in reef keeping forums constantly, and they follow a very predictable path:

They start out innocently- and excitingly enough- the tank concept is highlighted, the acquisition of (usually expensive) equipment is documented, and the build begins. The pace quickens. The urgency to “get the livestock in the tank asap” is palpable. Soon, pretty large chunks of change are dropped on some of the most trendy, expensive coral frags- or worse yet- whole colonies- available.

Everyone “oohs and ahhs” over the additions. Those who understand the processes involved- and really think about it- begin to realize that this thing is going too fast…that the process is being rushed…that shortcuts and “hacks” are cherished more than the natural processes required for long-term success. Sure enough, within a month or so, frantic social media and forum posts are written by the builder, asking for help to figure out what his/her expensive corals are “struggling”, despite the large amount of cash spent on high-tech equipment and said corals from reputable vendors.

When suggestions are offered by members of the community, usually they’re about correcting some aspect of the nitrogen cycle or other critical biological function that was bypassed or downplayed by the aquarist. Usually, the “fixes” involve “doubling back” and spending more time to “re-boot” and do things more slowly. To let the system sort of evolve (oh- THAT word!) The “Yeah, I know, but..” type of responses- the ones that deflect responsibility- start piling up from the hobbyist.

Often, the tank owner will apply some misplaced blame to the equipment manufacturer, the livestock vendor, the LFS employee…almost anyone but himself/herself. Then, the hobbyist goes "radio silent" for a while...And soon after, the next post is in the forum’s “For Sale” section, selling off components of a once-ambitious aquarium.

Another hobbyist lost to lack of patience.

Patience. 

The single most important thing you need for a successful raquairum (well, except maybe cash!)- and the thing we celebrate the least, IMHO. And we should celebrate it a lot more.

Because you really can’t skip the process…

Well, we can speed up some processes by adding bacterial additives to our new aquariums to “jump start” the nitrogen cycle. We can utilize specialized soils and additives to help give aquatic plants the nutrition they need from day one. We can densely plant. All of these things and more are ways we have developed to speed up the natural processes which occur in our aquariums over time.

They are band aids, props- quick starts…”hacks”, if you will.  All of them can work as part of a comprehensive process. However, they are not the key to establishing a successful long-term-viable aquarium in and of themselves. Ultimately, Nature has to “sign off” on, and work with any of the “boosts” we offer.

Yup.

It’s a problem, IMHO.

It doesn’t apply to everyone- it’s not always a devastating ending. However, it happens often enough to affect the hobby as a whole, especially when someone drops out because they went in with unrealistic expectations brought about by the observations they make every time they open up their iPad.

The problem is, we as a hobby love to highlight the finished product above almost all else.

We document and celebrate the beauty of the IAPLC champion’s ‘scape. But we minimally document the process that it took to get there. The reality is that the journey to the so-called “finished product” is really every bit as interesting as the finished product itself!

It’s where the magic lies. The process. The journey. The time. The evolution. The patience.

I’ve always found it somewhat odd to see those amazing "high-concept" planted tanks broken down in their prime by the owner, to start a new one. I guess it’s part of the culture of that niche…a sort of self-imposed “termination” when something new is desired.  And I think it's part of the "contest mindset", too. The “process” is about hitting certain benchmarks and moving on, I suppose. (and if you only have one tank and 500 ideas, and the goal is to enter it into a new contest, it makes sense)

And we have to respect that.

However, that's great for the contest guys, right?

Yet, we also have a duty to explain this to newcomers. We have to let people know that, even in one of those seemingly “temporary” displays, patience and the passage of time are required.

Sure, these aspects don’t make for the best “optics”, as they say in politics. You can’t show an empty, cloudy aquarium on Instagram or Facebook and get 400 “likes” on the pic. No one wants to see the results of 33 consecutive nitrite tests.

It’s not sexy.

Sadly, acceptance from others of how cool our tanks are is a big deal for many, so sharing an “under construction” tank is not as exciting for a lot of people, because we celebrate that “finished product” (whatever it is) more than the process of getting there. We simply need to celebrate patience, the journey, and the “evolution” of our aquariums more.

After a lifetime in the hobby it’s pretty easy for a guy like me to see when things are going in a direction that may not give the happy outcome my fellow hobbyists want. I see this just as much in the freshwater world as I do in the reef world.

I see this after some of the "contest giveaways" and club raffles we support. A high percentage of the time (not always, of course), the winner, who receives a package of botanicals or whatever, seems to be the least informed, about this speciality, and often not really all that interested in doing the research before plunging forward. I mean, it's just adding some hardscape to a tank, right?

They just want one of those cool "blackwater aquariums" that seem to be all the rage on Instagram these days. It's a "cool style of aquascaping", right?

It makes me cringe, really...and to question the wisdom of just giving stuff away sometimes. Lack of desire to take the time to educate one's self, and lack of willingness to deploy  patience about the process is almost rampant when it comes to this stuff.

It's all about the finished product.

The questions I receive from some of these people reflect this. There is simply no effort to learn about the process or the expectations, etc., despite reference to a lot of resources on line- here and elsewhere.  A lot of these people simply see the pretty pictures of finished tanks, and are excited to receive a pack of "aquascpaing stuff" for their tank and create one. Quickly.

I cringe, because I know that failure to educate oneself before plunging forward adding botanicals to an established tank without consideration for what they do can be a disaster.

And with concerns about the growth of the hobby always brought up in gatherings and discussions, I think we owe it to ourselves to look at this more seriously; to think about the impact of this stuff on “big picture” a bit more.

Think about this:

Part of the reason why we celebrate the “evolution” of reef tanks is because the very act of working with one of these tanks IS an evolution. A process. A celebration of sensory delights.

A reef aquarium has a “cadence” of its own, which we can set up- but we must let nature dictate the timing and sequencing. It starts with an empty tank. Then, the mixing of saltwater, the addition of live rock and sand…The excitement of the initial placement of the rocks within the tank. The gradual “addition of the corals. The progressive development of biofilms and algae “patinas”. Ultimately, the growth of the corals and associated fauna. All part of a process which can’t be “hacked” or rushed.

Mother Nature is in control.

Reefers who try to cheat, "hack", or rush the process often become "ex-reefers" really fast. Nature will simply kick your ass- and quickly.

Or, they wipe themselves off and start over again, perhaps better educated for having gone through the resulting disasters which ensue when patience is thrown out the window.

We need to stress the process as much as the “finished product” (whatever that might be, in this instance). I constantly talk about this, I know, but it’s really fundamental, IMHO. And it would be easy to describe my concern as very opinionated (well, it probably is…), and perhaps, a bit "asshole-ish" but if you look at it objectively, it’s worth considering.

We see people come into the hobby with some expectations of how they want their own aquarium to look, based on the tanks they see on forums and elsewhere. Human nature. Nothing wrong with having aspirational tanks to challenge us and inspire us. Yet, we really need to stress the aesthetics of the tank during the “evolution” as part of the function, too.

We should celebrate biofilms, fungal growth and the growth and die off of some plants. It’s the very essence of Amano’s interpretation of Wabi-Sabi- the celebration of the transient nature of existence.

We should.

But we don't always.

And I get it.

Not everyone appreciates the “zen-like” mindset I think is required to truly enjoy a botanical-style aquarium like this. Not everyone finds the biofilms and decomposing leaves on the substrate alluring. The fact that it closely replicates the natural ecosystems we love is of little consequence for the hobbyist who dislikes the heavy growth of various fauna and such, and wants a more “artistic” look to his/her tank, or a way to display his expensive "designer wood".

And that’s okay. 

Now, it's not all "doom and gloom" or negative energy. Really.

And we can reverse this unfortunate trend. 

As a hobby in general, we need to document and celebrate the process. Let's share more "early and unglamorous" progress pics of our tanks on Instagram. Let's celebrate the journey!

We need to have faith in Nature, and relish the constant change, slow and indifferent to our needs though it may be. We need to emphasis to new and old aquarists alike that, in this 24/7/365 social media-fueled world we’re in- that patience, time, and evolution are all part of the enjoyment of the aquarium hobby.

