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