Tannin Aquatics

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Tannin Aquatics We’re more than just a purveyor of aquatic goods. We’re a mood, an atmosphere, an aesthetic. A means to blur the lines between nature and the aquarium.
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Tannin Aquatics began with a lifelong love for all things aquatic, and a vision to provide freshwater tropical fishes with the most natural captive environments possible. The name “tannin” was selected because it’s the substance derived from leaves and wood that tints the life-giving waters of tropical rivers and streams with a beautiful brown color that I find so alluring. The dark waters, tangle

d roots and colorful leaves found off the shores of tropical “blackwater” rivers and streams provide an irresistible subject for us to replicate in our aquariums. Our tagline, "Leaves, Wood, Water, Life" perfectly summarizes our point of view, and our mission. The passion behind Tannin comes from a desire to provide fellow aquarists with a carefully curated selection of aquarium products, along with information, inspiration, and appreciation for the beautiful world that exists where land meets water. We’re all about fostering creativity and fascination. We offer wonderful natural materials to create distinctive aquarium displays, and provide fish breeders with materials and products they can use to practice their craft. Based in Los Angeles, California, our thing is to offer fellow hobbyists the kind of stuff that gets us excited. Weather it’s unusual aquascaping materials, that hard-to-find "small batch" fish food with the local cult following, specialty aquarium hardware, substrate additives, or equipment for fish breeders- everything that we sell is something that we use and believe in. Stuff that comes from quality, reliable, and responsible sources. Stuff that we know will get you excited, too. And we support all of this good stuff with a level of personal service that will keep you coming back for more! We know that passion matters in this hobby. And passion drives everything that we do at Tannin. As you may have already surmized- we aren’t your typical aquarium product vendor. And we're just getting started! To check out more of our story and what inspires us, check out our blog.

Sometimes we wander. Sometimes we head out of (what have become to us)the known areas; the comfortable ones. Souring our...
20/10/2022

Sometimes we wander. Sometimes we head out of (what have become to us)the known areas; the comfortable ones.

Souring our journey, we see what else is out there…We sense the wonder, the drama, and the opportunity. We see the lonely outer limits, the teeming cities; and experience the joy of a warm smile in a sea of humanity, or the thrill of discovering things previously hidden from view.

And when we return from our journey, we return as only an outsider can- curious, studious, oddly confident, and filled with ideas to share.

The mission becomes obvious: To encourage others to find their own paths, to push out from their familiar, ordinary, now comfortable environment, to be bold, and to redefine what’s possible.

2023 will be the year of the journey from ordinary. We’ll be your tour guide.

I sometimes look at my aquariums and wonder, “What can I do better?” And the beauty of this question is that there is SO...
20/09/2022

I sometimes look at my aquariums and wonder, “What can I do better?” And the beauty of this question is that there is SO much that I can do better. The botanical method aquarium movement has so much room for innovation, improvement, and refinement. We’re really still only at the beginning.

What is it about the tinted water of botanical method aquariums that we find so alluring? Is it the way our fishes react...
17/08/2022

What is it about the tinted water of botanical method aquariums that we find so alluring? Is it the way our fishes react, glowing like they do in the wild? Is it how these systems function much like the wild aquatic habitats they seek to replicate, fostering a diverse ecology of organisms at all levels? Perhaps it’s the unique aesthetics that they bring?
, we think that it’s “all of the above”, and more.

Find out for yourself…Take the plunge and “do Nature more naturally! “

One of the cool things about the aquarium hobby is how old favorites - fish, plants, etc.- can activate something in our...
16/08/2022

One of the cool things about the aquarium hobby is how old favorites - fish, plants, etc.- can activate something in our minds; re-igniting longtime passions.

This little frag of Pocillopora damicornus - of the most common stony corals in the hobby- is a throwback to my first stony coral reef tank decades ago.

Sure, Pocillopora is not much of a challenge to keep. Many consider it a “weed.” It’s been long since cast aside as reefers jump on more “trendy” corals- yet it holds a very special place in my heart. It’s fuzzy polyps, branching structure, and bright pink color give me the same joy now as they did all those years ago!

