The Tint

The big idea behind small aquariums...Looking into a tiny, yet impactful world.

Part of the art of "being me" is that I love to take some feedback from our community, both in terms of practices and ideas for blogs. The inspiration for today's topic came from a few of you, but was really triggered by an exchange with a member of our community, Nancy Marks, who felt that this would be a really cool topic to play with.

She's right!

And of course, the idea of "nanos" has to start with the sort of "origin story", if you will.  And you KNWO it will be filled with MY "angle" on the whole thing... :) 

One of the interesting developments in the past decade or so is the rise of so-called "nano" aquariums. You know, smaller aquariums, which (oh, and THIS is a debatable aspect) fall into the 2 to 8 gallon (7.57-30.28 L) range or so. 

Now, let's be perfectly honest, it's not like someone "invented" the concept of a 2.5 gallon tank a few years back and this became a "thing." We've had small tanks as long as aquarists were keeping fishes. I distinctly remember using 2.5 gallon tanks when I was a teenager keeping killifish...I remember reading about them in my Dad's vintage late 1950's/early 1960's aquarium books. This is not new. However, it's only in the last decade or two (or so it seems) that the "nano" moniker rose to popularity.

My biased (LOL) opinion about the origin of the serious "nano trend" (Is it a "trend", or simply another hobby "path" to take? That's a good discussion topic, too!) is that this new fascination arose our of the reef aquarium side.

"Seriously, Fellman...You think EVERY recent hobby innovation arose from the reef side!"

No!

Well, maybe. Kinda.. Umm...Okay, well many innovations have...like DC pumps, LED lighting, etc...All this happened while the FW side sort of just "bubbled" for a while, so...yeah...

Anyways, I digress...do read on.

There was a certain "early 2000's" audacity that decided to rebel against the rising popularity of larger reef tanks. In other words, I think that the "nano" idea had it's roots in reefers wanting to "give the bird" to the mainstream reef hobby and take the reef aquarium to a more extreme end. "Let's take something that's new and possibly difficult and make it even more challenging...just because!" And of course, we love to give a name to everything in this game- and "nano" made commercial sense.

And of course, the Industry got a whiff of this and smelled the metaphorical "blood in the water" (i.e., MONEY!), and soon a few manufacturers were offering "nano aquariums" for reefs! Usually, these consisted of a tank with some form of integrated, yet undersized filter, adapted light system, and little else. Not really optimum equipment for a successful long-term "reef aquarium", but it was a start, right?

During this time, a lot of people made a lot of mistakes as they pushed the limits of what you could do in a tiny volume of saltwater...a new skill for reef people, but stuff that the freshwater crowd knew how to deal with for a generation...Of course, one of the things reefers do well is take a simple concept and beat the living crap out of it, adding complexity and technology with the goal of making life easier. So, you saw all sorts of oversized, adapted gear mated to these tiny tanks in order to make them work in a better manner...

Eventually, seeing the rising popularity and the arrival of the "DIY" reef crowd, who started tweaking these little tanks with a litany of pricy pumps, reactors, and other accessories, manufacturers decided to move beyond the "21st Century Goldfish Bowl" deathtraps that many nano reefs became, and brought some real tech to the game, with dedicated, properly-sized pumps, filters, protein skimmers, etc. Suddenly, the "nano" became a serious alternative to a full-size reef tank.

And of course, the freshwater crowd was on board long before, working quietly and effectively with them. There may not have been a sexy label attached, but the concept was well-trodden and proven for some time.

Okay, this exhausting, somewhat opinionated "origin story" stuff now over, I think we can all see that the idea of small aquariums for keeping our fishes in a serious manner is nothing "new", but the idea of "seriously equipped" small aquariums for these types of efforts is something that evolved. Kind of like the first "SUVs" in the auto industry. The concept was around for a while, but the actual "category" didn't really take root for many years...until consumer "needs" sort of "justified" them.

With smaller aquariums comes the same level of responsibility and attention as we find with larger ones, right? In fact, one could successfully argue that, due to their smaller water volumes, "nano" are less forgiving and require more attention to basic aquarium practices and husbandry. I mean, if stuff can go south fast in a 40 gallon breeder, shit gets REAL serious REALLY fast in a 2.5 gallon tank, right?

Yup.

All the "doom and gloom" warnings aside, the idea of nano tanks is wonderful. Besides making the hobby more accessible to people who need to "get a taste" of it without the full blown "mid-size" tank (despite how we feel about it), nano allow the serious hobbyist (hey, that's US!) to use it as a "testbed" of sorts for new ideas, concepts, etc. You could even try a few tanks at once (budget permitting) to test different concepts simultaneously.

Proof of concept work!

And of course, keeping small tanks has a certain "je ne sais quoi" about it, huh?

With our botanical-style blackwater tanks, nano can give us a feel for some of the more exotic concepts, such as deep botanical bottoms and leaf litter beds, "dense matrix" wood assemblages, mud and alternative  substrates, ultra-low pH regimens, etc., etc. Concepts which  might prove even more difficult, risky, and expensive in a larger tank. I mean, with a small tank, you could conceivably come up with an idea, decide to go for it, go to the LFS and purchase it, set it up, and observe it in the same amount of time that it takes you to binge watch a few episodes of "Game of Thrones", or whatever inane drivel is trending on TV these days...

Yup. Easy.

Establishing small tanks is a bit less challenging, in my opinion, because of the smaller size. You can utilize "pre-colonized" bacterial filtration media (filter sponges, etc.) or even "bacteria in a bottle" products, pre-aged wood and substrate, water, etc. Sure, every aquarium needs to establish it's nitrogen cycle, but use of these materials in a smaller system can greatly speed up this process, in my experience. You can't avoid it, but you can help it along. And frankly, you wouldn't want to, right?

