The Tint
722 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 24 ratings"The Tint" is a podcast dedicated to lovers of natural aquariums. A place to discuss unusual aquarium concepts and ideas; a jumping-off point at the aquarium hobby's "bleeding edge." Join us for inspiration, ideas, and a sometimes provocative point of view! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
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Episodes
Welcoming the unexpected…and Resisting the urge to Overthink!
May 12, 2022 00:28 - 19 minutes - 15.9 MBAs fish geeks, we tend to over think. A lot. We freak out. We worry.. and we scheme. We MUST get to the bottom of every “problem.” Commendable, but is it always necessary? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Perpetual Darkness?”
May 08, 2022 01:47 - 27 minutes - 22.1 MBOkay, it’s been a long time since we covered that most superficial aspect of botanical method aquariums…the characteristic that our podcast is named after: The tint! Let’s discuss what creates it, how it impacts our fishes, and how to create and manage it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Fresh and New…And YOU.
May 02, 2022 16:04 - 15 minutes - 12.1 MBYeah, it happened again: Someone hit me up for advice on how to get more “cred” on social…as if I would know.. but the ensuing conversation uncovered a common, rather detrimental problem that we encounter within the hobby: the desire to be “accepted” by others. Let’s talk about this. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The “Crowd?” or, just the Community?
April 25, 2022 23:18 - 29 minutes - 24 MBStocking aquariums is a fun thing. It’s been guided by long-established hobby philosophies and practices. And of course, I believe that some of these philosophies- good and logical though they may be- are not the ONLY way to approach stocking your tank. Like, is there a way to add way more fishes than “conventional aquarium wisdom” advocates- and to do it sustainably and responsibly? I believe that there is. Fasten your seat belts; this might get a little bumpy! --- Support this podcast: h...
Finding your own lane: The real “mental shift…”
April 21, 2022 19:03 - 14 minutes - 11.7 MBTodays episode is an appeal for a healthier attitude in the aquarium hobby. A call to those who are afraid to do and share their unique work, for fear of criticism from “them.” Understand the enormous satisfaction and happiness that can come your way if you find- and stay- in your own “lane” in the hobby and do what YOU love… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The filter you use…The filter you have.
April 20, 2022 17:09 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MBWhat’s the best filter for a botanical method aquarium? Our discussion today addresses this oft-asked question…And our conclusion will likely NOT surprise you. Or, will it? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
A fine “mess.”
April 20, 2022 01:33 - 10 minutes - 8.28 MBThe idea that the botanical method of creating and managing aquariums is “messy” is one of those things that we hear from time to time from those who simply don’t get it. And it is always a good time to ask ourselves why this is… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Is it “good enough?”
April 14, 2022 17:41 - 9 minutes - 7.54 MBAre you the flexible, yet consistent type of aquarist? Or “wild and wooly”- totally spontaneous? Or more of a reserved, analytical type? Can you evolve? Do you want to? Is “good enough” truly good enough for you, or do you need a higher level of analysis to determine that? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Quick Hit: The “School of rock?”
April 14, 2022 17:28 - 8 minutes - 7.71 MBIn this very quick hit, we try to open up a conversation about understanding what “blackwater” really is.. Spoiler- it’s not caused by leaves… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Working with “The Establishment”
April 13, 2022 00:20 - 17 minutes - 14.3 MBYeah, we’ve been talking a lot about the processes and expectations during the establishment of our botanical method tanks.. let’s close the circle a bit and talk about another mental aspect of these tanks… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Walking Away- a Study in Mental Toughness
April 08, 2022 17:58 - 9 minutes - 7.73 MBA new botanical method aquarium goes through some unique stages as it establishes itself. It challenges our expectations and aesthetics sensibilities. It defused us to a Indian what we know and to embrace a process.. can you do it? Do you have the patience and the mental toughness to persevere? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Heading to the bottom.. again!
April 08, 2022 02:50 - 18 minutes - 14.6 MBLet’s face it, substrates have never gotten the attention that they deserve! As botanical method aquarium enthusiasts, we’re really into the idea of a substrate “enriched” with botanical materials. Let’s revisit the “hows and whys” of this idea! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
How it all works.
April 05, 2022 19:58 - 18 minutes - 14.9 MBThe “botanical method” is a little bit different from virtually every other approach to freshwater aquarium keeping. We value stuff, like fungal growths and biofilms, to power the ecology of our tanks. How does it all work? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
A “Clean Start?”
March 29, 2022 22:49 - 9 minutes - 7.76 MBOkay, I’m on a roll about starting new tanks for some reason. Today, can we just talk about our collective obsession with “clean” in our tanks. Like, if you don’t rinse your sand thoroughly, or soak your driftwood for weeks before adding it to your new aquarium, what will happen? Is it a food day scenario? A recipe for failure? Or a “hack” on the way to a biologically diverse, ecologically stable botanical method aquarium. Let’s talk about this a bit! --- Support this podcast: https://podc...
More “early days” musings…
March 29, 2022 22:35 - 11 minutes - 9.16 MBThe earliest phases of our botanical method aquariums play a profound role in determining how well they’ll function over their lifetimes… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Your first look at the botanical method…
March 29, 2022 00:14 - 13 minutes - 10.9 MBThe “botanical method” aquarium follows a certain predictable path as it evolves. Yet, to many who are new to this approach, it can be a bit confusing and so different than what the hobby labels as “normal.” Let’s take a brief look at what to expect in the art days of your botanical method aquarium… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Evolution. Patience. Time. The first Mental Shift.
March 28, 2022 23:49 - 4 minutes - 3.99 MBPart of what we do in the botanical method aquarium world is to accept Nature’s work- even the parts which may not look the way we might like them…accepting this is one of the first “mental shifts” we need to make… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Growing, maturing…Evolving!
March 24, 2022 22:38 - 14 minutes - 11.8 MBA botanical method aquarium “evolves” over time. In its own way, it establishes an ecological system which supports the life forms within the aquarium. It matures amd thrives…with a little help from you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“The ephemeral pace…”
March 21, 2022 22:46 - 10 minutes - 8.73 MBBotanicals and botanical method aquariums are the very definition of “ephemeral”, aren’t they? Let’s talk about this idea, in the context of managing a botanical method aquarium… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Field Work”
March 21, 2022 22:21 - 10 minutes - 8.75 MBThere is a lot of cool “citizen scientist”-type observations that we can do in our botanical method aquariums. Observation which correlates what ecologists observe in the wild aquatic habitats we love so much. Yeah, time for us as a community to do a little “indoor field work!” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Because you asked…Stuff I despise in the hobby…
March 18, 2022 21:43 - 14 minutes - 11.3 MBYeah, I’m going to get some hate.. but someone asked about what I think the worst piece of gear in the hobby is. Those of you who are fans of “The Tint” will know the exactly what I’m going to say- “glassware!” This won’t be pretty. Pour yourself a cocktail as I bring on the hate! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
How Scott got his groove back…
March 17, 2022 21:47 - 11 minutes - 9.31 MBAn industry friend, perhaps a bit caught up in the day to day running of his aquatics business, asked me how I stay “in the game”- how you can be a hobbyist when you’re so immersed in the biz.. it made me think- back to a time-just for a while- when I was more of a “clinical” hobbyist- not actually keeping my own tanks, but active in the hobby- and how lost that felt.. and how I got it back! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Tips and tricks? Sure, why not!
March 17, 2022 18:56 - 19 minutes - 15.8 MBWell, some of you have asked about my fave suggestions for successful (botanical method) aquariums, so I thought I’d drop a few today! Many are practices and ideas you probably already employ, but it’s never bad to review some of our hobby “best practices” from time to time! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Bending the rules?
March 15, 2022 23:23 - 15 minutes - 12.2 MBWe seem to love “rules” in the aquarium hobby. Hard stops. Checklists.. I say that the only real “rules” applicable to the hobby are those created-and enforced by Nature. But he’ll, what do I know? We’ll, let me tell you… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Hahnel knew it.
March 14, 2022 16:46 - 8 minutes - 7 MBThe lessons of our elders in the hobby teach across the ages. They help guide us in our efforts even today. Don’t ever discount the teachings of those early hobby legends… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Tangible benefits?
March 08, 2022 23:57 - 8 minutes - 6.49 MBA lot of newcomers to our world of botanical method aquariums ask us “Why?” Like, what are the benefits you can how to achieve when you add leaves and seed pods and stuff to your tank? We’ll, let’s talk about it really quickly! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Everything you need for your reef tank?
March 08, 2022 23:46 - 10 minutes - 8.2 MBOh, I’m thinking about reefs again…and I wanted to juts give a tiny bit of advice about my approach- might help a few of you who are thinking of jumping the salinity line! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
What causes that “haze” in botanical method aquariums?
March 03, 2022 23:39 - 8 minutes - 7.15 MBWe get a lot of questions about that “hazy”or slightly cloudy water that often accompanies the tint in botanical method aquariums. It’s often in the early days of the aquarium’s life; but it can happen any time. Let’s try to (metaphorically!) clear things up! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Permission” to evolve?
March 01, 2022 00:01 - 12 minutes - 10 MBAfter many decades, I’ve finally gotten comfortable with the idea of changing up tanks more frequently to try new ideas. It was hard for me to make this switch from never touching a tank to rapidly iterating one. Here’s a little info on my rationale…. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The color of water…
February 24, 2022 00:47 - 17 minutes - 13.7 MBThere is always a lot of confusion and misconceptions about the color of water in botanical method aquariums. And it’s easy to understand why- there is a sort of disconnect between the hobby perception of blackwater habitats and the ecological definition and characteristics of it. Let’s talk a little bit about some of the visual aspects of water in our tanks! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Tradecraft.
February 19, 2022 00:14 - 11 minutes - 8.99 MBThose of you with talent in the “aquascaping game” amaze me. But I think that some of you could do more. Do better. Do “different.” I think it’s about taking inspiration from Nature, instead of last month’s “Tank of The Month.” Let’s discuss… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Changing it up…
February 18, 2022 23:44 - 7 minutes - 5.82 MBEvery want a new tank… but you don’t have a new tank? What do you do? You change things up! That’s a tough thing for me to do sometimes- we’ll, it WAS- until I had a little epiphany. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The function. The form. The contest?
February 17, 2022 00:17 - 19 minutes - 15.5 MBWith all of our talk about going beyond the conventional, people still ask us about contests..like, what our opinion is about them, and why we don’t have one. Let’s talk about this… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Any way you want it…
February 15, 2022 22:59 - 11 minutes - 9.49 MBI’ve spent plenty of time over the years observing how other people enjoy their hobby. And, it’s often different than how I might enjoy my aquarium hobby experience… amd it’s pretty cool to reflect on this; to understand that we are all aquarists, despite how we choose to enjoy the hobby… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The craziness of planning?
February 15, 2022 22:43 - 8 minutes - 7.2 MBOver the years, I developed this strange analysis “paralysis” thing with the hobby…juts over thinking and over planning everything. It was a real pain. I’ve finally learned to overcome it. Maybe sharing my story will help you along? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Who is the best “aquarium designer?”
February 13, 2022 03:08 - 8 minutes - 4.89 MBI know who the best “designer is!” She’s been at it literally forever…and She’s sure come up with some cool stuff! Maybe we should follow this “designer’s” lead? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Subtle “suggestions” and “rhetorical questions” from non hobbyists!
February 11, 2022 17:54 - 11 minutes - 9.06 MBYeah, we’ve all heard them- observations and comments from the non-fishy people in our lives. Admittedly, it can be annoying to have to hear them at times. However, they’re remarkably valuable observations that may just help you keep your hobby- and your relationships - running smoothly! Let’s look at a few common ones and find the not-so-subtle lessons they hold for us! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
What’s so “radical” about patience?
