Evening star., 1937-03-03
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

tank free from the sort Of algae which
make water pea -soupy."
Many systems have been tried, includ-
ing chemical methods which may or may
not work. but which always offer some
danger to the fishes, and as a result
have been discarded by careful aquarists
Some people think certain plants. such
as anacharis, help keep tank free from
the inimical forms, which are propagated
by too much light and too much fish
food dissolved in the water.
The primary incubation comes from
water introduced into the aquarium.
There is a soft, fluffy sort Of algae
which clings to the inner walls. Usually
1t grows so luxuriantly that 1t covers
the back wall and the side walls. Some
times it grows freely on the inner front
wall and so cuts off the view. This
form should never be removed except
from the front glass, as 1t beauties a
tank, helps cut of too much light and
Is a good fish food.
If this is removed after the water
settles down 1t will appear clear, and
thus show positively that ones tank
was not host to the 'free-living" sort.
If. after a reasonable period, such as
the two hours noted above, the water
remains "pea-soupy," one may feel sure
that one has the bane of all indoor fish
keeping. although. as correctly stated
above, it is good" for the fishes.
How to get rid of this pea soup" is
another matter entirely.
The way usually advocated Is to cut
down on the light, either by moving
the tank-no easy matter-or placing
heavy paper over the light side. The
latter method may work" If kept at
long enough, and then again 1t may not
in any given case. If it does the loss of
light may harm the major plants in the
tank.
Books and magazines invariably de-
clare that to add fresh water to a pea
soupy tank Is to make matters worse.
We have found this not entirely true.
II the light is cut down and about one
fourth to one-half of the water with
drawn with siphon and fresh tempered
water added it not only dilutes the
soup" for the time being, but has a
deterrent effect on the millions Of
specimens left.
II this procedure Is kept up at least
twice a week and far less food used,
the tank may clear up in time. And
then again 1t may notl
II
Tanks should never be secured except
with salt.
To use sand runs the risk of scratch
ing the glass. A razor blade on the
proper holder will cut off the hardened
algae, bat in using this instrument one
must be careful not to cut inquiSitive
f1SheS
Remaking an aquarium is work, and
hard work. If 1t is done properly. And
we are not sure that when one finds
aquarium keeping work" for any rea-
son at all, and not just sheer interesting
fun, one should not go out of the busi-
ness. But that is another matter.
Fishes do not have to be kept out
of new" water for IL hours, except in
those places where there may be
chlorine in the water supply. In WASH
ington and nearby suburbs no such pre-
caution is necessary. There has been
a great deal of hocum written about
water in relation to aquarium fishes.
If the water is good to begin with, fresh
water properly tempered is enjoyed by
all fishes. tropical and gold. Not too
much should be changed at any one
time, although goldfshes undoubtedly
can stand complete change, If the new
water is exactly the same temperature as
the old. To change any fishes from
water of one temperature to water of
distinctly different temperature is
cruelty No one keeps fishes properly
who does not use a thermometer.