Now, the impact on water chemistry caused by botanicals is obviously going to be more significant in smaller water volumes. It will likely take less to accomplish the same thing you might in a larger aquarium. Testing, going slowly, and observing are the keys to success in nanos. And that's kind of a cool collateral benefit of working with nano aquariums: They necessitate careful application of basic aquarium skills, and help us hone these skills, all of which are applicable to a larger aquarium.

And there is that whole idea of "nano fishes", right? Not that these fishes were "bred" or whatever for small tanks, but this is a category of animals which, because of their small size, habits, vulnerability, etc., would be utterly lost in a larger tank, so the "nano" is a great way to showcase them and learn from them!

And of course, it's completely possible to pour large amounts of time, money, and other resources into a tiny aquarium. I know many hobbyists who have spent tons of time and money on this little tanks that would put some of the "mid-size to large" tanks I've kept in years past to shame!  And the concepts that can be more readily executed in smaller tanks is remarkable.

The whole "concept to completion" thing.

There is a certain delight many take in working on these small tanks that can't be overlooked.

This little gallop is just sort of an opening salvo on a topical area that seems to be continuously expanding, and of interest to many in the hobby...In future episodes, we'll discuss more of the art and science of working with these little tanks, some "nuts-and-bolts" stuff, and even some ideas for creating specialized, blackwater/brackish-water, botanical-style aquariums with them.

Interested? Stay tuned.

In the mean time, we'd love to see and hear about some of your nano-tank experiments and ideas. Remember, inspiration is "open source", and everyone's experience is welcome, adding to the "body of work" that is our hobby niche!

Think small...er...big...and...

Stay creative. Stay smart. Stay focused...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The scary hypocrisy of "regurgitation..."

One of the great things about the aquarium hobby is the people in it! The "culture" that we've developed has embraced the idea of sharing and disseminating of information and experience, which is absolutely amazing!

Yet, with all of the "feel good" stuff, there is a "dark side" to this...

"Explain this, Scott!"

Okay, I will!

If you’ve been “around the block” a few times in this hobby, you’ll often hear fellow hobbyists dispensing words of aquatic wisdom to anyone who needs it.

You know, the usual stuff, like “You need to quarantine new animal purchases”,  “Use common sense when stocking tanks”, Perform regular water changes”, etc. This stuff forms the “religion" of our hobby: Core beliefs -or unshakable truths- which we pass on to all those who join our ranks. Fundamental knowledge which we all feel that you need to have- at least- a working knowledge of to attain success in the hobby.

It’s a beautiful thing that most hobbyists are so willing to help out their fellow fish geeks by sharing this acquired  wisdom- a true testimony to the quality of people in the aquatic world.

Interestingly enough, you’ll also see a large number of people out on the hobby forums, websites, at hobby conferences, and blogs, passing on “wisdom” that might be of dubious accuracy and origin- or, at the very least, information that may be generalized and passed on without personal experience in the given area. Classic examples are things like “You can’t keep that fish alive”, or “If you use that technique, you’ll have this problem in your tank”.

Often, the advice is dispensed with such authority and confidence that a typical hobbyist will not even question it.

The scary part is that some of this “advice” is dispensed by a casual hobbyist with limited-or even no– experience in the given area. Advice based on third-party experiences (“Don’t use that filter. This guy up in New York had one of those and said that it nuked his tank”), sweeping generalizations (“Deep sand beds will crash your tank” -a popular one in marine tanks a few years back), anecdotal evidence (Catappa leaves and garlic extract “cure” ich), and even stuff that's outright hearsay, ("You can’t keep_________ long term.."), can really do harm to the hobby, in my opinion, discouraging progression and the desire to try new things.

Yet, you see it all the time…I call this the process of “regurgitation”, meaning the dispensing of advice in an authoritative manner without the personal experience or depth of knowledge to back it up. Although the intention might be good, the result is often that an interested person is chastised to the point where they are discouraged or even intimidated about testing their well-thought –out theory or new idea on how to do something. Getting flamed on forums and basically pummeled into submission by “the establishment” is not good for the hobby.

And it happens far more often than you'd think. 

I personally experienced this a couple of times- most recent was when I launched Tannin 3 years ago- I was "warned" by "experienced hobbyists" (BTW, I've been in the hobby since I was like 4- literally..and I'm in my fifth decade of life...do the math... ) that you can't maintain low pH blackwater aquariums long-term, that working with leaves and other botanicals in this environment is a reckless, dangerous practice, and that you'll have stability issues, pH crashes and eventual death....

I realize that, on the surface, stuff like warning people about the potential issues with some experiments is important. However, to flat-out dismiss ideas without consideration of procedures, practice, and safety measures/"best practices" that have been established by those working in these distant reaches of the hobby is just...well, irresponsible, IMHO. 

Sure, it’s good advice to discourage the guy with a toddler to refrain from creating a  touch tank full of Electric Eels in his living room. or the outright beginner from starting out with a group of rare and delicate wild Discus. Those are "no-brainers."  No one wants to see a fellow hobbyist get hurt, fail, or kill helpless animals (at least no one who is a decent human being!). What I’m referring to here is the outright dismissal of creative hobby thinking.

It's a hypocrisy, IMHO. I mean, progression requires that some initial pioneers take some risks. It's always been that way...

I mean, how do we progress without a few persons making the decision to take the risk and try something seen by the general hobby establishment as “risky” or “impossible”? Just because “...that’s the way everyone does it”, or “It’s always been done that way” does not mean that it’s right.

It just doesn't.

Think about it.

It really wasn’t all that long ago that the concept of breeding some fishes like the Black Ghost Knife or the Arrowana was considered a pipe dream. Now, almost every weekend somewhere in the world you can find captive-bred specimens at the LFS at reasonable prices. Amazing, really, when you consider that fishes like this were once nearly impossible to acquire and breeding them was just out of the question.

