New-York tribune., 1901-02-17
ntA A@
|CHlLDRENS CORNER.
l-xlA~ANS1
a BALANCED AQU4RIUM.

There Is fascinating addition 10 the
furnishing of dining room than a well kept aqua
rum N is ending of enjoyment
and instruction to students OF all ages Children
will watch with delight the lively occupants cut
ing all sorts Of queer capers for their amusement
and older people may read some of natures
choicest secrets through the CLASSY sides of the
little water world But the aquarium must he
carefully looked after. The secret of the principle
that insures success is this: Initiate. nature. for
rature Keeps plants and animals In the same pond
and must follow her lead.
To keep fish alive in aquarium there must
he a supply OF oxygen II Is probable that the ma
iority of people who keep in the house few gold
fish in a globe tank provide the fish with air
by changing the water. but the air in the water Is
soon exhausted. and the fish may suffer or die
before the water is again changed.
In a balanced jar tank the water plants. with
the aid OF light. constantly producing oxygen.
thereby providing the animal life with air. and
also keeping the water pure; the animals give of
carbonic acid gas. which the vegetation requires
for its growth
II is we'll 10 use on the bottom Of the aquarium
fine gravel OF sufficient depth 10 cover the roots
Of the plants and 20 hold them in place. To pre-
vent the clusters of plants from floating wind
row strips OF sheet lead loosely around the lower
end Of the stalks. The best plan Is to put the
gravel plants and water in the aquarium and
place Il but not in a sunny window where IL
will get sufficient light. thus starting aeratton be-
fore putting in any animal hfe Be sure 10 nave
plenty of plants. and 90 not overstock with ami
mails.
Many Of the common marsh pond plants are
desirable and the eel grass tape grass is an
interesting study itself especially at blossom
ing time when the spiral stems bearing flowers
appear. Every boy or girl who likes 10 taste the
fresh peppery plants which found growing
in cold springs knows watercress. II the aquarium
is not too deep this plant will above the sur
face and furnish resting place for some snail.
which. tired perhaps by It's constant activity, en-
ioys few minutes In the open air. A little duck
weed or ducks meat grows the surface and
looks pretty dangling it's long threadlike roots in
the water. Then there is the parrots feather an
ornamental water plant. that can be obtained from
a florist. Some varieties Of seaweed that will live
I'm fresh water very ornamental In an aquarium
All dead matter both animal and vegetable
should removed daily. II is well 70 choose such
animals for the aquarium adapted to life in
still water. Quite small fish will thrive best and
will be less destructive 70 the plants Nevis, tad
poles and a few small snans are interesting. The
newt : a comic acrobat is amusing little ant /
NAL The five spined stickIeback is interesting
fish and is of the best nest builders.
The aquarium must be ventilated, every little [
fish snail and insect wants air. just as every boy
and girl wants it, certain quantity of air is +
mixed with the water. and the creatures must /
breathe that or come to the surface for their /
supply. A tadpOle a fish more live in
long necked bottle than a boy car live In a Chin
The temperature should be kept between 40 and
After an aquarium has been filed with water
and the inhabitants we'll established. IL is not /
h wner 70 that is lost by evaporation has to be
poured in gently a little at time n. in order not .
A good way is To pour IL In slow stream against /
the inside OF the aquarium with rubber tube T.
siphon so that il shall, not flow from great
height
n large store Of patience. courage and hOpefuIness
but after II is once made II Is less trouble 10 take