The Tint

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, I suppose!

I was talking with a reader just last week who called me a “guru” of botanical method aquarium keeping…I mean, it was sort of an honor. I’ve been called a lot worse, trust me. I don’t really know if I’m a guru, though. An “O.G.” in the botanical world, perhaps…but not some visionary.

I think my role in the emergence of botanical method aquariums arose from me just doing what I’ve always done as a hobbyist: Imagining, planning, sourcing, and executing my ideas. Not much different than anyone else, really. I guess some are a bit more “unconventional” than what was previously out there in the hobby at the time. I did share a lot of this stuff along the way, so I’m proud of that.

I admit, I DO toss out a lot of crazy- and not-so-crazy ideas here. We cover a lot of ground and present and ruminate on some ideas that may- or may not- work in aquariums as well as they do in Nature.

And I try a lot of them, anyways. And so do you- the botanical method aquarium community.

It’s important to push ourselves- and the hobby- along. And sometimes, that means pushing out into uncomfortable areas. Areas that offer a different look, a different function- and the promise of different results and benefits.

I think that this may be the most important function of “The Tint” blog and my personal work.

To help solicit this fearless effort from many of you, who are far more talented than I.

I no longer sell “stuff” for aquariums- what I now “sell” is the idea of trying something different; something new…ideas which might take you a bit far afield, hopefully way out of your hobby “comfort zone.”

Perhaps these ideas and attempts at new things might open up some entirely new pursuits in the hobby. The key s as simple as looking at a natural aquatic habitat and asking yourself why it looks the way it does, how it evolved…and how you could replicate its form and function in the confines of an aquarium.

Your ideas and efforts might inspire others. Perhaps they’ll stimulate some vigorous discussion, a little debate. Maybe they’ll piss some people off. Perhaps, they might simply open YOU up to some criticism from your fellow hobbyists.

As awful as that sounds, I think that worse things could befall you as a hobbyist.

Being original, different, and unique is powerful. It can change the hobby.

It’s pretty amazing to create aquariums or execute on aquarium concepts that have seldom, if ever been done before, isn’t it?

Doing stuff a bit differently is in my DNA, I think…

Someone asked me earlier in the week about how my philosophy on aquariums came to be…I guess you’d say that the ideas presented here are an integral part of my personal “creation story”…deeply rooted in the very essence of being a hardcore, practicing aquarium hobbyist, absolutely tied to the creative process, and (gulp) utterly fearless of trying new stuff.. 

FACT:  You may not know this: I’m the ultimate aquarium designer/builder. 

Really.  🙂

No, I’m being serious!

I know- it sounds a bit arrogant, but it’s true.

I’ve tried crazy ideas no one has ever really executed.

Really.

Built tanks from concepts that most people haven’t even played with: I’ve simulated underground cave systems for Astyanax mexicanus, vivarium-style tanks with tiny puddles of water and hollowed-out moist logs for keeping jumping Rivulus, deep Mangrove mud flats, karsts, temperate tide pools, Micronesian “rock islands’, flooded South American grasslands, bubbling hot springs for the Devil’s Hole Pupfish, etc.

Yeah, crazy-cool concept stuff. Next-level shit…

Built ’em all.

Okay, well, sort of.

Well, not really...I mean, I built ’em…

I’ve solved every plumbing issue, schemed out filtration systems, sourced components, made modifications to tanks…all of that stuff.

Well, sort of.

I mean, I “built” them in my head!

I guess it was Walt Disney’s guys back in the 1950’s that developed the idea of “imaginareeing”– coming up with crazy theoretical ideas and seeing if they could turn them into reality. It certainly brought some cool concepts into the the world..or at least, into Disneyland!

And free thinking outside of conventional boundaries is pretty cool in the aquarium hobby, too, IMHO. I look at what some of you have accomplished-and executed– when freeing yourself from conventionality, and can’t help but smile.

