Evening star., 1936-06-25
Air-conditioning Is very much in vogue

now.
1t means tempering and changing the
physical state of air to better satisfy and
meet human needs.
This popular use of the term air
condition" means that the air itself Is
conditioned, or changed.
To air-condition the water OF home
aquarium means that the air is the
agent used to change the state Of the
water, making 1t more to the fishes
desire and health.
This is done by blowing air, usually
by means of q small electric pump OF
some sort, through a rubber tube and
out of piece of porous stone.
Passage of these fine bubbles Of air
through the water actually conditions"
it, in the best sense, by sweeping 1t
clear of low-lying gases. such as carbon
dioxide and methane, and giving 1t
life and movement.
This is one of the most satisfying
operations in connection with the popu-
lar keeping of small fishes in tanks.
To see fish gasp for air and to watch
1t quickly relieved and breathing nor
mally as the result of column Of air
forced from the bottom to the surface
Is one of the finest sights possible In
this sport
This air-conditioning is known as
aeration, but the latter word is really
not good. because 1t puts the accent on
the wrong thing. While some small
amount of oxygen is put into the water
as result of this activity, the blowing
out of the harmful gases is the main
result accomplished.
This agitation of the water is brought
about without rolling it, in any sense,
unless the tank is extremely dirty.
1t must be kept in mind that the dirt
of an aquarium is natural dirt in every
sense. and does not answer to the usual
definition of dirt" as matter out of
place.
If aeration is controlled properly
which means a gentle stream of air
bubbles, not a great, rapid rush of
them-very little of the mOlm will be
picked up and swirled around.
conditioning a tank not only helps
the fishes. but conditions the owners
mind in two ways.
He is pleased at helping his finny
friends, in the first place.
In the second he soon sees whether
he is managing his aquarium properly.
Not every one can be manager in real
life, in the business world, but the owner
of even the smallest guppy bowl must
manage it or permit his pets to be-
come ILL.,
II proper management is not made a
part of the daily life of the tank. ire
spective of size, it goes green or be-
comes clouded with white particles, or
so full of mulm, or the natural dirt
which collects in all undisturbed tanks.
that the first time column of air is
blown through it the entire water is
rolled seemingly beyond repair
AS stated above. If the tank has only
a fair amount of dirt in it. this will not
happen at all. The circulation of water
in the tank, by means of aeration, is
definite but gentle, provided the air
pressure is not too high.
Most of the natural dirt which swirls
up as it feels the pull of the air will be
carried completely to one end or the
other of the aquarium. thus manifesting
positively the completely cleaning action
of the air.
If bits of plant life, for instance, can
be so carried think of what that air is
doing to the inimical gases in the water!
But it will be found that all the dirt
comes to rest on the sand again, and
no harm is done, provided there is not
too much of it in the tank. If aeration,
or this real air-conditioning of which
we speak here, kicks up too much
dust" in an aquarium. feel pretty sure
that management is at fault.
***
Bad management shows itself particu-
larly in hot weather.
If more prepared food is put into