windows. These windows are side by side, 

 separated only by the width of the casings, 

 forming what is termed a triple window. 

 Outside is a driveway, bordered on the 

 far-side by tall shade trees. The light 

 through these three windows floods the 

 room, or rather the reception hall in which 

 the aquarium stands. Yet it is not sufficient 

 in actinic power to maintain the aquarium 

 in condition to satisfactorily support seven 

 adult fish. The plants will grow, but so 

 sluggishly that they do not give off sufficient 

 oxygen, and, too, with an abundance of the 

 best oxygenators. In fact, I have had the 

 tank packed almost full of plants in the 

 attempt to make this aquarium self-sustain- 

 ing, without success. The result is the 

 water has to be changed constantly. I have 

 given up making aquariums self-sustaining, 

 and am just now arranging to install an 

 aerating pump, to supply the necessary air 

 for the tank. 



In contrast to this, I have two aquariums 

 facing south windows. These are small 

 single windows, only 5-ft. 6-in. high from 

 sill to top, yet the light is ample for all 

 purposes; sometimes there is too much sun- 

 light, at which times I put a screen of green 

 crepe paper back ot the tanks and draw 

 down the window shades. Another tank I 

 have faces a bay window from which it 

 receives a southeast and southwest light. 



with sun both morning and afternoon. Here 

 the shades are drawn most of the time on 

 sunny days. None of these three last- 

 mentioned tanks have had the water changed 

 since they were last "set up," which was 

 over eight months ago. Also the plants in 

 these tanks grow vigorously and always 

 have a strong, healthy appearance. 



Now coming back to the advantages of a 

 north light, I agree with others on this 

 subject that a north light is the best — 

 provided the light comes direct and unob- 

 structed from the sky. 



I have an aquarium in my office facing a 

 north light. Here the light falls direct 

 from the sky on the surface of the water, 

 there is no reflected light, therefore the 

 actinic power of this light is entirely 

 different than a north light which is reflected 

 by trees or walls. This aquarium in my 

 office is all that could be desired — the water 

 is "crystal clear" — and the plants beautiful, 

 and I have never had more fish in it at any 

 one time than it could well take care of. I 

 am going to experiment with this tank to 

 see just how many fish it will support and 

 make comparisons Avith my others. 



In conclusion, I wish to state that un- 

 doubtedly a north light is the best, under 

 proper conditions, but unfortunately, as a 

 rule the proper conditions are difficult to 

 get in a home. 



SOCIETY 'BULLETIJ^fS 



Minneapolis 



Officers for 1912 



. President F. L. Tappan, 92 South 7th Street 



A Q 11 3, r 1 U m Treasurer . . . J. W. Franzen, Curator Museum Pub. Library 

 ^OPlPtV nUnU Secretary . . . Robert Rasmussen, 504 Loan & Trust Bldg. 



Boston p . 



, President 



Aquarium secretary 



Society TO ^^^^^"^^•' 



Initiation Fee, $1.00 

 Annual Dues, $2.00 



Officers for 1912 

 Tennant See, 18 School St., Dedham, Mass. 

 . Chas. W. Alden, 15 Broomfield St., Boston, Mass. 

 Franklin A. Packard, 5 Perry St., Cambridge, Mass. 



53 



