56 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
FILLING THE TANK. 
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The aquarium is now ready to receive the water. If you 
live in a city that has water-works, use water from the hydrant, 
provided that it is clear; if you cannot have that, take clear 
cistern or spring water, but the water must be clear and fit for 
anybody to drink. Any water that you would not like to drink 
yourself is not fit for an aquarium! Muddy water is as detri- 
mental to aquatic plants as dust is to garden plants. If the 
water is less than 60° F, some warm water should be added, as 
otherwise the plants would get chilled. Pour the water into 
the tank slowly and carefully, in order not to wash out the 
roots of the plants, filling it up to within two inches from the 
top. If the tank be a small one, this is accomplished by pour- 
ing the water from a pitcher into the hollow of your left hand, 
held for the purpose just above the bottom. 
Now take a small stick, and by its aid carefully arrange the 
branches or blades of the plants to suit, then sprinkle a pinch 
of common table salt on the surface of the water, and your 
aquarium is started. 
STOCKING THE AQUARIUM. 
If you wish to do so, you can place the fish in the water 
at once, but if there is no particular hurry it is advisable -to 
wait a day or two in order to have the water settle and to 
give the plants a chance to get established. After a lapse of 
that period you will see most of the plants covered with mi- 
nute silvery bubbles; these are oxygen bubbles and you may 
consider your tank charged with same and in perfect condi- 
tion to support animal life. Now take the wiper and slowly 
wipe the inside of the glass of the aquarium, making the 