I look at unusual ecological niches from Nature and scheme on how I can pull them off in the aquarium, and what benefits they will bring our fishes. When other hobbysists in the past asked, “Why?”, I was asking, “How?”

Yeah, I know that, by simply allowing myself to engage in some free-thinking, I’ve “designed” and “built” some insane stuff! Stuff which pushed me…and if I was really lucky- fellow hobbyists as well.

Yeah, It really starts with looking at Nature and asking, “How?”

I sort of went through the design process and even some of the “proof-of-concept” for all of these tanks in my mind, without ever spilling a drop of water, before heading down to the hardware store to buy all sorts of stuff!

There is actually a certain “luxury” you can enjoy by doing this.

And believe it or not, I did actually execute some of it over the years; quite a bit, actually. And it was challenging, interesting…and a lot of fun!

It may not be initially as satisfying as just going for it, but for those of us who might be somewhat “DIY-challenegd”, actually “building the tank” in our minds helps us see the unforeseen challenges that we might encounter once we forge ahead.

Plus, it can help you fall asleep when you have a bout of insomnia, trust me!

I’ve had dozens of occasions when I thought of a complex, yet elegant way to execute something, only to find that there was a much easier way that was sort of “right in my face”- the downside to getting “hyper-innovative”, I suppose!

I literally would have “reinvented the wheel” (and not always in a good way, either!) instead of embracing the better, existing solution!

I suspect every hobbyist does this to some extent, right?

I know the truly great aquascapers do it a lot: select and build aquariums in their mind, consciously or subconsciously, before they begin the actual work. And even geeks like me who often hyper-plan, also often just sort of “go for it” based on the idea, even if it’s not fully fleshed out. Sometimes, the execution turns out even better than I had expected.

It pays to go for it!

I mean, you kind of have to, right?

Are there any “seat of the pants” tank builders out there? I mean, those of you who just get a tank at the LFS or where ever, look around for stuff to put in it, and just start building? No real plan…just maybe a thought. A spark…

If you do, that’s a whole different set of talents, and demonstrates a resolve that’s pretty crazy! Not to mention, you’ve got a sense of spontaneity that’s quite inspiring!

Next level.

However, you are definitely square in the minority! An amazing one, at that. Me? I tend to plan…at least a little bit.

One of the things I like best when I look back on my Tannin Aquatics days is that we simply evolved out of me having to solve a sort of “pain point” in my “design process”: For a long time, it was hard to source, aggregate, and work with a lot of natural materials for many of the “alternative” aquarium projects I wanted to do.

I literally spent months trying to source these things.

The whole company arose very organically in 2014 out of my own desire to solve a problem that used to drive me crazy. I never intended to create a business or a movement around it. I figured, if this stuff bothered me– it might just bother some other hobbyists who like to try out new ideas…and might also inspire a few others to play with this stuff a bit.

And I think I was right!

Before I simply lost interest in selling stuff, I am proud to say that we did innovate and get others up and running on this leaf-filled, biofilm encrusted path.

Talented aquarists from around the world took the ball and ran with it…Often, in ways I could have hardly visualized…

The takeaway from the Tannin experience?

It’s fun to take the roads less travelled- even more fun when you have the right stuff in your “suitcase!”

But that being said, I think that I’m less some kind “guru” than I am just a guy who scratches his own itch from time to time and encourages others to travel their own path to execute their own unique ideas. That’s really what I’m all about: Helping you “pack correctly” for the journey!

And being a bit of a cheerleader is always a good thing!

“Estuary”- my concept within Tannin, arose out of a desire to solve some pain points for myself yet again, and gave us a chance to not only give some love to a sort of “neglected” segment of the aquarium hobby- the brackish water aquarium- it gave us the opportunity to properly equip brackish water enthusiasts with a different set of “tools” than they might have had previously- in one place…and therefore, the ability to apply some slightly different thinking and execution to the formerly “white and grey” popular concept of a brackish water aquarium habitat!

