The Tint

We set the scene.. Nature fills in the details, evolves it, and determines its ultimate outcome. We as aquarists who play with the natural, botanical-style aquarium have our place... and we need to understand our role in the grand scheme here!

There is something amazing about the aquarium world that enables us as aquarists to learn something entirely new virtually every single day. If we take a humble, open-minded approach, the stuff we can learn- and the potential advances we can make- is unlimited!

Those times in the past when I may have unintentionally let some of those planted aquariums “fend for themselves” for periods of time have given way to more advanced, planned concepts.. and they’ve worked well! Is it perhaps time to consider a return to “The Jungle?”

Don’t ever, EVER let “them” tell you your aquarium is no good...

We love serving our customers at Tannin Aquatics. Every once in a while, it’s good to have an honest discussion about how we roll and what to expect when working with us. It’s good for everyone! Here’s the brutal honesty behind “The Tint.”

We seem to develop a lot of “rules” around stuff in the hobby. I know that I have., it can be silly, too. Bending “rules” often results in hobby advancements. But it’s fun to think about how such “rules” get started in the hobby!

I’ve thought about the idea of preserving a bit of the stuff we refer to as “mulm” or “detritus”- because it can be shockingly useful to our animals! Yes.. hear me out on this!

There is something fun about making “edits” to our botanical-style aquariums and evolving then into something far different than what they were before. Yet, creating a “functionally aesthetic” world for our fishes relies on a lot of factors- all of them present in Mature!

There is something irresistible about vernal pools and the annual killifishes and other life forms which live in them. Imagine recreating this unique ecological niche in the aquarium!!!

Blackwater aquariums and botanical-style aquariums are becoming more and more common everyday. And with this new excitement often comes the desire to transition a “traditional” tank into one of these systems. Here are some thoughts on how to do it!

We walk a line between function and aesthetics in our world. And understanding the influences which affect it is only part of the game. Let’s examine the “aesthetics of water” for just a bit...

As aquarium hobbyists, we acquire lots of “unique” skills! Well, SOME of us do...there’s a long list of stuff in the hobby that I suck at. Here are just a few. Can you relate?

The aquarium hobby- especially our sector- has benefited from the merger of tech and technique. Allowing tech to supersede technique doesn’t always work out right. This is why we never overlook Nature’s embrace!

As we get further into the idea of replicating a “365 Dynamic” in the aquarium, it’s time to fill in a few details on the concept and the process!

Africa is amazing. The diversity of its existences remarkable. Killifishes, many of which come from Africa, are under appreciated in the hobby. Could replicating the compelling habitats themselves be the key to making killies more popular in the hobby?

The aquarium hobby loves to talk about “balanced” aquariums. And I can’t help but wonder if every aquarium is, to some extent, “balanced.” Today’s podcast is a tale of mental shifts- of acceptance, transience, and growth. Having faith in Nature by attempting to understand and appreciate Nature- regardless of appearances...

Yes, there is more to a layer of sand, leaves, and bits of botanicals in the aquarium than just a pretty “look.” There is a function and an elegant biodiversity aspect that we are only beginning to appreciate!

The hobby is truly a journey. And the best journeys start with not only knowledge of-and a desire to get to- the destination, but with an understanding of what it takes to get there. In the aquarium hobby, it seems that many have tried to run before they learned to walk. We can fix this- for the future of the hobby. Here’s how.

There is something utterly compelling about the little books and crannies in Nature where roots, branches, leaves, and sediments accumulate. Fishes are drawn to them- as are fish geeks! So, why not replicate them in functional detail in the aquarium?

Much like our obsession with botanical-style blackwater aquariums, the charms of brackish water ecosystems are irresistible to us! Studying the form and function of these habitats unlocks a ton of secrets- and parallels some of our freshwater work! Time to look at brackish- from the bottom up!!

A tree falls in the forest. Water comes, inundating the habitat. Fishes follow, exploring this newly aquatic habitat. How can we replicate the function of this process in the aquarium?

Let’s keep at our 2020 theme of cutting through the clutter of misinformation that’s out there in botanical-style aquariums! In today’s podcast, we look at some of the most common “myths” out there about these types of aquariums and look at the facts! Great for sharing with friends eager to jump in to this cool hobby speacialty!

Of all of the fishes that we play with in the hobby, perhaps none has been as widely misunderstood as the molly- or the group of fishes that we collectively refer to as “mollies!” Are they BRACKISH fishes? Well, yes- and no. Let’s unravel, at least a tiny bit- the “molly mystique” and try to get to the truth!

We need to stop being so hardcore in our “interpretations of Nature” and appreciate the effort-and passion- that helps create them. Time to call out the BS of dogmatic thinking and get back to having FUN!

Yeah, it’s time to let go of some old notions. It’s time to think about stuff like our old friend, detritus. By looking at this stuff as an important, even vital part of Nature- and the aquarium.