Leif Stromberg, ago 14, of Redwood City, Calif., ` or his question‑.

How do you make an aquarium for tropical fish?

The aquarium for so‑called tropical fish in the pet shop seems to be a very elaborate affair. There is a fancy light bulb to keep the water warm. There is a long pipe through which compressed air is pumped into the water. We get the idea that those gorgeous little creatures must be pampered with loving car©. Actually this is not so. Those so‑called tropical fish are no morn trouble to raise than a batch‑of polliwogs.

We call the pretty mites tropical fish because they cannot abide cold water. The temperature of the water should b© kept between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is our most troublesome duty towards these pets. We have to watch the temperature of the loom and keep the aquarium where the water will not chill.

During the summer it is usually warm enough to keep the aquarium by a sunny window. In winter it will need to be near, but not too near, a radiator. We must watch for frosty nights. Then you will need to place a heater near the aquarium or fix a warm light bulb under the glass roof.

If your fish have plenty of room they will not need bubbles of compressed air pumped into the water. Fish breathe free oxygen in the water and need room to get the amount they need. In the pet shop, remember, the aquarium is usually very crowded.

It is possible to make a balanced aquarium. The floor of the tank is covered with a layer of soil and gravel. It is planted with a garden of water wends. These plants use carbon dioxide to make food and return oxygen to the water. The fish breathe the oxygen and return carbon dioxide to the water for the plants. In theory this creates a balance between plant and animal life and you do not have to change the water.

Tiny green algae plants tend to form in the glass tank, clouding the water. In the balanced aquarium we use snails to cope with this lowly form of plant life. The African paper‑shell, the ram shorn and the Japanese live bearing snails add interest and beauty to an aquarium as  well as gobbling up the algae and other debris.

Theoretically it is never necessry to change the balanced aquarium: In practice, the water should be. changed a few times during the year. A glass roof to the tank prevents evaporation. But, even so, you will need to add a little water now and. then.

Prepared. fish foods cost only pennies at the pet shop. The little fish need to eat but onto a day and they need much less than you might think. Give thorn only what they c?n eat in five minutes and. never leave old food to rot in the water.

Tropical fish are lovely and interesting to witch. Each variety has its own beauty and its oven fascinating habits. The Siamese fighting fish makes a floating nest of spit, The amazon hamlet lays eggs above the water level and splashes them until they hatch. The young of the Egyptian mouth breeder hide in Mama's mouth when scared,