Micro-aquarium blog 2

On 10/23/2014, i got the chance to study my micro-aquarium for a few hours. A lot has changed since the last time I've seen it. I seen a lot more organisms and movement in the micro-aqurium.  There was a lot of movement in the soil layer and leaves. At first I couldn't see anything but, Dr. McFarland helped me identify some of the organisms. We used a book called "Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa" by D.J. Patterson.

The first organism we discovered was the Epalxis sp. It was found on page 141, figure 311. This was the most common organism I seen in my micro-aquarium. They were moving around very fast. It was difficult trying to take pictures.

The Peranema sp. was very interesting. I got to take numerous pictures of this organism. Looking through the microscope, it seemed like it eating off a piece bacteria. It stayed in that particular for a few minutes. This organism was found on page 50 figures 67-69.

The other organism I found was the Anisonema sp.

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2014. [October 28,2014]. Available fromhttp://botany1112014.blogspot.com/

Blog 1: Micro-aquarium setup

Water source I used for my micro-aquarium: Tennessee River at boat ramp across from Knoxville sewer plant. The boat ramp is located on Neyland Dr in Knoxville TN. Full sun exposure. French Broad And Holston Rivers water sheds N35 56. 722 W83 55.587 ft 10/9/2011

The steps setting up my micro-aquarium:

• the micro-aquarium  included a glass tank, a stand holder and lid.
• used pipette extract to water/soil from the water source (filled  ⅓ bottom layer with soil, filled the middle layer and last layer with water)
• added plant sources to the tank (Amblestegium barium)

Plant Information: Amblestegium varium (Hedwig) Lindberg Moss. Collected from Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/13/2013

The first observation occurred after the setup which was 10/14/2014 around 2:30pm. We also put our micro aquariums under the microscopes. I seen a lot organisms moving around. They were moving very fast which was hard to recognize them. Some of the organisms had a oval body shape. It also seemed like the organisms were eating small particles from the and in the water. There were some green particles floating. It could be bacteria or some other kind of organisms. 


McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2014. [October 28,2014]. Available fromhttp://botany1112014.blogspot.com/