A home aquarium is a gift to delight the I whole family —Patronize Our Advertisers!— Of all Christmas presents, perhaps the most beloved is a living gift, such as an aquarium filled with tropical fish. Color fill, varied and sure to be enjoyed by the lucky recipient, it's also easy to maintain and adds a unique decorative touch to any family room, living room or den. In fact, a recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania con cluded it is even a benefit in relieving stress. Bestowing a home aquarium upon a friend, relative or your own children has many positive benefits. Throughout the U.S., 10 million aquariums are being en joyed in homes, offices, restaurants and hotels. In order to select the best aquarium for your money, one that’s filled with color ful tropical fish and is easy to maintain, it's a good idea to do a little investigat ing. First, you will want to locate a good dealer in your area. If you have a friend who has an aquarium, ask for a refer ence; otherwise, the phone book lists most tropical fish retailers. It is advisable to purchase a book that provides complete instructions on setting up and maintaining an aquarium. One basic rule to follow, however, is to buy the largest aquarium possible, since the greater the water environment, the less chance of water problems. If you receive an aquarium as a gift, you must assume all the responsibilities for maintenance. Deciding placement When determining where to put your new aquarium, you should consider sev eral factors. You will not want to put it in direct sunlight, since this will cause algae to grow on the glass and plastic accesso ries. You will also not want to put it on your best carpeting since, during water changes, it is possible for some water to splash on the floor. And you should also bo sure to put your aquarium on a firm stand, Since water is heavy. After you have decided on the aquar ium. your first accessory will be a tightly fitting canopy cover equipped with a fluorescent fixture. Fluorescent fixtures throw off a cool light and will not cause lluctuations in the water temperature. While we are on the subject of water temperature, tropical fish require an en vironment maintained at around 75°F (25°C). You will therefore need a good heater and an aquarium thermometer. A recent development in this technol ogy is the liquid crystal digital thermom eter which affixes to the outside of the aquarium yet measures most accurately the water temperature You will also need a quality filter. Your dealer can give you proper advice since there are several types of filters and your needs will vary with the size of your aquarium. If you are going to keep a lot of fish, you will also want a separate air pump to add oxygen to the water. Many decorating options Decorating an aquarium is great fun. there are multi-colored gravels, highly decorative backgrounds and hundreds of ornaments, as well as plastic plants so real in reproduction it’s almost impos sible to distinguish them from live plants. Most good retailers will have a com plete assortment and your selection should be based on the size of your aquarium and the amount of money you decide to spend. Once you have set up your aquarium, you should add a chlorine neutralizer to the water and add only a few fish ini tially. These few fish will help develop the proper biological conditions neces sary to maintain a hilly stocked aquar ium. After three to four weeks, assuming everything is functioning properly, you can then go ahead and add the rest of vour fish. Aquarium maintenance is a let simpler than people think. Every two weeks a partial water change (not greater than 20 percent) by siphoning the water from the bottom of the aquarium is all that is re quired. A device called the HydroClean allows an efficient siphoning by separating the debris in the gravel and removing it with the water from the aquarium. On a monthly basis, your filter will require minimal maintenance. Tb-it’* •»!! there is. Following this simple routine, chances of fish disease or any other aquarium problems are remote. In fact, one of the biggest problems people have is spending too much time maintaining their aquar ium. On a daily basis, of course, fish should be fed and a good quality flake food will provide a complete diet for almost all fish. Tropical fish are beautiful—they are easy to maintain and provide a lifetime hobby. For more information, write Tetra Sales, 201 Tabor Road, Morris Plains. NJ 07950, for a free full-color starter book let including illustrations and complete information on 30 popular tropical fish. TOP POP HLBCIMS 1. Janet Jackson’* Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet Jack son, A&M 2. Dr. Feelgood, Motley Crue, Elektra 3. 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Its easy here’s how: Step It Invite Christ into your life to be your Lord and Savior, trust Him and He will do the rest! Mt. StSSt Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God And All His Hghteonaneee Aad All These Things Shell Be Added Unto Yon. Step St Call Emma Gosa For Info. On The Following Homes CHEAPER THAN RENT—Hargett Oaks Townhome, $2,500 . Down, Assume Pints. $840.00 No. 2 Bedrm. 1.5 Bath SE. RAL—Qualify for Downpmt. Ass’t/MCC, Aprx. 91,800 Move In, $800.00 Mo. Pints. NEW HOME, Inside Beltline, 3 Bedrom, 2.5 Bath, 1-Car Gar., Firepl. In F-RM Quality Plus, Must See, Low 9100’s PLEASANT RIDQE—Colonial Split 2/3 Bedrm, 2 Baths F. RM, Jacuzzi, 3 Min. To 1-40 Conven. To Dwntwn/NCSU 990’s WHEELER PLACE—Former Model Contemp. Split 3 Bedrm, 2.5 Bath, Stone F. PI, Vault/Ceil Skylight 990’s BRENTWOOD TODAY—Walk To Shop, Contemp/Split 3 Bedrm, 2 Bath, Firepl. in F. 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Male Fashion Society is a new line of clothing designed by Peter Cheek ... clothing that offers Simplicity, quality, affordability, yet makes a distinctive statement. 12c THEY MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENTSl BuyOrlnpc^AHQme With A Special Wachovia Lorn If lfour Family Incane Is 9Q0OO Or Less,^xi M^Qualify If you’d like to buy a home or make home improvements, we’re ready to make you a loan. This special financing program can help you get a loan and help our communities grow. Wre offering flexible, affordable loans with: • loan amounts up to 97% of appraised value. • terms up to 30 years. • lower closing costs. • flexible income and credit requirements. • lower interest rates. • no mortgage insurance requirements. It’s easier to qualify. This special program makes it easier for you to get a loan because it lets you devote a larger portion of your monthly income to payments than most other plans allow. Even if you have an unusual credit history or job situation, you still may qualify. The program is available to fam ilies with a total family income of f30,000 a year or less who want to finance #60,000 or less to pur chase a home, or $50,000 or less to improve an existing home. Your property will need to be an owner occupied single-family home, „Q townhouse, or condominium. This special financing is available only at the Raleigh branches listed below. For more Information, just drop by one of them and ask about Wachovia’s Neighborhood Revitalization Loan Program. At Wchovia, we’re making loans to help our communities grow. That’s The Wachovia Way. Main Branch 227 Fayetteville Street Beacon Plaza 3959 New Bern Avenue Garner , Forest Hills Shopping Center i University , 2600 Hillsborough Street fit An tiqual IWnn lender. THE WACHOVIA WAT Minimum downpayment of 3% required. A representative sample of a typical loan as of October. 1989. would be 360 monthly payments of *8.78 per * 1,000 borrowed at an Annual Percentage Rate of 10%. Member FDK'. Wachovia Bank St Thist

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