Founded
1933
Incorporated 1943
| The Wellington Aquarium & Water Garden Society (Inc) | |
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Founded
1933 |
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In The Early Days - by Dawn Stilburn
(Miss Stilburn wrote this piece
for the 1983 Jubilee Booklet.)
Of course in the early days things commonplace today, such as electrical heaters, thermostats, air pumps and the associated filtration and aeration, were not in existence and so coldwater fish were more common than tropical fish.
Early methods of heating tanks were pretty primitive and a small kerosene heater under the base of the tank (sometimes made of slate) was a popular method. Of course these were the days of "framed" tanks. Another method was to place the tank on to a small, strong cabinet about 7 inches high, containing two light bulbs - the heat given off was sufficient to heat the tank. One experimented with different numbers and wattages of bulbs to obtain the temperature required. Another method was too actually immerse the lower part of a light bulb into the water of the tank itself - one shudders to think of this because it could have been quite dangerous. It is quite likely that the bulbs in those days were made of much stronger glass and this practice would be very dangerous using the bulbs obtainable today.
Controlling the temperature when using any of the above methods was hit and miss and in fact not too much attention was paid to it. Although thermometers were available, by dipping a finger into the water occasionally you could judge whether it was too cold, OK, or too hot. The temperature variations were quite considerable at times but the fish didn't seem to mind. The tanks were set up just as we do them today with gravel, rocks and plants.
Tank maintenance was naturally more important because we didn't all have air pumps (regarded as luxury items by many), so regular weekly cleaning, siphoning and topping up with well aged water was necessary. Everyone had a supply of aged water for this purpose.
All of these factors made the fish hardier than their counterparts of today.
Books on fishkeeping were rare and hard to get so one had to rely upon the other members' knowledge and experiences.
Dawn Stilburn
1916-1996
Miss Stilburn was first elected to the Committee in 1948 and was Secretary for
19 years during 1956 - 1975.
She was elected a Life Member in 1966.