| Show 0 aquariums for amateurs scientific Mae itcan A bons eons ide ration of tile subject will choir that aside from the few w ho are interested ed in elih culture from a iscie fie standpoint AMR teura soon tiro of their aquariums and their collections end bhele they began this we think is the fault of those who firby introduced room aquariums and who had eitnier very little experience or too many pre ane of the worst of which w as the idea that the fish must have fresh water once a flagor once a week if this system were carri e d out it would soon render life a buri den to the occupants of the tank as ell as to its owner the chief requisite for the preserve pre serva tion and beauty of an aquarium is a luguri our growth of plants in the same for only I 1 under such conditions can the fish live and thrive it is well known that the tank should be reCta A round tank is as bad for fish as a round cage is for a bird the bottoni be covered four or five fingers deep the deeper the better with carefully washed sand and over this should be scattered all kinds of shells pebbles bits of coral etc these anre ornamental and will also belp to keep the sand in place in the center or at ont side there should be a ro serve as a biding place for the fish etc calcareous rock is the best for this purpose after all this been arranged the water should ile poured in the tank to within two or t b r ee inches frold the top and then it should be all lowed to stand for about a adek after the sand has sett leil and the water is berf clear the pl a ants can be put iii it then we shall have a perfect aquarium ready for ille fish etc As the water ates it should be replaced from time to time keeping mhd level the same the elih can be selected to suit the judgment and taste of the owner there really is no limit to the wealth of plants which can be use d for tl is purpose many can be fountin the neighboring streams onda brud swamps and A g for eign plants can be obtained from florists there are the float ing or swim ming plants and those with roots all of which be watched carefully doad leaves and stems being removed before they can pollute the water after tile plants have begu n to thrive if I 1 he water has no bad odor the aquarium can be stocked with hall but the choice of the latter must depend upon the object of the owner whether lie wishes to use his tank for breeding purposes or de signs it simply for his own pleasure the fish must have a certain amount of shelter and quiet and the young must not be exposed to destruction by other occupants of the aquarium 11 |
