There is something amazing about going to the LFS and stumbling upon fishes that you’ve read about for years, but have never seen.. or just acquiring that fish you’ve been coveting for so long.. hers to the “romance” of our hobby… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

When we create aquariums based on that idea in our heads- or that natural ecosystem that we’re enthralled by, we sometimes need to grasp restraint. We need to hold ourselves back.. let’s discuss this and other great ways to bring your dream tank to life! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

We as a hobby don’t do enough to share the basics.. there, I said it. We’re too caught up in making cute social media posts without disseminating more than superficial information. There’s a real hunger- and need- for us to go beyond the basics… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

Reversing course, changing direction, and rethinking our aquariums are par for the course in the hobby. When is it appropriate to hold on.. or to switch direction? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

I have thousands of tank ideas. Why am I not able to find execute on them? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

People ask me all the time how Tannin started; what the ideas that drove- and do tie to drive it- are. How lessons I’ve learned along the way validated thoughts I had, and challenged me to improve. And we look at how the mindset I’ve learned on my journey can help you with yours.. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

As botanical method aquarium fans and vendors, we tend to speculate quite a bit about what exactly is in those botanical we use. One thing we don’t speculate about is what they do ecologically when they’re in our tanks… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

Of all of the habitats we play with in botanical method aquariums, few are as compelling as tropical streams. Let’s take another look at streams and the opportunities they offer to replicate them in aquariums.. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

When we eschew ecology, we’re setting ourselves up for difficulties with our aquariums. It’s a lesson learned throughout hobby history. One which, as botanical method aquarium lovers, we need not be destined to repeat! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

There is always risk to trying new stuff in the hobby. There is risk in collecting your own botanicals. Hell, there’s risk in keeping an aquarium, for that matter. Don’t be overly risk adverse! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

I’ve pounded it into your heads before: Our botanical method aquariums are little microcosms; beholden to Natural processes just like their wild brethren. And how we manage them and indeed, perceive them, is as important as anything else we do in the hobby. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

Your botanical method aquarium is an elegant, simple to manage, yet complex ecosystem. It can run with a minimum of intervention on your part. They key is to understand what’s happening, why it’s beneficial- and to make the mental shifts necessary to make it all work. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

For some reason, a lot of people in the aquarium hobby seem to feel that you need to have a large aquarium to be considered a “serious” hobbyist- or a “successful” one. Where the hell did THIS idea come from? Let’s discuss… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

How do hobby practices develop? What makes us do things the way that we do? And why are we sometimes hesitant to change, to learn, to evolve? What kinds of changes have we made in the hobby- and what kinds of changes will we do tie to make? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support

We do this incredible thing- we replicate the function of natural aquatic habitats in our aquariums. And we’ve had to adapt, evolve our techniques, and take criticisms from others to do it. Yet, it’s all worth it.. we just have to look at the “how and why” of what we do sometimes to appreciate it!

Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve talked about tearing fry a more natural way. Fish breeders won’t like this, I’m sure, but for “casual” breeders like me, the idea of incorporating a botanical method aquarium to feed young fish fry is amazing!

The beauty of our approach to aquariums is that they are perfectly optimized for operating indefinitely…if we manage them in a way that’s consistent with our understanding of their ecological function…

We at the stage in our aquariums so to speak. We deliver a “stage” for Nature to perform Her work. We shouldn’t resist this.

We have been preaching for almost a decade about the concept of “functional aesthetics”- an appreciation for the function of natural habitats , understanding that the function contributes to the aesthetics. And it’s time once again to elaborate on my theory..

It’s amazing how adaptable fishes are, isn’t it? However, I’m more convinced than ever that, just because fishes CAN adapt to conditions that are easier for us to provide, doesn’t mean that we should force them to. Let’s discuss..

Okay, it sounds like a bad sci-fi movie, but it’s just a designation given to one of my aquariums..a system that changed my practice and evolved my thinking about botanical method aquariums. Everyone likely has their own “Project 18”- that tank which pushed boundaries for them. Let me share what this tank did for my aquarium hobby practice… then please reflect upon yours…

Our fishes have evolved to consume all sorts of foods. And they often shift their feeding habits throughout the year, as a response to seasonal changes, abundance, etc. And our botanical method aquariums, with their leaves, seed pods, etc. are fantastic producers of supplemental nutrition…

Okay, sounds a bit 1960’s psychedelic, right? But it’s a good descriptor of where we are in the aquarium hobby when it comes to approaching low pH aquariums. By “low”, I mean below 6.0ph. A “frontier” that we as a hobby largely have no experience with. Yet, I think we’re getting to the point where creating and managing low ph systems (ph in the 5’s and 4’s) might become practical. We just have to understand these environments chemically, and grasp the ecology which drives them. It’ll require...

Today, in a special expanded episode, I have a great discussion with Mark Chen of Nature Design Studio here in So Cal. You've probably seen his videos on Instagram and Tim Tok, showcasing his beautiful work. Mark and his partner create amazing custom aquarium displays which incorporate his unique take on the natural aquatic environments of the world. Mark has a gift for being able to infuse his design assets and a deep understanding of atheistic into creating different natural worlds and...