26 



H. J. THOMAS 



Figure 5. — Experimental aquarium. On the left is the low experimental bench ; the high bench is 

 in the center. Our aquarium assistant is seen working at a teak-topped bench fitted with hot 

 and cold fresh water and sea water, all running to waste. 



basic design be kept simple so as to be as 

 flexible as possible. In this way the in- 

 evitable misconceptions in the original 

 research projects will be most readily rem- 

 edied and thereafter the system be adapt- 

 able to the widest possible variety of 

 conditions and requirements. 



Successful operation of an experimental 

 aquarium depends upon regular inspec- 

 tion and maintenance of the supply system. 

 We have found this to be greatly facili- 

 tated by using standard checklists. Those 

 developed for use with our system are 

 shown below.^ 



1 Editor's note : These check lists, furnished inci- 

 dentally by the author for our edification, are included 

 here because we believe that such working details 

 should have great interest to those charged with the 

 day-to-day operation of sea-water supply systems. 



DETAILS OF AQUARIUM MAINTENANCE 



Daily maintenance 



1. Change over all duplicated pump motors 

 (three) and cheek all other pumps and refrig- 

 erator motors in use (12) functionally. 



2. Remove dead animals from tanks. 



3. Feed aquarium animals as necessary. 



4. Check daily diary for experiments being 

 initiated or completed and for arrival of live- 

 stock etc., taking the necessary action. 



5. Check functionally the aerators in use 

 (two) and the air pressures. 



6. Check each tank, including isolated units, 

 for (a) air supply, (ft) level of water, (c) rate 

 of circulation, (d) cleanliness of the water, and 

 (e) cleanliness of the overflow pipe. 



7. Check temperatures as shown by recorders 

 (two) and thermostatic control of the system. 



8. Check functionally the refrigerator units 

 in use (three), including blower motor and pres- 



