The Final Blog

(Patterson DJ 1996)

(Raims KG, Russell BJ 1996)

(Carr NG, Whitton B 1982)

(Lee JJ, Hutner SH, Bovee EC 1985)

 (Lee JJ, Hutner SH, Bovee EC 1985)

Although our MicroAquariums have come to an end, I feel like I've gained a lot of knowledge out of it. On November 11, 2011, I viewed my MicroAquarium for the last time. It didn't seem like a lot changed in it until I looked under the microscope. I took pictures of the following things: Epalaxis, Difflugia, Cynobacteria, Tachysoma and Ameoba. I do not know a lot about them yet, but I am beginning my research today. The books that Dr. McFarland had were very useful and hopefully, I can use those as my sources.
Works Cited:
Carr NG, and Bryan Whitton. 1982. The Biology of Cyanobacteria. Berkley: University of California Press.

Lee JJ, Hutner SH, and Bovee EC. 1985. Illustrated Guide to the Protozoa. Lawrence (KS): Allen Press, Inc. 629p.

Patterson DJ. 1996. Free-Living Freshwater protozoa. London (UK): Manson Publishing Ltd. 223p.

Raims KG, Russell BJ. 1996. Guide to the Microlife. Canada. Franklin Watts.

Microaquarium

When I went to look at my MicroAquarium, not a lot has changed. It was beginning to look dead and there was not a lot of movement. I saw one Difflugia and something else that I cannot figure out what it is. I think it might be an epalxis. One thing that I have noticed is that fungi is starting to grow in my MicroAquarium. I can see a lot of mycelium near the Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant and Amblestegium sp. Moss. I think eventually the fungi will take over my MicroAquarium.

So, what's new?

When I went in to see my MicroAquarium, I was shocked to find that a lot has changed! The reasons for these new organisms growing in it is because of the food pellet was added along with the following information: "Atison's Betta Food" made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives. Analysis: Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15%. My MicroAquarium looks like it lost its green color. I am almost positive that I saw a Trachysoma and Cyanobacteria. All of them were moving and it was very interesting. I am hoping to have more activity this week.

Setting up my MicroAquarium

Setting up my MicroAquarium was fun! We used Amblestegium sp. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/9/2011 for plant A and Utricularia gibba L. Flowering a carnivous 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. for plant B. 
My water source came from Meads Quarry, Island Home Ave, Knox Co. Tennessee Partial shade exposure Rock Quarry N35 57.162 W83 51.960 880 10/9/2011.
When I looked at my MicroAquarium under the microscope, there was not a lot of movement. I dimmed the lights so I could see all of the particles inside and that helped see some of the movement in the MicroAquarium. Once this lab continues, there will be more movement!