Remember when the idea of rearing a clutch of  Discus or "L-Number" Plecos was considered a very shaky undertaking at best? Not anymore. Seems like you can find a dedicated “basement breeder” doing great work almost everywhere you look. Not that the rearing of larval fishes is no big deal- it still excites us all-but the frequency with which it is done is amazing.

Consider coral propagation...Once considered a novelty, the art, spice, and technique of coral propagation has gone from a risky, scary hobby endeavor to multimillion dollar business. Coral "frags" are a staple in the hobby.

Thanks to advances in equipment, food, husbandry techniques, and good old hobbyist tenacity and ingenuity, what was formerly thought "impossible" is almost routine.

My (over-simplified) point is that there is always someone who has to be the first to accomplish something great. Someone who can overlook the negativity and smack talk to fly in the face of convention while taking the road less traveled. This is how we progress. This is how we will continue to progress in the hobby.

Where would we be if an intrepid hobbyist like Rosario LaCorte heeded the ceaseless admonitions not to mess around with the Tetras and annual killies back in the day? Not only did Rosario's tenacity and courage help unlock the secrets of their husbandry, it lead to captive breeding and larval rearing of species once thought to be near impossible to breed in captivity. And more important, it inspired a new generation of hobbyists to follow his lead, for the benefit of both the hobby and the animals that we cherish.

I’m not advocating the abandonment of reason and common sense. Everyone should not put down their iPad and rush out to buy a school of rare Tropheus, full grown Pacus, and delicate brackish-water Pipefish for their 50 gallon community tanks filled with tapwater. What I AM pushing is that we (and by “we” I mean every one of us in the hobby) should encourage those who want to responsibly experiment and question conventional wisdom to follow their dreams.  

If someone has a plan- a theory, and some basic hobby experience, what is wrong with that? Yes, there is the sad fact that some animals might be lost in the process. It’s hard to reconcile that…and harder to stand by it when animals are dying. Yet, that may be the cost of progress.

The cost of not progressing- not experimenting- might be far higher: The loss of countless species in the wild whose habitats are being destroyed, while those of us with some skills, dreams and respect for the animals sit by idly -watching them perish, failing to even attempt captive husbandry and propagation for fear of criticism and failure.  Who knows what populations might soon only exist swimming in our tanks? Who knows what opportunities might be missed if we fail to persue our goals?

Think about that the next time you have the urge to shoot down someone’s idea to try a different approach. Then, think about the future of the hobby, the reefs, and mankind himself. Let’s continue to express concern if something seems irresponsible, and pass on our suggestions and ideas based on our personal experiences.

However, let’s also make a concentrated effort to encourage those with a logical plan to persue it. Let's NOT simply "tow the party line" and march to the drumbeat of "conventional wisdom" at the exclusion of any rational though- or personal experience.

Ditch the dangerous hypocrisy of simply "regurgitating" what "everyone says..."

And most of all, let’s continue to share.

Stay brave. Stay curious. Stay experimental. Stay original. Stay honest.

And Stay Wet…

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

You can't have it all...Can you? Maybe.

If you're like most hobbyists, you're convinced that one of the best parts of the game is setting up a new aquarium. 

And I agree!

And of course, one o the fun parts of this process is deciding on what fishes and plants  you're gonna keep in there! Now, often, aquariums are developed around a "theme"- geographic, ecological niche, or general fish types (i.e.; cichlids, Tetras, Barbs, etc.). Other times, it's a more defined "stocking plan"- a desire to create a tank for ________________.

It's my belief that we all sort of have some ideas in mind before or during the process of setting up a new aquarium...A stocking plan is just sort of how we role...well, usually. 

Did you develop a "stocking plan" for your most recent aquarium? If you're like me, I'm SURE that you did!

I think that, despite how casually we might approach it, we all have lofty plans to stock our new tanks exactly how we want. We get really excited, start adding all of the fishes we planned on...and then, before we realize it...we're full.

No more room for new fishes. None.

Like, how can this be? Why does this always happen? What do you do?

The simple answer, is the fish geek one, of course: Get another tank! Because even a good stocking plan will simply set you up for frustration!

Why? Because, quite simply, you can't have it all.

Doesn't matter if you created a 5-gallon aquarium, or a 500-gallon aquarium. It hits you just the same.

Yup.

Think about it.

We spend all of this time researching each one of the fishes we're going to add to our new aquarium, develop sequences for whom is added when- and so forth. And, for the most part, we execute on our plans pretty well. In fact, probably too well.

Sometimes, we have to wait a very, very long time to acquire that one fish we need to complete our plan...

I've had this situation where I've set up a tank with a very specific stocking plan in mind, only to be thwarted by the fact that the species I was looking for simply wasn't available..or at least, not readily.

And that requires some real "gut checking", right?

Yup.

For many of us, another thing occurs: What inevitably happens is that we look ago our newly-stocked tank, brimming with life, and we're totally enamored...To the point where we wish we added that one more fish...Wouldn't that pair Checkerboard cichlids be so cool? Ohh, can't do it- you opted for a family of Apistogramma instead....

Oh, and those cool Barbs you saw at the LFS yesterday would be so cool..but this is a South American-themed tank, and they're from Asia..It would look... weird...Right?

And a lot of us just enjoy the process of setting up and establishing a new tank so much that we just want to do it again!

So, I submit to you that, from the minute we "finish"- or for that matter-start- a new aquarium, we're actually working on the next one!

Because everything that we couldn't include in this one, we have to add to the next one. It's not that we don't enjoy or appreciate what we already have. Ot's just that there are so many possibilities out there, right? Some new fish- some new concept- will capture your attention.

That's what being a fish geek is.

That is the crux of what we call "Multiple Tank Syndrome." 

I maintain (and YOU will conform!) that it's simply not possible for a serious fish geek to have just one tank. Or, if he or she is stuck with one tank, there is almost certainly a lot of scheming going on, and changes in the setup might happen sooner, rather than later.

