gE mR TT ne aa Mee ery nee view ny

f all Christmas

gifts, perhaps the

most beloved is a

living gift, such as
an aquarium filled with
tropical fish. Colorful,
varied and sure to be en-
joyed by the recipient, it is
also easy to maintain and
adds a unique decorative
touch to the home.

The busiest months for
aquarium retailers are Decem-
ber and January, says Randy
Cooper, manager of Tropical

_ Fins & Foliage on Hillside
~& Avenue.

“It’s an indoor hobby and when

the weather sours, business
definitely increases.”

It is advisable to purchase a
book providing complete in-
structions on setting up and
maintaining an aquarium. One
basic rule, however, is to buy the
largest possible, since the
greater the water environment,
the less chance of water

’ problems.

Cooper says a good aquarium
with a 10-gallon tank can be set
up for about $100.

When determining where to
locate an aquarium, consider
several factors. Do not put it in
direct sunlight which causes

ONLY
28 Days
til Christmas

: Vanessa Jewellers

GOLDSMITH ON PREMISES
1211 Douglas St. (between View and Yates)

383-4542

four weeks, assuming. every-

|< Consider fancy fish as a Christmas gift

algae to grow on the glass an
plastic accessories. :

Do not put it on the best car-
peting since during water chan-
ges some water is sure to splash
on the floor. Also be sure the

aquarium is on a firm stand as
water is heavy.

The most important accessory
will be a tightly fitting canopy
cover equipped with a fluores-
cent fixture to throw off a cool
hight and not cause fluctuations
in water temperatures.

Tropical fish require an en-
vironment of about 25 C so a
good heater and aquarium ther-
mometer are necessary. Aliquid -
crystal thermometer affixes to
the outside yet accurately
measures water temperature.

Also required are a quality fil-
ter and if keeping many fish, a
separate air pump to add oxygen
to the water.

Decorating a fish tank can be
fun. Multi-colored gravels, high-
ly decorative backgrounds,
hundreds of ornaments, and
realistic plastic plants are avail-
able in retail stores.

Add a chlorine neutralizer to
the water and only a few fish
initially. These few fish will help
develop the proper biological
conditions necessary for a fully
stocked aquarium. After three to

thing is functioning properly,
add the remaining fish.

Aquarium maintenance is
relatively simple. Every two
weeks undertake a partial

THE DOWN COMFORT STORE
Christmas White Goose

THE DOWN COMFORT STORE

Page 3 November 27, 1991. Shoppers Gift Guide

water change by siphoning the
water from the bottom of the
tank.

Down Quilf Special

win °119%
- Double : I 49”
Queen : 1 69”
_ King $ ] 89°

e 100% Cotion Ticking
e 9” Square Box
Consiruction

e 5 Year Manufacturer’s
Guarantee

Bring in this coupon & receive a
$10.00 discount off fhe purchase
of a Percale Duvet Cover.

1728 Douglas St. (opposite The Bay)

381-DOWN (3696)
OPEN 12-4 Sundays during December

IN :

REMOTE AUTO
ALARMS
From

* LIFETIME WARRANTY ae

‘WINDOW SUNROOFS
TINT
From

$9

From

ae | @gs5

@Qs5

RUNNING

BOARDS
| From

SJ @gqess

| ©LIFETIME WARRANTY 2

: Give Ziebart Holiday Gift
Certificates ... available for any
Zebart product or service!

Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat. 9:00am - 3:00pm

384-0064

2804 Rock Bay

Exp. Dec. 23, 1991 Victoria

oan

Pas

» 4 : :
et
Ate

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