The Tint

"Plug and Play?" No Way!

With so much going on in our botanical-style aquarium world, it's nice to continue to revisit some of the important concepts that will yield success for the widest variety of hobbyists.

Now, let's be clear: There is no "plug and play" formula to follow- only "procedure." Only recommendations for how to approach things. We sound a bit like the proverbial "broken record"; however, like so many things in aquarium-keeping, our "best practices" are few, simple and need to be repeated until they simply become habit:

1) Prepare all botanicals prior to adding them to your aquarium. 

2) Add botanical materials slowly and gradually, assessing the impact on your aquarium environments and inhabitants.

3) Either remove botanical materials as they break down (if that's your aesthetic preference), or replace them when they reach a point where they are no longer providing the aesthetic and environmental conditions that you desire.

4) Observe your aquarium continuously.

By observing and assessing on a continuous basis, you'll get a real feel for how botanicals work in your aquarium.  Point #3 is the real "finesse" part of the equation...the nuance, the subtle, yet noticeable adjustments and corrections we make to keep things moving along nominally- sort of like pruning in a planted tank, or weeding a garden...it's a process.

In fact, the entire experience of a blackwater, botanical-style aquarium boils down to a process and a pace that helps foster the gradual, yet inexorable "evolution" of the aquarium. And let there be no doubt- a botanical-style aquarium does "evolve" over time, regularly and steadily changing and progressing. As we've mentioned before, it might be the perfect expression of the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi", popularized by Takashi Amano, which is the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

And the patience to allow your system to evolve. It's absolutely the most essential skill to have if you're going to work with botanical-style aquariums. Period. There are no shortcuts, major "hacks", or ways to dramatically speed up nature. Why would you want to? 

If you're into tropical fish keeping, it's almost a necessity to have this sort of patience, isn't it? I mean, sure, some of us are anxious to get that aquascape done, get the fishes in there, fire up the plumbing in the fish room, etc. However, we all seem to understand that to get truly good results- satisfying, legitimate results- things just take time.

I'm sure that you know this already, however. I hate using myself as an example, but I think perhaps reflecting upon how I adopted this mindset might be helpful.

I know that this mindset of crazy patience came to me over time. It was an evolving thing. I think that in my case, it might have come about because, when you’re a kid, you have a 10-gallon tank and like $5.67 in change that you’ve painstakingly saved for months to spend. You need to be absolutely sure of your purchases.

I was. I had no choice but to be very thorough! No sense in rushing things.

This mindset has stayed with me for decades.

I'm not looking for instant gratification.

I know that good stuff often takes time to happen. I'm certainly not afraid to wait for results. Well, not to "just sit around" in the literal sense, mind you. However, I'm not expecting instant results from stuff. Rather, I am okay with doing the necessary groundwork, nurturing the project along, and seeing the results happen over time.

A "long game." 

That's what we play here.

And understanding that what we do in the blackwater, botanical-style aquarium world requires these skills above almost anything else. I mean, look at what we do: We add leaves and seed pods to our aquariums, for the expressed purpose of having them break down.

We all know that aquariums with high quantities of organic materials breaking down in the water column add to the biological load of the tank, requiring diligent management. This is not shocking news. Frankly, I find it rather amusing when someone tells me that what we do as a community is "reckless", and that our tanks look "dirty." 

As if we don't see that or understand why...

Mental shifts are required from everyone who plays in this arena.

Now, of course, an aquarium is not an open, natural system, yet if well-managed, it can function beautifully for years and years, like any other approach.

For some reason, when we first started touting this approach (NO, we did not "invent" it- and will never claim that! NO ONE did.)

There are really two huge factors that have been touted as the reason for not doing what we are doing over the years: One is based on the prevailing mindset of what the hobby thinks a tank should look like, and the is other based on a perception that there is a negative the environmental impact on a "carefully constructed aquarium environment." Both are valid points, I suppose- although the comical part to me is the automatic assumption that we're not working with "carefully constructed aquatic environments" here.

Why? Because the water is...brown? Because we throw leaves and twigs and botanicals into our tanks and sort of eschew the artificially rigid style that is so many people's perception of what aquascaping is?

Hmm...maybe.

After years of experimenting with leaves, botanicals, and other natural materials in aquariums, and with a growing global community of hobbyists doing the same daily, the mental roadblocks to this approach arestarting to fall. We're seeing all sorts of tanks being created by all sorts of hobbyists, which in years past would garner far more hushed whispers and criticisms than any gasps of envy.

And again, it boils down to observing many basic tenants of aquarium keeping.

Now, the moniker "organics" that we have used as a metaphoric "red flag" to discourage throwing this stuff into tanks in years past is still important to understand. Sure, organics can accumulate and even be problematic- if you don't have necessary control and export processes in place to deal with them. What would these processes be?

Well, to start with: Decent water movement and filtration, to physically remove any debris. Use of some chemical filtration media, such as organic scavenger resins, which tend not to remove the "tint", but act upon specific compounds, like nitrate, phosphate, etc.

And of course, water exchanges. Yeah, the centuries old, tried-and-true process of exchanging water is probably the single most important aspect of nutrient control and export for any system, traditional, botanical, etc. There is no substitute for diluting organic impurities through regularly-scheduled water changes, IMHO.

This isn't some revelation.

I'll say it yet again: In my experience, there is nothing inherently more challenging or more dangerous about these types of tanks than there is with any other speciality system. The fact that the water is brown doesn't mean that a well-managed tank is any closer to disaster than any well-managed clear water system.