In other words, we cope.

Far be it from me to look on this phenomenon with anything but awe. It infects every fish geek, regardless of the original intentions, budgetary restrictions, space, or impact on spousal relations.

It's how 30 tank fish rooms get built, for goodness sake.

"Multiple Tank Syndrome."

Very real. Very challenging.

And very cool.

If you have this- consider yourself blessed.

Your a genuine, 100% fish geek.

Simple as that.

Revel in the title. Relish the affliction. Stay obsessed. Keep scheming. Keep dreaming. Keep building. Get another tank...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Let's start from the bottom...

Mumbling about "mulm"- a term from the hobby's "Golden Age"

I remember as a kid reading fish books. Like, I read all of the ones I could get my hands on.

Some were my dad's (yeah, he was a fish geek, too..it's genetic!), others were from the public library, or my own growing collection. Most were from the late 1950s and 1960's, because that was when the bulk of the major, amazing books on tropical fishes were published up until that point.

They were magical. It was a "Golden Age" for the tropical fish hobby, for sure. And you could sense it just by reading these charming books. You could almost feel the metal frame, slate-bottomed tanks of the day!

I read every book, from cover to cover. Memorized every passage. Savored  every image. Studied each caption. Coveted every fish!

One word I remember seeing in many of these books was "mulm." It was a funny word. A sort of 1950's-60's-style catch-all expression for "stuff" that accumulates at the bottom of an aquarium.

It was- is- quite appropriate and descriptive!

To me, "mulm" is the freshwater equivalent of "detritus", which is used in the saltwater hobby extensively to describe the solid material that accumulates at the bottom of an aquarium as the end product of biological filtration.

"Mulm", however, is a bit more.

I think mulm is also that matrix of stringy algae, biofilms, and fine particles of "stuff" that tends to accumulate here and there in healthy aquariums, What's cool about this stuff is that, not only do you see it in aquariums- you see it extensively in natural ecosystems, such as Amazonian streams.

In the case of a "New Botanical" style aquarium, "mulm" is also the broken-down leaves and botanicals. It's a part of what we love call "substrate enrichment" in our aquariums. As botanicals break down- just like in nature, they create a diverse matrix of partially decomposing plant materials, pieces of bark, bits of  algae, and some strings of biofilm.

In years past, those of us who favored "sterile-looking" aquaria would have been horrified to see this stuff accumulating on the bottom, or among the wood. Upon discovering it in our tanks, it would have taken nanoseconds to lunge for the siphon hose to get this stuff out ASAP! In our case, we embrace this stuff for what it is: A rich, diverse, and beneficial part of our microcosm. It provides foraging, "Aquatic plant "mulch", supplemental food production, a place for fry to shelter, and is a vital, fascinating part of the natural environment. 

It is certainly a new way of thinking when we espouse not only accepting the presence of this stuff in our aquaria, but actually encouraging it and rejoicing in its presence! Why? Well, not because we are thinking, "Wow, this is an excuse for maintaining a dirty-looking aquarium!" No. We rejoice because our little closed microcosms are mimicking exactly what happens in the natural environments that we strive so hard to replicate. Granted, in a closed system, you must pay attention to water quality, but accepting decomposing leaves and botanicals as a dynamic part of a living closed system is embracing the very processes that we have tried to nurture for many years.

Sure, it's a very different aesthetic: Brown water, leaves, stringy algae films, and botanical debris. We may not want to have an entire bottom filled with this stuff...or, maybe we might!

Check your water parameters. Are you seeing surging nitrate levels? Do you have any detectible ammonia or nitrite? Are the fishes healthy, relaxed, and active? If the answer to the first two questions is "no", and the last is "yes"- then perhaps it's time to enjoy whats happening in your aquarium! To accept and understand that the aesthetic of a heavily botanical-influenced system is simply different than what we've come to perceive as "acceptable" in the general aquarium sense.

It's not for everyone.

It's not something that we are used to seeing. However, the feedback we've been getting from you- our customers- regarding the systems you've set up in this fashion is that they have created an entirely new perception and understanding of a freshwater aquarium. They've enabled us all to try a completely different aesthetic experience, to understand processes that occur naturally, which are of great benefit to the fishes we keep.

Since we've started Tannin, we hear a lot of stories from hobbyists of successful spawning and rearing of fishes that have proven challenging in the past. We've hear of hobbyists being extremely skeptical and, well- even a bit turned off by what was happening in their water- and then waking up one day and noticing that their fishes have never looked better- never acted more "naturally"- and that visitors to the fish room are fascinated by the "brown tank" that was recently set up...drawn to it. I've seen this before many times, myself.

I'm not sure why..I don't know if it's simply because these types of tanks are such a radical aesthetic departure from what we're used to, or if it's something more.

Perhaps, we're somehow drawn to their earthy, organic feel?

I'm not sure. But I do know that I'm enjoying my tanks, and so are many of you who have tried this approach. You're having a lot of fun- even with "mulm" in your tanks.

And that's what it's all about!

Stay engaged. Stay fascinated. Stay open-minded. Stay unafraid...

And Stay Wet.

Scot Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

A few simple thoughts on complexity!

I think I might be like a lot of fish geeks…I tend to dwell on really obscure minutiae. I mean, stuff that really, in the grand scheme of things, may not be that important. You know, really obsessing on the kind of plastic tubing I'm using on a pump return, or the origin of that wood we're using in that new aquascape.

Oh, and I make simple stuff really complicated.

Details.

Although my lack of ability to do detailed work has always been a sort of problem for me, in the aquarium world, details are like, really important to me. Strange contrast with my working life...

I recall back in college, I was fortunate enough to land an internship in one of the hottest advertising agencies in Los Angeles- or the world, for that matter, at the time. As an intern, I spent time in a few different departments, even though I was “hired” for my alleged copywriting skills.