I may have been even more proud of that little “side trip” than almost anything else, except perhaps, the “Urban Igapo” idea. There is something about botanical-method brackish aquariums that is just contrary to everything else we do in the hobby.

And it started with a thought…an idea. And a “pain point”, yet again.

I suppose the best thing about  “building” those “thought aquariums” is that you can sort of imagine the process, and visualize not only the finished product, but the potential issues you’ll have along the way- without leaks, rock cave-ins, and dead fishes. You can think through the exotic…and even the mundane– all without needing a single towel…at least until it comes time to execute, that is!

Sure, eventually it does become time to pull the trigger, and when it does, you’ve at least had the chance to visualize some of the more obvious- and maybe a few less obvious- potential pitfalls of your design- perhaps encouraging “edits” before you even start the process! 

My biggest problem always has been the lack of time, aquarium space, and resources to pull off every crazy idea floating around in my mind. I suppose it definitely impacts many of you, too! That’s why I’ve had these “build offs” in my head between competing concepts, in which the “winner” ends up being the one I built. Not the most satisfying thing- ’cause I want to build ’em all…but practicality reigns, right?

What ideas are floating around in that “dream fish room” in your head? And which ones will you bring to life soon?

Keep dreaming. Keep scheming. Keep “executing” on some of those crazy ideas…even if they’re only “built” in the dark recesses of your imagination between 11:00PM and 6:00AM…At some point, you’ll have the means and to make them reality. 

And I’ll be here to help you “pack your suitcase” accordingly. If there’s one thing I can do, it’s to encourage you to believe in yourself and your ideas…no matter how contrary or unconventional they might seem to others.

Cliche’ “graduation-speech” quote time:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  -Steven Jobs

There’s a lot of good stuff to unpack in that oft-quoted passage.

To this end…another story:

I was speaking with a friend a while back, who is a very talented marine aquarist. She was relating to me a sound thrashing (there’s simply no other way to put it) she was receiving on a hobby forum from some self-procalimed “experts” about an approach that she was taking to breeding a certain fish (with considerable, repeated success, mind you) which went against the grain of what “they” said was “the correct approach.” She was told she was the recipient of “dumb luck” by one, and that her approach was “reckless and flawed” by another. And some other things not worth repeating here!

The usual shit.

And the bottom line was that she was successful. Her idea was correct, if not a bit unorthodox. The rationale behind her approach was spot-on.  It was just not what everyone else was doing, or even considered to be a “way to go”…And some people just didn’t like it.

It went against what they held dear. What they felt to be perfect.

Rather than commending her for her success, or even just asking questions– the “attack dogs” came at her, full force.

She was near tears.

Years of work, successful spawns, and she simply was getting trashed.

Just..because. 

Seriously.

I mean, there literally was no other reason. She was an “outsider” to this particular forum and specialty, and “they” didn’t like it. There was simply no other explanation. She came with real humility and was open-hearted about sharing, and received a full-on beat-down because her ideas challenged the prevailing thought in this self-immolating dystopia she had somehow “infiltrated.”

Now, sure, it’s easy to simply say, “Shake it off” and just deal, but that’s an easy way out. Mental toughness is important, but what about the underlying issue which brought this all up? What about the bigger picture here?

This is not entirely uncommon in our hobby.

Fear, elitism, and disdain for outsiders…

I’ve seen this crap before in the hobby. And it’s poisonous.

Time for a gentle ass-kicking, and I might as well be the one to do it.

As you know, I tend to get a bit...”worked up” about some stuff- particularly when people are unfairly negative and so cruel to others. And particularly when it’s not deserved, and focused on friends of mine! You know, THAT kind of bullshit. I’m sure there will be many who take this wrong- as if I am up on some “high horse”, spouting my own form of dogma or hate.

