Week 5

Just like last week, the populations of the organisms seem to have increased.

The Vorticella has spread throughout the tank and is now visible even in the moss at the top of the tank.

The Copepods, seed shrimp and possible Noteus pupulations have increased as well.

The moss is growing red filiments.

There is considerably less Wolfia and lots of brown debris along the bottom of the tank. Since I have observed all of the organisms consuming the Wolfia, I wonder if the decrease will eventually be a limiting factor in population growth.

Week 4

Observations:

Basically, there has been considerable population growth in all previously seen organisms.

There are multiple Vorticella all along the bottom of the tank in the Wolfia as well as some growing from the silicon holding the tank together.

The Copepod and seed shrimp populations have also increased.

There are dozens of single celled protists, Cilliates, moving around in the moss.


I wonder how long it would take for the tank to reach its maximum capacity and for the populations to start decreasing.

Week 3: Vorticella

Week 3

Observations:

The feeding seemed to spur a large population growth in Copepods. There are many of them in different stages of life. They range in size from extremely small to a little larger. Some of the Copepods have two egg sacs attached to their sides, so I expect to see an even greater population of copepods next week.

I found two dead seed shrimp and one live one at the bottom of the tank in the Wolfia.

In a molted shell of a seed shrimp, I saw multiple single celled protists that look like little worms. These are some type of Cilliate.

I also found another rotifer that is about the same size as the Copepod. It resembles a drawing of a Noteus, as found in Henry Baldwin Ward's Freshwater Biology.

Another new find was an organism that resembles an arm reaching out with a suction cup on the end. These are called Vorticella. I found one in the Wolfia along the bottom of the tank and two a little higher up.

Feeding

"On Thursday October 25, 2007 one pellet of "Atison's Betta Food" was added to each Micro Aquaria. It is 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%."

Week 2

Observations:

Without the microscope I was able to see very active clear organisms moving around the tank. Also, some of the Wolfia was turning brown.

Under the microscope I observed multiple Cyclops Copepods moving around the tank a great deal. These did not stay in one part of the tank, but moved through all layers.

I also observed two Ostracods, or seed shrimp, in two different stages of life. One had already shed its shell which was visible at the bottom of the tank. The Ostracods stayed in the Wolfia at the bottom of the tank and one appeared to be consuming the Wolfia.

The moss is still green and seems to be doing well.

Week 1

Set up:
I began by obtaining an empty aquarium and labeling it with the appropriate colored dots (red, green, and green).
I chose to use water #5 and, using a pipete, filled the aquarium 1/3 full with water from the bottom of the sample, 1/3 with water from the middle, and 1/3 with water from the top.
I then placed bits of moss C into the tank.
Observations:
The tank contained a good bit of green Wolfia visible to the naked eye.
Under the microscope, I observed one Copepod Cyclops. It remained stationary but was vibrating a great deal. At one point some brown stuff shot out the back of it.