120 



AQUARIUM APPLIANCES 



and particles to rush into tube. Replace thumb, lift out and empty. 

 The capacity of the tube can be considerably increased by heating the 

 centre over a Bunsen flame and blowing a sort of bulb. A blown dip 

 tube, with a specially designed section enlarged to about the size of 

 a duck's egg, may be purchased from stock. 



Fig. 97. Safety Rasor Blade Aquarium Glass Cleaner 



Glass Cleaners. One of the best devices for cleaning the inside glass 

 of straight aquaria is a safety razor blade secured in a holder which 

 can be obtained in hardware stores for a few cents. A blade may be 

 used directly in the hand, but in that case it is better to dull one edge 

 first in order to avoid cutting the fingers. 



A chore ball of woven copper, such as used in kitchens is most excel- 

 lent for cleaning either straight or curved sides of an aquarium. 

 A dime rubbed flat against the glass will clean it. 



Siphon. When much dirt needs to be removed or the aquarium 

 emptied, a siphon should be used. This consists simply of a hose 

 sufficiently long to reach from the bottom of the aquarium, up over the 

 edge and down again to a point near the floor. The longer the drop, 

 the more rapid the flow. Fill tube with water, close both ends by finger 

 pressure, insert one end in the aquarium and hold the other as low as 

 possible. Simultaneously release the ends of tube and the water will flow 

 as long as there is water in the aquarium at a higher point than the 

 discharging end of tube. Care should be taken not to draw in fish or 

 snails. 



Fig. 98. Aquarium Forceps 



Forceps. A pair of wire forceps for aquarium work is very handy. 

 Their construction is simple. Take a piece of J^-inch brass wire thirty 

 inches long and bend to shape shown in the figure. Where the wire crosses, 

 hammer out a small flat space through which a rivet can be fastened. A 

 small section of brass wire or a copper tack can be used as a rivet. 



