Ben's Aquarium Blog

Ben's Aquarium blog is a developing resource full of tips and tricks to help build your ecosystems. Every two weeks we upload a new blog post helping to make botanical aquariums easier to keep. If you have a topic you want us to write about please send us a message!

Comprehensive guide to recreating the natural habitat and caring for Betta Hendra, with tips on maintaining optimal conditions in a biotope aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

Betta Hendra: A Comprehensive Care and Habitat Guide

To keep Betta hendra is to preserve a fragment of a vanishing world; a living story written in tannin-stained waters and fragile ecosystems. These fish carry within them the memory of Borneo’s disappearing swamps, a reminder of everything that’s at risk beyond the glass. Their survival depends on more than the forests they come from; it depends on us, on the choices we make, the care we give, and the respect we show for the wild they represent. 

Read moreabout Betta Hendra: A Comprehensive Care and Habitat Guide

Layers of Dirt used for a blackwater botanical method planted aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

Getting Dirty, A Guide to Creating a Dirted Botanical Method Aquarium

Dirted tanks meet the botanical methods in this deep dive into one of the most naturalistic aquarium setups out there. Learn how nutrient-rich soil and functional botanicals work together to fuel plant growth, foster microbial ecosystems, and recreate natural aquatic habitats—no CO₂ required. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or curious beginner, this guide will get your hands dirty—in the best way possible.

Read moreabout Getting Dirty, A Guide to Creating a Dirted Botanical Method Aquarium

Emperor Newts in a paludarium with moss and natural elements, representing a biotope-inspired paludarium at Betta Botanicals.

Creating an Aesthetically Functional Paludarium for Emperor Newts

What happens when a childhood fascination with salamanders meets the artistry of botanical method paludariums? In this detailed build, Hayley shares the story behind her award-winning paludarium, curated specifically for the Emperor Newt (Tylototriton shanjing).

Read moreabout Creating an Aesthetically Functional Paludarium for Emperor Newts

black striped orange fish swimming in brown tangled roots of a botanical method aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

How Methods Defined The 'Botanical Blackwater Tinted Ecosystem Aquarium Style'

“Botanical Method Aquariums” are the backbone of what we do here at Betta Botanicals. We distinguish their methods from blackwater and biotope aquariums, reinforcing their scientific and ecological foundations. This Ben's Aquarium blog post challenges a lot of mainstream aquascaping culture.

Read moreabout How Methods Defined The 'Botanical Blackwater Tinted Ecosystem Aquarium Style'

Brown tangled branches and a leaf litter bed in a biotope aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

Understanding Biotope Aquariums: A Journey into Natural Habitat Replication

Blackwater & Botanical Method...and their finicky sibling "Biotope". Lets clear the muddy waters around the heated debate of what a true "biotope" aquarium is. Let's go beneath the leaves on the four kinds of biotope aquariums and how to make them at Betta Botanicals.

Read moreabout Understanding Biotope Aquariums: A Journey into Natural Habitat Replication

Safely collecting your own botanicals for blackwater and biotope aquariums, with expert tips on identifying, preparing, and using natural materials at Betta Botanicals.

Free Tank Decor! - Collecting Your Own Blackwater Aquarium Botanicals

Looking to enhance your aquarium with natural, sustainable materials? In this guide, we explore how you can forage for botanicals right in your own backyard! From oak leaves to alder cones, this post walks you through the collection, preparation, and safe use of locally sourced botanicals.

Read moreabout Free Tank Decor! - Collecting Your Own Blackwater Aquarium Botanicals

Close-up of wingless fruit flies being prepared as live food for blackwater fish in an aquarium, showcasing sustainable feeding practices at Betta Botanicals.

Culturing Flightless Fruit Flies for Fish in Blackwater Aquariums

Looking to provide your fish with a natural diet that mimics their wild habitat? Culturing flightless fruit flies is an excellent way to do just that, especially in botanical method aquariums. These tiny insects not only enhance the nutritional intake of your fish but also encourage natural hunting behaviors that bring your aquarium to life. In this post, I’ll guide you through the simple steps of culturing these flies using NEHERP media, along with tips and tricks to keep your cultures thriving.

Read moreabout Culturing Flightless Fruit Flies for Fish in Blackwater Aquariums

2024 Trevor Project Botanical Pride Pack Fundraiser featuring a collection of natural botanicals for aquarium and bioactive setups, supporting LGBTQ+ causes at Betta Botanicals.

Celebrating Diversity and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth with Betta Botanicals' 2024 Pride Pack

Celebrate Pride Month 2024 with Betta Botanicals' specially curated Pride Pack, supporting The Trevor Project in preventing LGBTQIA+ youth suicide. This unique botanical package enhances your ecosystems with a diverse selection of leaves, twigs, and roots while promoting inclusivity and sustainability. Join us in supporting a welcoming, loving community for all.

Read moreabout Celebrating Diversity and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth with Betta Botanicals' 2024 Pride Pack

An in-depth look at blackwater and botanical aquarium substrates, showcasing natural layering techniques to enhance aquarium ecosystems at Betta Botanicals.

