The Tint

We receive some amazing questions on the art and sconce of botanical style aquariums from you- our community. Today, we answer a couple. Hopefully, some good stuff in there!

One of the best parts of the aquarium hobby is our desire to create, innovate, and execute some of our seemingly cray ideas! It’s how we move forward... right?

With all of the incredible advances in our little hobby sector of late, some people are still not “getting” it.. not appreciating the beautiful simplicity and joy they can take when they relax and trust Nature do some of the work.. they- we- need to give ourselves permission to have fun!

When we are “done” with a tank; hungry, perhaps, to try something new, we’re really starting on a very familiar journey. The considerations about how to proceed during a “reset” are pretty fascinating... and help us review and refine some of the fundamental aspects of the botanical-style aquarium.

What makes our botanical-style aquariums so compelling; so alluring? What is it about them which calls to us? Today’s brief piece is a little (hopefully) thought-provoking look at the thinking behind our work, and the natural habitats which inspire us...

The idea of throwing botanical materials into our aquariums is beyond just an aesthetic experiment these days. Rather, it’s a means to explore the function of the natural habitat. A way to replicate and observe the processes which occur when these terrestrial components mix with water...

When you think about it, when we set up an aquarium, it sort of goes through all of these intersting processes and phases which are sort of analogous to those which happen in Nature, right? What can we learn from these processes and phases (hint: a LOT)..?

There are so many considerations when attempting to replicate the wild habitats of our fishes in the aquarium. Many are things that we simply have to make guesses about.. amd that’s okay!

What makes a great aquascape? Cool materials? Talent? Effort? Well, sure- but that’s only part of it. Perhaps the most important part is something that we need to adopt in our minds.. a way of looking at stuff.. an attitude...a mental shift. A certain “something” that we can all adapt.

There is a perceptible shift in the “high concept” aquascaping world towards what they call “realism”- actually replicating natural aquatic features and habitats in the aquarium.. it’s close to what is needed to evolve aquarium keeping to the next level.. Close. However, there is still room to push the “functional” part of the equation...

There is something alluring about BIG ideas pulled off on a small scale. I really like just executing something very tightly and then- just possibly, “scaling up.” This little review of our “Tucano Tangle” biotope-inspired aquarium is just that.. an example of thinking big and executing small!

Streams are amazing subjects for aquariums.. particularly for small aquariums... with botanicals, leaves, and.. well you know what I mean!

We’ve all got that ONE fish that obsesses us; haunts us- keeps us searching the Local fish stores, club auctions, etc. once in a while, we find it in the most unlikely of places; we score our dream fish.. and we know it’s all because we never gave up the hunt...

We've all taken a few hobby shortcuts. You know, done a few things that we knew better than to try...Tempting fate in the process. And sometimes, we get away with them. Other times, the consequences of these "cheats" are immediate and painful. We often learn the hard way...And its sometimes just as painful to wean ourselves off of 'cheating" as it is when we suffer the fate which meets us when we...

How do aquariums filled with leaves and seed pods and all that decomposing stuff stay healthy and functioning for long periods of time? What gives?

One of the most popular leaves we offer- and perhaps one of the most frustrating- is Magnolia. Hers a little more in-depth look at this alluring leaf and the ins and outs of its use in our aquariums.

With all of the unique aspects of botanical style aquariums- perhaps none are as fascinating as the mental shifts that we have to make in order to be successful with them...are you up to the challenge?

Nature constantly consumes and replenishes. And, as aquarists- we can easily replicate such processes in our tanks... by embracing the concepts of change and consistency simultaneously... By mastering Natures “operating system.”

Is there a more “functionally aesthetic” botanical than the Cariniana pod? I don’t think so! Let’s just look at this one more closely, to give you some good info and clear up a few misunderstandings about this one!

Everyone ask me how to get a deep dark color in their water.. really! Like, what materials or tricks do I use. There are no secrets here- so I share with you my fave botanical choices to help achieve a nice color in your blackwater aquarium!

We’ve all experienced this.. ever had a fish which simply “vanished?” I mean, right there in your tank, happily eating and swimming around one day- gone the next? Why is this? What happens.. up for a good mystery???

When it comes to our botanical-style aquariums, there are so many factors which influence it. Perhaps the most important is stability. And this involves embracing many things, such as maintenance, feeding, and understanding the importance of natural processes-even though they might not fit our traditional vision of a “natural aquarium...” Still interested? We hope!

We have a lot of botanical materials to play with, to help create unique environmental conditions within our aquariums. And the ability to utilize this vast array of materials to benefit our fishes is a tantalizing glimpse into the future of aquariums!

It’s a long-standing controversy in the hobby- abetted lines up at the pet shop in little plastic cups. And of course, this gives the uninitiated the impression that these are maintenance free nails which are suitable for everyone.. is there a way to counter this myth? Sure!

There are so many fascinating things going on in our botanical style aquarium world. To enjoy many of them simply takes time and patience,l. Yet, many search for “hacks”...