Balanced (Jqaarta. 



By L. B. SPENCER, of the New York Aquarium. 



I 



T is nearly thirty years since the writer 

 saw for the first time a balanced aqua- 

 rium. It was in the home of a friend 

 who was very much interested in the study 

 of natural history, and very enthusiastic on 

 the subject; I cannot realize how one could 

 refrain from the same feeling; for, compared 

 to the first cost and maintenance, a person 

 will receive more instruction, pleasure and 

 recreation from either a fresh or salt water 

 balanced aquarium than in any other way, 

 provided the person cares for natural 

 history, as studied from living animals. 

 Another source of benefit to the possessor 

 of an aquarium will be derived from col- 

 lecting the animals and plants for stocking 

 it. The collector will require a smali hand 

 net with fine meshes (one with a jointed 

 handle is more compact) and a tin pail 

 with a perforated cover. I would advise 

 inexperienced persons to begin with a fresh 

 water aquarium, as it is the easiest to man- 

 age. Glass jars from one to twenty gallons 

 are made expressly for aquaria ; those with perpendicular sides are best ; they are 

 easier to keep clean ; oblong tanks of many sizes and styles are made, and are pre- 

 ferred by some ; globes are not suitable. 



A BIT FROM A SALT WATER AQUARIUM. 



Wl)af is a balanced (Jcraarmm? 



It is an aquarium in which the water is aerated by placing in it growing aquatic 

 plants ; the light striking on them produces oxygen, which purifies the water, and 



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