There's no magic here.

We simply need to do the work necessary to keep our aquariums operating in a healthy state. Nope, nothing new here. In my opinion, NO aquarium of ANY type is "set and forget"; do that and you'll be in for a rude awakening with a blackwater, botanical-style tank- or any tank. You can't really take that approach in this hobby, IMHO.

That being said, I commend many of you for forging ahead with new ideas and this approach that might not be familiar to you. Moving from the theoretical to the functional takes some courage, imagination, and most of all..impulse. When it comes to trying out exotic new concept aquariums, guys like me (as you all know by now) just need to get the damn thing started and stop musing on about it.

Others go full speed ahead...damn the torpedoes! Regardless, self-awareness is important! I think it's in my nature to get a bit too deep into the planning. The challenge for me is not to get so bogged down in an endless cycle of "analysis paralysis" that I never get projects off of the drawing board!

Don't get into this rut, okay? Understand what's involved, what's required of you as a hobbyist, and move forward. Just remember a few things:

It's not a "plug-and-play" proposition. It requires some effort, thought, observation, and patience...

So, yeah...I'm glad you're here. Glad you made that mental shift...and have the courage to try something that might be new for you!

Enjoy. Learn. Practice. Explore. Share.

Stay bold. Stay creative. Stay relentless. Stay undeterred. Stay dedicated...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Blackwater, Bettas, and Botanicals with Rachel O'Leary!

With the blackwater, botanical-style aquarium becoming a whole lot more of an accepted "approach" to specialized fish keeping, as opposed to just a "fad" or "trend", it's wonderful to see some of the true legends of our hobby sharing their experiences with this stuff!

One of our fave all-time aquarists is Rachel O'Leary, aka "msjinkzd" - who has contributed so much to this hobby for so many of us over the years. Her breeding efforts, emphasis on education and sharing of techniques and "best practices" have created many, many successful aquarists and devoted fans. 

And, as both a botanical-style aquarium enthusiast (yeah, she was tinting tanks long before it was considered "cool!") and breeder (okay, and bona-fide aquarium superhero...)Rachel is in a unique position to share her long personal experience and explain both the benefits and the aesthetics of this type of tank! 

Rachel recently acquired some botanicals from us in order to accent an already beautiful scape by Ricky Chawla for wild Bettas- long a favorite of many of us! And as she does, Rachel created a very cool video sharing the experience, offering some practical approaches, and some good 'ol fashioned education on the process and rationale for utilizing botanicals! 

As she explains, "...the aquarium houses 6 wild Betta imbellis, 14 Chili Rasboras, and a whole host of amazing plants and botanicals!"

The result is fantastic! Check it out!   

We hope you derive as much inspiration, education, and enjoyment from this video as we did!

Be sure to tell Rachel what you think of this tank, and share the video with others who might appreciate a little inspiration from one of the aquarium hobby's true ambassadors! 

Stay inspired. Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay bold...

And Stay Wet!

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

"Tintmail", revisited...

From time to time, in between the questions about biofilm, biotopes, and leaf litter, I'll get questions asking all sorts of stuff. 

I love it! 

Here are a few, from recent email/DMs, which may be of interest to you...

Which botanical material we recommend to keep your water that dark brown tint?: I have a few recommendations, based on my experience and (admittedly biased) taste. So, here are my fave "tint-producing" botanicals...in no particular order:

Catappa Bark

Sappanwood Pods

"Ceu Fruta"

Texas Live Oak Leaves"

Coco Curls

"Rio Fruta"

Alder Cones 

Banana Stem Pieces

Encontro Pods

Oak Branches ("Twenty Twigs")

Magnolia Leaves

Catappa Leaves

Mangrove Leaves

Guava Leaves

The caveat: These are materials which, IMHO really seem to produce the most rich-colored water and effects. Now, sure, there are probably 40 other items we offer that can accomplish the same task; these ones just seem to do it faster and with greater effect. Of course, if you're running activated carbon or materials like Purigen in your filter, these media will minimize or eliminate almost entirely any coloration these botanicals impart into the water.

"Pro Tip": You can usually get some indication as to what color and how intense the color a given botanical will impart into your water when you prepare it...That initial burst of tannins and other coloring compounds is immediately obvious and probably quite helpful in determining the color "palette" to expect!

My personal fave "tint bomb?": Well, scientific research indicates that Catappa Bark seems to have a very concentrated quantity of tannins and other compounds bound up in its tissues, which means you don't need to use a ton of the stuff in most aquariums to enjoy the benefits of its capabilities (the imparting of tannins and humic substances, and the visual tint). We offer three different varieties, because I'm obsessed with the stuff! 

I personally feel that it "lasts" a long time (a month or two, at least) in terms of imparting color into the water. And it looks cool. Yes, it actually has an incredible aesthetic that makes it even more attractive from multiple standpoints. 

Just how long does this botanical stuff last?: Many of the less durable botanicals will last several months, at least "structurally", but might be far more limited in terms of their  impartation of color to the water- perhaps a few weeks in many cases.

What do I need to do to keep my blackwater tank "dark?": Monitoring pH, visual tint, nitrate and phosphate are but a few of the things you should undertake as part of the active management of a blackwater aquarium. Water exchanges are the other. And regular replenishment of botanicals. To me, that's a huge part of the fun. We offer general guidelines and "best practices", but really, each tank is a "one off", and more customized approaches are the way to go. Again, this is what makes our little sector of the hobby so compelling, IMHO.