If that’s how this is interpreted, I suppose I might have already failed. If not- please read on…

I think I have a valuable mesage- based on decades of being in “aquarium cutlure.” Yeah, I need to air my opinion here. So, rather than go on that particular hobby forum and make an ass of myself, I figured it might be just as therapeutic to do it here, in the “relative safety” of my own blog! 😜

Seriously, though, this little rant is for those of you who occasionally face grief from the self-proclaimed “gatekeepers” in our hobby. It’s for you to take some comfort in knowing that, regardless of if your idea works or not, the fact that you’re even doing something different, bold, maybe even contrarian– in the pursuit of knowledge and success- is a HUGE victory. 

“Comfort zones” are fine. If your goal is simply to be comfortable. 

However, if you’re trying to do something a bit differently; forging a new direction because you have a hunch or a theory about something, “comfort zones” can often be metaphorical shackles, keeping you from pushing forward boldly…

All of you out there who have those ideas that are perhaps a bit “unorthodox” by hobby standards, maybe a bit “unusual”, even…take heed. 

And keep fucking going…

Just because you reject the “status quo”, the popular, or the safe, doesn’t mean that you’re wrong. 

Just because your idea of a compelling aquascape features soil and decomposing leaves instead of a cliche-ridden “Middle Earth Hobbit-Forest” doesn’t mean you’re not creating “aspirational” work. Just because you’re breeding Danios instead of this month’s “Apisto of The Month” doesn’t mean you’re not talented. Just because you’re specializing in Anacharis instead of Bucephalandra doesn’t mean that you don’t have “plant game.”

Maybe you decided to start a company that sells seed pods, leaves and plant parts to recreate specialized habitats… (Yeah, had to throw the personal reference in there…I took some heat, too when I started out! And I know that James and Ben did, too..).

And you didn’t give a shit what anyone else thought.

Good.

Take pride.

Sure, you could “crash and burn” spectacularly- but you’re doing…instead of sitting on the sidelines and pelting those who are forging ahead with stones- metaphorical or otherwise…

You’re doing something.

I’ve seen this a lot over the years- more in recent months. I’ve had a few friends tell me about similar situations they’ve encountered “out there”, and I say, it’s time for the hobby at large to lighten up a bit. 

As the second decade of the new millennium starts to wind down, the “state of the art” in the aquarium hobby is in total flux. New technology has worked its way into what we do daily with our aquariums.  LED lighting technology is delivering on the promise of energy-efficient, highly focused, “nutritional” illumination. Water movement has become “intelligent”, with microprocessor-based controllers commanding powerful, low wattage electronic pumps to create currents and flow that mimic nature in ways previously unthinkable.  

Okay, we still have unreliable aquarium heaters (hey, I didn’t say that we’re living in goddam utopia, did I? We have a few things to work out still…). Foods based on fishes’specialized nutritional requirements have entered the market that promise levels of nutrition for fishes and corals that were simply considered unsustainable in years past.

Crazy cool shit.

This stuff puts incredible results in reach for even aquarists with relatively modest experience. Maybe it levels the playing field a bit. It helps facilitate experimentation and implementation of ideas which were just thoughts on paper a few years back.

Ideas.

Ideas are always good, even when the gadgets aren’t available off the shelf to support them. Effort to push boundaries is never a wasted one. 

We shouldn’t be afraid to try.

It’s not just the technology that has evolved, of course.

Today’s hobbyist, with convenient access to the latest science, Internet connectivity, and the ever-evolving benefit of an expanding global aquatic“culture”, brings new energy, creativity, and imagination to the game. The courage to break free from convention is more apparent than ever. Marry the progressive hobbyist with groundbreaking technology, and you have a formidable combination.  It is out of this milieu that the biggest breakthroughs and hobby advancements are arising.

Think about it: You can search obscure, perhaps even seemingly mundane facts from scientific papers which might just hold the key to...everything…all from the comfort of your own living room, or wherever your iPhone, iPad, or laptop take you. The whole world of known information at your fingertips.

