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Balanced Aquarium and the Snailery — Part 1

Three-to eight-gallon sizes are recommended by the best authorities. Smaller ones are feasible for observing the doings of particular animals. Larger ones are unmanageable in a house.

Place the aquarium where the whole family can enjoy it. Set it on a small table, so it can be viewed on all sides. Set the table in front of a north window if practicable, so as to have light, but no direct sunshine. Any window may have the right light if protected by a veranda roof or an awning. If the table has a marble or metal top, set the aquarium on a wooden base, to prevent danger of cracking.

Stocking the Fresh Water Aquarium.--First put into the (perfectly clean) tank two inches of coarse gravel which has been thoroughly washed. "Bird gravel" is not so good as a coarser grade. Put in bits of rock that please your fancy, a piece of rock work if your taste leans toward artificial structures.

Plants with good root systems are easily anchored in the gravel. Others may be attached to sinkers of some kind which will hold them down. A cluster of stalks may be wrapped with a strip of sheet lead and planted in the gravel. Choose vigorous young specimens, of not too many kinds. Three or four are plenty, and do not crowd the tank. Let each plant display its good points. Give it room to grow.

The "Fontinalis'" of aquarists (Antipyretica fontinalis) is a feathery moss-like plant that grows on decayed logs or on stones in the beds of streams or by springs. This is a most beautiful and useful plant for the aquarium. It can be found, and it keeps growing, the year around; and it is one of the few best aerators of water.

The Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) ranks next. Its plume is rounded and full. It has the fault of dying away at intervals.

The Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) resembles the milfoils, and it lasts longer.

The Eel-grass or Tape Grass (Valisneria spiralis) has narrow flat leaves, like green ribbons. It is an intensely interesting study, as well as a valuable tenant of the aquarium. It takes root easily, and throws up vigorous new shoots. At blooming time the solitary buds of the fertile plants rise to the surface on slender coiled stems. The sterile flowers tumble off of their short stems and rise to the surface. Floating about, these pollen-bearers brush against the pistils of the fertile flowers, thus effecting their pollination. Thereupon the coiled stems draw down the flowers which mature, under water, the seed thus set. The sterile flowers wither.

Water Thyme (Anacharis Canadensis) is one of the most vigorous of aquarium plants, and is easily obtained in many regions, where it chokes streams and canals.

Pond weed (Potamogeton densum) has a fern-like leaf, and grows well in the tank. Though not so easily obtained as the Parrot's Feather, a close relative which florists grow, it is much more desirable. The latter exhales very little oxygen, though it has a dense, showy plume.

The Stoneworts, Nitella and Chara, bear tufts of silky hairs that sway most gracefully when a tadpole or a fish flips his tail near by.

Water-silk (Spirogyra) is a fine network of green threads, which floats, and is often mistaken for "scum." A hand-glass brings out its beauty.

Duckweeds (Lemna) float like pale threads, their minute green leaves flattened on the surface of the water. Many tiny snails and other creatures harbour and forage on them.

Riccia, which looks like a sprinkling of green sawdust, is a good plant.

Conferva is the botanical name of several kinds of algae, microscopic plants, which appear as a green film lining your tank, especially if it is in a well-lighted place. Fairy ropes of it festoon the walls and connect the plumes of the plants. This is one of the useful aerators, and a favourite food of certain snails. It can be checked in its growth by introducing more snails, or by cutting off the light with a screen of yellow paper. Such a method is much better than darkening the room.

Probably no single locality would furnish all the pond plants mentioned. But any natural pond should supply plenty of three or four kinds.

If possible get water from the pond which grew the plants. If this is impracticable, use ordinary well or cistern water, or take it from the city tap.

Let the plants get used to their new station before you put in the animals. Bubbles of air rising in the water show that all is well.

Mollusks of rivers and ponds are at home in the fresh water aquarium, and live at peace with many other animal forms. Snails will be found among the leaves and stems of floating and submerged plants.