Much of the future enjoyment of your aquarium will depend upon the care
with which it is selected, and its proper location.
The aquarium should be rectangular, and the depth should not exceed its
width. The larger the tank the more satisfaction you will receive from
it—it is easier to balance, maintains a more uniform temperature, and
allows space to add to your collection.
The principles of the balanced aquarium are very simple. Fish breathe
oxygen (which they obtain from the water) and exhale carbon dioxide.
Thriving plants absorb the carbon from the carbon dioxide and liberate
the oxygen. This maintains a high oxygen content in the water necessary
to maintain healthy fish. No balanced aquarium can be maintained without
scavengers to consume bits of decaying food and plants. Fish, plants and
scavengers depend upon each other in the balanced aquarium.
Aquarium should be located where it will receive one or two hours of
direct sunshine daily and plenty of strong light all day. When aquarium
is located cover bottom with one or two inches of well washed coarse
sand. (For practical purposes sand may be considered well washed when
water runs clear.) Be sure that aquarium has been carefully washed
before introducing sand. Sand and aquarium may be washed in strong
solution of rock salt—RINSE THOROUGHLY.
Now fill aquarium about half full of water and set in plants. Be sure
that over one half your plants are excellent oxygenators. Vallisneria
and Sagittaria should not have crowns buried when planting. Plant tall
plants in back or in corners and smaller ones in front. You cannot use
too many plants—BUT ONLY GROWING AND HEALTHY PLANTS LIBERATE OXYGEN.
Fill tank, pouring water on piece of paper floating on top or into cup
submerged in tank to avoid uprooting plants. Allow water to stand 24
hours. Be sure it is the right temperature for fish it will contain. Add
snails and scavengers. PROVIDE GLASS COVER as tropicals are noted for
their jumping ability. Some type of heater should be provided for the
aquarium, in order to maintain a uniform temperature during the winter
months.
Fish may now be introduced, care being taken not to place too many fish
in a new tank until plants have had sufficient time to multiply. The
dissolution of uneaten food, dead snails, plants, etc., frequently
produces more food than can be consumed by the plant life present. At
this point Algae frequently steps in and the tank becomes green or
cloudy and foul smelling.
To avoid this condition, avoid too many fish in aquarium, siphon off
dirt on bottom frequently, remove plants that are not thriving, cut down
light when thread algae becomes a nuisance.
Water in a balanced aquarium will remain crystal clear for months.
Always keep glass cover on aquarium. It helps maintain a more uniform
temperature, and keeps fish from jumping out. It may be raised slightly
but this is not necessary.
Always use net in handling fish.
Do not use pebbles in aquarium—food gets into crevices where scavengers
cannot reach it—causing water to foul.
Always keep a thermometer in aquarium.
Avoid metals in aquarium. Lead is safe as it does not dissolve.
Rooted plants should not have crowns buried when planting—Fig. 1.
KEEP BOTTOM OF AQUARIUM CLEAN—remove all sediment with dip tube—Fig. 2.
To remove water—use either automatic siphon—Fig. 3—or siphon with rubber
hose.
[Illustration: FIG·1]
[Illustration: FIG·2]
[Illustration: FIG·3]
[Illustration: {Plants}]
ANACHARIS. LUDWIGIA. VALLISNERIA. SAGITTARIA. CABOMBA.
DUCK WEED.
HAIR GRASS. SOUTHERN VALLISNERIA. MYRIOPHYLLUM. SALVINIA.
SPATTERDOCK.