THE FRESHWATER AQ UARIUM AND ITS MAINTENANCE 



Next the plants should be arranged, and for the indoor aquarium 

 Sagittaria, Cabamba, Vallisneria, Nitella, Potamogeton and Ludwigia, the 

 best generators of oxygen, are to be recommended and should be planted 

 in natural groups, interspersed with a few slips of Anacharis and Fontinalis, 

 to enhance the effect; considerable opportunity being aiforded for the dis- 

 play of individual taste either by arrangement with mathematical precision 

 or by mingling in the graceful abandon of nature. These will grow all 

 the year and thrive indoors; and, to permit of shelter to the fishes from 

 too strong light, they should be arranged towards the window, leaving an 

 open space on the inner side in which the fishes may disport themselves. 

 If closely grouped, each kind somewhat by itself, most picturesque water 

 gardens can be produced. 



The planting is usually done directly in the sand or grit, the lower 

 ends of the plants covered and weighted with pebbles, but it is preferable 

 to plant in low flower pots or dishes, into which a little clean earth or 

 pond mud has been placed, covered with pebbles, so that the plants will 

 not be uprooted when the sand and grit are taken out and cleaned. Sagit- 

 taria and Vallisneria should be planted deeply so that the runners will 

 be covered; the others may be set into the sand or grit without roots, as 

 with some of the plants these will develop, or they will grow without roots. 

 Bunches of Cabamba and other aquatics bound with strips of block tin, as 

 sold by the dealers, should be separated; when planted in that way they 

 will not thrive and soon rot at the lower ends. Cabamba and Cerato- 

 phyllum rarely root in the aquarium but grow quite as well with the ends 

 buried in the pebbles. 



A few larger pebbles scattered over the top and brook-worn stones 

 between the plants, a pile of rockwork or a piece of turfstone make a pleas- 

 ing effect, but it is surely questionable taste to introduce the grotesque 

 submerged castles and figurettes so often seen in aquaria. 



The pebbles permit the humus and precipitations to sift to the bottom, 

 add to the cleanly appearance, permit of the growth of tiny aquatic plants, 

 and are of benefit in many other ways. 



When the plants have been put in position, the aquarium should be 

 filled with clean water nearly or quite to the top, by pouring it on wrap- 

 ping paper laid over the plants, that the contents may not be disturbed; 

 and then the plants raised to proper positions. 



The outside having been cleaned, the aquarium should be permitted to 

 stand a few days before introducing the fishes, though it is advisable to 

 introduce tadpoles and snails at once, so that the water may clear and the 

 plants begin to take root and accumulate oxygen. 