Isn’t that kind of what the aquarium hobby is all about? Keep what you love; what brings YOU joy. You can never go wrong that way.

Approaching all types of aquariums with a more “natural” approach is fun for me. As I ease back into reefing with my upc...
13/08/2022

Approaching all types of aquariums with a more “natural” approach is fun for me. As I ease back into reefing with my upcoming “postmodern”, bare bottom, coral-centric reef tank this Fall, it was simply irresistible to not detour a bit and evolve our already extant brackish water mangrove aquarium towards full-strength seawater!

I haven’t created a small, decidedly “low tech”, more “natural” marine system in quite a few years…and I’m already smitten again! The look; the smell…The mangroves transitioned beautifully, and the addition of some Halimeda macroalgae has set the stage for some soft corals as I attempted to replicate a mangrove habitat in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Sure, I need to re-home my mollies, but I’m already getting a nice vibe out of this tank.

It will not be a typical reef tank, nor will it be the suddenly trendy sterile “macroalgae garden”-style tanks we see so much of lately. It will simply be an aquarium intended to replicate aspects of the function and form of a natural marine habitat. My happy zone with freshwater, translated to saltwater…

That excites me.

In many wild aquatic habitats,  the relationship between land and water becomes immediately obvious: Terrestrial materia...
11/08/2022

In many wild aquatic habitats, the relationship between land and water becomes immediately obvious: Terrestrial materials, like leaves, twigs, and seed pods, accumulate on the substrate (formerly the forest floor or grassland), as in this pic by .

The now aquatic habitat incorporates these materials to create a dynamic ecology, providing food, shelter, and spawning areas for fishes.

It all looks a bit chaotic; some might call it “messy”- but is it, really? Rather, we think it’s one of Natures most beautiful and compelling aquatic habitats. So much to learn here! This dynamic has been the basis of everything that we’ve done for more than 7 years at Tannin.

Perfect in its “imperfection”- Nature is- and should always be- the inspiration for most of what we do in our aquarium practice.

One of the joys of keeping multiple aquariums is that you can really savor the contrasts between them. In this instance,...
02/08/2022

One of the joys of keeping multiple aquariums is that you can really savor the contrasts between them. In this instance, the deep, earthy color of our botanical method aquarium contrasts dramatically with the bright, clear water in our brackish water mangrove aquarium. Both of these will, in turn, contrast with our upcoming reef aquarium.

Yes, the aquarium hobby is many things; a study in contests and appreciation for the manifold aquatic habitats of the world being just one of them.

Yes, botanical method aquariums are a bit of an enigma to many in the aquarium hobby. We keep aquariums with decomposing...
01/08/2022

Yes, botanical method aquariums are a bit of an enigma to many in the aquarium hobby. We keep aquariums with decomposing botanical materials, yet we’re able to maintain high water quality.

The very existence of these materials and their accompanying microfauna, comprise the “biological filtration system” of the aquarium, and perhaps components of a “food web” within the tank.

The aesthetics may not be to everyone’s liking; however, from a purely functional standpoint, they’re gorgeous beyond measure.

The botanical method community has collectively taken its first steps beyond what has long been understood in the hobby. We’re asking new questions, making new observations- and yeah, sometimes a few discoveries, which will evolve the aquarium hobby in the future.

“The fish are out of focus; moving too fast!” True, but that’s not the point here. What I find awesome about this pic is...
30/07/2022

“The fish are out of focus; moving too fast!” True, but that’s not the point here. What I find awesome about this pic is the contrast: Rapidly moving fishes, flitting about their botanical aquarium setting at high speed.

All the while, Nature moves slowly and steadily, at a pace which only She determines, with fungal threads and biofilms growing luxuriously on the submerged branches.

A study in time, speed…and contrasts. A lesson from Nature.