The Importance of Aquarium Substrates for Botanical Method Aquariums

Discover the art of creating a naturalistic substrate for your botanical method aquarium. This guide dives into using organic materials like leaves, twigs, and roots to craft a substrate that not only enhances the aesthetic but also functions as a living component of your ecosystem. Learn how to build a thriving, natural habitat from the ground up with Betta Botanicals.

Read moreabout The Importance of Aquarium Substrates for Botanical Method Aquariums

Guide to culturing microfauna as supplemental nutrition for aquariums, focusing on natural feeding methods to support botanical method ecosystems at Betta Botanicals.

Little Bugs In My Fish Tank: Microfauna of The Botanical Method Aquarium

Explore the fascinating world of microfauna in botanical aquariums with our detailed guide on "The Wondrous And Mysterious Life Of Little Bugs In My Aquarium." Discover how these tiny creatures, from amphipods to copepods, not only enhance the natural beauty of your setup but also play a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance. Learn about their origins, the roles they play, and how to cultivate them to create a thriving underwater community that mirrors the complexity of natural habitats.

Read moreabout Little Bugs In My Fish Tank: Microfauna of The Botanical Method Aquarium

Recreating the natural habitat of the Sparkling Gourami in a botanical aquarium, highlighting blackwater environments and natural biotope products at Betta Botanicals.

Sparkling Gourami: Comprehensive Care And Habitat Guide

Our guest blog guides enthusiasts through the essentials of creating a thriving habitat for these iridescent beauties in botanical aquariums. It covers everything from tank setup and ideal water conditions to understanding the unique behaviors and needs of this lesser-known Anabantid family member.

Read moreabout Sparkling Gourami: Comprehensive Care And Habitat Guide

An assortment of nutritional food options for wild and domestic Betta fish, focusing on optimal diet and feeding strategies at Betta Botanicals.

Wild Betta Fish Diet: A Comprehensive Guide

Achieving an optimal diet for your betta fish is crucial for their health and happiness. Understanding their natural habitat in Southeast Asia provides insights into their diverse diet, including insects, crustaceans, small fish, and even accidental plant matter. In the wild, bettas feast on mosquito larvae, freshwater shrimp, and small fish, showcasing their adaptability.

Read moreabout Wild Betta Fish Diet: A Comprehensive Guide

Bioactive tree frog enclosure featuring natural leaf litter and botanicals to create a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem at Betta Botanicals.

Bioactive Vivarium Build Guide for Pacific Tree Frogs - Part 1

Discover the captivating world of bioactive vivariums for Pacific Tree Frogs, creating self-sustaining ecosystems that mimic their natural habitat. This guide will lead you through enclosure selection, substrate choices, and crafting a naturalistic backdrop.

Read moreabout Bioactive Vivarium Build Guide for Pacific Tree Frogs - Part 1

Exploring the misunderstood role of aquatic biofilms in blackwater aquariums, transforming perceptions of natural ecosystem processes at Betta Botanicals.

Aquarium Biofilms - The Good, The Bad, And The (NOT) So Ugly

Explore biofilms in botanical aquariums, their role in filtration, food sources, and the 'Goo' phase. Calvin Darling highlights their importance for ecosystem stability in this informative dive.

Read moreabout Aquarium Biofilms - The Good, The Bad, And The (NOT) So Ugly

Exploring the cycle of life and death in blackwater aquariums, highlighting the natural processes that contribute to thriving aquatic ecosystems at Betta Botanicals.

Setting Up An Aquarium | Research, Inspiration, Life & Death

Just like in nature, aquariums have a life and death so enjoy your setups and start over if you think it is time for your ecosystem to be reborn. 

Read moreabout Setting Up An Aquarium | Research, Inspiration, Life & Death

Macaranga leaves, a sustainable alternative to peat, naturally lower pH in aquariums, enhancing water chemistry for sensitive species at Betta Botanicals.

Macaranga Leaves for Indonesian Blackwater Biotope Aquariums

To create a truly captivating Sumatran biotope aquarium you will need to utilize macaranga leaves; both for their tint and pH reducing properties.

Read moreabout Macaranga Leaves for Indonesian Blackwater Biotope Aquariums

An in-depth comparison of biotope, blackwater, and botanical aquarium methods, exploring their differences in creating natural aquatic environments at Betta Botanicals.

Key Differences: Biotopes, Blackwater & Botanical Method Aquariums

At first glance, each aquarium type can appear the same – they each have similar elements: botanicals. But upon closer inspection, you'll notice differences in the plant and animal stocking and the water chemistry.

Read moreabout Key Differences: Biotopes, Blackwater & Botanical Method Aquariums

Exploring the role of shrimp and snails in the botanical method aquarium, focusing on their contributions to tank cleaning and ecosystem balance at Betta Botanicals.

What Leaves Can I Feed My Shrimp? Shrimp Safe Leaf Litter!

Freshwater ecosystems are so much more than just fish and plants! The next time you visit your local stream or lake, take a closer look at its inhabitants – we’re sure you’ll see everything from fish to insect larvae to inverts like shrimp and snails. Here's how to feed them what they need!

Read moreabout What Leaves Can I Feed My Shrimp? Shrimp Safe Leaf Litter!