100 THE AQUARIUM, APRIL, 1897. 

windows at both angles, the aquarium 
should be set diagonally so that the 
light from each window will enter the 
aquarium from each end, 
But, although we want plenty of 
light for the plants, we should avoid as 
much as possible the sun. In winter 
_ allow all the sunshine you can get, but 
towards the spring, from February on, 
shelter the tank from his direct rays. 
The most favorable temperature for the. 
welfare of the collection ranges between 
60° and 90° F. 
THE TANK. 
When we have chosen a place for the 
aquarium the next step is to secure a 
tank. The best tank is the rectangu- 
lar one, metal frame with glass sides 
and ends and glass or slate lined bot- 
tom. This tank is placed on a stand, 
table or bracket of proportionate height 
to secure proper light for the plants 
and to allow an easy inspection of the 
contents. 
When the tank is secured it is prop- 
erly cleansed with clean water and a 
sponge, but without the aid of soap, 
and filled up ¢o the top with water to 
test the resistance of the glass and to 
detect any leaks. In making this test 
the tank should bein a perfectly level 
position, and of course not in a car- 
peted parlor. 
ARRANGING THE COLLECTION. 
Having stood the test it is now 
placed in its position, care being taken 
that it sets perfectly level. Now get 
the washed rocks or tuff-stone intended 
for the rockery ready, put a sufficient 
quantity of well washed sharp sand on 
the bottom of the tank to cover it to 
the height of about one inch. 
This done, seat yourself in a chair 



some distance away from the aquarium, 
look at it, and study the best effect re- 
garding the arranging of the rocks. 
Don’t be in too great a hurry ; remem- 
ber that this arrangement is to be for at 
least one season, and don’t forget that 
you must make allowances for the 
plants, making as little shade for them 
in placing the rocks as possible. The 
arrangement of the rocks being com- 
pleted, the next move is the planting 
of the plants. Since we know that 
these are the prime factors for the main- 
tenance of the aquarium, this should be 
done with great care. ~ 
The plants may be well rooted speci- 
mens or mere cuttings, in either case 
handle them gently, do not bruise or 
break them. Plant them in the sand 
with the same care as you would a ten- 
der seedling plant in your garden, ar- 
ranging the different groups according 
to the picture you had made in your 
mind when you sat in the chair think- 
ing about the rockery. An aquatic 
garden can be made a charming little 
sub-marine landscape, prettier than any 
picture. Be not ‘‘close” when you 
make your selection of plants for the 
aquarium, it would be ‘* penny wisdom,” 
as the success of everything depends on 
them. They need not necessarily be 
expensive plants, some of the com- 
moner species being excellent oxy- 
genators, but since plants, outside of 
their purifying faculties, add greatly to 
the attractions of an aquarium, liber- 
ality in this direction is well placed. 
Whilst you are planting, sprinkle the 
plants every few minutes with water, 
so they may not suffer from the dry 
air. All being planted, the next thing 
to do is to place some small stones or 
large pebbles in an apparently careless 
manner on the bottom, some in the 
immediate vicinity of the plants to 
