Résultats de quelques expériences sur l'élevage d'animaux et d'algues en aquarium d'eau de mer fonctionnant en circuit fermé

The good performance of a sea water aquarium in closed circuit poses a number of problems. The conservation of animals and vegetals can be quite difficult. Only a few coastal animals can be kept alive for several months (for example gobies and blennies, palemons and some actinians).The related bibliography is thin and pretty vague. However, one can note that:1° all authors have observed a change in the chemical constitution of the aquarium water, without being able to explain it;2° all attempts at keeping alive fragile animals or plants (mostly algae) in an aquarium running in closed circuit have failed;3° unlike fresh water aquariums, no publication, at least to our knowledge, deals with PH variations and their impact on the physiological state of the animals and plants kept in sea water aquariums.After a few years experiencing fresh water fish keeping, we undertook the setting up of a sea water aquarium (fig. 1). The difficulties encountered lead us to carry out some taxonomic studies. A number of unfavourable circumstances prevented us from conducting the chemical analysis necessary to a rigorous study. However, the very good empirical results obtained drove us to publish these observations which might be of some help to scientists and aquarium lovers.