One of the departments I was relegated to was called the “Traffic” department (yeah, even the name sounded challenging), where all of the media buying, scheduling, and seemingly mundane (to a wannabe young copywriter, anyways) and intricately detailed work was done. Translation- boring stuff. I remember “serving my time" in that department (yeah, that’s what my fellow interns and I called it) under a pretty crochety old advertising exec, who sort of loved and hated me at once. Loved my New Wave haircut and styling, but thought I was a bit "out there" in the idea department...However, she’d dispense the occasional nugget of ad-biz wisdom, followed by a verbal “backslap” for failing to follow her byzantine record-keeping system. Once of the best pieces of advice she ever gave me was, literally:

“Don’t ever work in this department..you tend to get lost in the details…”

I never forgot that, BTW. I never do ridiculously detailed work...at least not well. And it was a true summation of me as an aquarist too! Who would have known?

Fast forward some decades...

Like right now- I’m working with an "all in one"-type aquarium- you know, built in filter chamber, integrated pump, etc...probably the simplest tank I’ve ever worked on. Like, no real major equipment decisions to work on.

It's turnkey. Off the shelf. Simple.

I love this tank.

 
The innovative Marine "Fusion Lagoon 50." Simple and "idiot proof." Or so they thought!

Of course, it gets a bit more "complex" and geeky from there.

Not wanting to keep it totally “stock”, being the ridiculous reefer that I am, I decided to change out the more-than-capable, yet noisy and generic main system pump on this all-in-one tank for a more sexy and reliable Eheim. 

And most reefers (and freshwater aquarists, too), myself included- operate on two premises:

1) Why keep it stock when you can modify the crap out of something "just because?"

2) You should be able to put something together and get it working without referring to the instructions.

So, carrying on the time honored (aquarium-keeping) tradition of making the simple well... ridiculous, actually-and being susceptible to manipulation by my enabling reef-keeping buddies- I plotted and schemed my "simple" tank.

And of course, the connections on the return are totally different than those on the outlet to this pump, and I don’t want to start drilling out bulkheads and such..so I needed to get some more plumbing parts to adapt this square peg into a round home…Some $40 in fittings and two weeks later, there we were- an overbuilt, needlessly complicated, decidedly ridiculous monument to aquarium-keeping absurdity!

Okay, you get it. And I haven’t even talked to you about how I selected an auto topoff system yet…

An auto top-off system? Me? Scott-freaking-Fellman?

Yup.

It’s the aquarist's "curse."

You're in this game long enough, you just want to do everything some other way, right? Possibly, even the “hard way”, right? And again, I think it’s a product of our “culture” in the hobby.

Another phenomenon- and this did not happen to me this time- but I know literally a half dozen hobbyists who did this: You start working on a cool system, accumulating gear, parts, and big ideas...Suddenly, three months into the project, you completely abandon it for a scaled-up, three-times-as-complicated, twice as expensive, high-concept tank.

Sound familiar? Done this before? If not, you know a reefer who has. Guaranteed.

The "aquarist's curse", indeed.

For some hobbyists, it’s a big part of what they love: Setting up aquarium automation, designing and building complex auto top-off systems, wavemakers, etc. Yeah, a lot of people just love that stuff…And part of me totally gets that.

I mean, yeah, I’m a lot more interested in watching my fishes and seeing them thrive and grow in my aquariums than I am at setting up 43 different lighting settings from my iPhone, (as I recently did, lol).

However, I really can’t fault those who do.

I mean, where would we be in the hobby without these bold experimental types? Besides, I love trying to adapt 6 plumbing parts to do the work of 2.

Although I know my limits...I think.

I’m almost operating "at capacity" when just setting up my lighting (don’t even get me started- that’s a whole different topic for another day..). Regardless of my challenges, I’ll occasionally come up with an idea just hair-brained enough to be considered rather intelligent, like my "hide-the-cannister-filter-in-a-basket" thing...(notice I didn’t use “brilliant” in any way, shape, or form..?).

Of course, many of these "ideas"  we come up with generally involve the unintended expenditure of large quantities of money and time.

 

I just find that, as aquarists, we tend to get really into intricate detail on like…well, EVERYTHING! Like, we can’t just feed our corals and our fishes…We have to utilize automatic feeding and dosing systems. We can’t just put a siphon hose in the tank and drain the water into a bucket like our grandparents did...

Nope- we need to develop an automated water changing system, which makes an easy task more complicated by adding in the risk of technical failure (you think that spilling a little water on your feet with a siphon hose sucks, imagine draining your whole tank..into your garage or basement…I know at least two people who managed to accomplish this with their fancy systems…amazing insurance claims)!

And even with this "botanical stuff", we tend to make it a bit more "procedural" and...well, "complicated", right? I mean, we can't just throw these things into our aquariums...we had to develop "preparation" technique.

Of course, planted aquarium people are serious lovers of making simple stuff complicated, too- right? 

That stuff is every bit as confusing as any reef tank I've ever owned.



The "Aquarist's Curse."

I've got it.

You've got it.

And, quite frankly, if you say you don't, you're lying. Because you own an aquarium, not a goldfish bowl. Yeah, by virtue of the fact that you own an aquarium, you've you've kind of submitted yourself to this absurd condition.

So, I guess it's not really that bad. At least, it's not bad because we don't suffer in isolation, right?

I've enjoyed sharing the many absurdities of what should have been a really simple build with my brackish water aquarium...but it did get a bit more complicated once it got underway...Seems like it's always that way when you're trying to keep something "simple" in this hobby, right?

Simple.

Toss that one out the window. I have to figure out how I'm gonna hang my lighting system now...

Time for a confession...tell me you're cursed...admit it. Embrace it.

Share your stories.

Laugh at yourself. Love yourself, your community, and what you do.

You're cursed, yeah. But you're not alone. You're an aquarist.

Stay focused. Stay enthusiastic. Stay committed.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

The (gooey, slimy, and weird-looking) cycle of life in our aquariums...

So, I was thinking about this the other day:

Ever noticed how an aquarium is so much like the natural world in many ways?

I mean, sure, it's a closed ecosystem in a box, but it goes through so many of the processes which occur in natural waters of the world. Innundation, transport of new materials into the ecosystem, recruitment of life forms, etc.

Fishes live out their lives, eat, reproduce, die in the system. Sometimes, we can't find the bodies of the fishes...and it sounds gross, but nature never wastes anything, does it? Their bodies fuel fungal and bacterial growth, and while decidedly horrifying to us, this process simply contributes to the overall function and "richness" of the environment.

Okay, that's gross, but conceptually...right?

Decomposing botanicals can certainly be viewed in some sense as "bioload" on the system, in that they foster bacterial and fungal action to break them down, and that these life forms respire, produce waste, etc. However, they also contribute to the food chain in our tanks, don't they?

And there's always that biofilm. 

Biofilm.

Even the word conjures up an image of something that you really don't want in your tank. Something dirty, yucky...potentially detrimental to your aquarium's health. 

And, let's be honest with ourselves here. The damn dictionary definition is not gonna win over many "haters":

Well, apart from the unpleasant-sounding description of the stuff, the concept of biofilms and how they form is actually kind of interesting. Not "charming." I didn't say that. But interesting for sure.

Biofilms form when bacteria adhere to surfaces in some form of watery environment and begin to excrete a slimy, gluelike substance, consisting of sugars and other substances, that can stick to all kinds of materials, such as- well- in our case, botanicals.

It starts with a few bacteria, taking advantage of the abundant and comfy surface area that leaves, seed pods, and even driftwood offer. The "early adapters" put out the "welcome mat" for other bacteria by providing more diverse adhesion sites, such as a matrix of sugars that holds the biofilm together. Since some bacteria species are incapable of attaching to a surface on their own, they often anchor themselves to the matrix or directly to their friends who arrived at the party first.

Sorta sounds like Facebook, huh?

(The above graphic from a scholarly article illustrates just how these guys roll.)

And we could go on and on all day telling you that this is a completely natural occurrence; bacteria and other microorganisms taking advantage of a perfect substrate upon which to grow and reproduce, just like in the wild. Freshly added botanicals offer a "mother load"of organic material for these biofilms to propagate, and that's occasionally what happens - just like in nature.  

Yet it does, so we will! :)

Is there a "darkside" to biofilms?

Well, of course.

Like anything else, too much of a "good thing" can cause problems in rare instances. Frightening, "aquarium armageddon scenarios" could play out. For example, in an extremely overcrowded aquarium (or a very small one) with marginal husbandry and filtration, with a huge amount of biofilm (relative to tank volume) caused by an equally huge influx of freshly-added botanicals, there is always the possibility that bacteria within the biofilms can multiply extremely rapidly, reducing the level of oxygen in the rest of the aquarium, which could lead to a dramatic reduction of CO2 being released out of the water. This, in turn, could lead to CO2 levels rising quickly and sharply, potentially causing asphyxiation to the animals in the tank- including the lovable nitrifying bacteria that support it.

Now, that's a true "doomsday scenario"- brought about by a non-sustainably-managed/populated aquarium, improper preparation and rapid, excessive additions of botanicals, and complete lack of common sense on the part of the aquarist, in terms of husbandry.

So yeah. There IS a darkside to biofilms.

If you create circumstances to foster one.

The real positive takeaway here: Biofilms are really a sign that things are working right in your aquarium! A visual indicator that natural processes are at work.

Yet, understandably, it may not make some of you feel good.

First off, take comfort in the fact that this is typically sort of a passing phase, and can take anywhere from a few days to 2-3 weeks before it subsides on it's own to some level that you can live with. Realize that biofilms are present in every aquarium, to some degree.

Yeah, even your "Nature Aquarium", guys.

Welcome to Planet Earth.

And have you ever noticed that the longer you let a tank run...especially in a blackwater, botanical-style tank- it sort of settles down, and gets through these seemingly endless periods of cloudy water, biofilms, generally "dankness" (as one of my hipster fish-geek friends calls it)- and then just sort of "arrives?"

It happens. All the time.

You need to harden yourself to the seemingly unsettling, "dirty", and "funky-looking" phases that your blackwater/brackish, botanical-style aquarium will go through as it "runs in", establishes itself, and evolves. 

It's "par for the course", and if you freak out, jump ship, bail out- whatever you want to call it- during the critical early (and admittedly often less aesthetically pleasing) phases of your tank's evolution, you miss out of so many amazing things.

Stay the course. Don't be afraid. Open your mind. Study what is happening. Draw parallels to the natural aquatic ecosystems of the world. Look at this "evolution" process with wonder, awe, and courage. And know that the pile of decomposing goo that you're looking at now is just a steppingstone on the journey to an aquarium which embrace nature in every conceivable way.

Stay brave. Stay thoughtful. Stay enthusiastic. Stay open-minded. Stay engrossed...

Stay with it...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Full stop. And ways to re-start!

I spoke with a customer the other day who told me that she was taking a "hiatus" from the hobby for a while. After a series of losses and other distractions, she just wasn't enjoying the hobby like she used to. I mean, really burnt on the whole thing.

A Full Stop.

Totally sad.

We've all been there if we've been involved in the hobby long enough: That time when, for whatever reason, you just fall into a malaise of sorts. What used to be compelling and enthralling elicits a little more than a casual nod now and again.

As a lifelong aquarist, I understand.

I'm not embarrassed to say that, every once in a while, my interest needs to be "recharged." What causes this? Familiarity? Lack of progress?  Lack of a new challenge? Apathy?