Although we’re not known for our expertise with, or love for aquatic plants, it’s always fun to experiment with them in ...
29/07/2022

Although we’re not known for our expertise with, or love for aquatic plants, it’s always fun to experiment with them in our botanical method aquariums.

We definitely see unique behaviors in botanical method aquariums. Is it merely in our head, though- or is there some relationship between the presence of plants and an even more “relaxed” behavior in our fishes?

I mean we only have a very few in this tank, and the behavioral changes since we added them are marked… interesting!

28/07/2022

After the lights go down…

When our fishes begin to settle in for the night, it’s easy to see how they take advantage of the environment we’ve created for them as a place to sleep and feel secure.

“Functional aesthetics” in action.

We talk a lot about how the botanical method aquarium provides supplemental food sources for a wide variety of fishes. O...
27/07/2022

We talk a lot about how the botanical method aquarium provides supplemental food sources for a wide variety of fishes.

Our L134 Plecos are a beneficiary of this; they seem to never accept prepared foods when the tank is fed, and apparently derive most or all of their nutrition from the life forms they graze off of the botanicals and wood in their tank.

Perhaps a big part of the allure of the botanical method aquarium is that it simply looks different than a “conventional...
20/07/2022

Perhaps a big part of the allure of the botanical method aquarium is that it simply looks different than a “conventional” tank. The tinted water and decomposing leaves not only foster a unique ecology-they add to the aesthetic as well. We’ve talked so much about the function over the years that it’s kind of nice to focus on the “form” now and then!

There are moments when you realize that the ecosystem which you’ve so carefully established in your aquarium  is providi...
12/07/2022

There are moments when you realize that the ecosystem which you’ve so carefully established in your aquarium is providing your fishes with a comfortable, stable home.

One in which their natural behaviors, colors, and vigor come out. No one product, idea, or approach can achieve that.

Rather, it’s the result of a number of factors, including your knowledge, research, and patience.

Those are the moments we live for in the hobby.

We talk a lot about how cool our botanical method aquariums look. How naturally they function. How stable they are. And ...
11/07/2022

We talk a lot about how cool our botanical method aquariums look. How naturally they function. How stable they are.

And it’s occasionally important to think about the ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts- our fishes.

They probably don’t know that we’ve gone to such efforts to create a special environment for them. What they do know is that they’re comfortable, healthy, and relaxed.

Mixing terrestrial and aquatic elements is the whole “game” with botanical method aquariums. It’s not a “trend.” It’s no...
09/07/2022

Mixing terrestrial and aquatic elements is the whole “game” with botanical method aquariums. It’s not a “trend.” It’s not a “style.” It’s a methodology which fosters a diverse ecology via the presence of these materials.

These tanks ask us as hobbyists to make mental shifts; to understand and appreciate the contributions of life forms like fungal growths and bacterial biofilms to the overall aquarium environment- just like they do in Nature.

Yeah, these tanks look different, but that’s not the whole point. Rather, the “look” is a “collateral benefit” of the function.

Mental shifts. Who’s in?

Leaf litter.. the idea is to create a functional ecological base for growth of microorganisms and fungi- which form the ...
28/06/2022

Leaf litter.. the idea is to create a functional ecological base for growth of microorganisms and fungi- which form the basis of a food web in our aquarium.

Yes, leaf litter looks cool… but it’s not just about aesthetics. Please don’t buy into the dumbed-down assertions that leaf litter in aquariums is just about a “look.. “ That kind of thinking simply ignores the past decade of work by the botanical method aquarium community. Make use of the resources on our web site and elsewhere to learn more about leaf litter and it’s functional role in our aquariums.

There is something interesting about the way, larger, intelligent fishes, like Discus interact with botanical materials....
25/06/2022

There is something interesting about the way, larger, intelligent fishes, like Discus interact with botanical materials. They seem to bring out natural behaviors of foraging, exploring, and yeah- even “playing.” It all sort of makes sense, doesn’t it?

