•aquatic JLitt 



5'A 



make strips from the thin top-board, 

 which is usually found in these boxes, 

 and glue them over the markings so as 

 to make a pleasing panel effect. 



On the cover fill the depressions left 

 by the hinges and lock with pieces of 

 scrap of the same thickness, or glue strips 

 from the top-board on the side and un- 

 derneath, which g ves an attractive 

 finish. 



Take the long inside lining pieces, and 

 from them cut four strips to finish about 

 seven-sixteenths of an inch wide. In 

 making these strips a small plane is very 

 handy, and they can be made smooth and 

 uniform without trouble. Cut them to 

 such a length as will make the tank of 

 the desired height, care being taken to 

 make them all of exactly the same length. 

 For convenience, number them i, 2, 3 

 and 4. 



On the ends of the bottom lay off, on 

 the inside, the width of the strips, select- 

 ing one for each corner as a gauge, and 

 mark the corner with the number corre- 

 sponding to that on the strip used. Do 

 the same with the cover, using the other 

 ends of the strips. Then with a knife 

 cut out these places, so that the strips fit 

 flush into them. 



Both on the inside and outside of the 

 cover top, draw a line around the edge 

 about three-quarters of an inch in, and 

 cut along this line from both sides, to 

 avoid splintering the wood. After the 

 centre of the cover is thus removed the 

 edges should be sandpapered or filed 

 smooth and straight. The tank is now 

 ready for assembling. 



Cover one end of each strip on one 

 side, both edges and the bottom, with 

 glue, and put each piece in its corre- 

 sponding slot. Great care must be taken 

 at this point to set these upright pieces 

 perfectly square in both directions. For 

 this purpose I use an ordinary drawing 



board triangle, but if not available the 

 cover of a box can be used. v See that the 

 ends of the strips arc down against the 

 bottom board. The work must now be 

 allowed to stand until the glue is hard, 

 after which put glue on the other ends 

 of the strips and fit the top in place. 



From the other lining pieces cut four 

 strips three-sixteenths of an inch wider 

 than those already used. If precaution 

 has been taken not to make the space 

 between the top and the bottom too great, 

 the short lining pieces can be used, other- 

 wise additional material will have to be 

 obtained. Cut these strips to fit between 

 the top and bottom on the sides, and glue 

 in place with the edge flush with the out- 

 side of the adjoining strip. After the 

 glue has set it is advisable to reinforce 

 eac hcorner with three or four small nails 

 Driven at an angle through the inside 

 edge of the strips last placed, and into 

 the top and bottom, they will also mater- 

 ially strengthen the corners. 



The frame is now completed and 

 should be thoroughly sandpapered and 

 then coated all over with varnish or any 

 color paint desired. I prefer either three 

 or four coats of waterproof varnish or a 

 good quality of white enamel. 



If there is a photographer handy, par- 

 ticularly one who uses X-ray plates, 

 there should be no trouble securing all 

 the glass needed, and of a quality far 

 better than can usually be purchased. 

 Failing in this the usual paint and glass 

 dealer must be patronized. 



Cut a piece to fit the bottom and drop 

 it temporarily into place, then cut the 

 pieces for the two sides — the ends should 

 be left until later. The next step is to 

 cement the glass in place. For this pur- 

 pose get some aquarium cement, which 

 can be bought from any aquarium supply 

 house. If this is inconvenient, a mixture 

 of Stockholm tar and red lead will an- 



