The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-29
AN AQUARIUM.

House Are Fascinating.
There is no more fascinating occupa-
ton IN the summer than stocking and
taking care of an aquarium. The old
est as we'll as the youngest of the fam
lily take an interest in every new ac-
QUESTION or development while watch
ing the queer antics of the inhabitants
/ of the little tank is a continuous source
/ or amusement A protected and shady
corner of the veranda is the best place
for summer aquarium, and an octa-
! gon glass Enclosure nearly the size of
1 the round table on which it is placed
makes roomy as we'll as a pretty one.
The piece of glass of the size desired
can be procured from the village glaz-
Ter, and the frame made by a common
carpenter. The glass is slipped into
| the frame, and then cemented. The fol-
lowing recipe makes a good waterproof
cement Fine, white sand, litharge and
| rosin, mixed with boiled linseed OIL Too
much light is not wholesome for the
strange little creatures, and it is there
fore better to paint with pitch the side
OF the aquarium that is nearest the
wall. The same cement may be used
for the rock work, which should be
built with one or more arches, as fishes
love to swim under their shadows or
chase each other through openings. If
aquatic plants are desired they should
be first planted in their native mud in
flower pots. For a small aquarium tiny
thumb pots" will do. These can be
concealed by the rock work. The best
bottom for fresh water aquariumS is
river sand mixed with round pebbles,
which should be washed perfectly clean
before it is put in. A few pieces of
charcoal mixed with it is a great puri-
fer. When all is ready the water should
be poured gently in with watering
pot, to avoid disturbing the soil. After
this is done the aquarium should be
left undisturbed for several days, to let
the plants adjust themselves and give
off oxygen, which will form in tiny
bubbles. adhering to the sides of the
tank. Then add first two or three wa
ter snails, that act as scavengers, Jnd
afterward minnow or two and a newt
Do not go too fast, as the great secret
of successful aquarium is to preserve
the balance between vegetable and ami
NAL life.
water added to it except what is lost
by evaporation, but in the meantime
it should be carefully watched and the
conditions regulated. If the water be-
comes greenish it is due to minute veg
citation caused by too much light, which
should be subdued until the evil is rec
. titled. If fishes gasp on the surface II
shows there is not enough oxygen. The
: .l,.x, OF, n
the fish affected may be taken out and
put in temporary glass, in which wa
ter plants are growing that give off
oxygen. People who are successful
with aquaria often keep such tank
as hospital 1t is best not to feed the
inhabitants of a tank, but let them find
their own food. A quantity of snails
not only keeps the water pure but their
spawn is excellent fish food. That with
the fresh shoots of aquatic plants gives
all the sustenance that is necessary
A marine aquarium is started in much
the same way as fresh water one
: In collecting seaweed, which takes the
place of water plants for the production
of oxygen, choose those that have beer
rooted to rocks or pebbles, taking great
: care not to bruise them. The common
periwinkle, or sea snail, is as good as q
scrubbing brush for keeping the glass
clear, and they should be left with the
seaweed and sand and rock a few days
to "clean house" and get ready for the
other inhabitants. Where salt water is
easily accessible it is better to change
the water once or twice week, but the
, balance may be found and kept as il
fresh water aquaria, only it is more
.N. - IT., r.
good thing to use in salt water, which
: evaporates more rapidly than fresh and
should therefore be added to oftener.