One of the most famous and respected ornithologists, John Lewis Trousdale was a lover of all things natural. He had a fascination for birds and insects, collecting specimens and taking them on long journeys. He took particular delight in studying the wonders of nature, particularly the creatures of the sea. He is best known for his many books on marine life, including The Sea, The Forest of Fear and The Chimes of Eurydice.
As a young man, John Lewis spent much of his allowance picking wild mushrooms that he could take home and process into his favorite drink. One day while visiting his friend Dr. David Rittenhouse in England, John got a phone call from an unknown friend who introduced John to terrarium plants and fish. Dr. Rittenhouse thought that this was a wonderful idea. “You can make a nice living selling terrarium plants and fish!” said John.
John decided to pursue his dream of becoming an aquarium designer, so he gathered his equipment and set off on his adventure. After several failed attempts at building a terrarium, John decided it was time to give up his job. Instead, he bought a book on how to build fish tanks and went on to design his own. He used plywood as a framework and built small molded plastic fish tanks onto it. John also made use of plexiglass to make the bottom of the terrarium to protect the fish from knocks and bumps while they lived inside.
On his first day of work, John was amazed at all the amazing creations he made. Today, his terrariums can be seen all over the world, displayed in fish stores and gardens. John did not stop there. He continued on with his terrarium design venture, designing more terrariums, more fish tanks and finally created the first of his two-tier terrariums.
Today, his fish tanks are still being used. The design of John’s first terrarium was later adopted by another fish manufacturer, who then began to use it in their own fish tanks. John Lewis is proud that he had the foresight that others didn’t, and that his idea has now become a common household item. His designs have evolved from fish tanks that were simple to those that were so beautiful that people would pay good money to have them installed in their homes.
Most people think that fish tanks are just made out of pieces of plywood and a bottom. John Lewis’ original terrarium was a different story. It was made of terracotta, a natural-looking material that gave the terrarium a 3-D effect. The original terrarium design featured live rocks, which the fish were kept in through the winter months. Today, people can choose from a variety of rocks and other embellishments to adorn their fish tanks.
There are other advantages to keeping fish tanks in one place. Water circulation is important to the health of your fish. If you have a tank that is stagnant or dirty, your fish may not be as healthy. Water must travel throughout your fish, both inside and out. A one-level tank allows for proper water circulation and air circulation, giving your fish a healthy environment.
John Lewis did not invent the terrarium. He simply showed others that they could make an impressive looking one with a simple concept. You will probably be able to find fish tanks that look like his, if you look hard enough. He deserves all the credit that his fish have received because of his original idea.
The fish tanks of today are quite different from those that were manufactured years ago. You can purchase a fish tank made of metal, wood, and many other materials. Your choice of tank should provide your fish with a stress-free living environment where they can thrive.
Since fish tanks require a lot of maintenance, it would be a good idea to purchase one of a higher quality than your basic “cage” fish tank. The reason is that your fish will require a larger surface area for swimming and exercise. If you use a smaller terrarium, chances are your fish won’t feel quite as comfortable. They also have the tendency to hang on to the sides of the tank to keep themselves from slipping out. A larger tank will give your fish more room to swim around and exercise.
One of the most amazing aspects of the John Lewis terrarium is the oxygenation feature that provides an extremely clean, clear living area for your fish. The system allows for carbon dioxide levels to remain stable, which helps keep the water pleasant for the fish. You can find these fish tanks in many pet stores and online. These fish tanks have also been known to last for up to fifty years!