File:The Aquarium (1913) (19750974391).jpg

Title: The Aquarium
Identifier: aquarium191913phil (find matches)
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors:
Subjects: Aquarium fishes; Aquariums
Publisher: Philadelphia : Aquarium Societies of Brooklyn, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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illustration, and anyone who is even moderately familiar with tools can make as many tanks as are required. Any size tank may be made, but I find that the sizes considered are most satisfactory, and the lumber cuts to an advantage with but little waste. The large tank measures 30 inches wide, 16 inches high, and 48 inches long. The smaller one 24 inches wide, 9 inches high, and 32 inches long. For the larger tank 1:^ inch lumber is used, which, when dressed, is about 1^ inches thick. Here I use a board 16 inches wide, thus avoiding seams in the sides or ends and but one in the bot- tom. The side and bottom boards, though it is not shown in the cut, have been rabbet- ed to a depth of a quarter of an inch for the reception of the ends. The bottom boards are tongued and grooved. All joints are painted with white lead just before being put together. The tank is then set up, clamped, and 1^ inch screws inserted through the sides and bottom into the ends. A strip 3 inches wide and as long as the width of the tank is screwed tightly to each end of the bot- tom, and a similar strip in the middle. Strips of this width are secured in like manner to each of the end boards, thus insuring against warping. An iron rod one quarter-inch thick, threaded at both ends, is now passed from side to side at
Text Appearing After Image:
A COMPLETE TANK Drawing by L. M. Dorsey, Jr. each end of the tank and secured with nuts. This completes the large tank. The smaller one is identical, except that the iron rods and the strip across the middle of the bottom are omitted. This method of construction gives a strong, neat and substantial tank that will last for years. Painting improves the appearance, but fills the pores and prevents the neces- sary evaporation of the water absorbed by the wood, thus causing decay much earlier than if the tanks be left to weather, unless some preventive be used. Para- fine, chipped into the tank and t h o r- oughly ironed into the pores of the wood with a hot sad-iron will prevent the absorption of the water. This should be done once a year. Five tanks c o n- structed and treated as described have been in use by the writer for four years and show no signs of decay. "Nature is a great artist, when she is left to herself to suit her means to her end". Lamartine. It is highly im- probable that goldfish breeders will concur. Slovenly and careless habits of study will hinder progress exceedingly; and those who in the beginning skip difficul- ties, or are satisfied with guesses, will always be impeded by doubts. Notcutt.

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