The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-06

aquarium be put to no expense for jars
or fixtures The teachers have exhibited
so much interest in the matter that it
has been found desirable to prepare brief
instructions rega riding the establishment Of
such collections and the proper way Of
caring for them. Vii. ,t
How to Make an Aquarium.
The following directions for the care of
balanced aquara have been prepared by
Mr. L.. B. Spencer. who is in charge Of
the collection in the. laboratory Of the
New York auuarium:
e Probably a. majority of those who keep
small aquaria, with few goldfish as in
habitants, make. a practice Of frequently
changing part Of the water. that the
fishes may not die for. lack of air. If the
person who cares for them forgets to
change the water or does not do SO often
enough the chances are that some or all
of the fishes may die. Then again, many
people take the fishes out of the aquarium
with the hands or a net, to wash the
interior putting I'm fresh water and
then returning the fishes, and in this way
the unfortunate creatures are soon han
died and washed to death.
pa There are fresh water aquaria at the
X New York aquarium in which the water
has not been changed for more than three
years. and are at the present time in eX-
cellent condition. The loss by evapora
ton must necessarily be supplied by add
Ing fresh water once or twice a week.
80 Round glass aquaria with perpendicu
lar sdes) which will hold from two to
twenty gallons of water, can be bought
at very reasonable prices, and for home
Euse those holding from three to eight
gallons are convenient size. Aquaria.
Fl rectangular In shape, with iron frames
and glass sides and ends, are preferred
by many. Glass globes are not at all de-
sirable. as they are not easily kept clean
a. fcon Il Lr;1.
For the bottom of the aquarium use
fclean washed bird gravel altho a little
scoarser gravel Is preferable. The gravel
locks well, the plants which are ncces-
Fsary to maintain the balance root we'll
yin it,xand it is easily kept clean About
Two inches Of gravel will be necessary to
sl1old the plants down.
The. Best Plants.
There are several species Of waterpants
which are good aerators, one of the best
sbeing grass-like plant known as sagit-
ataria. It roots firmly in the gravel and
sends off shoots In different directions.
from which new plants soon grow. VAL
4lisneria is another like plant suit
Sahle;forl aquaria. 1t is found In the streams
s1n the vicinity of Passaic. N. j. Other
useful species are milfoil. parrots feath l.
ser, Potamogeton-a common pond weed
s.AnachaTis or water thy1ne-a profuse
!. grower and Fontinalis--a moss like plant.
sCabomba1 is a, good plant for the aquar~
siunn and can generally be produced
4 thru the year. OF floating plants there
v ARE several species which are very pretty
and are all more or less useful either to
aid aeration or as a home for the propa
sgation Of n1yriads of minute animal forms
(which are food for some Of the occupants
Eof the aquarium. Nitella is very pretty
growing in masses. very fine and hairlil1e
Riccia is In cutie general use and thrives
well. There are several species of what
are commonly known as duck weeds
which are easily procured. The ponds and