TROPICAL AQUARIUM FISHES 229 
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. 
Siphon. When 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 1%-inch brass 
wire thirty inches long and bend to shape shown in Figure 173. Where 
the wire crosses, hammer out a small flat space through which a rivet 
Fic. 173. Aguarium Forceps 
can be fastened. A small section of brass wire or a copper tack can be 
used as a rivet. When the forceps are otherwise completed, flatten out 
the ends by hammeiing on an iron vise or 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 a dull 
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Fic. 174. PLrantine Stick 
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 
