Evening star., 1933-04-12
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES I. TRACEHELL.

The cure for such fermentation bub-
bles, as usually given, Is to note care
fully the spot they seem to arise, as
indicated by their position on the wa
ter, and then remove the sand from
beneath It, and I'LL In the spot with Q
very flne sand, so that fallen food par-
ticles cannot hide from the fishes. Often
with coarser sand small particles get
lodged among the tiny crevices, where
even the most tnqutsittve 1sh nose
cannot dislodge them.
Here again the aspiring aquarium
owner Is between the heavy IRE of the
experts" One school says never to
use find sand, as 1t will not permit the
roots Of the plants to get nourishment.
As q matter Of fact, roots are the
last things the average aquarium plant
bothers about. Mostly such roots as
they have are not for nourishing pur-
poses at all, but mainly to anchor the
plants.
A compromise planting, It seems,
would be to use coarse size OF sand
on the bottom, say as much as an inch
and half, or two full inches, and then
cover this with layer, say one-fourth
to half an inch thick, Of the finer white
sand.
This system would permit the roots
to have plenty Of freedom to gather
In all the nourishment possible. If there
is any possible for them, that way, and
at the same time give smooth surface
for fallen fish food.
The finer sand also would be easier
on the fishes noses, which Is by no
means q comical statement, but simply
one Of fact.
Almost all aquarium fishes, some more
than others, will root on the bottom
for fallen particles, after they have
cleaned of the surface Of the water.
Some varieties are known as bot
tom feeders" but 1t has been our ex-
perience with these interesting little
creatures that practically all OF them
get q distinct pleasure from their per-
For this reason no newcomer to this
hobby-and there have been more dur
ing the last year than ever before
should feel that his tank Is going to be
ruined by q bit Of fallen food.
Almost all the dried foods available
able) will tend to fall to the bottom
when eager fishes push their shouts
through the water surface.
It will be discovered that each fsh,
no matter<what breed, has its own ia
vorite ways Of taking its food.
Sometimes q striped zebra fish, Tor
instance, will eat of the surface, while
one Of its mates prefers to grab bits Of
food as they float down. at about half
way point.
One Of pair OF Bettas viii eat at the
surface, while the other will stay about
an inch from the sand and there catch
particles as they fall.
4 +
Between them all. and their ways Of
feeding, the food stands pretty fair
chance Of being devoured, provided the
owner uses the necessary discretion.
What escapes from this banquet table
in the vertical viii be discovered by the
feasters on the table In the horizontal,
the so-cal1ed floor" Of the aquarium.
Very few cases Of food fermentation,
then, will occur, whereas the phenome-
non Of oxygen production, the very life
of tank, may be watched on any sunny
afternoon. Plants will produce some
oxygen as the result Of strong light,
but they do 1t best when the actual
rays Of the sun reach them. Then one
of the most interesting buildings In
Nature may be watched ut close hand.