Not really sure.

What I am sure of is that this hobby is absolutely engrossing, endlessly fascinating, and can be lifelong. I know. I'm a "lifer"- I've had fishes and aquariums in one form or another since I was literally 3 years old- and will until they pry my cold, lifeless body from my aquarium!

It's important to enjoy the hobby- in multiple aspects. The key to keeping it so is to make it "fresh." Yeah, switching it up; trying stuff a bit differently than what we've done in the past. Not only is this "re-invigorating" it can spur your hobby into completely new, and even more engrossing directions- ones you may not have even thought of.

That being said, let's look at some ways to re-energize your hobby interest, should you find yourself in one of those aforementioned "ruts."


1) Re-aquascape your tank- Oh yeah- super easy. And sometimes, all it takes is a slight change of scenery, if you will, to re-invigorate your interest in your tank. Just like putting a fresh coat of paint in a room, there are few tanks that couldn't benefit from a little less rock,more plants, a new hardscape, a re-configuration, or something entirely different. 

2) Re-configure systems that create maintenance issues- Are you driven crazy every time you try to access a filter for routine maintenance? Is it next to impossible to dial down the ball valve on that reactor because the body of your protein skimmer gets in the way? Heater in an annoying location? Need another power strip in the stand? Stuff like this- access and "user friendliness" issues- can really put a damper on the enjoyment of your tank.

So, perhaps now is the time to re-configure and rework those pesky access issues once and for all!

3) Grab that new fish that you've been coveting, even if it means trading or giving away something else to make room- Yup, if you want that crazy new Aulonocara but just don't have the real estate for it, it may be time to donate or trade some fishes to another hobbyist, donate to the club raffle, or to a school that would appreciate them! Sometimes, the key to enjoying the hobby even more is to simply acquire that fish that you've been drooling over for the past year. And the trade-offs? Well, they're usually worth it..Trust me on that!

4) Help a fellow aquarist get his/her tank up and running- Remember the burst of excitement you felt when you set up your first tank? Experience it- if only vicariously- through another hobbyists just getting started! Take pleasure in his or her awe as they watch their first Pleco, attach their first Anubias to their woodwork, clean their canister filter for the first time (okay, well, maybe not!), or any number of a hundred little things that you take for granted, but are an endless source of wonder to the neophyte. It just might rekindle your love four the hobby more than ever! (even if the smell of used filter pads never did anything for you!)

5) Try something totally different- You've always thought it would be cool to create a tank devoted only to Shell-dwelling Lake Tanganyikan cichlids, wild Bettas, Amazon Leaf Fish, etc. Well, maybe now is the time to cut loose and try it. Or, if space and funds are an issue, perhaps you should consider a total "do-over" of an existing tank, re-booting it as one of these "pipe dream" projects. It could change your entire outlook on the hobby!

6) Give fish breeding a shot- Sure, why not? There is a reason why so many hobbyists are breeding fishes in their homes. Not only is it fun, challenging, and educational- it will reduce dependency on wild-collected fishes for the long-term good of the wild biotopes- and the hobby/industry. There are literally hundreds of fishes which have not been bred in captivity to any great extent that you can choose from to focus your breeding project on. And the secrets you unlock during your efforts will benefit hobbyists all over the world when you share them.

 7) Automate- Ok, I know I'm like the last guy you turn to for tech advice, but even I appreciate the simplicity and control that a well-thought-out automation system can provide. Imagine if some of your fish room  workload" was reduced? Think of the savings in time,effort, and cash that could result. There are many different controllers and aquarium automation systems out there- and as many ways to configure them as there are hobbyists! Not long ago, I installed a couple of simple auto top systems on  my tanks, and they literally changed my life! I couldn't believe that it took me so long to try one! Don't be afraid like i was- unleash your inner "tech-head"-and there is a lot of support out there on the forums if you need it!

8) Share your experiences- really, it's almost therapeutic for me to get up every morning and throw down on the computer whatever happens to be on my mind about aquairum-keeping. Sure, some of my blogs are more interesting, insightful, and popular than others, yet they all provide me with some sort of psychological benefit- and many of you tell me that you enjoy reading them, too, so it's all good. Try it- it's a lot of fun, and if you're not careful, you might enjoy it!

9) Join (or start) a club- Wanna commiserate, share, and bounce ideas off of fellow fish geeks? What better way to do that than to join group of like-minded people who understand your obsession! No club in your area? Start one! You'll be surprised what kinds of amazing experiences and friendships can develop from clubs! One of my favorite things to do is talk in front of clubs, see the friendships and closeness..it's way cool!

10) Take a break- What? you're telling me to step away from the hobby? Yup. Sometimes, it's the best- or even the only way to rekindle that fire you once had. It's extreme, and the thought of a quiet house, with no worries about pH swings, feeding, water changes, or pruning plants may seem awesome for a while. If the fish-keeping obsession has bitten you hard- and I'll bet it has-you'll want back in way sooner than you expected. Those of us who are "lifers" just can't keep away. If you don't miss it, there is a very good chance that stamp collecting, Sudoku, role-playing games, or some other diversion is in your future-at least for a while!

Okay, so I've given you a few ways to get your fishkeeping "groove" back. I'm sure many of you out there can think of a few more. I'd like to hear them, as would your fellow hobbyists.

Remember, we can't always be stoked on every aspect of the hobby 100% of the time. Sometimes, we just get burnt on the whole thing. That's understandable. The important thing is that you don't lose sight of the whole love affair that you have with the whole world of aquairum-keeping, and that you at least make an effort to rekindle the flame that may have been flickering out within you.

Stay stoked. Stay engaged. Stay creative. Stay curious...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Mission: Mud... A place for Freshwater, brackish, reef geekiness!

I'm sort of continuing my obsession with mud in aquarium substrates. For all of the "weirdness" about it, the use of mud and sediment seems to have so many interesting applications, aesthetic nuances, and potential ecological benefits for the aquarium.

