54 



aquatic %itz 



the smaller sides act as supports, while 

 the larger are being cut; for much the 

 same reason all the holes should be 

 punched before proceeding to remove 

 the panels. The handle of the can and 

 the spout should be removed with a sol- 

 dering iron. Should the spout encroach 

 on the part reserved as the frame, a piece 

 of tin may be soldered on the inside. 



We have now a frame for an aquar- 

 ium, but the edges of the angles are 

 sharp. If one has the facilities, and pro- 

 vision has been made in laying out the 

 width of the angles, the edges may be 

 turned over and crimped on the inside. 

 The same effect can be secured by cut- 

 ting strips of tin a quarter inch wide and 

 of the proper lengths. Each strip is then 

 bent lengthwise along a line drawn down 

 the middle, which can be done in a vise 

 if the worker does not have access to a 

 sheet metal brake. The bent strips are 

 then crimped over the sharp edges and 

 finally soldered. It will be noted that 

 we have not removed that side of the 

 can which will become the bottom of the 

 aquarium. 



For a base select a piece of good wood 

 one inch thick, and one and one-half 

 inches wider and longer than the bot- 

 tom of the frame, which will allow an 

 extension of three-quarters of an inch 

 on all sides. Fasten the frame to the 

 wood base with four nails, one in each 

 corner ; more may be used if the frame 

 has warped or it otherwise seems desir- 

 able. 



In setting the glass, insert the bottom 

 first, placing the piece on a bed of ce- 

 ment laid around the edge in sufficient 

 quantity to insure adequate support on 

 all sides; then insert the long sides and 

 the ends last. When the cement has set 

 the tank may be painted as desired and 

 placed in service when dry. 



Aquaria of this sort are entirely suit- 



able for the breeding of many small trop- 

 ical fishes and for photographing, though 

 for the latter use the glass on the side 

 exposed to the camera should be white 

 and of the best quality. 



May Pointers 



Spring is well advanced and plants, 

 both in the home aquarium and outdoors, 

 are growing rapidly. In the ponds round 

 about we find many pretty plants that are 

 seasonably desirable, but before adding 

 them to our collection they should be 

 carefully washed and also sterilized in 

 a solution of permanganate of potash. 

 To force growth, plants may be set in 

 shallow pots in rich loamy soil topped 

 with gravel or sand, and then submerged 

 in the aquarium. 



If a few days after an aquarium has 

 been set a scum appears on the surface 

 of the water (bacteria), it may be taken 

 as evidence of the decay of vegetable 

 matter, perhaps the plants or portions of 

 them that have been injured in handling. 

 The roots may be found blackened and 

 giving off an offensive odor. If these 

 plants are allowed to float loose at the 

 surface, in a sunny situation, new roots 

 will be produced, when the plants may 

 then be safely placed in position at the 

 bottom. 



Daphnia and kindred crustaceans are 

 now quite plentiful. The catch should be 

 poured into an aquarium reserved for 

 the purpose, that enemies of fishes may 

 be removed and none but the desired 

 "fleas" transferred to the aquaria con- 

 taining fishes and fry. If an aerating 

 device is in use, it may well be extended 

 to the Daphnia tank. Sediment syphon- 

 ed from permanent tanks will contain 

 much that is desirable as food for the 

 crustaceans. — Chicago Aquarium So- 

 ciety. 