And those of us who have been in this game for decades need not be afraid. We need to celebrate. Don’t hate on people who are utilizing some of the new advantages to further the state of the art in the hobby.

It’s simply not constructive.

Individuals who feel that the “status quo” of the aquarium hobby is due for a little shakeup are emerging, proffering new ideas, unique methodologies, and new aquariums that are pushing back the “outside of the envelope” of modern aquaristics- your time has come!

And your space at the table is ready.

I’m excited to see some of the amazing work that our community is forging ahead with, despite the curious looks or questions they might be receiving from those who feel compelled to criticize.

The takeaway is that we all win as a result of you brave pioneers.

You’re always welcome here. 

Always. I’ll embrace your ideas, cheer you on…and when you fail, you’ll get the necessary words of encouragement and a push to keep going.

Think about the good that you’re doing. For the hobby. For fellow enthusiasts. For Nature.

Because it’s important.

We as a whole in this hobby are benefitting from this progression, thanks to our open minds, tireless dedication, and the power of the Internet to spread new ideas rapidly. The hobby is changing. For the better. Evolution is becoming revolution, it’s “open source”, and everyone is invited to come along for the ride. 

Everyone can contribute.

And the biggest winners?

Our fishes. Our plants. Our corals. And the natural habitats from which they come. Understanding both helps us treasure, protect, and preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

The fantastic fishes and aquariums we see on social media are but a small sampling of the dozens of aquatic breakthroughs achieved each year, which represent fundamental “paradigm shifts” in the hobby. Some are unique for what they do, others for what they represent, and all for how they make us look at what we know to be “conventional” in the aquarium world.

Constructive criticism is important and always welcome.

Flat-out hatred, driven by reluctance and fear of change- or worse yet, a perception of being “left behind”- is not. No one should be afraid to be who they are in this hobby. To try what they feel is correct- and most important- to share what they’ve learned, good OR bad.

Ever changing, ever evolving, the aquarium- and the hobby- has come a long way from the simple glass bowl form centuries past…or has it?

With the benefit of technology, scientific knowledge, and the skill of a “postmodern” aquarist, perhaps we have come full circle. It is now possible to create aquariums as simple as a vessel containing water, or as complicated as a near perfect re-creation of a coral reef ecosystem. In our little world, we’re playing with some of the most basic things in nature- leaves, soils, and botanicals- fostering an ecosystem from that- and regularly achieving results that may have been eluding us previously with other techniques.

Mind sets are shifting. Old ideas being re-evaluated, reviewed, embraced- or, on occasion, dismissed as unnecessary. The lines between Nature and aquarium are blurring…

We’re not just sitting still, accepting “no” or “not possible”, or “it can’t be done that way.”

Not anymore.

That’s amazing.

The marriage of Nature, skill, information, technology, and creativity has allowed aquarists the freedom to create dreams as never before. Our legacy of centuries of aquatic experience provides us with inspiration for new challenges, new approaches, and new executions for aquariums and husbandry achievements once thought of as impossible, dangerous, or non-sustainable.

Please, don’t cower in the face of those idiots who would like to bring you down, quash your enthusiasm, or simply lash out. There is a ridiculous amount of that out there these days. Always consider and accept the constructive criticisms of those who are genuinely helpful, and flat-out ignore those who proffer only hate and nothing else. 

Be you.

If I could give you one “gift” in the hobby, I’d give you that one.

Just to be you.

It gets really quiet in your head when you do that. Trust me.

Fortune favors the bold.

Do Crazy Cool Shit.

One can only hope that we will continue to push the state of the art in aquaristics, and follow our dreams to destinations once thought…impossible. It’s time to cast off and head forward into uncharted waters, towards destinations unknown.

That’s my “origin story”, and my Magnum Opus for those who need a bit of encouragement…

Now the future starts.

Be the ripple in the water. Move the hobby forward. Ever forward.

Stay undaunted. Stay unfazed. Stay bold. Stay courageous. Stay original. Stay humble. Stay determined…

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman