DON’TS FOR BEGINNERS 
Don’t, as a novice, begin with a large aquarium; one of to to 12 gallons 
is sufficiently large. 
Don’t, except as a hospital or temporary receptacle, use the ordinary fish 
globe. 
Don’t use all-glass receptacles as permanent aquaria, they are too liable to 
fracture. 
Don’t use an aquarium greater in depth of water than in width. 
Don’t handle an aquarium until the cement has “‘set’”’ or become hardened. 
Don’t arrange an aquarium until it is thoroughly cleaned on the inside. 
Don’t clean the glass with anything but table salt when filled, or with 
whiting when empty. 
Don’t move a filled aquarium ; first decant most or all of the water. 
Don’t move an all-glass aquarium at any time; lift it clear and set it down 
gently in its new place. 
Don’t change the water when moving an aquarium; keep it in another 
vessel and afterwards return it, filling in with fresh water. 
Don’t needlessly disturb the aquarium and its contents. 
Don’t place the aquarium in a strong sunlight if a good steady light may 
be had elsewhere. 
Don’t forget that a northeast exposure is the best, and light on the surface 
better than strong side-light. 
Don’t exclude the free access of air to the surface by tightly covering the 
aquarium. 
Don’t keep the glass too free of healthy alge, except on the front. 
Don’t use unclean vessels or appliances of any kind. 
Don’t fail to exercise the most scrupulous cleanliness with everything per- 
taining to the aquarium. 
Don’t permit the accumulation of refuse, of any kind, on the bottom. 
Don’t put the hand into the filled aquarium, when this can be avoided. 
Don’t have more than one person in charge of the aquarium. 
Don’t fail to give it a little attention every day; this soon becomes a habit 
and will insure success. 
Don’t use deep, narrow or funnel-shaped nets nor those of coarse knotted 
twine; use shallow ones of soft Brussels netting. 
Don’t use the same net, or any other appliance, for sick and healthy fishes ; 
this is sure to spread the contagion. Scald the net frequently. 
Don’t fail to place a screen between the aquarium and the light on warm 
summer days, especially strong sunlight. Tissue paper or cheese 
cloth will answer the purpose. 
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