Pool & room

Before the first trial, there's the room. The pool, the water, the lights, the posters on the wall and even where you stand all shape what an animal can learn. Get them right and the rest of the study gets a lot easier.

• The poolDiameter, depth, water level and buying versus building.
• Size guideAll the original size figures in one table, in metric and imperial.
• Colour & opacityMatching the pool and water to the animal's coat colour.
• The platformSize, depth below the water and where it goes.
• WaterTemperature, how to measure it, and how often to change it.
• LightingBrightness, glare and lighting white or black pools.
• CuesDistal cues, accidental cues and what rodents can see.
• Testing roomLayout, noise, settling-in time, cleaning and records.
• CamerasCamera position, lens, frame rate and video artefacts.
• SafetyElectricity, slips, allergy and looking after your back.

: Rule of thumb from the original notes: the task should not be so easy that it can be achieved mostly by chance.

For complete set-ups, see HVS Image's page on Morris water maze apparatus.