Evening star., 1934-12-13
Continuing home studies OF aquarium

COLllIlulHb llOIle sluSles VI hquaI luIii
water:
Experiments were undertaken. not
particularly with a view toward chang
ing the chemical reactions OF any
tanks but simply TO find out what the
conditions We're.
It was believed that II tanks with
old water and lively healthy fishes
tested on the acid side OF the scale
fair deduction might be drawn that
such water is best for fishes.
The method Of testing need not be
/ gone into here, nor the scientinc
nomenclature.
1t is enough to say that the fol-
! lowing results were secured:
Water from the hydrant In Chevy
! Chase. Md, tested between IA and
70, the point OF 10 being neutral
the acid side of the scale running tC
| 60, the alkaline side to 7.6.
| Water in Washington has ranged
In recent tests. from To to IA.
This would indicate that the local
water supply is good for aquarium
fishes. especially goldfishes. but, per-
haps, is not quite acid enough for the
| best care OF the small exotic Oh
tropical specimens.
This was more or less proved by 9
| test OF the water in lO-salloI
| aquarium, containing "a three-spol
Gouramis in the best Of health.
| This water tested GA, quite acid.
Another tank similarly selected be-
cause Of the health Of the fishes II
it uhese were Rosy Barbs), and IN
which the wafer had not been changed
for many months. tested &c, which
We believe. would be called abou
right Dy those who advocate acldill
OF aquarium water.
A small tank tNo gallons, with
! three tropical cat fish in 1t. and SOME
/ Guppits, tested O., extremely low
| The CatfiSheS orydoras aenus) weit
i'll excellent spirits. but the Guppies
which probably prefer neutral water
! did not look SO we'll.
l0-Pallon tank OF large Angel
| fishes, which are supposed to make
their water acid by natural living
/ tested 10. or neutral. These tlshe:
# 2
I one fourth OF the water i'll this tank
also standing FOR several months. hat
| been drawn OF about two weeks before
! the test. and tempered water addet
from the faucet.
A tank devoted entirely to Guppie:
tested 10. slightly on the alkaline
side.
/ A tank OF aibina Paradise fishes
showed neutral. or 10.
A tank OF goldhshes tested neutral
A tank with very large Jack
Dempsey" in it showed 10. or neutral
Tanks showing neutral probably
/ had been slightly acid until the IN
! PRODUCTION OF some fresh water IRON
the faucet.
A small bowl OF red snails testeC
G.. the lowest reaction secured.
Now what is 70 be made of al
this which Will be Of any value Il
the average person interested IN th'
| keeping Of small fishes III the hom,
aquarium?
1t is not TO be believed that sucl
all average kctpeI II soiiIs W Aoo
around much with such tests.
He probably thinks there is enough
bother in such hobby. at the best
and Will not think of adding TO i
bv meticulouS tests OF water.
Besides. he may feel and justly
| perhaps. that such care would merely
! worry him and do the fishes no par
ticular good.
The following deductions. however
may be made, which ought to hell
in the management Of the average
home tank:
| |. The best tanks will naturally
| be slightly acid III water reaction
brought about by the animal ano
plant life therein.
2. Snails tend to make the watel
| too acid.