What's your number one concern about botanical-style aquariums?: I'm still concerned about the newbie to our botanical-style aquarium practice going too fast- dumping a huge amount of botanical materials into an established, relatively stable aquarium, and causing a massive increase in CO2 and a level of organic material that overwhelms the ability of the resident denitrifying bacteria population to break down the organics...

The human element.

A disaster that can ensue...

That sort of thing is always still possible. And it's within our control. That's what you read blog after blog written by me urging you to go slowly. To observe your tank and fishes. And to test the water regularly...and do regular water changes as part of your husbandry regimen.

The usual stuff.

And your best overall hobby advice?: Just because you reject the "status quo", the popular, or the safe, doesn't mean that you're wrong. Just because your idea of an aquascape features soil and decomposing leaves instead of a cliche-ridden "Middle Earth Hobbit-Forest" doesn't mean you're not creating aspirational work. Just because you're breeding Danios instead of this month's "Apisto of The Month" doesn't mean you're not talented. Just because you're specializing in Anacharis instead of Bucephalandra doesn't mean that you don't have "plant game."

Etc.

Be you.

That's it for this round of "Tintmail..."

Stay innovative. Stay curious. Stay diligent. Stay consistent. Stay unbridled by convention...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Beyond the pretty looks...The synergy of life and aesthetic

It's fun how thought processes evolve in the hobby. 

In our world of blackwater/botanical-style aquariums, we're now at a phase where enough people have gotten through the "Will this kill my fish?" part of the equation, and we've now moved on to "How can I facilitate maximum benefits to my fishes with a blackwater, botanical-style aquarium?"

Many of us are even moving beyond just the pretty look of the botanical-style aquarium, and moving into a deeper stage of understanding how our aquariums function as miniature ecosystems.

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, and that they perform this function as long as they are present I the system.

I have long been one the belief that if you decide to let the botanicals remain in your aquarium to break down and decompose completely, that you shouldn't change course by suddenly removing the material all at once. 

The point is, our aquariums, much like the wild habitats we strive to replicate, are constantly evolving, accumulating new materials, and creating new physical habitats for fishes to forage among. New food sources and chemical/energy inputs are important to the biological diversity and continuity of the flooded forests and streams of the tropics, and they play a similar role in our aquariums.

We add leaves and botanicals periodically, not just for an aesthetic "refresh", but for a "re-charge" of the biome within our tanks. This is a fascinating spect of the botanical style aquarium. It facilitates the cycle of growth, nutrient accumulation, and decomposition. It becomes not only part of our practice, but it's part of the "system" we are trying to facilitate.

I'm fascinated by the "mental adjustments" that we need to make to accept the aesthetic and the processes of natural decay, fungal growth, the appearance of biofilms, and how these affect what's occurring in the aquarium. It's all a complex synergy of life and aesthetic.

And we have to accept nature's input here.

Nature dictates the speed by which this decomposition process occurs. We set the stage for it- but  Nature is in full control. As an aquarist with a botanical-style aquarium, it's our "job" to observe and know when- or if- to intervene by adding or removing botanicals as they break down.

Nuance. Art. Challenge. Fascination.

Beyond the pretty looks. That's where the real magic lies.

Stay observant. Stay curious. Stay appreciative. Stay open-minded. Stay introspective. Stay patient...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Brown crush. Falling further in love...

Another week in the world of the blackwater/botanical-style aquarium movement. More excitement. More new tanks. More "love" for this unique aesthetic and the function and fascination it brings with it.

And of course, with more newcomers come more questions!

One of the top questions we field here is, "Can I have lots of botanicals in my tank without brown water?"

And of course, the answer is YES!! 

This is obviously a concern for many people, and I get it.  

Happily, we are seeing a large influx of hobbyists interested in utilizing botanicals in their aquariums. Many, however, are accustomed to the clear water look. The so-called "Nature Aquarium Syle" and many in the really hardcore aquascaping crowd don't really have a "protocol" for incorporating or even considering botanicals in their scapes, let alone, the tinted water, and it makes sense. 

We hope to change that!

With more hobbyists from different "worlds" starting to play with botanicals and such, it's only logical for us to address these concerns! We're excited to have you guys playing with us!

So, just how do you get rid of the tint?

It's ridiculously easy. Just use chemical filtration media in your filter. Specifically, activated carbon or my fave, Seachem Purigen.

Yeah, it's that easy. This way, you can have all of those sexy botanicals in your tank, and none (or very, very little) visual tint.

And, as more and more hobbyists embrace the use of botanicals in their aquaria, we're seeing more and more tanks with a golden brownish-colored "tint" to the water. A lot of people are starting to take to it! Yet, there is a bit of confusion as to what it represents.

So, let's be clear (arghhh!) about one thing:

There is a difference between "color" and "clarity."

The color is, as you know, a product of tannins leaching into the water from wood and botanicals, and typically is not "cloudy." It' actually one of the most natural-looking water conditions around, as water influenced by soils, woods, leaves, etc. is ubiquitous around the world. Other than having that undeniable color, there is little that differentiates this water from so-called "crystal clear" water to the naked eye. 

Of course, the water may have a lower pH and general hardness, and a suite of other organic compounds and such, but these factors typically have no real bearing on the visual clarity of the water.

That being said, one of the things you might notice right from the start is that botanical-laden aquariums occasionally seem to have an initial "haze" that is slow to clear. Now, part of this is no doubt due to the breakdown of the leaves, pods, etc. that we use: Surface dirt, lignin, and other compounds, bound up in the tissues of the botanicals, released into the water upon the initial submergence of these materials. And the fact that many of us tend to not use a lot of chemical filtration media in our tanks might have some impact on that, too.

This "haziness" or "turbidity" is not necessarily a bad thing, nor indicative of a problem. Not in our botanical-laden systems, typically. Rather, it's a sign that the materials we use are interacting with the aquatic environment. Another reason for this "haziness" could be a burst of microorganism/bacterial growth, which impacts the visual clarity as populations multiply rapidly in the "fertile" environment of a botanical system, with its wealth of organic materials supplied by the decomposing matter upon which these life forms feed.

I think that this is another really interesting phenomenon, which is distinctive to our botanical-stye blackwater/brackish aquariums. It's one of the things I call "functional aesthetics." To accept it is a choice, and it definitely requires the adoption of a "mindset shift" to appreciate that this is very similar to what we see in many of the natural aquatic systems that we attempt to replicate. 

Now, when you think about it, the botanical-style aquarium sort of falls into that category, huh? Leaves and botanicals certainly add to the organic load, and are most definitely materials which accumulate within the tank, right? And they look very different than what we are used to seeing in contests and "Vogue-esque" Instagram posts, right?

Blackwater tanks just look different. 

The water turns brown.

We've rehashed that like 4,000,000 times here.

Is this a negative? 

If you look at a lot of the underwater photos and videos taken in the natural habitats of our fishes that, thankfully, are becoming more and more popular and abundant than ever, you see a lot of "stuff" in the water column, on the bottom, etc.  And the water is not always crystal-clear blue white, right? It's...well, brown. Natural streams are not always the pristine-looking "nature aquarium" subjects of our dreams, are they?

We are always of the opinion that an aquarium is NOT an open, natural system, and that there are fundamental differences between the two. However, to see some of the processes, aesthetics, and what we call "functional analogies" (i.e.; the way materials break down, re-distribute within the tank, and how the aesthetics and water chemistry are affected by water exchanges, etc.) take place in our aquariums, we can't help but think that we're "on to something" here.

And part of this "something" is accepting that the appearance is a visual/functional manifestation of the processes going on in your aquarium. And again, it's something not everyone likes. It's something that many might perceive as "dirty", "messy", and just plain ugly. 

And, perhaps even more important, the idea of throwing things like leaves and seed pods into a tank- a carefully managed artificial world, seems on the surface like simply "polluting" what was long suggested should be as pristine a system as possible.

And that brown water= "dirty", right?

Yeah. A lot of aquarists still equate tannin-stained water with "dirt." And curiously, with them being somehow more difficult to maintain. And really, blackwater/botanical-style aquariums are no more difficult than pretty much any other "style" of aquarium; they simply require an understanding of what makes them tick, and how to optimize maintenance activities to facilitate their long-term success.

Oh, and the understanding that the color of the water does not equal "dirty" or "difficult." 

Yet, I still  hear this a lot when I speak at clubs, showing hobbyists the wonders of the blackwater aquarium world. It's still kind of hard for many to get their heads around, despite us showing videos and pics up the ass of all sorts of wild blackwater habitats.

I know, I know- an aquarium is not an open, natural system, yet if well-managed, it can function beautifully for years and years.

Yet some hobbyists still perceive blackwater aquariums with botanicals as...ugly. And lately, I hear it called a "fad" or "trend" by some, which makes me laugh. (Nature doesn't play with "trends...")

It's becoming something we are more aware of. More exposed to, for better or worse. Some find it repugnant. Others find it an amazing area to explore.

Differences of opinion abound.

And that's perfectly fine. We all have our definition of beauty. Yet, we do carry a sort of "clearwater prejudice" in our fish-keeping "genes", right? 

I think so.

It's almost like our idealized aesthetic perceptions of what we feel water should look like in an aquarium have conditioned us as a hobby to sort of gently disregard what it truly looks like in the habitats from which our fishes evolved, and why it's important to their health. Now, I'm certainly not asserting that keeping fishes from blackwater habitats in a crystal-clear aquarium is somehow going to ruin their vitality or render them susceptible to many illnesses, or that providing "blackwater" conditions is some sort of "miracle concept" that will lead to unimagined success.

That's just too hyperbolic, IMHO.

However, I'm at least curious about how much better our animals might do long-term (I'm talking decades in captivity of being bred, etc.) if maintained in conditions that more-or-less replicate the waters from which they evolved. We've seen a lot of Discus, Betta and Apistogramma breeders utilize these types of conditions in their aquariums for many years, and their successes have been obvious.

And what's exciting is that we are still starting to see hobbyists equate the way natural ecosystems provide for the life forms which reside in them and how many factors contribute to their success. Like so many things in nature, the complexity of blackwater habitats is more than what meets the eye. This creates many opportunities for hobbyists to create amazing aquariums!

Chemically, biologically, and ecologically, blackwater habitats are a weave of interdependencies- with soil, water, and surrounding forest all functioning together to influence the lives of the fishes which reside within them. No single factor could provide all of the necessary components for fish populations to thrive. 

And they simply look different. Yet, amazingly natural-looking, and we hope, compellingly beautiful.

To replicate these unique habitats and the function and aesthetics which they bring requires some observation, open-minded experimentation, and a sense of adventure! 

And, perhaps, a little love for that brown water! 

Stay excited. Stay inspired. Stay open-minded. Stay educated...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Getting to the bottom of...the bottom. "Substrate Enrichment", Part 157...

Yeah, I know, we're back to the bottom once again, aren't we?

It's something that I keep coming back to, because the idea of utilizing botanicals in your aquarium substrate keeps tantalizing me with its performance and potential benefits.

As I've obsessively reported to you, I recently set up a small tank in my office for the sole purpose of doing damn near the entire substrate with leaves and twigs- sort of like in nature. There is less than approximately 0.25"/0.635cm of sand in there. I went from throwing in wood to make it look "cool", to ultimately yanking out everything but the leaves and twigs on the bottom. That's the whole "scape." What we in the reef world call a "no scape." 

Leaves and a shoal of Parachierdon simulans. 

Nothing else.

And the interesting thing about this tank is that it is one of the most chemically stable, low-maintenance tanks I've ever worked with. It's held a TDS of 12 and a pH of 6.2 pretty much from day one of it's operation. It cycled in about 5-6 days. Ammonia was barely detectible. Nitrite peaked at about 0.25mg/L in approximately 3 days. 

Now, the point of this piece is not to drop a big old "humble brag" about some new tank I started. The point is to show what I think is an interesting "thing" I've noticed about this tank. Stability and ease of function.

I was quite astounded how a new tank could go from dry to "broken in" in a week or so. And not just "broken in" (ie; "cycled")- like, stable. I don't usually do this, but I tested all basic parameters every day for the first 3 weeks of the tank's existence, just to kind of see what would happen.

The interesting thing about a tank like this is that it relies on leaves in a way that I have rarely done before. Yet, I had complete confidence that it could work just fine. I'm not some "visionary" here- I'm just a guy who's played with blackwater/botanical-style aquariums for a long time and has developed a certain degree of comfort with them. Many of you are in the same position.

What goes on in an aquarium with botanicals- or leaves, in this instance as the total  "substrate" or "hardscape", as the case may be, is that they become the basis for biological activity in the tank. As we have discussed a million times here, as botanicals break down, they recruit bacteria, fungi, and other organisms on their surfaces.

What I am starting to feel more and more confident about is postulating that denitrification occurs in a system with a layer of leaves and botanicals as a major component of the tank.

Now, I know, I have little rigorous scientific information to back up my theory, other than anecdotal observations and even some assumptions. However, there is always an example to look at- nature. 

Of course, nature and aquariums differ, one being a closed system and the other being "open." However, they both are beholden to the same laws, aren't they? And I believe that the function of the captive leaf litter bed and the wild litter beds are remarkably similar to a great extent.

The thing that fascinates me is that, in nature, leaf litter beds perform a similar function; that is, fostering biodiversity, nutrient export, and yes- denitrification. Let's take a little look at a some information I gleaned from the study of a natural leaf litter bed for some insights.

In a slow-flowing wild Amazonian stream with a very deep leaf litter bed, observations were made which are of some interest to us. First off, oxygen saturation was 6.7 3 mg/L (about 85% of saturation), conductivity was 13.8 microsemions, and pH was 3.5.

Some of these parameters (specifically pH) are likely difficult to obtain and maintain in the aquarium, but the interesting thing is that these parameters were stable throughout a months-long investigation.

Microscopic investigation confirmed this- it revealed that the leaf litter was heavily populated with fungi and other microfauna. There was a significant amount of fish life. Interestingly, the fish population was largely found in the top 12"/30cm of the litter bed, which was estimated to be about 18"/45cm deep. The food web in this type of habitat is comprised largely of fungal and bacterial growth which occurs in the decomposing leaf litter. 

Okay, I"m throwing a lot of information here, and doing what I hope is a slightly better-than-mediocre attempt at tying it all together. The principal assertions I'm making are that, in the wild, the leaf litter bed is a very productive place, and has a significant impact on its surroundings, and that it's increasingly obvious to me that many of the same functions occur in an aquarium utilizing leaf litter and botanicals.

Enriching a substrate, or composing an entire substrate of botanicals and leaves is a very interesting and compelling subject for investigation by hobbyists.

So, three areas of potential investigation for us:

*Use of botanicals and leaves to comprise a "bed" for bacterial growth and denitrification.

*Understanding the chemical/physical impact of the botanical "bed" on an aquarium. (ie, pH, conductivity, etc.)

*Utilization of a botanical bed to create a supplemental food source for the resident fishes.

We've also touched on the idea of a leaf litter/botanical bed as "nursery" for fry, something I recently discovered in a conversation with noted breeder Rachel O'Leary that she has embraced for years with much success! This, of course, freaked me out in a very good way! 

So, yes, beyond the simple aesthetics, enriching or composing a substrate entirely with botanicals and leaves gives the hobbyist the prospect of success on a variety of fronts!

More to explore...To be continued.

Stay curious. Stay skeptical. Stay diligent. Stay observant...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Water, soil, botanicals, and fishes. Interdependencies and interactions...

Have you ever noticed how some subjects in the botanical-style aquarium world just keep coming up over and over again? Like, you'll look at things from a different angle, or with the benefit of experience, and suddenly something that seemed odd or inconsequential before is compelling, exciting, and potentially very significant.

One of those subjects we've explored before is the idea of utilizing more natural substrate materials in our botanical-style aquariums, such as clays, as opposed to more "traditional" gravels and sands. And we're lucky- with the popularity of plants and shrimp, we've seen a proliferation of "specialty" substrates that could really benefit the kind of work we do, too! I often ponder which types would be interesting to use with botanicals to create rich and productive aquatic environments.

And of course, to figure this out, I look towards nature...

Like, where do our coveted blackwater originate?

In general, blackwaters originate from sandy soils. High concentrations of humic acids in the water are thought to occur in drainages with what scientists call "podzol" sandy soils. "Podzol" is a soil classification which describes  an infertile acidic soil having an "ashlike" subsurface layer from which minerals have been leached. That last part is interesting, and helps explain in part the absence of minerals in blackwater. And more than one hobbyist I know has played with the concept of "dirted" planted tanks, using terrestrial soils...hmmm.

On to something here!

Also interesting to note is that fact that soluble humic acids are adsorbed by clay minerals in what are known as "oxisol" soils, resulting in clear waters."Oxisol" soils are often classified as "laterite" soils, which some who grow plants are familiar with, known for their richness in iron and aluminum oxides. I'm no chemist, or even a planted tank geek..but aren't those important elements for aquatic plants? 

Yeah...I think they are.

And, in "iagapos "(those seasonally flooded forest areas which lead to blackwater environments), the soils are conducive to good terrestrial plant growth. Fishes which reside in these habitats feed off of the materials, like fruits and seeds, which fall from the trees, or otherwise end up in the water during periods of inundation.

Interestingly, seed dispersal by fish (a process known technically as "ichthyochory") is thought to play an important role in the maintenance of the diversity of trees in these seasonally inundated forests along the main rivers of the Amazon. 

An interesting little tidbit of information! The terrestrial environment has significant impact on the aquatic habitat. And, in this area, aquatic life influences the land!  

That makes sense, right?

Fishes which consume matter found in the substrate (detritivores) and other materials in the substrate (omnivores) also play a fundamental role in the transportation of organic carbon, which is a source of energy for downstream fish communities. Through their foraging activities, these fishes enhance the "downstream transport" and processing of organic material and ensure the proper functioning of the aquatic system and its biological community.

So, we have the terrestrial environment influencing the aquatic environment, and fishes that live in the aquatic environment influencing the terrestrial environment!

These interdependencies are really complicated- and really interesting!

And it just goes to show you that some of the things we could do in our aquariums (such as utilizing alternative substrate materials, botanicals, and perhaps even submersion-tolerant terrestrial plants) are strongly reminiscent of what happens in the wild. Sure, we typically don't maintain completely "open" systems, but I wonder just how much of the ecology of these fascinating habitats we can replicate in our tanks-and what potential benefits may be realized?

That's my continuing challenge to our community...We're seeing so many hobbyists being drawn to "the dark side"- botanical-style, blackwater aquariums because of the compelling aesthetic, and potential collateral health benefits they provide to our fishes. Yet, there is so much more! Exploring ideas like these give us the opportunity to examine other possible benefits that we may not have even considered just yet!

And it all involves considering the dynamics which come into play when the components of nature intersect.

And here YOU are- at the delta of the intersection of nature and art...

Stay engaged. Stay experimental. Stay resourceful. Stay diligent. Stay excited...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics  

Walk the line...

Have you noticed that the "recommendations" for new hobbyists have been more or less constant over the decades? I mean, we've seen very little in the way of variation when it comes to what we should and should not do to keep healthy aquariums.

I mean, there is nothing wrong with us passing on the need to observe, test, employ regular water exchanges, etc. However, I think we tend to just sort of lay down the rules in a vacuum of sorts, without really considering that the little box of water in our living room- closed though it might be in many ways- IS still little "microcosm", and still interacts to  some extent with the environmental which it's located. 

And it still follows the "laws" laid down by nature over eons, albeit without some of the same conditions as found in nature (ie; weather, water flow-through, etc.). Well, that being said, we do mimic some of the natural process, like wether (via water exchanges and top off) and additions of fishes, etc. And with our emphasis on botanicals, it's different now. 

We "fuel" this process with these natural materials. They don't just look different and sexy- they perform a vital function in the closed aquatic ecosystem, right?

So, yeah- I think we need to teach new hobbyists- and re-train ourselves- to really look at our tanks as little ecosystems, not just artificial constructs, cut off from nature. 

It's important. There is something there for all of us.

You want encourage hobbyists to create and maintain good habits- water exchanges, not over feeding/stocking…but at the same time, I feel that we need to pay much more attention to facilitating the development of aquariums as little microcosms, with import/export mechanisms studied and developed to optimize conditions for the organisms that reside within them!

We walk a line. 

And, as I've discussed many times here, it's about making those mental shifts to accept both the benefits and beauty of some of the processes which nature utilizes to manage its ecosystems. Like decomposition, additions of materials, and exchanges of water. 

Some of the processes and products of the processes, specifically, have been, IMHO, unfairly vilified by the hobby for many years.

Like our old friend, detritus.

I think detritus has been so maligned as a “bad” thing in the hobby, that we have collectively overlooked it’s benefits to the organisms and overall closed ecosystems we create. I mean, it is a fine line, right? 

Conduct regular water exchanges. Stock your aquarium carefully. Feed precisely. Observe. Be habitual about these things. They're hammered into our heads from day one.

Yet, I think little energy is spent discussing the merits of why! And further, we almost never see discussions about how nature if allowed to do some of its own "work", will help us manage and evolve systems with tremendous success. 

A fine line that we need to walk.

Maybe it's because we haven't really thought much about this stuff, in terms of how it is actually beneficial, as opposed to detrimental. And how, despite it not being the most attractive thing in the world, that some of these things are beautiful, natural, and incredibly important in our closed systems if we give them a chance. It seems that we spend so much time resisting the appearance of some of this stuff that it's not given a chance to display its "good side" for us.

Like biofilms, fungal growth, aufwuchs, and decomposition- is this stuff that is inevitable, natural- perhaps even beneficial in our aquariums? Is it something that we should learn to embrace and appreciate? All part of a natural process and yes- aesthetic- that we have to understand to appreciate? Have you ever tried rearing fry in a tank filled with decomposing leaves and biofilms?

Try it. Question it. Work with it. But try it. Ask yourself why it works...search for answers. There is a lot there. 

The botanical-style aquarium that we play with is perhaps the first of it's kind in the hobby to really say, "Hey, this is just like nature! It's not that bad!" And to make us think, "Perhaps there is a benefit to all of this."

The ephemeral nature of botanicals. The tinted water. The appearance of biofilms. Decay. Leaves. Wood. Water. Life.

Beauty. 

Walk the line. Study. Learn. Teach others. Rinse and repeat.

Stay bold. Stay curious. Stay observant. Stay appreciative. Stay courageous. 

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

The evolution of self-curation and empowerment. Tannin "V2.0" begins...

So, there's gonna be some changes around here..

You've probably already noticed a few things that are different about the Tannin Aquatics website, right?

Good!

For starters, the look is a bit different.

We're gradually adding all-new product photography, which highlights the beauty of botanicals as they are. Sure, the garden bench thing was sexy, and sort of "set the tone" for Tannin being a bit different when we started three years ago, but it was time for a change. Not only did it not really highlight the botanicals as well as it could have- it was a "style" that was starting to be copied by other vendors...That's your first clue that it's time to change again! 

Yeah. 

So, we enlisted the help of well-known professional advertising photographer/scaper/creative director Johnny Ciotti (who's work has graced these pages before, as well as that of the ads of some of the most recognizable companies in fashion, food, and consumer packaged goods) to shoot our botanicals in an all-new light (literally...).

We did an epic 14 hour photo shoot of every item in the inventory. Some of these photos have already started showing up in our catalog, and we expect to have them all up within the next week or so.

The shopping experience has changed! 

Yes, with lots of feedback and testing, we realized that the shopping experience and menus were not really optimized for was of use. It was difficult going back and forth between collections. It was not intuitive. We changed all that. You now have sections specifically or leaves, seed pods, and stems and branches. Same for hardscape.

Oh, and there's that new section called "Curated Themes."

That's where you'll find our recommendations of what botanicals to use to replicate specific habitats, niches, etc. Or simply, aquaecapes that inspire. It's a sort of fusion between our "Studio Tannin" page and our "Inspiration" section. This will be a regularly-changing section of interesting themes to be inspired by. We're still very much a work in progress, but expect more pics of the actual habitats we're talking about, as well as aquariums featuring the materials.

"Inspiration" is going to evolve from the sort of ragtag "dorm room wall" vibe of video and pic it has now into a clean, more searchable and aesthetically consistent page. 

We've been told that we're "thought leaders" in this space, and we think it's time to step up and get the web site up to speed, too!

Where is Tannin Live? Well, the idea was really cool. It was exciting. And logistically it was really hard for us to manage. I mean, a remote inventory in a facility that was not ours. We simply couldn't deliver the great quality of service and reliability that we can for the botanicals. The service you've come to expect from us.

It was nobody's fault. Trust me, having co-owned and ran a huge marine livestock facility before, I can tell you how challenging it is- especially if that's not your main focus, or if you're not even physically there! Mike Tucc did this as a great accommodation for us as he started his larger-scale wholesale fish import business. His fishes are amazing! 

It was very cool, but quite frankly, his biz grew, we grew with our botanicals, and the small orders we were receiving for a few fish just weren't economically viable for him or for us. We were privileged to give it a whirl, but we also realized that what we do best is botanicals and such. We're doubling down on what we do best! (that's not to say there won't be some "pop up" fish sales in the fire...just stay tuned!).

The Variety Packs...are...gone! Um, not really. They're all right there still. In fact, all fo the materials that comprised what was becoming a truly bewildering variety of packs are still here. A common comment from first-time customers was  "You have an awesome selection! I'm just not sure which variety pack to get!" That was our signal that something needed to evolve here. (Oh, that and the fact that every copycat botanical vendor that pops up starts their biz with variety packs...lol)

In fact, you can now select the amounts of botanicals you want to have in your own, self-curated packs! And the more you purchase, the less expensive the materials are! It's just easier, and enables more creativity. Before, if you only wanted 8 Banana Stem Pieces in your pack that had 16,  and wanted to substitute "Mariposa Pods" instead-you were out of luck. Now, you simply select the quantity of the materials you want! We have more size selections than ever before! And we'll introduce some new botanicals soon, too!

 Tannin is becoming a place where your creativity is enhanced with the empowerment of self-curation! 

We're going to become way, way more of what we always intended to be: A source for inspiration AND the materials for you to explore, curate, and create. We're still in the rudimentary phases, but watch for lots and lots of regular changes weekly! 

"Preparation" will ultimately become a page with video and infographics on botanical prep. Each product now has its preparation instruction on the product page. We'll be getting rid of the looooong "preparation" page with instructions for each item, making it more simple, useful, and interesting!

No More WYSIWYG wood! Yup, you've come to trust us to select and offer only the best pieces we can find- pieces we'd use in our tanks. Yet, it really wasn't all that necessary. You told us you're fine with the types of peices we create. You trust us! So, say goodbye to WYSIWG wood...the peices still on the site are the very last ones before we go to "hand-selected."

And, with the time and energy we'll save by not having to measure, tag, photograph and list each and every piece, we're able to bring you the same consistently great pieces at a better consistent price! And we can move faster, get orders our even more quickly, innovate new products, etc. 

Oh, and the other BIG announcement...

Shipping within the U.S. is FREE! Need we say more? You could order one pack of Catappa leaves, and it ships FREE. Or an entire scape of rocks, wood, and botanicals. FREE. Or 2 "Jungle Pods." FREE. 

Yes. Enough is enough. I hate paying for shipping, and you do, too.

Now, we realize that our international customers still pay for shipping. Trust me, we looked at every possible way to do free internationally; it simply wasn't economically viable. Pretty much every order we ship internationally loses money on the shipping costs- and we have a pretty good rate. We did lower them to the minimum that we could for each region, and we'll always give a few extras to international customers to help ease the pain. Trust me, we're constantly evaluating this...Stay tuned.

We're going to do more videos.

Yup, you asked for them, we'll be doing them! We plan on really developing out our YouTube presence in 2019, with monthly featured videos and more frequent video content. I've been asked by a lot of you to do "The Tint" as a podcast, perhaps even with a direct delivery to your email- and it's something we're looking at!

We'll have more contests, more inspiring work from well-known aquascapers, and more overall information on video.

Where is "Estuary?" As with our variety packs, "Estuary" has sort of devolved into the overall collection. You'll know what is a "brackish-friendly" product with the little icon that you're now familiar with:.

Oh, and look for more "Lifestyle" products- coffee, art, hats, tee shirts, and more! And the debut of "Tannin Marketplace", which may or may not be a separate section, featuring very carefully selected gear and aquarium products which fit the needs and interests of you- our customers! Also coming Q1 and Q2 of 2019.

And of course, the overall aesthetics of the site will gradually emerge from the mishmash that it is at the moment to an overall cleaner, more sophisticated and inspiring look. 

And A LOT of other surprises coming your way. 

We hope you're as excited and inspired as we are!

#tinttheworld

Stay bold. Stay Curious. Stay inspired. Stay creative. Stay empowered...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Arcane? Unusual? Important. The idea of "food from within."

Do you find that, the longer you're into this hobby niche, the more obsessed you get about other arcane and unusual ideas? 

Yeah, that's me.

Especially, when it comes to the concept of food production within our botanical-style aquariums. Yes, food production. If you really observe your tank closely- and I'm sure that you do- you'll see your fishes foraging on the botanicals...picking off something.

I've noticed, during times when I've traveled extensively and haven't been around to feed my fishes, that they're not even slightly slimmer upon my return, despite not being fed for days sometimes... 

What are they eating in my absence?

Well, there are a number of interesting possibilities.

Perhaps most interesting to us blackwater/botanical-style aquarium people are epiphytes. These are organisms which grow on the surface of plants or other substrates and derive their nutrients from the surrounding environment. They are important in the nutrient cycling and uptake in both nature and the aquarium, adding to the biodiversity, and serving as an important food source for many species of fishes.

In the case of our fave aquatic habitats, like streams, ponds, and inundated forests, epiphytes are abundant, and many fishes will spend large amounts of time foraging the "biocover" on tree trunks, branches, leaves, and other botanical materials.

The biocover consists of stuff like algae, biofilms, and fungi. Although most animals use leaves and tree branches for shelter and not directly as a food item, grazing on this epiphytic growth is which occurs on them is very important.

In the wild habitats, some organisms, such as nematodes and chironomids ("Bloodworms!") will dig into the leaf structures and feed on the tissues themselves, as well as the fungi and bacteria found in and among them. These organisms, in turn, become part of the diet for many fishes.

And the resulting detritus produced by the "processed" and decomposing pant matter is considered by many aquatic ecologists to be an extremely significant food source for many fishes, especially in areas such as Amazonia and Southeast Asia, where the detritus is considered an essential factor in the food webs of these habitats.

And of course, if you observe the behavior of many of your fishes in the aquarium, such as characins, cyprinids, Loricarids, and others, you'll see that, in between feedings, they'll spend an awful lot of time picking at the aforementioned "stuff" on the leaves, stems, and pods within the tank. In a botanical-style aquarium, this is a pretty common occurrence, and I believe it's an extremely important "side benefit" of this type of system!

I believe that a botanical-style aquarium, complete with its decomposing leaves and seed pods, can serve as a sort of "buffet" for many fishes- even those who's primary food sources are known to be things like insects and worms and such. Gut-content analysis of many fishes in the wild confirms this. Detritus and the organisms within the aquarium can provide an excellent supplemental food source for our fishes!

In the wild habitats, it's interesting to note that, where materials fall from the trees and surrounding dry areas, the greater the abundance of fishes and other aquatic animals which utilize them is found. That makes sense.

And materials will continue to fall into the water and accumulate throughout the year, maintaining the richness of the habitat as others decompose or are acted on by the organisms residing in the water- from fungi to fishes!

Not unlike an aquarium, where we are replacing the botanicals as they break down, right?

Yes! 😆

Again, it's that idea about the "functional aesthetics" of the blackwater, botanical-style aquariums. The idea which acknowledges the fact that the botanicals we use not only look cool, but they provide an important function (supplemental food production) as well.

Perhaps arcane- but certainly not insignificant.

Consider that the next time you toss some more botanicals into your aquarium! You're not just adding to the "look"- you're contributing to the abundance within the system!

Stay observant. Stay thoughtful. Stay patient. Stay creative...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics