Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-09

The harm may not show for weeks,
and even then it will not be traceable to
the sudden change, but that will be the
real cause of the trouble.
Hence 1t Is important to measure the
temperature of the water in the bucket
they are in, and also Of the water they
are to be placed in, before any transfer
is made. II the temperatures are not
the same, or practically the same, within
q few degrees, they should be made SO.
Every care must be taken in Summer
to keep the water temperature low. Ice
cubes, however, are not recommended.
The best solution is a window where air
can blow over the surface of the water,
and where not much direct sunlight will
hit the tank. If the aquarium is directly
by the window, the light will be strong
enough to keep the plants in good shape,
at the same time not so intense as to
cause green algae to collect, bringing
about the unfavorable condition known
as green water" familiar to most people
who have kept fishes in tanks for any
little length Of time.
&A*
/ The more intense light of the Summer
Is responsible for most Of this inimical
condition, which colorS the water and
gradually hides the fishes from view.
So far no real remedy has been
evolved. Chemical means for clearing
are to be viewed with suspicion. Cover
ing the tanks with colored papers Of
various sorts Is mostly hokum. While
now and then a tank may clear up,
under such treatment, the owner will
have the deep-seated suspicion that it
was mostly good fortune, and that some
other unknown factor really did the
work.
One thing Is sure, whether one deals
with tank containing tropical fishes or
goldfshes, there Is no need for some Of
the light which strikes the water, either
from the top or through the sides.
The clear water aquarium must re-
main the ideal, whether ones object
simply is to display the inmates properly
or to breed them. There is little If any
thing to be said for green water" even
if it Is supposed to be healthy. Clear
water is healthier and much better look
ing. One may fancy the fishes prefer
it, too, especially those species which in
nature enjoy crystal clear habitats.
I0ere can De uLLle uOuDI, WnetIlcT OIlc
deals with tropicals or goldflshes, that
one Of the best solutions Of many prob
lens, including both clear water and
healthy fishes, is to cut down the num-
Der of animals kept in any given body
Of water.
This will mean that bits of waste food
will not have a chance to do harm.
because the precise condition brought
about by the products Of too many ami
mails, in combination with leftover
food, cannot get in its bad work.
This will mean that the water will be
clearer, and, all things taken into con-
sideration, more filled with oxygen, with
less carbon dioxide and other harmful
by-products Of organic life.
II we wish more oxygen in water, one
way Of getting 1t. in effect, is to see that
less carbon dioxide is in it. Then the
amount of oxygen is relatively higher.
whether actually more or not. 1t is as
simple as that, and no doubt many a
tank has failed for no greater reason.
Sometimes one sees fewer plants advo-
Gated for Summer, but we do not believe
| in that, and do not believe the fishes
do, either, whether gold or others. The
more plants, within reason, the better.
But this, only. if the number Of animals
has been cut down. 1t is better to have
two fishes in good health, and enjoying
life, than half dozen swimming slug
gishly and unhappily.