The Tint

Drama queens, existential crises, and everyday challenges...

Do you know one of those fish people who just "freaks out" every time you find a snail in your planted tank, or see a little spot of algae, or- perhaps-maybe-just that the tank doesn't look "right" this morning (even though it looks the same way it did yesterday morning...)?

Are YOU that person?

I think I used to be.

I was one of those fish geeks who, upon seeing some little "problem" in one of my tanks- say, a piece of wood slightly askew, or an aggregation of sand blown into one area by a powerhead-would freak the f--- out and have a towel down on the floor and sleeves up, and be "in contact" with the water in like under a minute to "correct" the issue.

Yeah, my fishy friends thought I was a bit of a "drama queen" when it came to my tanks.

And I admit, I probably was.

And I think the origins of this behavioral "issue" could be traced back to the days when I had my aquarium(s) in my bedroom as a kid...One of the "conditions" my mom placed on me was that everything and to look "presentable" at all times...And of course, I quickly learned that "presentable" to a mom is far different than "presentable" to a 14-year-old fish geek with 7 tanks in his bedroom, and that compliance was...well, important if I were to ever get that 8th tank in there!

Survival skills.

So I learned to deal with "small problems" quickly and efficiently. Always did- even as a "grown up." 

However, there was this...thing...that would happen when I "dealt" with stuff in my tanks. You know- those "small problems" that would crop up from time to time.

And of course, many of these "small problems" led to me rationalizing the "need" to make "one more adjustment" to the wood stack, or a little trim of this coral or plant...or maybe tweaking the orientation of a couple of pieces of rock... ("Well, I'm already IN there...")

Easy stuff, right?

Stuff that innocently starts at 7:30AM and results in a four hour, call-in-sick-to-work,  "5-towel project" of serious proportions. FYI, I often refer to the number of towels required for a project as a "measure" of its seriousness and complexity- a pretty good measure, IMHO! A "1-towel project" would be something easy, like shaking a piece of errant plant debris from the filter intake, whereas a "3-towel project" would be something like a water exchange/internal algae scraping/filter cleaning and media replacement.

A "5-towel job" is an all-hands-on-deck, "man your battle stations!" sort of prospect! You know, the innocent "I just have to move that one piece of wood" thing that starts out innocently and morphs into an all-morning, mind-bending "total re-do" sort of thing- new look, clouded water, stuff everywhere...You really didn't want to be around me during a "5-towel moment."

Yeah, those "5-towel projects..."

I think that, since I really dedicated a huge part of my fish keeping life to the blackwater/brackish, botanical-style aquarium genre, that I learned to relax...a lot. The reef keeper in me still has a very serious side who wants things "just so", and who wants to keep his tanks "visitor ready" at all times, but with the cool vibe and natural aesthetic of our kind of aquariums, it's a lot easier to "explain away" the small patina of algae on the wood; the biofilm on the botanicals, or some decomposing leaves- part of the deal, and something that actually can educate the uninitiated about our strange obsession!

So, yeah, I suppose you could say that blackwater/brackish, botanical-style aquariums have made me a lot less of a drama queen about my hobby. I mean, it's such a chill vibe and almost yoga-like approach to aquariums that you kind of can't help it! And, once you look at enough underwater pics or videos of flooded igapo forests in Brazil, you kind of come to the realization that all of this stuff- the algae, the biofilms, the decomposing leaves, tinted water- all of it- is simply the way many natural systems look, and that you are working WITH nature, rather than resisting it.

Nature seems to find ways to do stuff way better than we can- even though it may not always fit the "conventional aquarium definition" of beauty. 

That little "imperfection" you see in your tank is nature doing its thing as part of a cohesive whole...and an existential crisis is easily averted when you make this mental stretch and understand just what this botanical thing is really all about. When you realize that it's all part of a process, a system- one that was perfected billions of years before you were born.

Mind-blowing. Humbling. And altogether inspiring. 

The stuff that used to send me into "red alert" mode is simply not that big a concern in the grand scheme of things.

Healthy. 

Well, comparatively.

I mean, I still hate water spills, clutter around my tanks, etc. I still like to keep the front glass clear at all times. However, if a piece of Guava leaf is blowing into the current, or a piece of wood has a strand of hair algae on it...I chill.

No freak outs.

No existential crises!

Of late, the "everyday challenges" of maintaining this type of aquarium are simply making sure that everyone is healthy, and that all the equipment is functioning nominally. You know, the usual stuff that most aquarists do. Sure,  Still worry about the new fishes that I added, or if that small female Dicrossus is getting her fair share of food- but these are the inescapable, common parts of the game of aquarium keeping- and they'll continue to crop up wether your water is bright white and clear or dark, tinted, and murky.

It's how you approach this stuff that is the difference.

A lesson taught to me...by nature.

Love it.

Stay calm. Stay cool. Stay engaged. Stay proactive. Stay healthy...

And always...Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Progression- or just progress?

The world of blackwater/brackish botanical-style aquarium has its own set of "norms" and ways of doing things, doesn't it? And since this little sector of the hobby has become more and more noticeable and apparent in the grander scheme of things, we've seen more and more observations, refinements, and techniques developing around our hobby.

Because of the very nature of aquatic botanicals and how they interact with their environment, you need to regularly evaluate, scrub or even replace them as needed. You'll need to understand the progression of things that happen as your tank establishes itself. And, perhaps most important, you'll need to make some mental "adjustments" to accept and appreciate this different aesthetic.

There has been much discussion here and elsewhere about the various "stages" which our botanical-style aquariums go through as they run in. We understand that the materials we use will interact the aquatic environment directly, imparting tannins, humic acids, and other organics into the water. We like to call aquatic botanicals "dynamic" materials, as they are hardly "static" or "inert" in nature! 

And the fact that these systems are actively evolving means that you need to "manage" them with some common sense practices. Which, really, is no different, no more challenging, and probably even less mentally taxing than say, a "high tech" planted system, reef aquarium, or a specialized breeding setup for fishes like Wild Discus or Angelfish.

And there is a "progression" which takes place as your botanical-style aquarium evolves in its early phases. I think it can be broken down into a few distinct phases. And, I thought this might be a good time to comment on these phases, and what to expect; what to do:

Startup-first 3 weeks: Obviously., a lot is happening during this seminal time! You should observe your botanicals to make sure that they are remaining "negatively buoyant" (i.e.; waterlogged!). Remove any which appear to be floating or present a putrid, "rotten egg-like" smell. Depending on your water chemistry, density of botanicals, the specific ones you've used, and the filtration media employed, you'll start to see the "tint" usually after a few days, reaching it's maximum after about 3 weeks. Perform regular water changes and other maintenance like you would on any other aquarium during this time.

Early "evolution"- One month- two months: This is when you'll likely see some biofilms and even some algal growth on the botanicals. This is the phase where the tank is really coming "alive." Some hobbyists strongly dislike the appearance of biofilms and true algae...I get it! What to do? You can physically scrub the biofilms off of the botanicals as needed, or employ "biological controls" (such as shrimp, snails, or even Otocinculus catfish) to help with this process.

Although they are efficient, you shouldn't expect the animals to get everything. You can assist with the removal of any "offensive" growths, or...wait it out. This is the "mental shift" phase. A time where you accept that you're working with a different type of system- one which embraces nature in all of its diversity.

Two months-four months: By this time, your aquarium has no doubt settled into a comfortable, more stable situation, and you've come to appreciate the more natural appearance of your system. Some of the softer, more "transient" botanicals, such as leaves, have typically broken down significantly at this point, and no doubt need replacement. You employ regular maintenance practices, such as water changes, filter cleaning/media replacement, etc., and monitor water chemistry parameters like you would in any other tank.

By this time, you'll come to recognize what is "normal" for your system, and any deviations from the norm will become more obvious to you. You can "top off" your system with some newly-prepared botanicals as you see fit. This is where you'll no doubt develop your own routines for this. We love this time, because it's where the nuances of long-term botanical-style aquarium management are developed and perfected!

Although this short summary of the progression of the early stages of a botanical-style aquarium isn't intended to serve as the definitive guide on what will happen with your tank, it IS a sort of "quick start guide" as to what typically happens during the early life of such an aquarium. A "quick reference" of sorts, about what may be expected from a typical botanical-style system.

Your experience may vary slightly; however, these observations were made based upon my own experiences and others who work with these types of aquariums. There are  many factors, such as your base water chemistry, maintenance practices, filtration, etc.,  which may skew the timeline, and the progression may be longer or shorter, but the "markers" are typically the same.

Probably the most significant "adjustments" you need to make are mental ones.

You need to accept that this type of tank will look fundamentally different than other types of systems you've maintained. Obviously, the tint of the water is the most obvious. This can be managed, to a certain degree, by employing activated carbon. Purigen, or other chemical filtration to remove some or all of the "tint" as desired.

And the biofilms?

 The realization that their appearance is perfectly natural and entirely consistent with the nature of these environments to have some of this stuff present is little comfort to you if you just can't handle looking at a field of "yuck" on your botanicals. I can't stress enough the need to make that "mental shift."

As we discussed, management of this stuff is entirely up to you and what you can tolerate. Generally, biofilms and algae are self-limiting, ultimately disappearing or diminishing substantially over time as the compounds that fuel them diminish or attain levels that are not sufficient for their continued growth, or as a result of animals consuming them- or a combination of both.

Fishes will interact very naturally with your system, too. The decomposition of "transient" materials like leaves and softer pods, etc. is simply part of the natural dynamic, and will continue as long as you choose to employ these materials in your aquascape. If you observe carefully, you may note spawning and other "grazing" behaviors in your fishes, and note that they are spending significant time foraging though the broken-down matter, much like in nature.

There is still so much to learn; so many "mental shifts" that we need to make...However, the progress we've made thus far in this exciting branch of the hobby is amazing. And so many discoveries- and even breakthroughs- are occurring right in your own aquarium...As you begin to understand and evaluate your own aquarium, you'll gain a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature and the processes that have occurred for eons.

Stay observant. Stay diligent. Stay engaged. Stay humble...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Forgotten favorites..or new favorites waiting to be discovered?

With an ever-growing selection of botanicals available to "Tint Nation" nowadays, it can be almost overwhelming to decide which ones are the best for your aquarium. And of course, ultimately personal taste and the requirements of the fishes or aquatic animals will help make the decision easier. That being said, there are always a few specimens that are just awesome ones, which somehow "fall between the cracks" for whatever reason, and deserve a bit more attention. 

And of course, when embarking on a piece that is a review of some of these, it's inescapable that some will see this as a sort of "infommercial" for our botanicals...whcih, I suppose, it is. However, I really hope it simply serves to open your eyes to some interesting botanicals that you may not have elected before for inclusion in one of your aquatic displays!

I have to say that one of my more recent botanical obsessions (of which I have MANY!) is the use of catappa bark in my tanks. Now, when we think about catappa bark, I think that a lot of us "Tinters" think about tin terms of being a "vehicle" for adding tannins and humic substances to the water. Something you throw into the canister filter or a media bag and don't look at...Not so much as an aesthetic point of interest in and of itself, which is a sort of shame- because it's really great looking!

In fact, I'm so obsessed by the stuff, that we've sourced three different geographically unique version of the stuff! One is from India, which is hand-rolled not little tubes or half tubes. The other, from Selatan, Ponitanac in Indonesia, has a thick, "chunky" look to it. The third form we offer, from Sandakan, Saba, Borneo, is highly variable in both texture and size, and has a distinct color and morphology, ranging from think little rolled pieces to flat strips. 

All of these are  great as botanical materials which add to the look and feel of the aquarium environment. They provide an interesting complement to many varieties of driftwood (particularly the Malaysian and Mangrove types, IMHO), and provide grazing surfaces for shrimp and fishes. Coming from the Catappa tree, they are filled with the same humic substances and tannins as you'd fin in the leaves. Now, far be it from me to suggest that each variety has different types of amounts of these compounds contained in the tissues, but I can't help but wonder if they are somehow unique.  Only lab testing will really tell!

Regardless, they are all pretty long lasting, tend not to "break up" too much, and are a fabulous alternative to catappa leaves for imparting a nice tint into the water. So yeah, they're useful, "cleaner" alternatives for those who love the tint but are not fans of leaves breaking down in their aquariums!

Another one of our "forgotten faves" is the "Rio Passaro" - a botanical which is unique in its appearance, yet one that we don't see used quite as often as we think it should be! Rio Passaro Pods" are a"featherweight" botanical, derived from Nypa palm. They are essentially like leaves in terms of their their "heft", appearance, and use. However, unlike most leaves, they tend to last longer, and will break down  more slowly than leaves in most systems.

They're really great for evoking that "jungle like" appearance, and are awesome when used with botanicals like our Pygmy Date Palm fronds or "Rio Fruta"...and in a brackish water system, they will add a very authentic touch! The Nypa palm from which they are derived is often found growing partially immersed in brackish water habitats, right along side mangroves!

Another botanical which, although newer, deserves some recognition is the "Kachnar Tree Pod"- a twisty, leathery-looking botanical with interesting aesthetics and respectable "tint-production" capabilities! 

As you might guess, this dried seed pod comes from a tree from tropical Asia (India, to be specific) known as the "Kachnar Tree", Bauhinia variegata. The pod has a beautiful color, is rather woody in texture, and lasts a respectable length of time when submerged! And it will impart an nice, reddish-brown tint to the water over time. It may "unravel" a bit after preparation, but is pliable enough that you can "reshape" it back to it's original form if you want. It's a perfect "prop" for a Southeast Asian-themed aquarium!

One of my all-time faves- and one which goes back to the very beginnings of Tannin Aquatics, is the "Encontro Pod."   This is a super-cool, uniquely-colorful, and highly durable botanical with interesting aesthetics and surprising utility! 

Coming from South America, these are a great "prop" for the Amazonian-themed aquarium.  They are remarkably durable, lasting many months under water. I love the way they gradually soften after submersion, and provide a terrific alternative for leaves...I mean they have a leaf-like shape, and can be incorporated into a leaf-litter bed in your aquarium almost effortlessly!

Preparation for these little pods is much like many of our other pods, which means that we're talking about boiling them for at least half an hour to get them waterlogged enough to sink. It could take longer, depending on the particular pod! As with our other pods, the prep time is totally worth it for the aesthetic reward that these bring to your biotope!

For a botanical which is definitely useful, and certainly not under appreciated, the "Teardrop Pod" is one that still needs to be given some "props" as a perfect "grazing botanical" for shrimp! Yeah, it's perhaps one of the most "edible" of our botanicals, and the feedback from our customers who keep shrimp has been nothing but positive! 

Hailing from India, the "Teardrop" pod is a great botanical not only for its unique aesthetics, but for it's all-around usefulness as a- wait for it- biofilm "recruiter!" Yeah, the Yellowish interio of this botanical tends to soften over time, and recruit a tremendous amount of biofilms; that is, if it's not consumed by your shrimp first!

Oaky, I know- I could go on and on, espousing the virtues of pretty much each and every botanical we offer- essentially re-writing our catalog...So I won't! Suffice ti to say, there is a lot of cool stuff you can do with pretty much any of these items...and many that I didn't mention here. Think about the ideas of supplementing leaf litter with longer-lasting seed pods, and utilizing some for the recruitment of biofilms and as food, and others for tinting the water...just look at things a bit differently and you may discover an "old favorite" that's been forgotten, under-utilized- just waiting to "star" in your display!

Stay creative. Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay innovative...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Style versus...?

So, I started a "remodel" on my home blackwater aquarium...Just because...

It's in it's infancy stages, with nothing close to complete yet. I'm getting more of the "negative space" I wanted, to feature fishes. So that's cool.  Need the botanicals and other touches, but I'm feeling it so far.

And this time, rather than go for a "Class 3 biotope" or whatever it's called these days, I wanted to do something that I felt was as much as an expression of design as it was of nature...

You know, a "style." 

Now, when I use the word "style", my head starts spinning with the whole "Nature Aquarium Style" stuff and it's rigid rules and (IMHO) questionable accompanying militant  "attitude" and such, so I admit, it strikes a nerve with me...I guess what I mean by "style" is something that embraces artistic form/interpretation as much as it embraces nature (Oh, shit, I think I just sort of defined the "Nature Aquarium" thing anyways,, damn it!). However, my interpretation of "style" in this context is that it's somewhat "liberating" as opposed to constraining. And of course, I work with different materials than that crowd does...

"Style" in this context is much more of a descriptor here than it is a roadmap.

Sort of the way every kid who ever starts up his 10-gallon aquarium does it: She selects the stuff she likes and includes in in her tank. It's not about somebody else' definitions, rule, or guidelines. Rather, it's about what feels good to her.

That's real style.

I know that I've always done my personal best work in the aquarium world-and  been the most happy- when I'm just doing stuff that pleases me, not working about "rules" (with the exceptions of those proffered by nature- you know, biological constraints, fish compatibility, etc.). Now, I realize that when we attempt to faithfully replicate a specific ecological niche, habitat, or locale, a certain sense of adherence to rules is required if complete authenticity is the goal.

That's the biotope world...one which I love, respect, and probably will never be any good at! I mean, modeling an aquaria after a specific geographic locale at a certain time of the year with certain types of lighting, flow, water conditions, the exact botanical materials and water chemistry found there is an amazing goal and spectacular achievement...I love those type of tanks.

However, I don't think that I have the discipline for that, lol.

Lots of people have told me that I should enter my brackish water tank in the big Biotope Aquarium Design Contest...And I considered it...for about five minutes. It sounds like fun, until I realize that I'd be judged on all sorts of criteria that my tank was not really designed to adhere to. I mean, it was set up to be a representation of a mangrove root habitat, with mud and leaves and roots...and fishes I found amusing.

I could just see the comments trashing my use of domesticated Mollies and Bumblebee Gobies I the same tank...I mean, rather than taking it in the correct context, I see myself wanting to lash out, "Listen, mother f-----, this tank has real  damn mangrove roots and leaves, not some pieces f wood that LOOKS like a mangrove like every other entrant. REAL mangrove leaf litter...And I have a FUNCTIONAL mud substrate, and ...!!!!"

Oh, man.

It would not go over well. It would not endear me to anyone, I think. And it would definitely not be good for business! My ego is far, far to fragile, and my "aquarium hobby skin" far to thin to be in a contest. 🤣

Self-awareness, baby.

I think that in the case here, long-term viability and a sense that we are providing our fishes with a more realistic functional and physical representation of the habitats from which they come is the real goal. And if, along the way, we create something that also happens to look cool- has a certain style...Well, that's a win all around, right?

Hey, I think I just did a better job describing what I wanted to achieve. And perhaps the Tannin mission, really. We can and do support all types of hobbyists, from hardcore biotopers to breeders, to shrimp keepers, catfish lovers, and competition aquascapers- and everything in between. We hope to inspire all of you truly talented aquarists from around the world.

I like that.

Besides, I think most of you are more mentally stable than I am when it comes to your aquariums, so helping YOU guys rock the world with YOUR cool tanks is my personal mission! 

I REALLY like that.

And really, in the very end- after all of the research, habitat machinations, etc.- it's all about one thing:

Fun.

I'm going to go have some today with my tank. You be sure to do the same.

Today's rant on style, substance...and self-awareness.

Until next time- Stay creative. Stay unbounded. Stay engaged. Stay excited...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Changes, comfort zones, and iterations...

One of the funny things in aquarium keeping- and life, of course- is that there is a "counterpoint" to every idea we discuss.

And of course, my little mini-dissertation on patience and evolution the other day struck a real chord, and I'm thrilled about that. But fish geeks being fish geeks, we also have our little quirks...

Like this one, which I have been grappling with:

Ever wake up one morning  and...it just..hits you? That urge to change up your aquarium; it's look, theme- whatever?

Yeah. 

It's part of being a fish geek, I think. 

We look at our existing aquarium and say, "I really love it, but...."

We reach for some towels, grab a bucket, and it's on! 

I think it's part of the mental makeup- the fabric, if you will- of the fish geek.

We're sort of almost "programmed" to want to switch stuff up after a while, right? It's like we want to create, modify, renew...or just try something different. 

For many hobbyists, their one aquarium is the only one they can have- at least for now, but possibly forever. Space, economics, time, etc, all come into play, and there really isn't much you can do except work with the one you've got. I mean, it's a blessing to have even one...but to the serious fish geek, that desire to move on to a greener pasture (or should we say, "bluer river?")-to just taste some new stuff- seldom retreats.

I just went through such a moment. I was like, "Scott, it's been a while since you've changed up the look of your BWBS tank...Maybe we need to do something different!"

Can you relate?  

I think- think- that it's often augmented by my desire as the Tannin "mothership" and a need to showcase new ideas and botanicals. Well, maybe that's an excuse. But hey, we love to try new stuff, right?

I know that I do.

And it's funny, because I think that even though I fancy myself as this restless "conceptual 'scaper" guy who is constantly evolving his ideas, the reality is that my "makeovers" are seldom that radical- rather, their little iterations that represent incremental changes or improvements over previous designs.

I tend to "stay in my lane", and not stray all that far from it.

I almost envy those of you who can make radical changes at the spur of the moment without regret or a whole lot of consideration.

I often wonder why I play with such a tight set of characteristics- you know, certain wood arrangements, use of specific textures, colors, etc. Although I'm definitely prone to "over-analyzing" stuff at times, it's fun now and then to step out of my own mind and look at stuff as if I'm a "third party" of sorts.

Maybe I have that sort of "comfort zone" that I tend not to push myself out too far from. I mean, I operate in a pretty radical "sector" already- the blackwater, botanical-style. It's not everyone's cup of tea, being pretty different from the conventional, "clear water" aquariums we all know so well. I realized a long term ago that, when I make changes to my tanks, I realize that they are always more like "iterations" of the existing design.

Yeah, the "next steps" are often subtle in nature. 

And I think that it's sort of "baked into" the idea of botanical-style aquariums: We set the stage for what nature does. Rather than trying to create a "finished product", I think those who operate in our arena tend to set the stage and let nature do the rest of the work over time. 

And, as we've mentioned- Evolution, patience, and effort go hand-in-hand. Like many of you- I make changes, but I'm willing to wait a long, long term to let my systems evolve into it's ultimate form.

Disjointed thoughts...but it's kind of what I was thinking about today! Hope you can relate?

Stay bold. Stay restless. Stay creative. Stay motivated...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Some quick thoughts on a slow process...

As we constantly reiterate, a blackwater, botanical-style aquarium requires some understanding and patience, and the passage of time. It starts with our ideas, intent and execution, and then there is a "hand-off" to nature...

It's interesting to contemplate the way we set up our botanical-style aquariums, and how this will affect the process of the evolution of our displays.

You start with a "base" of more durable materials, which, in addition to driftwood (and perhaps rocks, if you're into them) form your hardscape. Then, you complete the scene with a selection of more "ephemeral" materials, such as softer botanicals and leaves.

And of course, as the aquarium breaks in, you will typically see the formation of biofilms, and the "softening" and eventual breakdown of these less durable botanical materials.  As we've touched on so often here, you can either leave these materials in the aquarium to completely break down, or replace them as you feel the need to do so. And of course, you'd leave the more "durable" components in the aquarium indefinitely. 

And that's really all you need to do to let your blackwater/brackish, botanical-style aquarium evolve naturally. Now, you certainly can keep the aesthetics (and likely the positive environmental effects imparted by the botanicals) consistent throughout the "working lifetime" of the aquarium.

You will probably get a feel for how quickly your aquarium "processes" leaves- as well as a definite opinion of what looks best for you, aesthetic-wise. I have come to embrace the more "ragged", softening and decomposing look (I guess you hardcore 'scapers would even call it a "wabi-sabi" look, huh?), and tend to leave my leaves in until they completely break down, and simply add a few leaves every couple of days to add new ones into the mix as older ones break down.

Now, of course, I like dark, soupy water and the "biofilm-on-stuff" kind of look!

No doubt, you'll find your "comfort zone" that forms some kind of balance between your love of the earthy blackwater aesthetic, and the technical aspects (ie; pH, TDS, etc.) of your water that might give you cues to remove or replace leaves and botanicals.

Really, managing your botanical-style system is an individual thing...Other than the typical admonitions to go slowly with additions of botanicals, and to test your water regularly, there are very few "rules" that we proffer in terms of utilizing these materials.

My strongest advice? 

Follow your instincts...I wouldn't necessarily create a detailed action plan; Rather, I'd  sort of see how it goes; particularly if it's your first botanical-style, blackwater/brackish aquarium. Just like your tank- your thoughts on this stuff will change, and your ideas will evolve over time.

And that's about all I have to say on that! 🤓

Quick. Simple. 

Stay engaged. Stay thoughtful. Stay focused. Stay creative. Stay unbounded...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The strange dichotomy of peat moss...

Every so often, we look into ideas which have been around in the hobby for a while and, well- beat the hell out of 'em!  And not all of these little rants are simply railing on stuff like,  "why everybody does it like this..." or whatever.  

No, sometimes, we simply discuss what's on our minds and perhaps examine some long-held beliefs.

With Tannin Aquatics starting to really take off globally, and  (we've been told) making a bit of impact on the overall aquarium hobby world, it's important for us to explore better ways to do what we do, and to evolve our offerings, practices, and ideas as we grow.

With an ever-expanding portfolio of natural materials from around the world for aquascaping and environmental manipulation, we're constantly evaluating the stuff we offer and what it can do for our aquariums...and its impact on the environment. While we preach sustainability and protection, the reality is that some materials we utilize in our systems may impact the natural environment. We've always strived to offer items which have a minimal impact, but we're far, far FAR from being perfect.

One of the questions I have received a lot over the past couple of years is why we don't offer peat moss (in either fine or fibrous forms) for aquarium use. Quite frankly, the main reason I have not offered it is out of a lot of concern I have for the overall environmental impact of offering it.  It's one of those things that directly impacts the a specific part of the natural environment when we harvest it, and that is a pretty big consideration.

And of course, we realize that there are a lot of other alternatives to peat that don't create the same impact on the environment. Do we really need to offer this material? Would it do anything more than simply round out our "portfolio" of botanical offerings- more of a "vanity" thing than a market need?

It's a decision we have put off and tossed around for a long time as we evaluate the "need" versus our desire to offer a more comprehensive selection of natural materials for aquatic use.

For years, aquarium hobbyists used peat moss for the purpose of lowering aquarium pH, creating "tinted" water, enriching planted substrates, and for spawning killies and other fishes. It's easy to use, comes in a few forms, and definitely "works as advertised" when it comes to aquarium use! 

Now, in all fairness to us, the bulk of the peat moss harvested worldwide is used in the horticulture field, and aquarium use likely accounts for the tiniest percentage of worldwide peat consumption. Nonetheless, its use for aquariums has been discouraged in recent years as we take on a more environmentally conscious, sustainability mindset. That's cool!

And I suppose, if it follows the sort of way we're treated by the media and environmental groups when it comes to related issued, such as fish collection and such (just read up on the Hawaii fish collection ban for more on that stuff) . In general, we're the easiest target- the "low-hanging fruit",  without any real significant  "lobby" or industry advocacy for this kind of stuff, so it's natural that we'd be a target.

And of course, we need to self-regulate a bit. And we largely do.

I see no problem with addressing this type of issue.

We certainly need to weigh both sides of the argument in deciding wether or not to use this stuff in our aquariums. And, I suppose one could call us hypocritical because we do, indeed offer materials collected from the natural environment...And everything has SOME impact. We do our best to source materials from people and businesses which respect the environment, but it's simply impossible to be 100% perfect and be in this game...sad, but true.

With that background, let's get to the subject of this piece- peat moss!

"Peat moss" is the collective name given to mosses from the genus Sphagnum, which contains almost 400 species!  Peat comes from bogs, which are one of the four main types of wetlands recognized by ecologists. It's generally decomposed moss that accumulates in these bogs, which is then commercially harvested. This material been used extensively in agriculture, because it excels at retaining water: Peat plants may hold 16–26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species!

Over the years, there has been a lot written about the sustainability, or lack thereof- of harvesting peat moss. It's sort of a "poster child" for the management of precious natural resources, and there are environmental consequences to removing this material from the bogs where it accumulates.

(Image by Boreal. Used under CC-BY SA 3.0)

Although degraded peat deposits have often been restored by blocking water drainage sources, throwing in Sphagnum seeds, and covering them with a water-retaining mulch, it's not that simple a story. Yes, restoring peatlands does help soils by improving water-holding capability; however, the bacterial respiration caused by the decomposition of the mulch and other organics in the restored deposits continues to release C02. According to some studies, it can take several years for the photosynthetic rate of the new peat deposit to beat the "respiratory rate", meaning that there is a net loss of carbon into the atmosphere during this period of time, which unfortunately contributes to the production of greenhouse gasses. 

(Photo by Ed Blodnick)

Now, there are two sides to every story, and there are a lot of great efforts being made to harvest peat in what most would agree to be a sustainable manner. Canada supplies up to 80% of the peat moss consumed in North America, and the peat industry there has put in significant effort to create what they feel is a sustainable resource. According to industry studies, Canada contains 294 million acres- or approximately 25% of the entire world’s peatlands! The Canadian horticultural peat industry operates on less than 55,000 acres of these peat bogs nationwide. According to the industry, the amount of peat moss harvested from Canadian peat bogs every year is nearly 60 times less than the total annual accumulation of new peat moss.

That sure sounds like they're doing something right, doesn't it?

I think so! 

Being good stewards of a precious resource like tropical fishes, we can appreciate efforts made to conduct business in a manner that respects the environment.

So where does that leave us? 

Well, to be quite honest, I go back and forth. I told myself for a long time that if Tannin offered peat products, they'd definitely be from Canadian sources, because the industry there makes a significant overall effort to manage the peatlands.

On the other hand...

Do we even need to use peat when we have so many other materials which perform similar roles in our aquatic environments?

We've utilized a lot of coconut-derived materials, such as "Fundo Tropical", "Substrato Fino", Coco Curls, etc., which are a great alternative to peat, and are far less environmentally impactful. 

And then we have leaves, and items from palms, lots of leaves, Catappa bark, etc.- which, in an aquatic environment perform in much the same manner as peat. We've personally used many of these items extensively to enrich aquatic substrates, and I know many of you have done work in this area as well, with good results. We're particularly encouraged about many of you playing with them in planted aquariums.

One thing about peat that I do like is that the fibrous type lasts almost indefinitely, in my experience. You can use it for breeding fishes, clean it, desiccate it, and use it again over and over. As a water conditioner, I'd imagine that the humic substances and tannins contained in the peat would ultimately be depleted or exhausted after prolonged or repetitive submersion, and it would become more or less "inert."

Again, the fibrous type could perform other functions besides just a spawning substrate or water conditioner after it's "tint-producing" days have passed. I suppose that you could use it a a form of "mechanical filtration media", trapping detritus, etc.  However, I certainly wouldn't purchase the stuff specifically with this specific use in mind.

There are certainly better alternatives to peat for this purpose, right?

So yeah, it boils down (no pun intended) to how we feel about it from an environmental impact perspective, and if there is a real compelling reason to go with peat versus any of the other more sustainably-sourced, less environmentally-impactful alternatives that we offer.

If it's just about "tinting" the water, I'll tell you flat-out that Catappa, Guava, or Magnolia leaves will do just as nice a job, as will the aforementioned materials like "Fundo Tropical." Granted, they might be employed slightly differently (like in a mesh filter sock or reactor, or mixed into the substrate), but I think they offer much of the versatility of peat without the controversy surrounding its harvest and use.

That being said...It's a strange dichotomy, isn't it?

Yeah, it is.

I'll pose the question to you: Is there any compelling reason that we should offer peat products at Tannin? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas, pro or con, which can make a case for or against it being offered. We've looked at this before, but never really got a good "read" on it...so, we'll ask again!

It might be a small thing, perhaps an almost insignificant thing, at least on the surface. However, as we all know, the accumulation of "small things" can ultimately have a BIG impact on the whole picture...

Thanks for your support, interest, and feedback.

The way that we all advance the hobby and protect our world is through discussion and by addressing-directly- some of the more controversial issues which affect us. In the end, we all need to do what we feel is best for our hobby, ourselves, and of course, our planet. It's worth a bit of reflection now and again, wouldn't you say?

Stay thoughtful. Stay honest. Stay curious. Stay passionate. Stay diligent...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The "nutrient trap?" Or just a place where fish forage?

Those of you who read my rants regularly know that I hate over-generalizations about stuff in the hobby.

And one of the most maligned topics in the world of aquarium husbandry is...detritus.

My never-ending war on behalf of detritus continues.

Yeah, you heard me...On BEHALF of detritus!

Seriously.

I know that uneaten food and fish poop, accumulating in a closed system can be problematic if overall husbandry issues are not attended to. I know that it can decompose, overwhelm the biological filtration capacity of the tank if left unchecked. And that can lead to a smelly, dirty-looking system with diminished water quality. I know that. You know that. In fact, pretty much everyone in the hobby knows that.

Yet, we've sort of heaped detritus into this "catch-all" descriptor which has an overall "bad" connotation to it. Like, anything which is allowed to break down in the tank and accumulate is bad.

The definition as accepted in the aquarium hobby is kind of sketchy in this regard; not flattering at the very least:

"detritus is dead particulate organic matter. It typically includes the bodies or fragments of dead organisms, as well as fecal material. Detritus is typically colonized by communities of microorganisms which act to decompose or remineralize the material." (Source: The Aquarium Wiki)

Everyone thinks that it is so bad.

I'm not buying it.

Why is this necessarily a "bad" thing?

I mean, even in the above the definition, there is the part about being "colonized by communities of microorganisms which act to decompose or remineralize..."

It's being processed. Utilized. What do these microorganisms do? They eat it...They render it inert. And in the process, they contribute to the biological diversity and arguably even the stability of the system. Some of them are utilized as food by other creatures. Important in a closed system, I should think.

It's not all bad, right?

In nature, the leaf litter "community" of fishes, insects, fungi, and microorganisms is really important to the overall tropical enviroment, as it assimilates terrestrial material into the blackwater aquatic system, and acts to reduce the loss of nutrients to the forest which would inevitably occur if all the material which fell into the streams was washed downstream!

Stuff is being used by life forms.

Okay, detritus as we see it may not be the most attractive thing to look at in our tanks. I'll give you that. It looks like a pile of sh---.

However, is it always a bad thing? What does it mean? Take into consideration botanicals. 

If you're one of those hobbyists who allows your leaves and other botanicals to break down completely into the tank, what happens? Do you see a decline in water quality? A noticeable uptick in nitrate or other signs? Does anyone ever do water tests to confirm the "detritus is dangerous" theory, or do we simply rely on what "they" say in the books and forums?

Is there ever a situation, a place, or a circumstance where leaving the detritus "in play" is actually a benefit, as opposed to a problem?

I think so.

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 two 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 on the detritus 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.

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. 

Think about the potential benefits of allowing some of this stuff to remain.

Think about the organisms which feed upon it, their impact on the water quality, and on the organisms which fed on them. Then, think about the fishes and how they utilize not only the material itself, but the organisms which consume it.

Consider its role in the overall ecosystem...

Is detritus a nutrient trap?

Or is it a place for fishes to forage in? A place for larval fishes to seek refuge and sustenance in? Kind of like they do in nature, and have done so for eons. Yes, we're talking about a closed ecosystem here, which doesn't have all of the millions of minute inputs and exports and nuances that nature does, but structurally and functionally, we have some of them at the highest levels (ie; water going in and coming out, food sources being added, stuff being exported, etc.).

I think we really need to think about our systems- particularly in the blackwater/botanical-style aquarium world- as little microcosms which replicate- at least on some level, some of the process which occur in nature to create a specialized but highly productive and successful- not to mention, dynamic- ecology. 

There is so much more to this stuff than buying in unflinchingly to generalized statements like "detritus is bad."

It's a mental shift.

A perspective of open-minded curiosity...and a willingness to look at things a bit differently and go beyond the usual and generally accepted ideas on stuff. It's not always pretty. It's not always right. I'll give you that much.

But it's always, always worth considering and exploring.

Keep exploring. Always.

And for our friend, detritus?

Think about it as more than just a "nutrient trap." Think of it as the foundation-literally- of a dynamic and prosperous closed ecosystem.

See where it takes you.

Stay open-minded. Stay unbounded by convention. Stay relentless in pursuit of the actual answers. Stay excited...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

As the leaves fall, the productivity rises

As we all know, the basis of many of our blackwater, botanical-style systems is...wait for it- LEAVES! They make up a huge percentage of the plant materials which accumulate in tropical streams and other bodies of water in these locales, and, as we know, are extremely important to the fishes which inhabit them, providing protection, food, and even physical territory.

What makes leaves fall off the trees in the first place? Well, it's simple- er, rather complex...but I suppose it's simple, too. Essentially, the tree "commands" leaves to fall off the tree, by creating specialized cells which appear where the leaf stem of the leaves meet the branches. Known as "abscission" cells. for word junkies, they actually have the same Latin root as the word "scissors",  which, of course, implies that these cells are designed to make a cut! 

And, in the tropical species of trees, the leaf drop is important to the surrounding environment. The nutrients are typically bound up in the leaves, so a regular release of leaves by the trees helps replenish the minerals and nutrients which are typically depleted from eons of leaching into the surrounding forests. And the rapid nutrient depletion, by the way, is why it's not healthy to burn tropical forests- the release of nutrients as a result of fire is so rapid, that the habitat cannot process it, and in essence, the nutrients are lost forever.

Now, interestingly enough, most tropical forest trees are classified as "evergreens", and don't have a specific seasonal leaf drop like the "deciduous" trees than many of us are more familiar with do...Rather, they replace their leaves gradually throughout the year as the leaves age and subsequently fall off the trees.

The implication here?

There is a more-or-less continuous "supply" of leaves falling off into the jungles and waterways in these habitats, which is why you'll see leaves at varying stages of decomposition in tropical streams. It's also why leaf litter banks may be almost "permanent" structures within some of these bodies of water!

And, for the fishes and other organisms which live in, around, and above the litter beds, there is a lot of potential food, which does vary somewhat between the "wet" and "dry" seasons and their accompanying water levels. The fishes tend to utilize the abundant mud, detritus, and epiphytic materials which accumulate in the leaf litter as food. During the dry seasons, when water levels are lower, this organic layer compensates for the shortage in other food resources. 

During the higher water periods, there is a much greater amount of allochthonous input (remember that?) from the surrounding terrestrial environment in the form of insects, fruits, and other plant material. I suppose that, in our aquariums, it's pretty much always the "wet season", right? We tend to top off and replace decomposing leaves and botanical more-or-less continuously.

Now, of course, where is where I get into what I will call "speculative environmental biology!" What if we stopped replacing leaves and even lowered water levels or decreased water exchanges in our tanks to correspond to, for example, the Amazonian dry season (June to December)...And if you consider that many fishes tend to spawn in the "dry" season, concentrating in the shallow waters, could this have implications for breeding?

In fact, I further proffer that we need to look a lot deeper into the idea of environmental manipulation for the purpose of getting our fishes to be healthier, more colorful, and especially, to spawn. Now I know, the idea is nothing new on a "macro" level- we've been increasing and lowering temps in our aquariums, adjusting lighting levels, and tweaking stuff for a long time.

Killie keepers have played with this in drying and incubation periods in annual killifish eggs. However, I don't think we've been doing a lot of real hardcore manipulations...like adjusting water levels, increasing nutrient levels (ie; "pulsing" adding leaves and other botanicals), manipulating current, dissolved oxygen, food types, etc. 

I think that there are so many different things that we can play with- and so many nuances that we can investigate and manipulate in our aquariums. I think that this could even add a new nuance to biotope aquarium simulation, such as creating an aquarium which simulates the "Preto da Eva River in Brazil in October", for example...with appropriate environmental conditions, such as water level, amounts of allochthonous material, etc.

The possibilities are endless here!

Obviously, there is much to learn, and of course, the bigger question that many will ask, "What is the advantage?" 

That's part of the fun...we can play a hunch, but we won't know for certain until we really delve into this.

Who's in?

Stay curious. Stay engaged. Stay open-minded...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The wonder of it all...

Ever thought about this:

Isn't it sort of amazing that we can create- literally- an entire world; an ecosystem, if you will- in a glass or acrylic box in our home?

I mean sure, part from the “create a piece of nature in your home!” hyyperbole that the industry pushes- think about the REAL wonder here: We ARE creating - or more appropriately- “capturing” a piece of the natural world in an aquarium. A world with dynamic ecological characteristics, changes, impacts, challenges, and processes.

We as hobbyists do it in both form AND function. 

Regularly.

As part of our "practice."

A few of you in our community had a little discussion about this topic, and asked if I could lay down a few tracks on the idea in "The Tint." Never one to disappoint, I couldn't say no, so here are a few of my thoughts!

Aquarists who create botanical-style, blackwater aquariums and biotope systems truly embrace this on a conscious level, and consider many aspects of the natural world in the design, construction, and management of these little microcosms. We're actually creating little slices of an aquatic world which function- and look- much like the real thing.

I think about this a lot when I play with my own tanks, look at the work the talented "Tint Nation" is doing, or just contemplate what we do here at Tannin and in the aquarium hobby in general. 

Unlike people who keep hamsters, mice, birds, etc, aquarium hobbyists actually recreate the physical, chemical, and structural environment of the animals which we keep...an incredible concept, educational tool, and challenge!

As owner of Tannin Aquatics, it's been kind of interesting to contemplate how we figure in this equation- what our role is; who we support- and how.

I mean, we offer stuff which not only brings a unique aesthetic to the aquarium- it has the capacity to help you manipulate the aquarium environment as well. It's pretty exciting, because we cater to a crowd that has an incredibly diverse set of interests- and we see amazing stuff from all corners of the hobby!

The biotope aquarium crowd tends to want replicate the appearance of a given habitat or location, with emphasis on the authenticity or suitability of a specific botanical in that locale. "Appropriateness" and realism are critical.

The pure aquascaper is looking for that edge in creating a memorable visual experience. It's about beauty and art. Living art.

In general, botanicals, leaves, wood all work together to create a very specific aesthetic. It's easy to create inspiring work simply by thinking about nature, looking at the materials available, rolling up your sleeves- and diving in! Not tied to any specific region or habitat, a more artistic interpretation of nature is the goal.

 The blackwater/botanical-style aquarium enthusiast typically has interest in not only the look of the microcosm being created, but the function as well. What we call "functional aesthetics"- the blending of these two characteristics, is an amazing spot. I put myself squarely in this realm.

We attempt to replicate an environmental niche- or a feature/features of a niche, without necessarily being bound to rigid guidelines for geographic authenticity. It's about creating something that replicates a "theme" in nature. 

And, although I make some mental "classifications" of the crowd we cater to (I mean, I'm a marketing guy...), there are many more areas of interest/specialization than just the ones touched on here.

It's clear that the hobby is unbounded- with amazing ideas and creativity and research being done in multiple avenues- fish breeders, paludarium enthusiasts, frog/herp lovers, shrimp keepers, all are part of our community.

Pretty amazing.

We're entering a phase in the aquarium hobby where hobbyists are not content to just set up a pretty looking aquatic habitat. They want to set up and maintain systems that are capable of providing for the environmental, physical, and nutritional needs of the animals they keep.

Nature provides all of this...

We collectively are fascinated by the functions and dynamics of the natural environments from which our animals come. This is good not only for the hobby- but for the natural habitats which so desperately need our protection.

By learning more about how these habitats work, we also understand how they fit into the "big picture" of nature as a whole...and how external factors, ranging from weather to pollution caused by man- impact the function and sustainability of the habitats and the annals which live in them.

As the old saying goes, "We cherish what we understand."

If setting up an aquatic display leads to a greater interest, appreciation, and understanding for the precious natural resources of our planet, and the desire to protect them-it's hard to imagine anything more exciting than that!

That's the real magic. The real "win." And it simply starts with a glass box and taking a second to appreciate the wonder of it all.

Stay fascinated. Stay excited. Stay inspired...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics