TROPICAL AQUARIUM FISHES 



229 



inside diameter and about six inches lonj'i'er than the depth of the 

 aquarium will do. Glass is preferable. Hold the thumb firmly over one 

 end. place other end near particles to be lifted. Remove thumb, allowing 

 water 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 belly. 



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. 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. 



Forceps. A pair of forceps for aquarium work forms a most handy 

 tool. Their construction is very simple. Take a piece of ^-inch brass 

 wire thirty inches long and bend to shape shown in Figure 173. Where 

 the wire crosses, hammer out a small flat space through which a rivet 



Fig. 173. Aquarium Forceps 



can be fastened. A small section of brass wire or a copper tack can be 

 used as a rivet. When the forceps are otherwise completed, flatten out 

 the ends by hanimeiing on an iron vise or other firm surface. The jaws 

 of the forceps automatically remain open. Pressure on the upper loop 

 closes them. They will be found quite handy in adjusting plants and 

 lifting out snails, stones or other small objects. 



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 



Fui. 174. Pi..\NTixG Stick 



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 