All of the aspects of the process are wonderful:

The smell of a brand new tank. The delight at the first new piece of wood or leaves added. The addition of the first fishes. All are experiences on a road -a journey- which will forever continue. As long as we allow the processes which enable it to do so. 

As long as we celebrate the journey.

The long-term health of our fishes- and the hobby itself- demand it.

Be kind to yourself. Be good to the hobby. Document. Share. Savor the process.

Stay patient. Stay generous. Stay honest. Stay curious.


And Stay Wet.

Back to the past via the future: The evolved reef tank? My new take on things...

As most of you know by now, I started Tannin Aquatics after decades of serious hobby and professional work in the Marien side of the hobby- specifically the reef  aquarium sector. Although I started in the freshwater side of the hobby, I "crossed over" to more fo a full-time marine hobbyist as a teenager and didn't look back seriously until about 5 years ago, when I started Tannin. 

With Tannin, we took a different approach to freshwater aquariums- one based on embracing natural botanical materials to more faithfully replicate the look and function of specialized aquatic habitats, such as blackwater and brackish. I drew from my long experience at playing with this stuff , and felt that if I liked it, maybe some other hobbyists would, too.

I think I guessed right this time!

It's been an interesting Gand exciting 5 years, filled with a lot of cool developments, evolutions, and the occasional breakthrough. Along with you, our community, I've learned quite a bit, and I'm looking forward to some more cool experimentation.

Of course, I never fully got over my reef addiction, too...

Which  brings me to the topic of today's blog. Recently, a follower of ours on Instagram asked me to share some thoughts about how I'd set up a marine aquarium today. It's an interesting idea, because although my interests in the reef sector remain similar to what they were 5 years ago, my experience in the botanical-style freshwater and brackish sector with Tannin has given me a different perspective than I had previously, and I think I'll be doing things slightly differently on my next "full salt" go-around!

So, like, how?

Well...

My stated goal is to create a modest-sized aquarium that embraces natural processes which occur in various niches within the reef biome. Now, that being said, I am interested in more of a lagoon-type habitat, preferably one with a strong connection to the nearby land. I am fascinated about the idea of incorporating mud, biosediment, and other substrate materials into the display. 

I know that this comes as a shock to those of you who are familiar with my obsessions! The idea of re-creating a little habitat around a mangrove tree and some seagrass, or to attempt to replicate those “coral islands” in Palau (reef below, terrestrial plants above) has been tugging at me for decades…and I think it might be time to play with one of these concepts.

High biodiversity is my thinking here.

WHAT’S MUD GOT TO DO WITH IT???

Yes, you’ve heard me yammer about it, but I’m still really into the idea of using various types of ocean-sourced muds and sediments in reef aquariums. This is not exactly new. It’s something we've played with over the past few decades, right?  And the idea of substrates and their accompanying nutrients and diverse infauna has fallen largely out of favor in the general reef hobby of late.

Yet, with all of the ideas of sandbeds and such, I think we should be utilizing natural mud, or the really great substrates offered by a number of aquarium companies. Now, I’m not talking about using these products because of some over-blown marketing hyperbole about them curing sick fishes and raising corals from the dead or whatever. Nope.I'm talking about utilizing them because they foster biodiversity.

I’m curious about the way these materials can impart trace elements into the water. I’m curious how they foster denitrification. I’m very interested in the possibility of them providing supplemental nutrition for a wide variety of fishes (specifically fishes like Halichoeres sp. Wrasses, Ctenochaetus sp. Tangs, and Pseduchromids, just to name a very few.). And I’m almost obsessed with the possibility that they can serve as an "in-tank refugium" (well,sorta) for cultivation of organisms which might serve as supplementary food sources for most of the fishes and higher invertebrates in our systems.

Very "early 21st century, I know....

Mud was one of those odd tangents that hit right around the “early 2000’s refugium craze", and sort of faded quickly into the background. I am sure that part of it was a renewed obsession later in the decade with less biodiverse, more “coral-centric” systems, which eschewed substrates in general, specifically those which had the tendency to house competing biota! All of those factors- and a continued (and cool, I might add) obsession with using high tech electronic pumps to facilitate ridiculous amounts of water movement within our aquariums sealed the fate of mud as a true reef “side show” for the foreseeable future.

Okay...

Well, here we are, in the 2nd decade of the new millennium, and I think that it’s time to resuscitate the idea of using mud in our reef tanks again in some capacity. And I’m thinking not JUST the refugium. I’m talking about the display! Now, I realize that a lot of reefers will disagree with my thinking, and give me the usual line that sand and mud and sediment can become “nutrient sinks” and work against the smooth operation and long term prosperity of a reef. 

Okay, I hate that shit.

And that's what it is. I know this, because I play with decomposing leaves, sediments, and biofilms. I'm not afraid of high biodiversity, higher nutrient systems. They run amazingly well if you are competent about husbandry, if you're observant, diligent, and patient. So I think it might be worth looking at how a well-managed mud/sediment/sand bed could help support a healthy, diverse closed reef ecosystem.


Now, if you go way back into the past (like 2005, lol), you may recall some of the studies into various substrate depths and compositions (and plenums!) and their relative impact on mortality of animals in aquaria. Now, in all fairness, the test subjects were fishes and inverts like hermit crabs and snails, but the findings are nonetheless relatable, in my opinion, to reef tanks. Tonnen and Wee ran a lot of tests with different depths of substrate, ranging from very deep to rather deep, and the results were quite fascinating, in my opinion. Interestingly, one conclusion was that “...the shallower the sediment, the higher the mortality rate, and you can't get much shallower than a bare-bottom tank!"

WTF? I thought "bare bottom" was the shit... 😆

Again, that set of experiments had a lot of different variables, like the aforementioned plenum, as well as the use of pretty coarse substrate in some setups (Not too many reef hobbyists use that stuff!), and no real test using marine muds and sediments as the sole substrate in a reef setting. However, I think it is perhaps safe to say that the presence of a substrate itself in a reef tank doesn’t spell disaster for the inhabitants- be they fish, corals, or urchins…The reality is that a well-managed, carefully stocked reef tank should work under a variety of situations.

And of course, the cautions are warranted.

A poorly maintained sandbed, without some creatures present to stir up the upper layers, could prove problematic if detritus and organic wastes are allowed to accumulate unchecked, right? And there is the so-called “old tank syndrome” that suggests that after some point in a reef systems operational lifetime (whatever that might be!) the bacteria population within the system (likely the sanded) is depleted somehow and/or no longer has the ability to keep up with the accumulations of organic waste products, and that phosphates and such are released back into the system.

Also, a lot of horseshit, IMHO. There are plenty of "old reef tanks" out there that run beautifully.

Yeah, I'm probably being a jerk, and simply being biased, but I have a real problem with that theory. I just don’t see how a well-managed aquarium declines on its own  over the years. I’ve personally maintained one reef tank for 11 years, and one freshwater tank for 16 years and never had these issues. I’m not saying to nominate me for sainthood or anything, but I will tell you that I am a firm believer in not overstocking my tanks, utilizing multiple nutrient export avenues (protein skimming, activated carbon, use of macro algae/plants, and weekly water exchanges).

There is no magic there.

So, yeah...sandbeds, mud, sediments...they're all cool in my book.

Okay, that being said, tanks with substrate, specifically fine sediment materials like mud and such, are not “set and forget” systems. You’ll need to be actively involved. And by “actively involved”, I mean more than tweaking the lighting settings on your LEDS via your iPhone 😆. You’ll need to get your hands wet. Which to me, is the best part of reef keeping!

Now, I’m literally just scratching the surface here, deliberately not going too deep into this because I’d like your thoughts and input. However, I think it’s absolutely possible to maintain a successful reef system with mud and other marine sediments as a significant part of the substrate. One of the keys, in my opinion, is to utilize some marine plants…you know- seagrasses.

Yep- thats’ a whole different story for another time, but I will dutifully touch on them here to open things up more. I think they are deserving of more attention from reefers. And freshwater planted people have a real advantage here to help move interest in seagrasses into the hobby limelight, where they belong.

Okay, we all have probably seen or heard about seagrasses at one time or another, but rarely do we find ourselves actually playing with them! They are not at all rare in the wild- In fact, they are found all over the world, and there are more than 60 species known to science. Seagrass beds provide amazing benefits to coral reef ecosystems, such as protection from sedimentation, a “nursery” for larval fishes, and a feeding ground for many adult fishes.. In the aquarium, they can perform many of the same functions.

If you can provide a mature, rich sand bed (say 3”-6”), good quality lighting (daylight spectrum or 10k work well), decent water quality, and no large populations of harsh herbivorous fishes, like Tangs or Rabbitfishes), you can almost guarantee some success with seagrasses. And the other key ingredient is patience. You need to leave them alone, let them acclimate, and allow them to grow on their own.

Patience. A key ingredient that we're all sort of familiar with by now, right?

By the way, you can use a variety of commercially-available substrate materials in addition to your fish-poop-filled sand that are designed just for this purpose! How ironic- products actually exist to help grow seagrasses, and so few people are actually taking advantage of them! Oh, and wait, a well-stocked reef is also capable of creating a good rich sand bed, huh?

Seagrasses offer just another interesting diversion and an opportunity for the hobbyists to try something altogether new in the reef aquarium. Not only will you be growing something cool and exciting, you’ll have a chance to get in on the ground floor of a new area of the marine hobby. Does that sound sort of familiar?

By unlocking the secrets of seagrasses, you will be further contributing to the body of knowledge of the husbandry of these plants. Obviously, I just scratched the uppermost surface of the topic here, but I’m hopeful that I have piqued your interest enough to investigate and give the seagrasses a try!

It’s my opinion that the key to a high biodiversity reef tank in the long term would be to incorporate these true vascular plants into the mix. And mangroves, too! You've seen us do a lot of work with our "Estuary" stuff for Tannin- and the brackish water mangrove tank we've played with. We embraced a completely different version of a brackish tank: One filled with mud, decomposing leaves, infernal crustaceans, and diversity.

Mangroves create an amazing aquarium ecosystem.

Now, I would be fooling myself and all of you if I felt that a mangrove pant in your reef tank is going to contribute in any meaningful way to nutrient export for your system. This is a common "selling point" that some people use for utilizing mangroves in reef tanks...and it's really a weak one, IMHO.  Sure, they may pull some nutrient from the water or substrate, but their real value, in my opinion, is to foster the growth of epiphytic life (diatoms, tunicates, etc.) which contribute to the nutrient export and biodiversity of the aquarium.

And of course, they look cool.

And I am very fascinated about playing with mangroves leaves, and the decomposing materials and how they interplay with the aforementioned sediments, and corals…There’s a lot going on there. It’s a lot to consider for a reef tank…but I can’t help but feel that there is something to be gained by incorporating mangroves into the mix…I have visited author/aquarist Julian Sprung’s unique and highly diverse reef systems several times, and each time I’m taken with just how well everything functions as part of a whole- plants, macroalgae, seagrass, sponges, tunicates, feather dusters, coral, invertebrates…fishes. Real deal diversity. Truly the "reef as a microcosm" idea that author John Tullock outlined so many years ago in his writings.

As the leaves fall into the water, if allowed to decompose (ohh…WOULD you do that? I would- but you kind of know that already...), can foster the growth of significant populations of microorganisms and small crustaceans…the literal base of a “food web” in our tanks. Can you imagine a better aquarium system for hard-to feed fishes, like Dragonets, Pipefishes, Seahorses, etc.? In fact, a cool thing about a tank like this is that you could probably manage it effectively with water exchanges and minimal protein skimming…Allowing some nutrient to accumulate within the system for the expressed purposes of feeding the micro algae and population of small organisms which “power” this small ecosystem.

I’m a firm believer that people like Julian and others are successful with their diverse systems over the long term because they understand and appreciate the biodiversity, and provide conditions which allow the largest majority of life forms to prosper for the longest period of time. Also, these guys have made the “mental shift” that those of you who follow my writing here me speak of so often…The mental shift that understands and appreciates the way these systems actually look.

A POV that realizes that some algae, some detritus, and some nitrate/phosphate is not only inevitable- it’s desirable. It’s a mode of thinking which gets away from the “Coral is everything and the tank must be spotless, with every technical prop used to assure this…” and embraces a mindset of “The tank must be lush and diverse, with a wide variety of animals thriving as they do in nature in a stable environment.”

Two perfectly valid mindsets, with somewhat similar goals, but dramatically different approaches to get there, and viewpoints as to which aesthetic is most attractive. I never quite let go of the "higher diversity approach", and I think it's a compelling way to ru na reef system for many. 

I am not saying that those interested in a more diverse reef system need to ditch all of our high tech gear and go back to trickle filters, 5,000k halides, and massive pump-powered protein skimmers. What I am suggesting is that we utilize the technology and information that is available today and apply it to some of the more interesting approaches from the past which foster more diverse reef systems.

The time has never been more appropriate. Time to look at some of these “niche” ideas with a new mindset- and a new appreciation for what they can accomplish!

And of course, as always.. utilizing technology to not only help us manage systems better, but to help create more realistic representations of the specific characteristics of this habitat. There has never been a better time to re-visit some older ideas than now- with an access to amazing technology and an array of experience that abounds in the ever-expanding reef community. I think it's really a super time for us to examine niche biotope reef aquariums! There is ample room for study, interpretation…and creativity.

We sort of opened the door back in 2017 with the debut of our "Estuary" stuff for brackish tanks...getting you in touch with a saltier side.Since then, we've seen a lot more interest in brackish- and that's the "gateway" to reefs, IMHO. We'll do more to build up "Estuary" in 2021, to encourage further experimentation.

Hopefully, that might lead a few of you to go "all the way" to 1.025! 

(Blast from the past! Remember this one?)

I leave you with a great quote from Steve jobs on the creative process, which might just get you started:

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after awhile.”

Well said.

So, I know I got a bit long-winded; however, that's kind of where I'm going with MY next reef tank: DIversity. Richness...Mud.

Discuss. Dream. Scheme. Execute.

 Stay creative. Stay resourceful. Stay bold. Stay observant. Stay patient...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The substrate you stick with? The idea of Cation Exchange Capacity...

The botanical-style aquarium "movement" has begun to really evolve. It's been interesting to see the fine work of so many hobbyists really push the envelope out a bit.

One of the things you might have noticed lately is that we're looking at more and more ways to create realistic, functional, and aesthetically unique aquariums. It's not just about having a large selection of botanical materials...it's about experimenting with them and other tangential natural materials to help recreate some of the aspects of the natural habitats which we admire so much.

Like, substrates, for example.

As you know by now, we've been developing (seems like forever) a line of substrates, designed to help you experiment at recreating various types of aquatic habitats, such as the igapo and varzea of South America, among others. And when you develop new products like substrates, you have to consider how the end users will embrace them (or, IF they will embrace them!), and how they will apply them to their work.

Inevitably, there are questions.

The genesis for today's piece was a message that we received from a member of our community, who was curious about some interesting aspects of botanicals and of our substrates- specifically about their "CEC" factor- something which aquatic plant fans consider when evaluating substrates for growing their plants.

What is "CEC?"

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) is the ability of a material to absorb positively-charged nutrient ions. This means the substrate will hold nutrients and make them available for the plant roots, and therefore, plant growth. CEC measures the amount of nutrients, more specifically, positivity changed ions, which a substrate can hold onto/store for future use by aquatic plants.

Thus, a "high CEC" is important to many aquatic plant enthusiasts in their work.  While it means that the substrate will hold nutrients and make them available for the plant roots. it doesn't indicate the amount of nutrients the substrate contains. 

For reference, scientists measure cation exchange capacity (CEC) in milliequivalents per 100 grams ( meq/100g).

As you might suspect, CEC varies widely among different materials. Sand, for instance, has a CEC less than 1 meq/100 g. Clays tend to be over 30 meq/100 g. Stuff like natural zeolites are around 100 meq/100g! Soils and humus may have CEC up to 250 meq/100g- that's pretty serious!

What nutrients are we talking about here? The most common ones which come into play in the context of CEC are iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. So, if you're into aquatic plants, high CEC is a good thing!

Of course, this is where the questions arise around the substrates we play with.

It makes sense, right?

Our "Nature Base" substrates that we are going to release soon do contain materials such as clays and silts, which could arguably be considered "higher CEC" materials, because they're really fine- and because higher surface area generally results in a higher CEC. The more surface area there is, the more potential bonding sites there are for the exchange to take place. Alas, nothing is ever exactly what we hope it should be in this hobby, and clays are often not all that high in their CEC "ratings."

Now, the "Nature Base" substrates are what we like to call “sedimented substrates”, because they are not just sand, or pellets of fired clays, etc. They are a mix of materials, and DO also have some soils in the mix, too, which are also likely higher in CEC. 

Promising, from a CEC standpoint, I suppose!

However, they were really created to replicate the substrate materials found in the igapo and varzea habitats of South America, and the overall habitat- more "holistically conceived"-not specifically for plant growth. And, in terrestrial environments like the seasonally-inundated igapo and varzea, nutrients are often lost to volatilization, leaching, erosion, and runoff..

So, it's important for me to make it clear again that these substrates are more representative of a terrestrial soil, and are not specifically formulated to grow aquatic plants luxuriously. Interestingly  the decomposition of detritus and leaves and such in our botanical-style aquariums and "Urban Igapo" displays is likely an even larger source of “stored” nutrients than the CEC of the substrate itself, IMHO. 

An added benefit of these types of substrates is that they will provide a home for beneficial bacteria- breaking down organics and helping to make them more available for plant growth. 

That being said, the stuff DOES grow aquatic and riparian plants and grasses quite well, in our experience! Yet, I would not refer to them specifically as "aquatic plant substrates." They're not being released to challenge or replace the well-established aquatic plant soils out there. They're not even intended to be compared to them!

Remember, our substrates are intended to start out life as "terrestrial" materials, gradually being inundated as we bring on the "wet season." And because of the clay and sediment content of these substrates, you'll see some turbidity or cloudiness in the water. It won't immediately be crystal-clear- just like in Nature. That won't excite a typically planted aquarium lover, for sure. And no, we haven't done CEC testing with our substrates...It's likely that in some future, some enthusiastic and curious scientist/hobbyist might just do that, of course!

I can't stress it often enough: With our emphasis on the "wholistic" application of our substrate, our focus is on the "big picture"- not specifically aquatic plant growth. Yet, hobbyists being hobbyists, I'm sure that they will evaluate them based upon this ability, so I felt that I should at least address this topic at this juncture.

High CEC certainly can help grow aquatic plants in these or other substrates; however, it's important to note that it's only a small component of of nutrient availability for the plants. 

And of course, if we go back to the idea of CEC being a "measure" of a material to absorb positively charged nutrient ions, the question comes full circle to, "Do botanicals themselves have "CEC" capabilities?"

The answer is, I'm not really sure!

Yet, the postulating non-scientist in me can't help but wonder if, much like loam or humus, that these plant-derived materials have this unique ability. I mean, we talk about botanicals and leaf-litter beds as attachment points for biofilms, fungal growth, and other organisms, so it makes sense to at least postulate that they have the capacity to sequester some nutrients as they break down, right?

I think that it does.

I mean, at the very least, we've played around with the idea that decomposing leaves and such comprise a sort of aquatic "mulch" for plant growth. Mulch, by definition is: "Material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil." What works in the garden likely works in the aquarium, in the context of "substrate enrichment", right?

I think that the possibility of utilizing botanicals along with specialized substrates as a means to grow plants and enrich the overall aquarium ecosystem on many levels is simply too irresistible to overlook. Indeed, botanicals are a sort of "substrate" in and of themselves- and that is something that's quite interesting! 

The body of experience that we as hobbyists are accumulating with botanical-style aquariums is not only resulting in greater understanding and refinement of techniques in our sector- it's "trickling back" to other sectors of the hobby, such as aquatic plants, etc.

And of course, for facilitating and elevating the idea of the "Urban Igapo"- a "transitional" aquatic/terrestrial habitat replication...something that's seldom been done before in the hobby!

And we couldn't be more excited to see that! Remember, the "substrate" that you stick with in your aquatic display can have a profound and important impact on the diversity, health, and stability for many years to come!

Here's to some exciting new experiments!

Stay excited. Stay curious. Stay observant. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

There's beauty in the details...

Do you need to use a filter in your aquairums?

Seriously? I mean, do you need to filter the water to crystal clarity each and every time you set up a tank? Or. do you trust your skills as a hobbyist? Can you trust that Nature will seek a balance of nutrient import and export if you stock and feed your tank correctly? 

The answers always lie in the details, huh?

I was chatting with a good fishy friend last weekend, and we were talking about our current tanks, our ideas, and our aspirations for new projects...the usual stuff you expect when fish geeks share a meeting of the minds

My friend brought up the subject of how we simply obsess over our aquariums...well, deeper than that, really. He pondered about how, as serious aquarists, we approach our aquariums by considering every little detail. Not necessarily obsessing to the point of self-limiting, mind you. Rather, just thinking through how everything that we do has a lot of potential benefits.

For example, when the subject of lighting came up, my friend, one of the best reef hobbyists I know, in addition to being an all-around "waterman" (a reefer/FW/brackish guy), pointed out that my LED lighting in my tank was set towards a far greater blue-white spectrum than made sense for a system intended to resemble a South American stream, and that the predominant colors of my fishes were reds and browns, which are accented far more by reds and greens in the lighting program.

Boom!

Plus, he correctly pointed out that the blue tended to cancel out some of the vibrancy of tint in the water, much to my chagrin. So, with a few simple tweaks to the light program, we have a far more superb rendition of color than ever before. 

Details.

When you feed your fishes, you may love the convenience of frozen brine shrimp, blood worms, pellets, whatever, and tend to use that as your "exclusive" or primary food by a significant margin over other foods. I get that. Yet, it's not always the best idea if you're feeding foods that are richer, fattier, and more difficult for fishes to digest.

The idea of a well-rounded diet is really important, as fishes need a higher nutritional profile than we give them credit for to stay in top shape. And of course, different foods are better suited for different situations, such as when you're conditioning fishes for breeding, forcing growth, or helping your females recover after spawning. Each situation requires a different approach to feeding.

And more important in our context- we as botanical-style aquarium lovers need to get our heads around the fact that our systems can generate a significant amount of supplemental food.

Details.

Thinking about stocking your aquarium has never been one of those "Oh, I'll get to it later" sort of things for most serious hobbyists. Stocking is viewed as a make-or-break part of aquarium design and is rarely approached in a nonchalant manner. Nor should it be.

Taking into account the type of system you're trying to create, and the various strata and microhabitats that your target fishes inhabit within the system is vital to creating a successful, healthy, interesting system in the long term. A lot of "old timers" in the hobby will tell you that many great aquariums are indeed great because they take into account the environment within the aquarium for stocking, "optimizing", if you will, available niches within the system by selecting appropriate animals.

Details.

I mean, there are so damn many things in the hobby that you can approach in this manner...and really, this level of attention is not tedious, obligatory, or even remotely stressful. It's simply the way to create maximum enjoyment from your hobby.

I can't tell you how much I've learned about seemingly obscure and unimportant aspects of the hobby by just delving into greater detail when setting up my systems, or looking at things from a different perspective-only to realize that the benefits I've reaped from this process are far, far greater than I could have imagined.

This kind of thoughtfulness can pervade every aspect of our hobby.

So the next time you're looking at something seemingly as "pedestrian" as two or three different filter media, for example, take a moment to consider and reflect upon what each can bring to the table for your specific needs. Think beyond the marketing hyperbole; the hobby "hype", and consider how this stuff will work with   YOUR system.

You might just find yourself making some seemingly surprising decisions when you approach these types of things from the standpoint of "Why should I go with THIS particular one" as opposed to, "I need some carbon"- or whatever.

Details. Again.

They're not just mundane. They're not for getting "lost" in.

Rather, details can help you create something truly special, and can make the difference between a good aquarium and a really phenomenal one.

There's beauty in the details...

So, roll up those sleeves, pull up a chair, and ponder a bit. You might just stumble on something that changes your perspective.

Stay engaged in the process, engrossed in the fun, and attentive to the details.

Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay observant. Stay creative. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

A combination of elements...

We speak very often about the flooded forests of South America and elsewhere when discussing unique ecological niches in which terrestrial materials, such as botanicals, roots, branches, leaves, and soil play a role in shaping the aquatic ecosystem which arises following the inundation.

There is something so compelling about this particular combination of materials- it's the essence of what our mission here at Tannin Aquatics is all about...The combining of terrestrial and aquatic elements, and the influence which they have on the overall ecosystem. There is so much we can learn from studying these systems that we can apply in our hobby work. 

To show you just how geeked-out I am about this stuff, I have literally spent hours pouring over pics and video screen shots of some of these igapo habitats over the years, and literally counted the number of leaves versus other botanical items in the shots, to get a sort of  leaf to botanical "ratio" that is common in these systems.

Although different areas would obviously vary, based on the pics I've "analyzed" visually, it works out to about 70% leaves to 30% "other botanical items." 

The trees-or more specifically, their parts- literally bring new life to the waters. Some are present when the waters begin rising. Others continue to arrive after the area is flooded, falling off of forests trees or tumbling down from the "banks" of the stream by wind or rain.

Terrestrial trees also play a role in removing, utilizing, and returning nutrients to the aquatic habitat. They remove some nutrient from the submerged soils, and return some in the form of leaf drop. 

Interestingly, studies show that about 70% of the leaf drop from the surrounding trees in the igapo habitats occurs when the area is submerged, but the bulk of that is shedded at the end of the inundation period. The falling leaves gradually decompose and become part of the detritus in the food web, which is essential for many species of fishes. This "late-inundation leaf drop" also sets things up for the "next round" - providing a "starter" set of nutrients, doesn't it?

The materials that comprise the tree are known in ecology as "allochthonous material"-  something imported into an ecosystem from outside of it.  (extra points if you can pronounce the word on the first try...) And of course, in the case of trees, this also includes includes leaves, fruits and seed pods that fall or are washed into the water along with the branches and trunks that topple into the stream.  

You know, the stuff we obsess over around here!

Many of these materials begin to break down during the time they are submerged, and are known  generically to ecologists as “coarse particulate organic matter.” In the waters of these inundated forest floors, there is a lot of CPOM, and the community of aquatic organisms (typically the aforementioned aquatic insects and crustaceans) has a high proportion of “shredders”, which feed on the CPOM and break it up into tinier bits called (wait for it...) "fine particulate organic matter."

Some of these "shredders" and their larvae are a direct source of food for fishes, providing a nutritious food source for growing populations in these waters. Another reason why these habitats are so abundant in fish species!

And of course, some fishes directly consume fallen fruits and seeds themselves as part of their diet as well, aiding in the "refinement" of the CPOM.  Think about the big, ugly Pacu, for example, which has specialized mouthparts suited to crushing hard-shelled fruits and seeds. This fish consumes the fruits and literally shits out seeds, helping distribute them throughout the forest! Thus, a fish helps perpetuate a tree. ("Feed a Pacu, plant a forest?" Okay., whatever.)

(Image by Wisky- used under CC BT-SA 3.0)

Other organisms make use of the fine particulate matter by filtering it from the water or accessing it in the sediments that result. These allochthonous materials support a diverse food chain that's almost entirely based on our old friend, detritus!

Yes, detritus. Sworn enemy of the traditional aquarium hobby...misunderstood bearer of life to the aquatic habitat.

Yeah, the detritus forms not only a part of the food chain in these systems- a very important part in the diet of many of our beloved fishes...it's a literal physical structure that provides an area for fishes to forage, hide, and in some instances, spawn among.

A combination of elements- terrestrial and aquatic. All working together. 

Many other fishes which reside in these flooded forest areas feed mainly on insects; specifically, small ones, such as beetles, spiders, and ants from the forest canopy. These insects are likely dislodged from the overhanging trees by wind and rain, and the opportunistic fishes are always ready for a quick meal!

Interestingly, it's been postulated that the reason the Amazon has so many small fishes is that they evolved as a response to the opportunities to feed on insects served up by the flooded forests in which they reside! The little guys do a better job at eating small insects which fall into the water than the larger, clumsier guys who are more adapted to snapping up nuts and fruits with their big, gnarly mouths! 

And yes, some species of fishes specialize in detritus.

As we have discussed more times than you likely care to remember, decomposing leaves are the basis of the food chain, and the they produce forms an extremely important part of the food chain for many, many species of fishes. Some have even adapted morphologically to feed on detritus produced in these habitats, by developing bristle-like teeth to remove it from branches,tree trunks, plant stems, and leaf litter beds. 

Of course, it's not just the fishes which derive benefits from the terrestrial materials which find their way into the water. Bacteria, fungi, and algae also act upon the nutrients released into the water by the decomposing organic material from these plants. Plants (known collectively to science as macrophytes) grow in or near water and are either emergent, submergent, or floating, and play a role in "filtering" these flooded habitats in nature.

Many, like the plants in the pic below, are simply terrestrial grasses which have adapted to survival under water for extended periods of time. This adds to the diversity of materials- both living and dead- in these compelling habitats.

A most interesting combination of elements, indeed.

A most compelling model.

A most fascinating example of a "functionally aesthetic" environment that you can duplicate in your home aquarium. Think about the environment, its external influences, the conditions, and the life forms that make use of it the next time you're conjuring up ideas for a new tank...It just might help you create one of the most amazing aquariums you've ever built!

Stay studious. Stay inspired. Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics  

Life on many levels...

As a lifelong hobbyist, I've kept thousands of fishes in many dozens of aquariums over the years. Many of them were dedicated to single species, yet many more were evolved as so called "community aquariums", filled with a variety of fishes and plants.

What strikes me most about many community aquariums is their refreshing diversity. They feature a complete range of life forms, such as fishes, plants, and even invertebrates. These aquariums are rich with life, and make no apologies for the wide-ranging selection of fishes and the complex growth of plants. 

Just like in Nature, these systems incorporate life forms that provide beneficial "collateral benefits" for their inhabitants, such as food, shelter, and nutrient export.  Well-stocked community aquariums are beautiful systems that are a visual delight, affording many opportunities to see examples of the endless variety of aquatic life forms.

We can learn a lot from diverse community aquariums. Yet, we can take it a little further. 

Typical aquairums- community or otherwise- generally  don't focus on the "small stuff"- the life forms like microorganisms, small crustaceans, worms, etc. A large community of small creatures- all which contribute to the health and stability of the closed aquatic ecosystem.

There is a lesson there...something that we all know, but something that we likely don't consciously think about. That is, the idea of closed aquatic systems as microcosms. A microcosm is defined as "A community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger."

Like, ya' know- a miniature version of a natural habitat.

Something that we often aspire to in aquariums. However, something that I feel we often create on the most superficial of levels. I mean, we add fishes, and we add plants...but we kind of stop it there, right?

What about facilitating the existence of life forms at a variety of levels? Like, starting with the bacteria and other microorganisms which make up the miniature ecosystem we're trying to create? Why not create an environment which is supportive of life on many levels?

That's the whole idea...

And of course, these organisms and their processes create not only the basis of a food web, but the development of an entire community of co-dependant organisms which work together to process nutrients and support life forms all along the chain. When we encourage, rather than remove these organisms when they appear, we're helping perpetuate these processes.

I can't stress how important it is to let these various organisms multiply.

And we need to think about our relationship with detritus, decomposing botanical materials, and sediments in our tanks.

Yes, I'm asking you to not only "leave them be" -but to encourage their accumulation, to foster the development and prosperity of the organisms which "work" them. 

