The Hays free press., 1921-07-14
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Direction. for Making an Aou.r;.u

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directions tor Making an Aquarium
The following described aquarium
IS the simplest and most easily made
of any of which the writer knows. It
has been worked out quite carefully
IN our laboratory and if care and
patience are used in it's construction
we feel quite sure that it will prove
successful. The materials ought to
be obtaainable in any town where
there are a few stores.
Tht only materials required are
glass, adhesive tape and white enamel
paint. A base of some kind is desir-
able but not absolutely necessary.
For an aquarium inches high, 8
inches wide and 10 inches long, get
the following materials:
3 pieces of 8x1O glass, q 15c 45c
2 pieces of 8x8, @ 15c soc
yds. adhesive tape l inch wide soc
a pint of white enamel paint soc
10x12 inch Cor two or more
pieces nailed together, some of
the boys can get this from
home O0c
NOTE: The paint may perhaps be
obtained from some home. The above
mentioned amount is the smallest size
purchasable but is much more than is
actually needed for the aquarium.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS-The
glass forms the bottom, sides and
ends of the aquarium The adhesive
tape is used to bind the aquarium to-
gether, and is applied to every edge
and corner of tn aquarium, inside and
out. The enamel paint is to water
proof the joints and is applied to all
the tape and should also overlap
slightly onto the glass so that water
cannot get under the tape or through
it (the tape itself is not water-proof).
The board is used as a base for the
aquarium after it is completed. Small
wooden cleats should be tackled onto
this base around the aquarium to hold
the aquarium in place. (Take the
aquarium away, however, while you
do the mailing, or you may smash IT'D
Suggestions and Precautions
1. When you buy the tape exam
inc it before you leave the store to be
sure that it is fresh and sticky.
2. Cut the tape just the length of
the part it is to cover. Remember
that all joints are to be covered with
tape inside and out
3. Begin by putting tape along
side and an end of the bottom piece
of glass, then put up the side. Put
its edge down onto the tape against
the edge of the bottom and turn the
tape up against it, prop this side up
with books or have someone hold 1t
while you put up the end in the same
way. When you get the end up fast
en- the two walls together with a two
inch piece of tape at the upper corner
along the edges. (Cut the tape on
the inside of the corner so that it will
make a neat corner). Proceed with
the other side and then the other end,
in the same way.
4. Make every piece of tape stick
firmly and smoothly before you start
to the next piece. If a piece does
not stick smoothly, pull it off and try
again. GET 1T RIGHT as you go
along. THIS IS THE MOST I'M
PORTANT POINT in making sue
cessful aquarium of this kind.
5. Enamel paint is used because
it does not contain much, if any, oil.
Oil paint must not be used as it is
likely to kill the fish. "Orange
shellac" ought to do the work. At
least three coats of paint or shellac
should be used.
6. In putting on the tape, be neat.
Use small brush "a 10c one will do).
Use cloth to wipe the surplus paint
from the glass.
z. Do not be in too big hurry
to finish the aquarium. Let each coat
of paint dry thoroughly before put
ting on the next and then finally be-
fore putting water into the finished
product-Normal Leader.