If there is one image which encapsulates everything that we love about natural aquatic habitats, it’s this one of an  ig...
22/06/2022

If there is one image which encapsulates everything that we love about natural aquatic habitats, it’s this one of an igapo (flooded forest) by .

It launched our near obsessive interest in this type of habitat, and making the effort to replicate the colony and function in aquariums.

This intimate relationship between land and water is foundational to our work with botanical method aquariums. When we study the seasonal cycle and the influx of terrestrial botanical materials into the aquatic environment, the takeaways are numerous!

There’s been enough inspiration in this pic to provide us with almost 7 years of ideas and experiments! So, when we talk about looking at Nature and studying Her functions, we speak from firsthand experience!

Not long ago, I was perusing a hobby forum on “blackwater aquariums” , and an aquarist was asking for  “inspiration” for...
20/06/2022

Not long ago, I was perusing a hobby forum on “blackwater aquariums” , and an aquarist was asking for “inspiration” for an “Amazonian-themed blackwater aquarium.”

And, predictably, a bunch of hobbyists chimed in to help- hobbyists are kind that way. They shared photos of a variety of “Amazonian themed” aquariums, which, sadly, not only didn’t have “blackwater”type conditions- they bore almost no resemblance to any actual natural aquatic habitat- blackwater or otherwise.

The effort was sincere, but the tragedy was that no one thought to share a single picture of a natural Aquatic habitat. Or even a recommendation to search Google. Virtually any pic of a natural habitat would provide endless inspiration.

I think we need to spend way more time as hobbyists actually looking at Nature for our inspiration- not only for the “aesthetics”- but to study and understand the function. To learn about why these habitats function and look the way they do. It’s the “unlock”- the key to everything!

I think we’re at a sort of “evolutionary crossroads” in the aquarium hobby. For the last couple of decades, aesthetics h...
18/06/2022

I think we’re at a sort of “evolutionary crossroads” in the aquarium hobby. For the last couple of decades, aesthetics have dictated almost everything we’ve done. Now, this isn’t a bad thing, but it seems like we embraced aesthetics above all.

Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging back towards embracing Nature a bit more literally. However, we still see the prevailing narrative about “recreating the LOOK”- which. IMHO is barely ahead of where we came from. We can do better.

The reality is that when you attempt to recreate the ecology of a natural aquatic habitat, the “aesthetics” will be different, and they’ll manifest on their own. Products can only take you so far…

If we make the effort to understand, accept, and foster natural processes, such as recruitment of fungal growth, biofilms, detritus, and decomposition, it all makes sense.

Merely superficiality attempting to replicate the “look” of Nature without attempting to understand why natural aquatic habitats look the way they do is a missed opportunity.

Let’s not fall for marketing hyperbole. Let’s make it a point to move beyond just aesthetics. Let’s learn, understand, and execute. This is how the hobby evolves and advances.

Let’s advance it together. Go beyond just “the look.”

One of the best things about botanical method aquariums is that they evolve continuously. Even when you start out with a...
17/06/2022

One of the best things about botanical method aquariums is that they evolve continuously. Even when you start out with a specific “vision” for your aquarium, Nature and the passage of time will take it in the direction that She pleases- if you let Her do so.

When undisturbed, the convergence of natural terrestrial materials and ecological processes will create a dynamic display- like, every single time! Once you shift your mind to accept this, things get really good!

In recent years, the “aquarium as an ecosystem” philosophy has gained a renewed following. Botanical method aquariums ar...
15/06/2022

In recent years, the “aquarium as an ecosystem” philosophy has gained a renewed following. Botanical method aquariums are at the forefront of this resurgence.

Fungi, biofilms, and detritus are key players in our aquariums, and we’re starting to appreciate and understand their vital roles.

These more naturally-appearing, naturally-functioning ecosystems are not only sustainable and healthy- they’re attractive and compelling as well.

11/06/2022

We get a lot of messages from hobbyists who tell us that their fishes just act more relaxed, look better, seem healthier, and spawn more easily since they embraced the botanical method.

Now, in the past, we would have been inclined to just chalk it up to any number of random coincidences.

However, after almost two decades of playing with botanicals in aquariums and seeing many of these things for ourselves, we’re inclined to agree that botanical method aquariums seem to yield a variety of benefits for our fishes.

Tannins, humic substances, and other compounds produced by botanical materials do have scientifically documented health benefits for tropical fishes, and what better way is there to enjoy them?

There is a certain allure; a fascination…an obsession, really, which I have about considering aquariums as little closed...
08/06/2022

There is a certain allure; a fascination…an obsession, really, which I have about considering aquariums as little closed ecosystems, reacting to both internal and external inputs, stimuli, and environmental pressures.

When you think of aquariums in this manner, they become a whole lot less of a “fish tank” and a lot more of a little slice of Nature that you’re recreating in your home.

A botanical method aquarium is a true expression of this philosophy. A microcosm which employs botanical materials to affect the function of the environment, and to foster the growth of beneficial life forms at all levels.

There’s a quote by the late Takashi Amano which aquarists love to cite: “One who cannot love her smallest creations cann...
06/06/2022

There’s a quote by the late Takashi Amano which aquarists love to cite: “One who cannot love her smallest creations cannot claim to stand before Nature…” I think that a lot of hobbyists love to use it to describe the fishes and plants in our aquariums.

However, if you delve deeper into it’s meaning, and read some of Mr. Amani’s earlier work, it becomes increasingly obvious that what he refers to as “her smallest creations” are organisms like bacteria, crustaceans, biofilms, and others, which comprise the ecology of aquatic ecosystems. Although it may seem blasphemous to state this, I think that many well-meaning hobbyists have completely misinterpreted the quote.

As someone who treasures the ecology within our aquariums, this quote and the mindset behind it has a very significant meaning. And I think that we as hobbyists owe it to Nature to truly understand and appreciate the work of “…her smallest creations” and the priceless benefits they provide to higher organisms.

We need to think before we “edit…” Before we siphon, scrape, and polish these creatures which many find so “unsightly”, as without them, aquatic life would simply not be possible.

Be kind to all of the life forms in your aquarium, and they will in turn be kind to you.

Mr. Amano, I think, would like that.

We can interpret Nature more naturally; more literally-in aquariums.I admit, we do push a lot of “weird” ideas out aroun...
03/06/2022

We can interpret Nature more naturally; more literally-in aquariums.

I admit, we do push a lot of “weird” ideas out around here. It’s because of our unwavering belief that we as aquarium hobbyists should be playing with elements like soils, sediments, decomposing leaves, roots, and seed pods in our tanks.

Why? Because using these natural materials helps us to replicate many aspects of the function- and appearance- of the wild aquatic habitats from which our fishes come. They respond differently to the presence of these materials.

If utilized thoughtfully, these materials can yield successful, functionally aesthetic aquariums far different and more unique than anything previously attempted in the hobby.

The botanical method aquarium marries science, art, and philosophy to create functional microcosms- communities of aquatic organisms from the simplest bacteria to the most beautiful fish.

We celebrate life at all levels; we see the beauty in bacterial biofilms, fungal growth, and the process of decomposition.

Nature. More naturally.

Be bold. Be experimental. Be collaborative. Explore…Join us in this exciting hobby speciality.

There is a myth that the botanical aquarium is a labor-intensive, complex “dance” - with lots of pricy botanical materia...
02/06/2022

There is a myth that the botanical aquarium is a labor-intensive, complex “dance” - with lots of pricy botanical materials- and the whole thing teetering on the brink of disaster at any moment.

The reality is far different.

Botanical method aquariums don’t require lots and lots of different elements to be successful. A few handfuls of leaves, perhaps a sprinkling of bark, and a few random pieces of driftwood. Essential, yet basic materials for Nature to do Her work with.

Step back. Allow fungal growths and biofilms to form and proliferate. Let the leaves and other botanicals fully decompose. Perform regular water exchanges as you would with any aquarium.

