Evening star., 1945-01-25
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceDell.

ldIHI Y-SECOND STREET.
Dear Sir:
las one who appreciates the reporting
of both Baukhage and you, cannot let
your reply to mis- letter pass without
comment.
I'm the first place, why change water
in the goldfish bowl every 48 hours7
They are not like piece of priced
china to be kept spotless but animals to
be kept in surroundings Stimulating their
natural habitat if they are to be healthy
and contented.
Before me Is an aquarium about g.
by-8-by-12 inches with three contented
goldfish. For the past 10 weeks, I have
added water only to make up that lost
by evaporation and the aquarium hasn't
been given a real cleaning since last
summer.
ut is full of water plants. In order
to cut down on the amount of light from
southern exposure, the glass next to the
window is not cleaned of vegetation more
than once or twice year.
With safety razor blade, I clean the
other three sides occasionally, principally
for esthetic reasons.
"If Baukhage feels he must make a
complete change of water every 48 hours.
he should make certain that the water
is of about the same temperature as
before.
Better still, allow the water to stand
until it reaches the temperature of that
in the bowl.
Sudden changes are harmful to the
fish, even to as hardy variety as a
Op1ifch Tf ho t,o -
chlorine, let the water flow from the
spigot into shallow dish or, better still,
pour 1t through fine spray nozzle and
allow to stand for some time before put
ting into the fish bowl.
IF his bowl has a CONSTRUCTED top, I
would suggest raising the water level
only to that point which will provide
the widest surface exposure for aeration.
Remember that fishes will do well in
depths sufficient to cover them, where
the fin movement will help aerate the
water. Remember also that as water
temperatures change more slowly than
air temperatures, goldfish and other
hardy fishes will Withstand considerable
changes in room temperature.
ANY persons suffering from severe
nervous strain are urged to set up an
aquarium or a battery of aquaria for
relaxation in spare moments and all
who have an aquarium should learn the
fundamentals of providing better con-
ditions for these pets.
Sincerely yours, DIR. L. r."
Fie upon DR.. r. for setting up straw
man and knocking it down so eagerly.
If Mr.. Baukhage wanted to give his
pets fresh water every 48 hours, who
were we-or DR.. R.-to read him q
lecture in public?
As matter of fact, we know goldfish
which has suffered change of water
every "a hours for the past five years
and is in the best of health, thank you.
Not every one wishes to keep model
tank or bowl. And what is more, as
DR.. R. undoubtedly knows, not every one
can do it.
We have had tropical fishes in crystal
clear tanks in which the water was not
changed in two years. This water was
far clearer than good, pure water.
y
We suspect that DR.. r. rushed to the
charge, after reading Mr.. BIS missive,
without more than glancing at our reply.
OOLS yCdIo d6O, La ILLS CUluIllI, we
carried some 100000 words or more about
the proper care of both tropical fishes
and the humble goldfish.
Out of our own observations with II
aquaria Cas- our correspondent puts it
we prefer aquariums) and numerous
books and magazines, we wrote ourself
blue in the face on proper management,
and some Of our readers red in the face.
(They told us so9
There are SO many points to good fish
care that 1t is impossible to put them all
in every thousand words every time one
writes. We commend our correspondent
for doing SO well, and hope Mr.. Baukhage
feels properly set upon. No doubt he
| is used to 1t.