The Tint

I have been reflecting lately upon my aquarium hobby philosophy. Thinking about what it is that drives the kind of work that I do with my tanks. And I’ve started to arrive at a definitive way of looking at things after a lifetime of playing with aquariums:

I believe that we, as aquarists- when at our best- are curators.

We guide our aquariums in their evolution, giving each and every animal a chance to become unmistakingly itself. It sometimes involves making choices about what stays and what goes- indeed, curating.

When it comes to botanical method aquariums, I’ve often forsaken using a whole variety of botanicals for a select few- certain leaves, twigs, etc. I remember worrying in the past about not using all of the abundance that was at my disposal, thinking I was somehow missing out on something by not using 15 different types of botanicals in one aquarium.

However, I came to realize that, given the passing of time, and the work of biofilms, fungal growths, and decomposers, any perceived lack of variety is always quickly forgotten as Nature does Her work, evolving the ecosystem within the aquarium.

The botanicals, leaves, and wood in our systems provides a “structure” within it. The fishes provide animation and movement, and the passage of time provides beauty. My goal is not to control my aquariums. Rather, it’s to set the stage for Nature to follow her path. If anything, I’m there to guide the aquarium’s evolution through thoughtful selection of materials, patient observation, and gentle “editing” if needed.

But that’s really it.

In a hobby that often celebrates the newest fish, plant, latest “style” of aquascaping, or this year’s ‘scape contest winner, I firmly believe that we should celebrate something much harder to achieve:

Maturity.

An aquarium where everything within it works to create an ecological whole. A system where every organism is given an opportunity to work with the habitat which we’ve created. Ecological maturity. Stability.

A celebration of life, transience, and often times, ecological “restraint” on our part. Just allowing Nature to do Her work with a minimum of intervention on our part. She’s pretty good at it, too…Amazing what billions of years of practice can do, huh?

We construct curated, highly thoughtful ecosystems, and if we give them the proper time, space, and attention- and if we exercise restraint—they blossom beyond our expectations.

Today’s simple thought…

Stay thoughtful. Stay curious. Stay observant. Stay creative.

And Stay Wet.

Scott Fellman