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
Botanical method musings- the startup and beyond…
January 21, 2022 02:13 - 11 minutes - 9.38 MBOur unique botanical method aquariums have a few characteristics and “behaviors” that you can almost “depend on” as they establish themselves, don’t they? Let’s revisit a few here! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The beauty of “the ignorance bubble”
January 17, 2022 02:52 - 8 minutes - 6.8 MBThe beginner in the aquarium hobby may have an advantage over us “vets…” he/she/them are not burdened by their own experience. Everything is new and exciting. They operate in an environment where sheer joy becomes the driving force. We can learn from beginners, can’t we? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
On to the next?
January 13, 2022 03:08 - 15 minutes - 12.2 MBWe seem to treasure moving super fast in this hobby. We like to share a lot of pics of new tanks.. the “exciting” stuff.. and we like to get to “finished” so we can move on to the next one. Why? Let’s talk about it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Specialized diets, “Leopard Frogs” and rethinking assumptions.
January 12, 2022 04:27 - 18 minutes - 15.2 MBEveryone knows that Loricariid catfishes consume wood, right? Well, Do they? Let’s discuss this stuff, and maybe go off in some new directions! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The “Fungal Filter!”
January 11, 2022 02:45 - 14 minutes - 11.7 MBYeah, once again, I make my case for fungi- those gooey, nasty little organisms you see all over your wood and botanicals. They’re one of nature’s most elegant life forms.. and we should embrace them and what they do for our tanks! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Aquarium practice rooted neither in culture nor tradition…”
January 07, 2022 02:04 - 17 minutes - 13.7 MBWhat’s behind our mindset-our philosophy of the botanical-method aquarium? We get asked that a lot…Let’s take a closer look at our ideas, our practice, and it’s implications for our animals… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
On occasion, I get restless…
January 03, 2022 02:51 - 11 minutes - 9.38 MBMan, I tend to change my mind on hobby stuff now and then. I will often start a tank, only to break it right down and “pivot” before ultimately arriving at what I really wanted to do. Does this sound familiar to you? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Why leaves make lousy “hardscape pieces!”
December 29, 2021 02:12 - 10 minutes - 8.31 MBLeaves are critical and key components in the botanical method aquarium. They’re the literal “fuel” which powers the ecology of our tanks.. and yeah, they’re not the best materials to use strictly for aesthetics! There’s so much more to them! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The”meal plan.”
December 25, 2021 02:57 - 14 minutes - 11.2 MBYeah, we’ve talked about it before, but it’s becoming more and more obvious that botanical-method aquariums are capable of providing supplemental food to our fishes. It’s entirely possible to create and manage a sort of “food web” in your botanical-influenced aquarium. Time to get our heads around this! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
What we’ve been told
December 23, 2021 03:40 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBAdvice is a tricky thing. You can get a lot of it in the hobby. Some is good. Some is completely awful. And we love to blame the “LFS guy or gal” for it. That’s a shame, because most of the worst information you can receive is NOT from the LFS employer. Let’s talk about this touch subject- shall we? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Don’t keep up the fight!
December 21, 2021 02:55 - 17 minutes - 13.6 MBDamn, we place some much emphasis on filters, and a big reinvent on polishing the crap (literally) out of our tanks that we end up fighting Nature in the process. I think we’d all do well to work with natural processes to keep our tanks ecologically healthy. Let’s talk about it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Easy Going
December 18, 2021 03:14 - 15 minutes - 12.5 MBOn the surface, a botanical method aquarium is pretty simple to establish. A leaf litter focused aquarium is the easiest type of botanical method aquarium to get into. It sort of “teaches” you everything to know about running this type of tank. Let’s revisit the idea again! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The importance of doing…Nothing.
December 17, 2021 01:14 - 10 minutes - 8.56 MBIn those exciting early days of the botanical method aquarium, it’s not uncommon to encounter cloudy water, or massive growth of fungal filaments or biofilm on your leaves, botanicals, and wood. It’s so contradictory to everything we’ve been told is “normal”, “safe”, and “acceptable” in aquariums. Yet, this time- and the actions that we DON’T take to “correct” these things- will have profound impact on the success of our botanical method aquarium… --- Support this podcast: https://podcaste...