Enjoy the evolution of the ecosystem within your aquarium. Don’t interfere by siphoning out the fungal growth or decomposing materials, which “fuel” the microbiome in your aquarium.

Relax. Enjoy the process. Watch Nature do Her thing. Learn about aquatic ecology. It’s really that simple.

June is Pride month. More than just a page on the calendar. Showing our unconditional love and support for the LGBTQIA+ ...
01/06/2022

June is Pride month. More than just a page on the calendar. Showing our unconditional love and support for the LGBTQIA+ community shouldn’t be a “once a year” sort of thing. These values- and compassion and empathy should be a 24/7/365 thing.

“Pride” means a lot of things to a lot of people.

To us, it means strength, connection, and resilience. An opportunity to choose love over hate. A celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the amazing LGBTQIA+ community. Gender and sexual preferences simply should not be things that divide us. Ever. I HATE hate! Creating an inclusive space within the aquarium community has always been a priority for us. There is absolutely no room for hate in this hobby. Everyone belongs. Listening to, and understanding the unique challenges which members of the LGBTQIA+ community have to navigate continuously is a huge step that we can all take to support the LGBTQIA+ community!

Every month should be Pride Month!

The cultural landscape can be a very difficult place for meme era of the LGBTQIA community, particularly youth. Studies have show. That 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered su***de during the past year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth.

That’s simply too many.

This year, we wanted to do more to support the LGBTQIA+ community, and we wanted to do it in a way that was as authentic as our brand is, and in a way that makes a meaningful contribution to an important cause. What better way to do it than to create a special botanical variety pack? We’ve teamed up with our colleague, the amazing Ben Peterson, owner of to collaborate on a special pack! A significant percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each pack will donated to an important LGBTQIA+ charity,

The Trevor Project is an amazing organization which provides 24/7 trained counseling and support services to LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as to provide advocacy, public education, and research to help build a safer, more inclusive world.

Stay proud. Stay bold. And Stay Wet!

Scott Fellman
Tannin Aquatics

# blurthelineswithpride 🌈

We keep this glass box filled with water, wood, sand, leaves, and maybe plants. To the animals which reside within, this...
31/05/2022

We keep this glass box filled with water, wood, sand, leaves, and maybe plants. To the animals which reside within, this is their whole universe.

We control every aspect of it: The appearance, the environmental parameters, population, input and export of nutrients- everything.

And, while our fishes go about their daily existence likely not comprehending all of that, and likely behave in our aquariums in much the same manner as their ancestors have in the wild for untold millions of years, what they DO know is that THIS is their world.

This rather “meta” philosophy is why we have a near obsession at Tannin Aquatics for creating as many of the physical/environmental characteristics of our fishes’ wild habitats as possible for the fishes under our care.

It’s not just to achieve a “look.” It’s not a popularity contest. It goes beyond regurgitated haiku-like tropes. It’s about making the effort to really understand how the ecology of the wild aquatic habitats of the world impact the health, habits, and the very existence of our fishes, and striving to replicate them as accurately as possible in our aquariums.

It’s a continuous, ongoing obsession. A mission. A calling. We’re so grateful that this philosophy resonates with so many of you.

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leaves.wood.water.life.

Tannin Aquatics is just a bit different than what you're used to in the freshwater tropical fish trade, and we think that you'll appreciate that.

My name is Scott Fellman, the owner and "Chief Tint Officer"- of Tannin Aquatics.

I'm a lifelong tropical fish hobbyist, and I suppose that I'm probably best known in the aquarium world as a reef aquarium author, lecturer, and aquatic industry entrepreneur. Prior to launching Tannin, I was co-owner of a popular marine livestock vendor, Unique Corals. Of course, my first love was freshwater, and I can't ever seem to stray from it.

Tannin's story really began with my lifelong love for all things aquatic, and a vision to provide freshwater tropical fishes with the most natural captive environments possible. Environments with a certain look. A certain feel. A certain vibe. Earthy. Organic. Natural.