AQUARIUM 
NuMBER 5 
VoLuME I 
OCTOBER, 
1912 
Practical Aquarium Management disturbed for nineteen years. Both aquaria 
are in excellent condition. 
WM. T. INNES, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. ue aa cane 
The proper conditions for an aquarium 
HERE is one question which the begin- naturally group themselves into five con- 
mer always asks of the experienced  Gderations as fallowee 
aquarist—“ How often should I change the Plants 
water?” Light 
Number of fish 
As the Fall is the time of the year when 
Se eee ane Feeding 
a great many institutions and individuals 
Temperature. 
start an aquarium, we shall take up very 
simply and plainly at this time those things 
the beginner should know, and we cannot 
do better than start with the question 
already referred to. The answer: Except 
The general principle regarding the benefits 
exchanged between plants and fish has 
already been stated, but the plants in order 
to do their part of the work must have 
light—not too little nor too much. They 
under unusual circumstances, not at all. only give off the oxygen under the influence 
This answer is sure to bring forth expressions — or light, but most aquarium plants will be 
of surprise and wonderment and a demand — «puyned” if éxpased to too mmch direct ease 
to know how in this way one may avoid light. A strong north or other diffused light 
having the water become stagnant and ill-  j, generally successful. | An hour or two a 
smelling. As a matter of fact, a properly- day of direct sunlight is beneficial, but more 
conditioned aquarium only needs water than this is not recommended, particularly 
added to make up for evaporation, while a ag it is apt to turn the water green by the 
general house-cleaning and re-planting may rapid growth of minute algae. 
be desirable (but not necessary) from one Some plants are better oxygenators than 
to three years apart. others. Three of the best are giant Ana- 
The principles governing this are so charis, Vallisneria spiralis, the Italian or di- 
simple that it is surprising to find the minutive variety and Sagittaria (see illustra- 
general public ignorant of them. The big tions). The latter two are probably the 
fact is that what the fish exhale (carbon most satisfactory of all aquarium plants. 
dioxide) is what plants need and that what The Washington Grass (Cabomba_ carolin- 
plants exhale (oxygen) is what fish need. jana) frequently sold by dealers is not 
The answer in a general way, then, is to yecommended. It breaks up easily and un- 
have enough plants to consume the products less the conditions are just right it soon 
of the breathing of the fish. This arrange- looks shabby. Readers desiring fuller in- 
ment produces what is known asa “balanced formation regarding other varieties of aqua- 
aquarium” and is capable of remaining un- rium plants may obtain it by writing to our 
disturbed for years at a time. The writer  letter-box department. 
has an aquarium which has not been drained There cannot be too many plants as long 
for five years, while the editor of this as the fish have room to swim. The surplus 
magazine has one which has remained un- oxygen they form goes off in bubbles. 
39 
