AQUARIUM APPLIANCES 



121 



When the forceps are otherwise completed, flatten out the ends by ham- 

 mering on an iron vise or other firm surface. The jaws of the forceps 

 automatically remain open. Pressure on the loop closes them. They will 

 be found useful in adjusting plants, lifting out snails, stones or other small 

 objects. 



\- 



Fig. 99. Planting Stick 



Planting Sticks. To secure the roots of plants in sand would seem 

 a very simple matter, but when the aquarium is filled it is most difficult 

 to set them without the help of one or two planting sticks. These are 

 as simple as they are useful, being merely thin sticks with a dull notch 

 in the end. About three-eighths of an inch is a suitable size diameter 

 for the sticks. The notch should be slightly rounded on the edges to 

 avoid cutting the roots as they are forced into the sand. Two sticks are 

 better than one. Plants like Giant Sagittaria should be pressed down 

 from two sides. After the plant is placed to the proper depth, it should 

 be held with one stick while the other is used to push sand over the roots 

 and to press down straggling roots which have not been covered. Aquaria 

 should not be planted while filled, but sometimes a few plants ride loose 

 on the first filling, or some are added later. For such occasions planting 

 sticks are needed. A pair of rulers will do in an emergency. Make sticks 

 about 6 inches longer than the depth of aquarium water. 



Fig. 100. Aquarium Scissors 



Scissors. A pair of scissors with a 15-inch rod securely wrapped to 

 each handle is used for trimming dead leaves from plants. With this 

 tool plants can be reached without disturbing anything, and one can get 

 a better view of what is to be done than when working elbow-deep in 

 the water. 



Live-bearing Traps. With most varieties of viviparous (live-bear- 

 ing) fishes it is desirable to promptly separate the mother and other fish 

 from the young in order that they will not be eaten. One simple method 

 is to take a glass funnel about six inches across the top, file a nick where 

 funnel joins stem, break off tube and place a small piece of U-shaped wire 

 in the opening, so that the wire divides the hole in half. The funnel is 

 then placed in a cylindrical jar or other aquarium of a size that will 

 suspend it by the edge; bring the water as high as possible in funnel, 



