228 



AQUARIUM APPLIANCES 



Stick to proper point. A blade may be used directly in the hand, but 

 in this case it is better to dull one edge first in order to avoid cutting 

 the fingers. 



Fig. 212. Safety Razor Blade Aquarium Glass Cleaner 



A dime rubbed flat against the glass will clean it. For cleaning 

 globes a piece of thick felt is very good, although any piece of clean 

 fabric will do. 



Dip Tube. Sometimes particles of food remain too long after 

 feeding. Also dirt collects in spots. Such places can easily be cleaned 

 by use of a dip tube. Any tube of from one-quarter to three-eighths 

 inch inside diameter and about six inches longer 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. A blown dip tube, with a specially designed section 

 enlarged to about the size of a duck's egg, may be purchased from 

 stock. 



Siphon, ^^'hen 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 213. Where the wire crosses, hammer out a small flat space 

 through which a rivet can be fastened. A small section of brass wire 

 or a copper tack can be used as a rivet. When the forceps are other- 

 wise completed, flatten out the ends by hammering on an iron vise or 



