| Far too many people start off on the wrong foot | | | | it, but experience has shown that the smaller |
| by acquiring an aquarium first and deciding what | | | | sizes of aquaria are much more liable to have |
| to do with it afterwards. Sometimes this turns | | | | things go wrong than the larger ones, and the |
| out well enough, but it is equally likely to cause a | | | | chances of the initial cost- being wasted or |
| good deal of difficulty and expense. | | | | additional cost being continually incurred are |
| In selecting your aquarium there are three things | | | | greater with small tanks. |
| you must consider. Where you are going to locate | | | | So we strongly advise you to get the largest |
| it; what size will be right; and what style you | | | | tank you can accommodate or afford. This is |
| should choose. As there are certain conditions that | | | | simply because a large body of water is not so |
| must be observed in order to have a successful | | | | liable to sudden changes of temperature, and is |
| aquarium, we will discuss location, size and style | | | | less likely to be affected by small amounts of |
| separately. | | | | harmful matter that may get into the tank; while |
| Location | | | | the added space gives the fish better exercise |
| Naturally you want to look at your fish, so choose | | | | and a chance to get away from the occasional |
| a spot that will allow you to view them while you | | | | bully among them. |
| are seated comfortably. You will be watching | | | | Style |
| them for hours. | | | | Today you can purchase an aquarium and style it |
| Keep in mind that the beautiful colors of the fish | | | | to fit any decor - from traditional to modern, |
| are due to reflected light from their scales, so | | | | from handsome hardwood to wrought-iron, from |
| place your aquarium in a corner or along an inside | | | | knotty pine to polished chrome or plastic. You will |
| wall where you have top or front light exclusively. | | | | find tanks finished so nicely that no other |
| Although most tropical fish will withstand | | | | decoration is necessary - rectangular tanks with |
| moderate variations of temperature it is best to | | | | smooth or stippled stainless steel frames, |
| avoid sudden or extreme changes. Remember | | | | modernistic flared styles where the top is wider |
| that air circulation is a principal reason for varying | | | | than the bottom and is supported from the top |
| temperature. This means that your aquarium | | | | of the tank, even large glass balls some two feet |
| should be located in a quiet place away from | | | | in diameter. Make your choice. Your own taste will |
| heaters or draughts or open windows. | | | | dictate the tank you want to fit your location and |
| Excessive light should be avoided also. Placing an | | | | size. |
| aquarium in front of a window, or having a bright | | | | Keeping goldfish in small glass bowls is a form of |
| light shining in your aquarium, will cause the growth | | | | cruelty which should be beneath the dignity of all |
| of disagreeable algae. Many kinds may form - | | | | people who call themselves civilized. Goldfish can |
| some adhere to the glass, others form in | | | | be kept very successfully indoors in a properly |
| filaments or strings throughout the aquarium, still | | | | filtered aquarium. They are ideal pets, being |
| others float and color the water green. You will | | | | among the most colorful and easily cared-for fish, |
| then have the trouble of cleaning out your | | | | and do not require special heating. They must not |
| aquarium. | | | | be crowded, however. |
| Size | | | | Once you have considered the location, size and |
| There will be a natural inclination to begin by | | | | style of your aquarium, you are ready to buy |
| buying a small tank to see how it goes, with the | | | | one, and begin the wonderful hobby of |
| possibility of getting a bigger one later if | | | | fish-keeping. |
| successful. This may appear wise on the face of | | | | |