thE TINT

the art and science of botanical method aquarium keeping.

  • OPPORTUNITY.

    One of the more remarkable things about the botanical-method aquarium approach is that it offers us a unique insight into the function of many wild aquatic habitats. These habitats are tremendously influenced by their surrounding terrestrial environment: The very soils which make up the substrate, and the fallen tree trunks, leaves, and seed pods present…

  • AMONG THE PALMS…

    One of my favorite parts of the aquarium hobby is learning about different aquatic habitats, and considering the ecology and the fishes which reside in them. This of course, gives me a lot of inspiration for new aquarium executions. That’s what keeps this hobby so amazing! I’m totally fascinated by the floodplain rivers and wetland…

  • THE “BEE’S KNEES”- ER, FINS…THE SURPRISING “BUMBLEBEE GOBY”

    One of the fun things about the aquarium hobby is that we always have the opportunity to find out new things about existing ideas, practices- and fishes! There are certain fishes which we have almost taken for granted in the hobby, yet, for which there still seems to be a lot of conflicting information about…

  • FIDES IN NATURAM …(FAITH IN NATURE)

    Like many of you, I am absolutely habitual about most things when it comes to my aquariums. I am all about continuous, regular maintenance and dedicated husbandry practices-particularly water exchanges, for which there is simply no substitute for, or no valid reason NOT to execute, IMHO.  However, there is one “basic” aspect of aquarium keeping that I have always employed a bit…

  • A CASE STUDY IN AQUARIUM “EVOLUTION.”

    One of the best things about a botanical-method aquairum is that it is a dynamic, evolving, and, well “flexible” environment to work with. By its very nature, the botanical-method aquarium changes- and can be changed- with relatively little effort on our part, while still embracing natural processes. Case in point has been a little tank…

  • JUST ADD SALT…

    Like many of you, I find it hard to stick to just one obsession in the aquarium hobby. And I have pretty diverse interests! As you probably know by now, I have had a long term love affair with the brackish water habitats of the tropical world. Brackish water habitats are among the most ecologically…

  • NOT ALWAYS WET, BUT ALWAYS INTRUGING.

    In the wild, there are numerous aquatic habitats which are ephemeral in nature- lasting only for a season or two before drying up; only to begin the cycle anew the following year. An example is the “vernal pool”, a surprisingly rich, and very interesting habitat. Vernal pools are classified by ecologists as a type of…

  • CRAZY COOL SHIT. PUSHING FORWARD BOLDLY.

    Things are evolving, changing, and advancing in our little sector of the hobby. Ideas are percolating, hobbyists are executing, and “naysayers” are being seen for what they are..“naysayers.” For some reason, I get a lot of questions about myself, my experiences, and what makes me tick. I’m not really sure why, but it is flattering,…

  • GOING “GREEN.” MORE THAN YOU CARE TO KNOW ABOUT USING GREEN LEAVES IN THE BOTANICAL METHOD AQUARIUM

    We use all sorts of dried leaves in our botanical method aquariums. This is a “standard” practice that we’ve engaged in for decades. What about the use of “fresh” leaves- in other words, green leaves cut from trees? Can you use them? Traditional botanical method aquarium wisdom says “No!” The reason typically given is that…

  • NEW TO THIS WORLD. ..OR, JUST NEW?

    No matter where you are now in your hobby “career”- you had to start somewhere, right? Yeah. You WERE a beginner at one point. And think about this- beginners might have it pretty good in the aquarium hobby. Despite their inexperience, they don’t have the “burden of experience” holding them back. There are tons of resources and support…