AQUARIUM APPLIANCES 



229 



Fig. 213. Aquarium Forceps 



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 



Fig. 214. Planting Stick 



a dull 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 sticks are better than one. Plants like Giant Sagittaria 

 should be pressed down from two sides. After the plant is placed to 

 the proper depth, it should be held with one stick while the other is 

 used to push sand over the roots and to press down straggling roots 

 which have not been covered. Acjuariums should not be planted while 

 filled, but sometimes a few plants ride loose on the first filling or some 

 are added later. For such occasions planting sticks are most handy. 

 A pair of rulers will do for an emergency. Almost anything is bet- 

 ter than the fingers. 



Fig. 215. Aquarium Scissors 



Scissors. A pair of scissors with a 15-inch rod securely wrapped 

 to each handle is useful for trimming dead leaves from plants. With 

 this tool plants can be reached without disturbing anything, and one 

 can get a better view of what is to be done than when working elbow- 

 deep in the water. 



