First Micro-Aquarium Observation

October 26, 2014

This passed Thursday, 22 October 2014, I made my first observation of my Micro-Aquarium. The contents had remained relatively unchanged, other than the level of water decreasing rather drastically. However, I did spot a couple variations of rotifers and worms. Two in specific, a Philodina, a rotifer (Pennak, 179, Fig. A), and two Dero furcatus', worms (Pennak, 301, Fig. F).

Pennak, Robert W. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States: Protozoa to Mollusca. 3rd Ed. ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1989. Print.

Micro-Aquarium Set-Up

Term Project; Post: 1

15 October 2014

To set-up for our term project, we created micro-aquariums in which we will watch over the next several weeks to spot changes in the development of the microbiological aspect of the water samples.

We were given a micro-aquarium slide, stand, and top, as well as several choices of water samples. I decided on the second sample location, which was located at "French Broad River, Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge, Kelly Lane , Knox Co. Tennessee. Partial shade exposure French Broad River Water Shed N35 56.742 W83 41.628 841 ft 10/12/2014". I took about of my sample from the bottom of the dish which included a fair amount if soil. I then took the remaining two-thirds from the water from just above the soil and around twigs and leaves. Once I filled my tank with water, I added the provided flowering plant and moss sample. These were:

 Amblestegium varium  (Hedwig) Lindberg. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/12/2014 

and

Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivorous plant.Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. 10/12/2014