Approaching brackish water aquariums with a different mindset…
December 14, 2021 00:40 - 23 minutes - 18.5 MBAs we launch our “V2.0” brackish water mangrove tank, let me take the opportunity to arrogantly trash everything you’ve heard about how to create a brackish aquarium in the past. Yeah, it ain’t pretty…but you might learn a few things and rethink the way you execute a brackish tank! Part one of what will likely be a two- parter! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The Joys of Allochthonous input!
December 11, 2021 00:23 - 9 minutes - 8.98 MBStuff from outside the aquatic habitat- influencing the aquatic habitat.. An amazing process which is replicated in our aquariums daily… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
A World Full of Botanicals
December 08, 2021 04:01 - 20 minutes - 16.6 MBThe world is filled with all sorts of cool botanical materials which you can use in your aquarium. Some are perfectly safe- others can nuke your tank. It’s an adventure. In this episode, we talk a little bit about sourcing your own, buying from vendors, and doing some experiments with botanicals! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
"The Tint" Special Edition with Thomas Minesi: An Expedition to the River Fwa
December 06, 2021 18:24 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBIn this special episode, we're excited to visit with our friend, Thomas Minesi, (AKA Congo Nature Photography )on Instagram, for an in-depth discussion of his recent expedition to The River Fwa in Democratic Republic of Congo. Our discussion covers Thomas' many fascinating observations of this remarkable karst river and its amazing underwater topography, cichlid population, and aquatic plants. Lots of great insights for aquarium hobbyists and nature lovers alike. Thomas' incredible photograp...
Just can’t stay away… Or can I?
December 03, 2021 02:17 - 14 minutes - 11.5 MBAfter almost 2 years without my “normal” aquariums, I’m excited to embark on some new journeys. And man, I’ve been tempted to take a pretty significant detour. It took everything I had- and a healthy does of self-awareness- to avoid jumping into something that was against my own inner dialogue on how to do an aquarium… Here’s my story- hop it brings you some value! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The breakthrough.
November 30, 2021 02:54 - 11 minutes - 8.9 MBIt had to happen eventually: A straight-up botanical-style aquarium placed highly in a major aquascaping competition. Let’s celebrate, and consider what this means to our little hobby speciality area… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The mindset behind the aquarium: One-on-one with Alex Franqui
November 24, 2021 21:11 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBOn this very special episode of "The Tint", we sit down with Team Tannin's Alex Franqui, ridiculously talented aquairust, designer, and now, high-placing competitive 'scaper! Fresh off his 3rd place finish in the prestigious 2021 Aquatic Gardner's Association Aquascaping Contest, in which his pure botanical-style aquarium took 3rd in the Biotope category, Alex shares his mindset, experiences, and ideas which propel him forward as a hobbyist. His tank represents a major milestone in the mains...
"The Tint" Special Edition with Jen Williams: Exciting developments in the aquascaping contest world!
November 23, 2021 17:35 - 1 hour - 35.6 MBYes, it's true! We're super excited about some incredible developments in the world of aquascaping contests! Several of the top-ranked aquariums in the 2021 AGA contest were amazing NATURAL aquariums, including two of our "family" members- Jen Williams, and "Team Tannin" guy Alex Francqui! Aquariums that embraced a "functional aesthetic" mindset! We talk about her tank, North American Native fishes, the contest scene and the "mental shift" that is occurring in the hobby! --- Support this...
Throwing more light on blackwater!
November 19, 2021 02:41 - 14 minutes - 8.53 MBWater- specifically blackwater- is fundamental to a lot of the work we do. Yet, there is so much confusion out there about how water conditions are created in Nature, and how we can replicate the processes which create these water conditions in our aquariums! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The “Nutritional Dynamic” of Botanical-Style Aquariums
November 17, 2021 03:36 - 18 minutes - 14.9 MBWe’ve talked about some interesting concepts over the years, but few are as potentially important to us botanical-style aquarium geeks as the idea of our tanks cultivating natural foods for our fishes. Let’s look again at the ridiculous simplicity of this idea, and the benefits it brings us! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The hobby is easy, right?
November 11, 2021 20:50 - 17 minutes - 14.4 MBOkay, this one might be tough to listen to for some. Let’s face it: The aquarium hobby, while not difficult- isn’t “easy.” It shouldn’t be! We’re taking on the responsibility of caring for live animals. We can’t dumb this stuff down. We need to learn some fundamentals. And those of us in the industry, or content creators, need to level up our game. We’ve got this… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Accumulating Botanicals- And Mental Toughness!
November 09, 2021 02:41 - 12 minutes - 9.95 MBThe idea of terrestrial materials accumulating in your aquarium is fundamental to our practice. It literally builds up the biome of our aquariums. Letting this happen is a tough mental shift to make- but an essential one. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The Benefits of Disruption?
November 06, 2021 01:32 - 16 minutes - 12.8 MBThe “D word!” A bad thing? Or just another phenomenon which our fishes have adapted to work with. I’m thinking that a little disruption in our tanks from time to time isn’t such a bad thing. It might even be a benefit! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Pushing Through
November 01, 2021 22:57 - 13 minutes - 10.8 MBSometimes, the most challenging aspects of trying different approaches to aquarium keeping are mental. They task us to accept stuff which likely freaks out 90% of the aquarium world. The challenge- as we see it- is to push through. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The Dynamics of “The Urban Igapo”
October 29, 2021 02:24 - 20 minutes - 16.5 MBPerhaps no idea we’ve discussed here in the past few years has created so much interest- and confusion- as the “Urban Igapo” it’s a dynamic, radical departure from what we are all familiar with- and that’s part of the appeal! A chance to learn about a unique transitional habitat, and an opportunity to make mental shifts which will enhance your hobby experience! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Yeah, THOSE people!
October 26, 2021 02:17 - 18 minutes - 14.8 MBWARNING: This podcast may piss you off. It’s my opinion- and I’m quite opinionated- that there are some personality types who you need to be on the alert for in the hobby. People who will bring you down- because that’s what they do best. No sugar coating here! We need to talk about this! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Susceptible to manipulation…”
October 24, 2021 01:40 - 26 minutes - 21.2 MBBotanicals have a surprising capability to alter the aquatic environments in which they are placed. How capable? It varies. There is a lot of misunderstanding about what botanicals can and cannot do.let’s give a little time to this topic today! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The “Unholy Trinity” and the mental shifts we need to make in the hobby…
October 22, 2021 02:41 - 22 minutes - 17.8 MBAlgae, biofilms, detritus… words that stroke fear into many hobbyists. Why? Because we’ve always been told that they’re a “problem?” Or because they are REALLY a problem? Perhaps they’re not- and perhaps we simply need to make a mental shift to accept them! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Under the Influence?
October 19, 2021 01:40 - 20 minutes - 16.4 MBBotanical materials have a profound impact on the aquarium environment and ecosystem. There is so much that we have to learned- yet so much more to really grasp this concept. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Fuel
October 15, 2021 23:37 - 14 minutes - 11.4 MBUnderstanding that botanicals- in all of their ephemeral glory- are key components of an aquatic ecology in our aquariums is fundamental to all we do. These materials comprise a “fuel” for all of the biological processes which the fishes and other organisms we keep depend upon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Methodology
October 07, 2021 02:15 - 23 minutes - 19 MBThe botanical-style aquarium is a methodology- an approach to creating ecologically diverse, functional, and aesthetically unique aquariums. Let’s review some of the basic core components of our methodology and philosophy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Inspiration from the Morichal
October 05, 2021 21:47 - 11 minutes - 9.3 MBOne of the best parts of the natural aquarium hobby is studying intersting habitats which can be replicated in the aquarium. The “Morichal” habitats of South America are just such a habitat worth studying and replicating in the aquarium. Home to a diversity of well-known aquarium fishes, and possessing fascinating physical characteristics, the Morichal is a fascinating and exciting habitat to replicate in our tanks! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-f...
“Functional aquascaping” and the feeding habits of our fishes: A different direction?
October 05, 2021 21:31 - 9 minutes - 7.39 MBWe talk a lot about feeding fishes and culturing live foods for them in the aquarium hobby. However, we don’t often talk about the idea of setting up aquariums and stocking them based upon the feeding habits of our subject fishes. Let’s open that dialogue! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Debunking the “Reef Mystique”
September 29, 2021 22:38 - 10 minutes - 8.13 MBIt comes up a lot: Freshwater hobbyists want to start a reef aquarium, amd they’re immediately intimidated for some reason. And the reefkeeping world, which I’ve been a part of for decades- has done little to kill this myth. Guess it’s time for me to speak up on it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
The Commendable Power of Restraint
September 29, 2021 22:25 - 12 minutes - 10.1 MBHow much botanical materials should you add to your aquarium- and how many different types? What happens to them in your tank? We’ve covered some of this stuff before, but let’s talk about how much is enough, too much, or just right? Let’s talk about restraint. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
When in the jungle, act like a monkey! Well, sort of…
September 23, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 8.58 MBMeet the “Monkey Pot”- one of our fave botanicals- one which you should play with in your aquariums!! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Reefkeeping Reality: Because You Asked!
September 22, 2021 23:02 - 19 minutes - 15.3 MB(Another installment of an occasional series about, well- reef aquariums!) so many of you have told me you want to hear me talk a bit more about reef tanks, and my years of experience playing with them. I thought it might be a nice thing to talk about now and then, especially because I’m a few months away from building my first reef tank in like 6 years! Today, let’s hit you with a little reality on choosing your aquarium… --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s...
What’s the alternative?
September 21, 2021 02:49 - 14 minutes - 11.2 MBYes, I’m talking about adding stuff to your substrate again! Why? Because a substrate composed of stuff besides just “sand” creates a fascinating addition to the ecology of your aquarium! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Extended Operations…”
September 17, 2021 18:22 - 16 minutes - 13.2 MBHow long can you keep a botanical-style aquarium running? A LONG time. Like, indefinitely. How? Let’s talk about it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Fishing Around…
September 17, 2021 17:40 - 8 minutes - 6.82 MBThere are tons of fishes that we never keep in aquariums. Largely, this is because we don’t find them in stores. Many get huge, yet have fascinating habits and behaviors that make them ideal for botanical-style tanks. If only there were smaller versions of them! There ARE! We just have to keep an eye out for them! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Stying on course.
September 17, 2021 17:28 - 9 minutes - 8 MBPatience is the most underrated- and least-discussed aspects of aquarium keeping. Accepting the fact that our aquariums take time to evolve is so very fundamental to what we do. Let’s celebrate patience. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
“Trash” or “Treasure?”
September 16, 2021 18:54 - 21 minutes - 17 MBThe idea of aquariums as a microcosm is not new. However, the idea of managing them as little ecological systems has not always played out in our tanks. I think we spend too much time trying to siphon out the stuff we feel is detrimental to our tanks. The irony might be that our overzealous “maintenance” might be the detrimental factor! So often, what we deem as “trash” ( ie, detritus) might actually be “treasure” to our aquarium’s ecology! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spot...
The “diagnosis” of what’s wrong with the hobby? Or just a biased observation?
September 15, 2021 23:13 - 24 minutes - 19.8 MBNot a week goes by where I don’t hear from some hobbyist who lament the fact that fewer and fewer new people are entering the hobby. I think I have some opinions on why this is… and how we can all help fix it! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Let go.. it’s okay!
September 15, 2021 22:44 - 11 minutes - 9.3 MBThe botanical-style aquarium approach, although yielding a rather unorthodox-appearing tank, is optimized to “run on autopilot” now and again. If “life happens” and you miss that water exchange, or forget to feed your fish… you won’t experience a “crash.” Your tank has got your back! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Eliminating the “Positive?”
September 14, 2021 22:02 - 11 minutes - 8.83 MBI think that, in our zeal to “correct” what we see as “problems” in our aquariums, we sometimes create new ones! The idea of looking at “problems”, their root causes, and the way that we approach them requires some fundamental perception shifts in our hobby. As usual, I think the botanical-style aquariums that we embrace here provide the “education” we need to look at many so-called “problems” through a different “lens”. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sc...
Blowing up Brackish!
September 13, 2021 17:48 - 23 minutes - 18.7 MBThe idea of a “botanical-style” brackish water aquarium is not only compelling- it’s the logical extension of the work we do in the freshwater world. The key to creating more unique brackish water systems is to apply our “function first” mindset to the game. Here’s a little “primer” to get your creative juices flowing! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support
Radical approaches, risk, criticisms, and the challenges we take on…
September 07, 2021 18:16 - 27 minutes - 21.8 MBDoing things differently requires us to be bold. To take on risk. To face criticism. Some of it is constructive- some not nice. Yet it goes with the territory when you go against what is common and accepted. Be brave. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-fellman/support