aquatic JLite 



83 



dow side. About six inches of water may 

 now be added. The temperature of this 

 water should be the same as that in the 



Sagittaria natans 

 Drawing by Frank L. Tappan 



reeeptable from which the fish will be 

 taken ; regulate the degree of heat by 

 adding hot water to that in the pitcher 

 or bucket, and not by pouring direct into 

 the tank — the hot water would be apt to 

 crack the glass. 



We now have reached the stage 

 wherein lies success or failure — the 

 plants. The fault most general with be- 

 ginners equipping their first tank is that 

 they are niggardly when it comes to in- 

 vesting in plants. They will buy quite a 

 nice tank, spend perhaps several dollars 

 for fishes, but only a few cents for plants. 

 In other words, they propose to build 

 their water world on a very insecure 

 foundation. The plants, the very essen- 

 tial to its success, they economize on ; the 

 greatest mistake it is possible to make in 

 fitting an aquarium. It would be far 



better if they regarded the aquarium as 

 first an aquatic garden, and then, second- 

 ly, as a home for fishes. 



There are just a few species of sub- 

 merged plants that may be regarded as 

 "foundation" plants. The first in this 

 class is Sagittaria (several species or 

 varieties), with Vallisneria a close sec- 

 ond. The latter will thrive with consid- 

 erably more sunlight than the former 

 will find agreeable, but neither will thrive 

 without sufficient light. Both are domi- 

 nant plants in the tanks of experienced 

 aquarists and propagate readily by means 

 of runners from the roots. These spe- 

 cies cost from ten to twenty-five centt 

 per plant. The cost, considering the size 

 of the individual plant, seems high, but 

 as they increase in number more or less 

 rapidly throughout the year, and are the 

 best oxygenators in consequence, they are 



Anacharis or Elodea 

 Photo by Henry A. Dreer 



the cheapest plants in the long run. For 

 the beginner's tank I advise about a 

 dozen plants of Vallisneria or small Sag- 

 ittaria to each square foot of bottom 



