The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-03-26
How to Make . Fre.n-w.,.r Aa..-suu


How to Make a Fresh-waser Aquarium.
The fresh-water aquarium or drawing
osasstns f1e% ss pond s tpl pleasing siS ssS
or suburban town. 1t is cheaply
and easily made, and requires but little
care. Comparatively few persons can adorn
their homes with costly pictures and
love of nature and art can
have an aquarium, fulfilling minia-
ture realities the glowing and poetic water
legends of Northern and Oriental climes 1t
is the expression of the cultured TASTE more
than the establishment of wealth, that
makes charming home.
A tank for a fresh water aquarium may
be constructed of four plates OF glass, with
a large piece of slate, marble or metal for
the bottom; or the tank may be
made wholly of metal and set
like a large sink in o bay or orlel win
dow. We have seen an aquarium of this
kind surrounded with growing plants, in the
midst OF which is miniature cottage COW
cred With moses, perfect living picture as
it were, of the charms of rural life. The
OF recent date, and we can not better give
view Of its requisites than by showing
how it was perfected by the English
naturalist, Mr.. Warrington. 1t used to
be found difficult thing to keep
even gold and silver fish alive for any
Co1ciucIdDic lcuEt1 Vi tlult III tue CO1mOu
glass globes. Fish emit carbonic acid gas.
which soon poisons confined body of
water, destroying animal life. 1t was
however, at last discovered that plants
consume this gas. using as food
the noxious vapors emitted by
animals. Starting with this principle, Mr.
Warrington set about breeding fish in tanks.
with the aid of marine plants He succeeded
admirably at first, but after a time, change
came over his little world. The water be-
came impure and the fish persisted. By the
aid of the microscope he discovered vege-
table poison arising from the decaying
plants. But in rivers and ponds plants
decay without destroying animal life.
What was the reason? The experimental
ist went to a pond in the vicinity
and explored the bottom with care
He found decaying vegetable mat
ter, but, likewise, water snalls doing duty as
scavengers. In constructing your aquarium
you will, therefore, supply the water with
growing plants such as delicate grasses,
moses, ferns. and with snails and mussels to
| consume decaying vegetation. II the
window sink is used for the aquarium, it is
well to surround it with growing plants like
| the Gala Ill Y aud to- cover the bottom with
| clusters of pebbles and marine shells.
| In selecting fishes for the aquarium, gold
| and silver fish will of course have the first
| choice, and after that the mipnows. The
| beauty of these fish, their habits, and the
management they require are too well
| known for an extended notice
| in necessarily brief article
| The perch is suitable fish for fresh water
aquarium. for a reason that may not be well
| known. tits one of the few fishes that may be
trained. and made 10 show its docility by tax
ing food from the fingers. The pike, which is
| the shark of fresh water, may be put into an
aquarium with gold fish and perch, but not
with other fishes. Even with the gold fish
it is not fully to be trusted, as when hungry
| it has been known to eat its own species.
| The trout is a handsome fish, with its
crimson, spotted sides, but. like the pike,
must be well fed and kept away from
| smaller fishes. The eel may be used with
ssfety-a small one, and frogs may be kept
| with larger fish.
The merot may also be added to the happy
| family, Notwithstanding the antipathy
| against it on account of its resemblance to
the lizard; it is perfectly harmless Dur
| ing the breeding season it exhibits
| q variety of shining .colors-
orange, olive, green, with a nothing of
brown and scarlet. The water spider
| is curious insect, and, if possible,
should be secured for the aquarium. 1t
| spends the greater part of its time beneath
| the water, coming to the surface to seize
| its prey ahd to obtain a fresh supply
of air for its sub-aquatic home. Reclining
| figures of plaster may be added, and if the
| tank be large one, an artificial island of
stones, moses and ferns, with 6 nphon foun-
| tain, may be made in the middle.