THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, 3 893. 



23 



n pasture with the edge of a piece of 

 forest as a background. The whole is 

 -a living picture continually changing, 

 but always charming. Its perfect 

 silence rests our nerves and imparts a 

 peaceful feeling. 



If th"i aquarium is to be a source of 

 information to children or pastime for 

 invalids, a different course is to be 

 taken and the collection should com- 

 prise various species of fish in order 

 that the different forms, habits and 

 structure may be compared and 

 studied. 



There now remain a few remarks to 

 be said in regard to the general manage- 

 ment of an aquarium. We say a few 

 remarks, because if the aquarium has 

 been properly started, it almost takes 

 care of itself, all that is necessary is to 

 feed the fish regularly every day. One 

 person only should have charge of this, 

 and the fish should be fed as nearly as 

 possible at the same period. Allow for 

 €ach fish a mouthful of food each feed- 

 ing time. Should any unconsumed 

 food remain at the bottom the tadpoles 

 and snails will devour it. Once or 

 twice a week the inside of the glat-s 

 should be cleaned with the wiper, thus 

 preventing algae covering it and ob- 

 •structing the view. At the same time 

 the water lost by evaporation should be 

 replaced. 



Once a month the sediment that has 

 collected between the pebbles, intro- 

 duced for this purpose, should be 

 removed by the aid of a glass dipping 

 tube or a rubber syphon. 



When the aquarium is to be thor- 

 oughly cleaned and re-arranged, which 

 should be done once or twice every 

 year, the water is drawn off with a 

 rubber syphon to within about six 

 inches from the bottom (this water, if 

 practicable, is saved and used again 



when the tank is re-filled. The older 

 the water, the better. The author has 

 used water for eleven years in this 

 way). Xext take out the rockwork, 

 then all the plants, also the larger 

 pebbles, and now carefully catch 

 and remove the fish, etc., placing 

 them in a clean tin vessel with plenty of 

 ivater of suitable temperature. Take 

 out the balance of the water now and 

 also the sand, but do not move the tank 

 from its position. After washing the 

 sand particles off' the inside of the glass 

 to prevent scratching, clean the entire 

 inside of the tank by rubbing it with 

 ordinary table salt, using the fingers 

 instead of a brush. All the brownish 

 or green matter being taken off, the 

 tank is once more washed with clean 

 water and is then ready again for re- 

 planting. 



The sand should be well washed in 

 various waters until perfectly clean be- 

 fore it is jiut back into the tank. 

 Where sand is easily obtained a new 

 supply is preferable. 



The rock work, or tlie rock used for 

 it, should be scalded and then washed 

 in salt water with a rough sponge or 

 small scrubbing brush before replacing 

 in position. 



The plants are then looked over and 

 the most desirable ones selected and 

 2:)lanted again without delay; the tank 

 refilled, and fi'sh, etc., returned as soon 

 as practicable. 



Two or three hours of labor once or 

 twice in a year— what a wealth of pleas- 

 ure, information and j)astime will they 

 bring to a family circle, school room or 

 hospital I 



We cannot leave this chapter without 

 calling attention to the old saying: 

 "■ What is worth doing at all is worth 

 doing: well . " 