Now, again, I have to at least ask the rather long question, "Are these things (detritus; decomposing materials) really problematic for a well-managed aquarium? Or, do they constitute an essential component of a closed aquatic ecosystem...One which can actually provide some benefits (ie; supplemental nutrition) for the resident fishes and the community of life forms which support them?"

Many of us have already made a mental shift which accepts the transient, subtle beauty of decomposing botanical materials, tinted water, biofilms, and the like, so it goes without saying that taking it a little further and allowing these materials to completely breakdown to serve as the substrate for our aquatic ecodivesity is simply the next iteration in the management of blackwater/brackish botanical-style aquariums.

So, yeah- there IS a lot to consider when utilizing botanical materials in your aquarium. It's far, far beyond the idea of just "dumping and praying" that has been an unfortunate "model" for how to utilize them in our aquariums for many years. It's more than just aesthetics alone...the "functional aesthetic" mindset- accepting the look and the biological processes which occur when terrestrial materials break down in our tanks is a fundamental shift in thinking.

By studying and encouraging the growth of this diversity of organisms, and creating a multi-faceted microcosm of life in our tanks,  I believe that we are contributing to an exciting progression of the art and science of aquarium keeping!

It's all about life...on many different levels.

Think about that.

Stay curious. Stay engaged Stay excited. Stay patient. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

An idea that's been floating around in my head...

As we go further and further into the world of botanical-style aquariums; deeper into unusual niches and ideas, it's refreshing and inspiring to turn towards our mentor, Nature- to find out how to replicate them in the aquarium.

You're probably either mildly amused, or completely fed up fed up with our obsession about leaf litter in aquariums, or maybe- just maybe- just as geeked-out as we are about 'em, right?

Yeah, I kinda figured it'd go down something like that.

We make it a point to scour scientific papers and scholarly research articles for topics relevant to our obsession. The other day, I stumbled on a cool paper about...floating leaf litter banks!

Fascinating natural aquatic structures found in Amazonia, which are extremely enticing!

(Photo from Carvalho, et al.)*

Oh, you know where this is going...

So imagine, if you will, a "classic" submerged leaf litter bed in Amazonia, composed of a variety of leaves, branches, twigs, seed pods, and other botanical materials...yet floating on the surface of the water! What you get is a fairly deep layer of plant materials colonized by fishes and other creatures, which forage on the macro invertebrate life and insects found in these assemblages. Biologists call this an "ephemeral" habitat, as it is transitory or temporary as it slowly breaks apart. 

Okay, so it slowly breaks apart over months and months...or maybe longer. Yet it's not permanent...

According to one study I read, eventually, most of the organic debris is deposited on the stream bottom or drifts downstream until it becomes trapped by a variety of natural obstacles.

These floating, or partially submerged litter beds either accumulate on tree branches hanging from the riparian vegetation, or they remain anchored by fallen tree trunks and branches near the water surface, where they may form a really deep layer of materials.

After reading about these assemblages, I found this to be an irresistible niche habitat to replicate in the aquarium! It seems to be the freshwater analog of the Sargassum "forests" of the Caribbean and Tropical West Atlantic! Little oases of life in the vast, open water.

According to one study, these floating or partially submerged leaf litter banks either accumulate among the branches of riverside vegetation during the high water season, gradually floating downstream, or stay anchored in place by fallen tree trunks and other large materials, ultimately forming a more "traditional" submerged leaf litter bed.

It was discovered that many fish species associate with these floating litter banks for the entire wet season, and one of the reasons they stay put is because their food sources are there, too! In fact, a species of "water bug", Weberiella rhomboides, is found almost exclusively in these floating banks, attracting large numbers of insectivorous fishes, like characins, catfishes, knifefishes, and others. 

In other words, these stands of floating leaves and botanicals are literally a "moveable feast", a veritable "floating fish buffet", if you will! The fish populations found in these environments are typical of what you'd expect to find in a more "static" leaf litter environment.

What fishes would you expect to find in this cool niche? Well, it's kind of a "who's who" of blackwater, leaf litter zone dwellers, some of which are very familiar to us as hobbyists- for example, characins like Hemmigramus species, Moenkhausia species, the killifish Rivulus ornatus, and of course, cichlids, including a number of Apistogramma, Crenicichla, Hypselecara, and the much-loved Mesonauta festivus, to name a few. 

And then there is that most ubiquitous of leaf-litter-dwelling characins...one which I've almost never seen in the hobby, but I see everywhere in leaf litter population studies, Elachocharax pulcher! I've been told that it shows up occasionally, but being a leaf litter dweller, it probably evades capture by local fishers, and it's cryptic coloration makes it less than exciting (read that, fucking dull) for any but the most geeked-out aquarists...like me and, hopefully, you!

Okay, rad. Lots of fish choices...That was never the issue, right?

The bigger next question is, how the hell would you recreate a facsimile of this environment in an aquarium? (second only to, "Would you want to?")

The answer is, "Of course!"

Now, I admit I haven't tried this idea myself yet, but being such an enabler, I want to encourage someone with an extra tank and a healthy fascination with this type of niche to try it if I don't get to it first!

Just how would you do this? Well, I envision the process as pretty straightforward. I'd personally employ a wide aquarium, for a nice sense of perspective. Likely a "standard" height or deeper. I'd utilize a substrate of fine sand, with a smattering of twigs (like oak twigs) and some smaller leaves, like Yellow Mangrove.

And of course, I'd use some leaves for the surface. I'd select a bunch of smaller leaves, like Guava, Yellow Mangrove, and a smattering of Live Oak leaves, with a few twigs thrown in for good measure.

Of course, we'd recommend a little prep- perhaps just a few minutes of steeping in boiling water- or just pour over some boiling water to help clean them and perhaps just soften the outer cuticle layers. The idea is not to saturate them to the point where thy'll sink right off the bat, but to at least give them a good cleaning. 

And of course, they'll float for a while, until they're completely saturated.

Ohh, this is getting really good...

I'd imagine that you'd probably filter this tank with an outside power filter or canister filter with the return positioned in such a way as to minimally disturb the surface. You'd essentially be creating a diverse assemblage of leaves, just like you would if you were doing a "conventional" leaf-litter display (Ha! I love that- a "conventional leaf litter display"- look how far we've come...). 

Now, eventually, some of this stuff would sink, or be trapped below the floating "matrix", and you'd end up with materials on the bottom...Okay...cool!  It would transition naturally to a more common "botanicals-on-the-bottom" display. So this is essentially an "ephemeral display"- transitioning from a "floating leaf litter bed" to a submerged leaf litter aquarium! Or is it a "transitional ephemeral display?" 

Whatever you want to call it- it's an amazing idea for an aquarium, I think.

Twigs, leaves, flowers, terrestrial and floating aquatic plants...Nature provides no shortage of inspiring features to incorporate into such a display.

Of course, you could probably keep it going by replacing the leaves and such as you would anyways, right? And as the wood becomes submerged, you'd "let it do it's thing", and/or replace/add new pieces.

I would wager that no one has ever really tried this in an aquarium before- at least, not intentionally. If you have, I would love to see it! If you haven't, I'd love to see you do it!

Shit, now I'm convincing myself to do it!

I do have an empty tank lying around...

Imagine the possibilities with a display like this? I sure can!

Stay creative. Stay excited. Stay resourceful. Stay inspired...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics  

Looks aren't deceiving- botanical-style aquariums ARE a different "breed!"

The botanical-style aquarium is a little bit different than the typical approach to aquarium-keeping. Not only because they simply look different- but the fact that they rely on biological processes which we have often not given much thought to, other than a bit of apprehension over them.

Of all these processes, none is mentioned more frequently- or with as much reverence around these parts- as the process of decomposition. Yeah, you're actually hearing about a fish geek celebrating this- finding something compelling, fascinating, and fundamental about stuff breaking down in our tanks.

Decomposition, to refresh your memory, is the process by which organic materials are broken down into more simple organic matter. For our purposes, we are primarily interested in the breakdown of plant matter, ie; botanicals and leaves. It is in part responsible for some of the unique habitats that we love so much-and an inspiration for some unique aquariums with previously unappreciated aesthetics!