February 10, 2022 22:44 - 11 minutes - 9.17 MBThe idea of waiting…holding off adding fishes to your new aquarium, is a fantastic way to start. Giving your tank a chance to develop a population of microorganisms, small crustaceans, fungal growth, and biofilms is a remarkably successful practice. It seems difficult to do, but it’s not. It’s a simple matter of deploying “radical patience.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Random- or not?
February 10, 2022 18:08 - 11 minutes - 9.5 MBNature seems to be a haphazard place at times, filled with a seemingly random aggregation of materials. Yet, the reality is that Nature marches to a specific set of “orders”- depending on processes which have evolved for eons. We can embrace this apparent “randomness” in our aquarium work, can’t we? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
What’s going on? Some of the “expectations” to have when starting a botanical method aquarium
February 09, 2022 23:37 - 12 minutes - 10.3 MBThe earth days of a botanical method aquarium seem to follow a set of “benchmarks”; ones which we should be aware of as our tanks break in…let’s discuss.. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Quick tint tips!
February 09, 2022 23:11 - 11 minutes - 9.34 MBA lot of you have asked for us to share some “quick hits” on various topics related to botanical method aquariums. What better time than now? Here’s an episode dedicated to “hacks” (gulp) for getting your water tinted quickly and easily! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Just…maintain!
February 08, 2022 23:15 - 13 minutes - 10.7 MBYeah, it’s been a while since we’ve discussed maintenance of botanical method aquariums… Let’s revisit this topic and the simple, yet important tasks required to keep them running and looking their best! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
10 common traits among successful hobbyists- and their aquariums!
February 07, 2022 18:47 - 12 minutes - 10.1 MBI’m not a big “too 10” kind of guy as you know, but I take copious notes about all sorts of aspects of the aquarium hobby. And over the years, I found an interesting commonality among the most successful hobbyists and their aquariums. In this “quick hit”, let’s review them! How many of these traits do you or your tank embrace? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Transitioning” a botanical method aquarium: A case study
February 04, 2022 19:51 - 19 minutes - 15.8 MBToday, we do something a little different. We talk about a recent botanical method aquarium that we created specifically to get more people into this little speciality. We talk about the idea, the setup, and the management of this fun aquarium! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The Process: The “how? and why?” Of Botanical Preparation..Again!
February 04, 2022 00:22 - 16 minutes - 13.4 MBYeah it’s time to revisit the art and science of botanical preparation. With so many new hobbyists venturing into botanical method aquariums, we’re asked about this all the time.. and there’s a lot of confusion on this stuff! Let’s revisit the process of botanical preparation! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
When I’m asked to just talk about fish stuff…
February 02, 2022 23:14 - 26 minutes - 21.2 MBSometimes, people ask me to give opinions and talk about things on my mind, to tell stories, relay favorite memories, or give opinions.. amd their is what happens!!! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
A beautiful Mess: Detritus and its role in aquariums…AGAIN!
February 01, 2022 23:09 - 19 minutes - 15.3 MBOur friend, detritus has been maligned for decades as “bad” in aquariums. I once again rush to the defense of detritus, and even pay a small tribute to Geos in the process! What more could you want? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The common thread of my “fishy obsessions!”
January 31, 2022 20:00 - 19 minutes - 15.9 MBLike most of you, I have a number of fishes which are obsessions of mine. And interestingly, when I analyze it, I’ve found some interesting commonalities among them that help explain why! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Along the way…
January 27, 2022 23:51 - 18 minutes - 15.1 MBI preach a radical form of patience when managing botanical method aquariums. I also maintain that you can and should make changes- even rather radical ones- if you feel the need. There is a way to let your tank evolve naturally, even when making such changes. You can switch a design- you can’t interrupt Nature’s processes. It’s a sort of “yin-yang” thing… let’s talk about what happens along the way in your tank’s evolution… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...
For the love of weird substrates…
January 26, 2022 23:57 - 32 minutes - 25.8 MBYeah, the idea of creating unique substrates from. Lays, sediments, and soils, or adding botanical “stuff” to our substrates is too much for this geek to resist. Our little hobby niche has benefited from all sorts of interesting experiments with substrates. Let’s revisit what we know about the cutting edge work with weird aquatic substrates! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support