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

Well, did it? 

Now here we are, in the fading years of the 2nd decade of the new millennium, and I think that it’s time to resuscitate the idea of using mud in our  aquairums- reef  and otherwise- again in some capacity. And I’m thinking not JUST the refugium, in the case of reef tanks. I’m talking about the display! I know a lot of planted tank enthusiasts have used "mud" in so-called "dirted" planted tanks with much success, and I think there is more to it. My recent brackish-water obsession has seen me make liberal use of such sediments, and I'm thinking that there is much room for experimentation in other types of freshwater and- yes, reef aquariums.

Now, I realize that a lot of reefers will disagree with my thinking, and duly advise that sand and mud and sediment can become “nutrient sinks” and work against the smooth operation and long term prosperity of a reef. The operative word here, IMHO- is CAN. I mean, even water exchanges can be problematic if poorly executed, right? So I think it might be worth looking at how a well-managed mud/sediment/sand bed could help support a healthy, diverse closed reef ecosystem.

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

Hmm...

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

In a freshwater aquarium, I think that you'd have a lot more interesting possibilities, with plants and "complete" ecosystems being more commonly modeled.

We have offered a few different substrate "enhancement" materials, like "Fundo Tropical" and "Substrato Fino", which are perfect for just this purpose- and sort of mimic aspects of the function and appearance of wild aquatics substrates.

And of course, the cautions are warranted. A poorly maintained "muddy" or "sediment-heavy substrate, without some creatures present to stir up the upper layers, can prove problematic if detritus and organic wastes are allowed to accumulate totally unchecked, right? And there is the so-called “old tank syndrome” , postulated by aquarists who suggest that after some point in a aquarium system's "operational lifetime" (whatever that might be!) the bacteria population within the system (likely the sanded) is depleted somehow and/or no longer has the ability to keep up with the accumulations of organic waster products, and that phosphates and such are released back into the system.

Is that always the case? Do we have enough aquarium work under our collective belts to really make this conclusion?

Not sure.

I am probably being a bit biased, but I have a real problem with that theory.

I just don’t see how a well-managed aquarium declines over the years. I’ve personally maintained one reef tank for 12 years, and one freshwater tank for 16 years straight and never had these issues. Other aquarists have had similar- or better experiences, too. I’m not saying to nominate me for sainthood or anything, but I will tell you that I am a firm believer in not overstocking my tanks, utilizing multiple nutrient export avenues (protein skimming, activated carbon, use of macro algae/plants, and weekly water exchanges).

There is no magic there.

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

Which to me, is the best part of aquarium keeping!

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

Let’s hear your thoughts on the idea of mud/sediment, and how the best parts might be incorporated into a “second decade” twenty-first century aquarium- freshwater, brackish, or reef!

Stay bold. Stay curious. Stay engaged. Stay open-minded…


And Stay Wet.


Scott Fellman 

Tannin Aquatics 

Geeking about online...

Like you, I spend a fair amount of time on aquarium hobby forums. I like to see what everyone is up to; to  get a real "pulse" on the state of the hobby. Let's face it- there is a lot of good and bad information out there, and you get a good feel for all of it by looking at aquarium hobby forums. And you can often get inspiration, confirmation about an idea you had, or maybe you just realize that you're perhaps not as hapless and clueless as "the masses..."

And over the years, I've found that the posts I see always seem to fall into a few clearly defined categories:

1) "Anyone ever try ___________  Instead of_________?" (the eternal hobbyist's quest to find a hack and save money!)

2) "My 40 gallon tank has been set up two weeks. Can I add a pair of Tiger Datnoids now?" (The typical post from a new hobbyist who has done no homework at all, looking for validation for an absurd idea)

3) "Check out my new__________." (We like to share our new purchase, particularly if it's a brand new product to the market.)

4) "__________________'s  50-gallon SA cichlid biotope tank build!" (The best posts, IMHO, because everyone likes to see cool tanks, right?)

5) "I'm ready to give up! Can't keep fish alive, and algae is covering everything!" (Someone didn't research husbandry and the process of starting a new tank. No excuse in this "everything-you-need-is-on-the-internet" or 'JFGI'- Just F------ Google It! age. Lazy.)

6) Anyone keep ________________? (Super cool, because it's fun to hear about others' experiences with a certain fish or plant. The best way to use the forums, IMHO, because you can get "real-world" information from real hobbyists!)

Now, sure, you could say I'm oversimplifying it just a bit, but if you spend a lot of time on the forums, I think my "findings" will be validated. :)

There is a lot to be said for trial and error, but with free time (even for hobbies) seemingly more limited for everyone each year, and more and more pressure on the wild habitats, it's a really nice thing for us to be able to get some great "real time" information about that "dream fish" we're thinking about keeping.

Just like having hundreds of thousands of friends to consult!

Visiting online forums gives you a real feel for the "state of the hobby", doesn't it? The interesting thing about forums is that you get a snapshot of the full "range" of hobbyists, from flat-out beginner to super advanced, and everything in between. Not only can you spot some "trends" (yikes, I hate that word, yet it's applicable), but you can identify problems that seem to affect everyone at some point or another in their "fishy career."

This makes it kind of a great study. Really good for marketers, writers, and anyone who has more than a passing interest in the hobby/industry.

And one of the things that I've noticed is that there are hobbyists who've tried seemingly almost everything at one point or another! Like, no matter how obscure or weird you idea might seem in the surface, there always seems to be at least one other hobbyist somewhere who has tried, or is thinking of trying- something similar!

And that is really cool. 

We need to communicate and share and learn from the experiences of our peers. And it's never been easier to do this than now!

So get out there! You never know what you'll learn when-you go geeking about online!

Stay engaged. Stay curious. Stay excited. Stay bold...

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics