224 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AN^D 



It is very nice to sink a hole in the centre for the reception of a 

 water lily plant. This adds considerably to the planning and labor, but 

 the result is worth it in satisfaction if one is fond of beautiful aquatics. 

 At the same time the bottom can be drained towards the centre, a good 

 point when it conies to the annual cleaning-out. Figure 163 shows this. 

 The hole ought to be about 18 inches wide at the top, 15 at the bottom 

 and 17 deep. The galvanized iron form is removed by bending it inwards 

 at one point. This form is of thin metal and has no bottom, it being 

 impossible to withdraw a bucket on account of suction. 



Another added attraction for those caring for the aesthetic side is 

 the addition of tiles in the edges. To try to push these into the finishing 

 coat is to court certain trouble and a botch job. As soon as the concrete 

 is poured the tiles should be set on little mounds of cement as indicated 

 in Figure 164, seeing that they come to exactly the right level, fixing the 

 four corner ones first. Next day the finishing coat is filled around them 

 and they help to establish the correct level. The cement will slop over 

 on them a little, but this is no matter. Most of it can be wiped off with 

 water and the balance after drying, with dilute hydrochloric acid. 



The author is not partial to drain-pipes. They may become dislodged 

 and let the tank run dry, or, on the other hand, they may get sand in them 

 and not go back into place. However, this is a matter of personal pref- 

 erence. 



In two days after the finishing coat is applied, a little water may be 

 run in. On the fourth day fill completely. All cement containers should 

 be seasoned before the fishes are introduced. 



This can be done by changing the water six times over a period of 

 two weeks. This is not thorough and a longer time is better. Seasoning 

 can be accelerated by different chemical processes. The safest is to fill 

 the pool and slake a large piece of lime in it. In a pool 8 x 12 feet, slake 

 about half a bushel. There is no danger of using too much. After slak- 

 ing, stir every few hours and clean out thoroughly in two days. Another 

 method is to place a piece of blue litmus paper (obtainable in drug store) 

 in the water after it has stood a day and been stirred up. Then slowly 

 add and stir in commercial sulphuric acid until the paper shows a faint 

 pink hue. Allow to stand another day and if the paper goes back to blue, 

 repeat addition of acid. When the pink shade remains draw off water, 

 clean thoroughly and use. Enough acid to turn the paper a distinct pink 

 or red should not be used. Always stir water well before determining 

 color of paper. This test is only for the acid process. 



Aquarium or Tank Capacity. To ascertain the gallon capacity of 

 any rectangular tank, multiply the length, breadth and depth together in 

 inches. Divide by 231. The result will be in gallons. 



A gallon weighs 8 1-3 pounds. 