Of course, the process ultimately leads to physical breakdown and/or fragmentation of the leaves and botanicals into smaller "pieces", which possess larger amounts of surface area for microbial attachment.  Extensive ecological studies done by scientists specifically in regard to leaf litter have yielded a lot of information about this process.

And yeah, insect larvae, fishes and shrimp help with this process by grazing among or feeding directly upon the decomposing botanical materials. So-called "shredder" invertebrates  (shrimps, etc.) are also involved in the physical aspects of leaf litter breakdown.

So, there's a lot of supplemental food production that goes on in leaf litter beds and other aggregations of decomposing botanical materials. It's yet another reason why we feel that aquariums fostering significant beds of leaves and botanicals offer many advantages for the fishes which reside in them! 

The biggest allies we have in the process of decomposition of our botanicals in the aquarium are microbes (bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, specifically). Ecologists will tell you that during the early decay phase of botanicals/leaves, the leaching of water-soluble substances plays a key role in the loss of the physical mass of these materials.

Alteration of the botanicals is done chemically via this microbial action; ultimately, the components within the botanicals/leaves (lignin, cellulose, etc.) are broken down near completely. In aquatic environments, photosynthetic production of oxygen ceases in submerged terrestrial plants and their parts, and organic matter and nutrients are released back into the aquatic environment.

This is why adding too much botanical material too rapidly to an aquarium can create big problems for the fishes! A rapid decrease in dissolved oxygen in a small body of water can be disastrous; or, at the very least, leave fishes gasping at the surface! And of course, that's why we tell you to deploy massive patience and to go slowly when adding botanicals to an established aquarium...

Now, I'm just one guy, but I personally haven't had issues with the complete decomposition of botanicals and leaves being left to accumulate in my aquariums. In almost three decades of playing with this stuff, and being a hardcore, water-quality-testing reef keeper during much of that time, I can't ever, EVER recall I time where the decline of a system I maintained could be pinned specifically on the detritus from decomposing botanical materials as a causative factor in reducing water quality.

In fact, I have never had a situation where water quality has been an issue in a tank not performing well. And I suspect- neither have many of you.

Okay, put me in for a medal, right? 

That's not the point.

What I'm getting at is that I have always been a firm believer in some forms of nutrient export being employed in every single tank I maintain. Typically, it's regular water exchanges. Not "when I think about it', or "periodically", mind you.

Nope, it's weekly. 

Now, I'm not saying that you can essentially disobey all the common sense husbandry practices we've come to know and love in the hobby (like not overcrowding/overfeeding, etc.) and just change the water weekly and everything's good.

Water exchanges are helpful. However, they're not a panacea for all of the potential "ills" of a poorly managed tank.

What I am saying is that incorporating regular water exchanges into your system gives you the ability to dilute any potential accumulating organics/pollutants before they become a significant negative ve impact on water quality.

They simply give you a bit of a "buffer", essentially.

I don't need to go into the well-trodden reasons about what water exchanges are a good thing in the aquarium. However, I do need to give us a collective whack upside the head and encourage each and every one of us to think about this stuff from the perspective of an overall closed ecosystem. Think about what the nitrogen cycle is and does, and think about the impact of inputs and exports into and out of our closed systems. 

Pretty much everything we do in a botanical-style blackwater aquarium has a "natural analog" to it! 

Some hobbyists have commented that, as their leaves and botanicals break down  the scape as initially presented changes significantly over time. Wether they know it or not, they are grasping "Wabi-Sabi"...sort of.

("Again, Fellman?" Yes. This concept is really important!)

One must appreciate the beauty at various phases to really grasp the concept and appreciate it. To find little vignettes- little moments- of fleeting beauty that need not be permanent to enjoy.

And, despite their transience, these materials function as diverse harbors of life, ranging from fungal and biofilm mats, to algae, to micro crustaceans and even epiphytic plants. Decomposing leaves, seed pods, and tree branches make up the substrate for a complex web of life which helps the fishes that we're so fascinated by flourish.

And, if you look at them objectively and carefully, these assemblages-and the processes which form them- are beautiful- both in Nature and in the aquarium!

One need only study the wild aquatic systems of the world to realize that it's not all "crystal clear and sterile" out there- and that our aquariums in all of their tinted, murky glory, filled with fungal growth and decomposing materials- will reflect this.

Nature "calls the shots" here.

And that it's totally okay.

We are not managing botanical-style aquariums to be sterile glass boxes, "dioramas", or "zen gardens." It's not just a "look."

We are understanding that a real "nature/natural-style aquarium" embraces the processes of nutrient import/export, decomposition, bacteria/fungal growth, and long-term nutrient utilization by the organisms which we keep. The appearance is far different than a system strictly set up for aesthetics. Rather, our systems offer a unique combination of form AND function...what we call "functional aesthetics."

The "look" and the "function"- working hand in hand to create a replication of Nature far more authentic than what we've done in the past in the hobby. And what is required to execute this?

Patience. A long-term view. Observation. Understanding.

Embrace all of these things...and grow from the process.

Stay curious. Stay diligent. Stay involved. Stay brave...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The waiting game...part of the journey.

Every aquarium is a unique microcosm, with different looks, goals, and processes that it embraces. These things depend upon a variety of environmental inputs, internal processes, and external and internal influences- such as the organisms within the system. They take time to evolve, stabilize, and flourish. We talk about this incessantly, I know...but it's the whole game when it comes to botanical-style aquariums!

Botanical style aquariums are not "static diorama" aquascapes...They're not "all done"  or "ready for judging" (gulp) as soon as the last seed pod is placed. In fact, that's just the very beginning of a long and continuous process.

They are systems which evolve.

They have to in order to become what they must. And this doesn't happen immediately. These tanks simply need time. They need to "breathe" (metaphorically speaking) and be left to do what Nature intends for them to do.

A recent example is my brackish water aquarium, which took over a year, really to evolve into something exactly like I envisioned...It simply wasn't "there" after a month or two, or even six. Our botanical-style tanks, with few exceptions- just don't start looking their best- all "earthy" and "funky" and...established- for a few months, typically.  

To terminate them "mid-evolution" because they don't look the way you want them to is really a kind of shame! And it overlooks the very important part: Botanical-style aquariums are not an "aquascaping style"- they are a methodology which embraces natural materials and processes to "finish" what we start- to not only help create and enrich the ecosystem- but to change the aesthetics as it does.

Of course, there are a few things you could do to sort of "expedite" the "established" look of a botanical-style tank, but they're really just sort of "hacks" (ugh I hate that word!)- and are no substitutes for just letting a tank evolve over time naturally.

"Well, what are they, Fellman?" 

So you could use some botanicals and partially decomposed leaf litter, substrate, and even water from an established botanical-style tank to give you a bit more of an "evolved" vibe and definitely some microbial populations and therefor, some function.

And, if doing this for purely "functional" reasons as opposed to just trying to "hack" the "look"- I can actually see tremendous merit to this idea. Hell, adding sand or gravel from an established tank to "jump-start" a new one has been standard practice in marine aquariums for decades, and in freshwater as well.

Doing this with botanical materials- rich with detritus, biofilms, fungal growth, and beneficial bacteria- is simply the botanical-style version of this time-honored process, right? And it makes perfect sense.

Yet, there is no substitute for patience and the passage of time.

Looking back on some of my favorite tanks that I've executed in the past few years, it becomes increasingly obvious to all that these systems really don't hit that "look and feel" that we expect until long after they have evolved naturally...however long that is.

Stuff needs to acquire a "patina" of biofilm, a "stain" from the tannins, and decomposition of botanical materials needs to really begin before one of these systems turns "functional" as well.

I mean, every new botanical-style tank looks cool from day one...A lot of people love the clean and fresh-looking leaves, and seed pods that are squeaky clean. But the long-established systems are the ones that stand out.

After 6 months, that's when things get really special.

