
MARINE AQUARIA 

Forms or Marine Aquaria. Any large glass receptacle may be 
used, but the best forms have glass fronts and sides, slate backs and bot- 
toms, and are constructed so that no metal or cement comes into contact 
with the salt water. The cement should be covered with strips of glass 
and the frames arranged outside the glass so that the glass cover-plate 
rests on the upper edges of the glass and slate, and protects the frame 
from the action of the salt water, to prevent its rusting and to exclude 
iron rust from the water. The purpose of the cover is to check a too 
rapid evaporation and to avoid the trifling splashing caused by the escape 
of the air through the water. 
ARRANGING THE Aquarium. In the arrangement of the aquarium 
the bottom should be covered with sand and small pebbles, upon which 
either a central or two side mounds of stones, preferably granite, may be 
erected, interspersed with sea shells, corals and other marine objects, to 
form grottos and caves, but kept away from the glass, as they may topple 
and break it. Then the bottom should be covered with a thick layer of 
fine beach sand, the purpose being to produce a realistic effect, simulating 
a small section of the quiet bottom of the sea. The slate back may also 
be covered with pieces of rock, pomice and corals, to form a background, 
having shelves and projections at different elevations to which the sea 
anemones and other polyps may attach themselves, or on and behind 
which deep pockets may be formed and filled with sand, into which the 
other animals may burrow and hide. Very picturesque marine effects in 
the decorations and embellishments are possible, different in character 
from those employed for the freshwater aquarium or the terrarium. The 
animals will also burrow into the sand on the bottom as it offers the 
best medium for the continuance of their natural habits. 
SEAWATER. Admirers of the marine aquarium in seaboard towns 
have ready access to seawater and others may have it shipped to them. 
It should not be taken near the outlet of a freshwater stream, or where 
contaminated by sewage, but at some distance from the shore; and should 
be permitted to stand several days before use, that it may purify itself. 
Care is also necessary that the vessel in which it is transported is clean, 
odorless and tasteless. 
The simplest and best method, however, is to produce seawater 
artificially, as when the constituents are in proper proportions, it is pre- 
ferable to the natural water, and is cleaner, clearer, and less likely to con- 
tain alge in excess; those present being introduced with the plants and 
animals and are required by some of the inmates. Marine plants and 
animals have been found to thrive as well and better in the artificial than 
in the natural seawater. 
