Microaquarium Setup and Initial Observations

Last lab period I set up my Microaquarium.  I obtained a glass rectangle glued on three sides with an opening at the top.  This is where everything goes in.  I chose to use water source #2, which was taken from the French Broad River located at the Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge.

French Broad River, Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge

 

2. 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 soil from the water source and added it to the bottom, and then took water from the bottom, middle, and top of the source.  Two plants were then added to the Microaquarium.  One was
-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 the other,

  -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

 I then looked at the Microaquarium through a microscope and observed all of the living organisms.  There were many including one giant worm (Nematode).  Most moved very fast and spontaneously. It seemed as though the majority of life in my aquarium bunched up in the areas of the plants, which led me to believe they stay in the areas with the most oxygen.  I am excited to see what develops in these aquariums.