That's when the bulk of the "settling in" is done. The bacterial, fungal, and microorganism populations have increased, and nutrient imports and exports have balanced out and stabilized. The tank looks great, smells earthy and pleasant, and the fishes take on a very relaxed demeanor.

I've long held that my fave botanical-style, blackwater aquarium of all was the one I did about 3 years ago..an aquarium utilizing mangrove wood, extensive leaf litter, and catappa bark throughout. This is probably the only tank in recent years that I've truly regretted changing and moving on from! 😂 

And it wasn't all sexy and dark and established-looking from the get-go.

Nope.

It literally looked like shit for the first couple of months of it's existence: Slightly tinted water, a contrived-looking "campfire-like" wood stack, bare sand, and mostly intact botanical materials. I had to do a bunch of iterations with the hardscape to get it where I wanted it. It almost looked contrived, but I knew from experience that if I waited it out, let Nature do Her thing- that the potential was huge in this tank.

However, a few months in, biofilms started forming. The wood acquired that "patina" we talk about so much. Leaves and botanicals broke down...And the water took on the most earthy-looking, deeply mysterious color I've seen in a blackwater aquarium. A very slight "turbidity" or "flavor" as one of my friends called it- that was as compelling as it was beautiful.

Yeah, by some standards, the water in the tank could be described as almost "turbid"- taking on an appearance as though there were fine materials in the water column. Yet, the tank had a real magical appearance with the LED lighting; the fishes were as colorful, relaxed and happy as any I've ever seen, and the water parameters were spot-on and consistent for as long as the tank was set up. IN fact, I had three spawns of Rummy Nose Tetras in that tank!

This tank had a certain "something":

The essence "wabi-sabi", for sure. Transience, the ephemeral aspects of our botanicals...the wonders of Nature, embraced.

Now sure, there are some concepts which have the "broken-in" look from almost day one, simply by virtue of the materials which they utilize. An example was the "pure leaf litter" aquarium which I set up to test the idea of internally-sustainable food production for fishes. The system was set up with about a 2"/5.08cm layer of Live Oak Leaf Litter and Yellow Mangrove Leaves  to comprise the entire "hardscape" of the aquarium.

Yeah, it was essentially "finished" from day one- at least, aesthetic-wise. And yet, it only improved over time in ways I can't really explain.

A shoal of Paracheirodon simulans (the "Green Neon Tetra") formed the perfect "subject" for this concept tank. Once out of quarantine, the fishes were not fed at all in this aquarium, and almost doubled in size in a couple of months! It didn't take all that long for the aquarium to acquire the "look" of a very long-established one, thanks to the capability of the Live Oak leaf litter to acquire biofilms and some detritus. 

Now, this tank was certainly not one that everyone would find "attractive"- however, to a botanical-style/blackwater aquarium freak like me, this aquarium was more than just a "proof of concept"- it was an example of an unconventional aquarium that was able to sustain its residents for the duration of the experiment. Oh, and they spawned! Twice! I think that this tank could have ran for an indefinite period of time, with only routine maintenance and replenishment of leaves as necessary.

There was a certain beauty to that "no scape", as one of my reefkeeping friends called it. And yet, it took a bit of time to REALLY get the perfect look. A "waiting game" of sorts. 

Some botanical-style aquariums are simple in concept, look "about right" from day one; and you just need to set them up and sort of "wait it out" until they start looking more "established"- which might only take a few weeks or a month or two at the most. A perfect example is the tank I've affectionately called the "Tucano Tangle"- an aquarium set up to replicate part of the habitat of the Tucano Tetra, Tucanoichthys tucano.

Possibly one of the easiest biotope-inspired aquariums I've ever set up, this one really took on the "look" I was trying to achieve in seemingly little time at all. It started with a simple "superstructure" of Spider Wood, topped with several specimens of Melastoma Root (don't worry, we have more coming in a few weeks....) to achieve as sort of tangled, earthy, "deep" sort of look. The substrate was a very shallow mix of sand and some very fine claylike materials, topped with a sprinkling of (wait for it) Live Oak leaf litter.

After an initial settling-in phase, this tank easily shifted out of "new and pristine mode" into "looks like a natural habitat" mode, as I kind of expected that it would!

As the water darkened, and the biofilms and "patina" took over, the tank became a perfect demonstration of the power of simply "executing and waiting" on your tank to "do its thing" and evolve.

And evolve it did, in a relatively short period of time!

Now, other experimental systems I've played with simply take more time to do their thing and come into their own before you'd really move on.

However, they actually are intended for "forced iteration"- a deliberate change to their composition or progression. Indeed, after the initial setup, the "evolved" product looks little like what it started out as. Of course, these projects may take many months to evolve as part of the plan. The "Urban Igapo" tanks I've shared with you are good examples of this.

These tanks are what you could call "continuously evolving" systems. They change from terrestrial to aquatic and back over time. You just sort of keep them going by inundating them, emptying them, and repeating the process.

I know. I know. This isn't exactly earth-shattering. 

On the other hand, in the world of the botanical-style aquarium, the idea of leaving the substrate and leaf litter/botanical "bed" intact as you "remodel" isn't exactly a crazy one. And conceptually, it's sort of replicates what occurs in Nature, doesn't it?

Yeah, it DOES.

Think about this for just a second.

As we almost constantly discuss, habitats like flooded forests, meadows, vernal pools, igarape, and swollen streams tend to encompass terrestrial habitats, or go through phases where they are terrestrial habitats for a good part of the year.

In these wild habitats, the leaves, branches, soils, and other botanical materials remain in place, or are added to by dynamic, seasonal processes. For the most part, the soil, branches, and a fair amount of the more "durable" seed pods and such remain present during both phases.

The formerly terrestrial physical environment is now transformed into an earthy, twisted, incredibly rich aquatic habitat, which fishes have evolved over eons to live in and utilize for food, protection, and complex, protected spawning areas. 

All of the botanical material-shrubs, grasses, fallen leaves, branches, seed pods, and such, is suddenly submerged; often, currents re-distribute the leaves and seed pods and branches into little pockets and "stands", affecting the (now underwater) "topography" of the landscape.

Leaves begin to accumulate. Detritus settles.

Soils dissolve their chemical constituents- tannins, and humic acids- into the water, enriching it. Fungi and micororganisms begin to feed on and break down the materials. Biofilms form, crustaceans multiply rapidly. Fishes are able to find new food sources; new hiding places..new areas to spawn.

Life flourishes.

And it is part of a sequence. A pattern...A journey. Perhaps what could best be called an evolution- which Nature has carefully set up and managed over eons. 

In our own aquarium work, we can replicate this sequence and process...it's not that hard to do. The really difficult part is the waiting. Acquiring the patience that we must deploy as we watch our aquariums evolve, uninterrupted- under the steady hand of Nature.

That's the magic.

It's a process- the part of the journey which every botanical-style aquarist needs to embrace and understand.

Of course, an aquarium which utilizes botanicals as a good part of its hardscape follows a set of phases, too. And I've found that once a botanical-style aquarium (blackwater or brackish) hits that sort of "stable mode", it's just that- stable. You won't see wildly fluctuating pH levels, increasing nitrates, phosphates, etc. To a certain degree, the aquarium has achieved some sort of "biological equilibrium."

Now, one thing that's unique about the botanical-style approach is that we tend to accept the idea of decomposing materials accumulating in our systems. We understand that they act, to a certain extent, as "fuel" for the micro and macrofauna which reside in the aquarium. The idea of leaving this material in place over the long-term is a crucial component of this approach, IMHO.

When we do that- when we make those mental shifts and accept that our aquariums aren't really "finished" in 5 days- or 50- we have suddenly begun to understand this whole "botanical-style aquarium thing."

It's a dynamic that needs to be understood, embraced, and celebrated. It's what separates the work we do and the tanks that we love from the rest of what's common in the hobby. It's a challenge, of course. Yet, it's perhaps its one of the the most rewarding ones we can take on in the aquarium hobby.

It starts with patience, and continues with a "waiting game." Yet, an enjoyable one, nonetheless.

Stay patient. Stay studious. Stay grounded. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics