First observations

I set up my micro aquarium in lab on 16/10/13 using the following materials provided by my lab instructor we created our micro micro-aquariums: water labeled #4 which was taken from the Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/13/2013(McFarland, 2013), 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. 10/13/2013(McFarland, 2013), Fontinalis sp. Moss. Collected from: Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/13/2013(McFarland, 2013), 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. 10/13/2013(McFarland, 2013), a 75 X 50 X 4mm glass chamber designed for studying small aquatic organisms with a compound or dissecting microscope.  It is made with two 75 X 50 cm microscope slide glasses sandwiched together with a 2mm space between.  It is sealed on three sides (two short and one long side) with 100% Silicone Aquarium Sealant from All-Glass Aquarium Co., Franklin, WI– www.all-glass.com. The MicroAquarium™ is stored vertically (open end up) in a plastic stand with a clear plastic cap over the opening(McFarland, 2013). I only noticed stationary organisms with no activity but i think this was due to the shock from going through such a drastic environment change. I expect to see more activity in the next observation since the aquarium will have had time to settle and become stable. They will stored at a Temperature range of 15.6⁰ – 17.9⁰ C, and will be exposed to two light sources: primary lighting provided from 1 – 15 cm, 30 watt cool light fluorescent lamps suspended 150cm above MicroAquarium™, and Incidental lighting from the classroom’s 121 cm long 40 watt cool light fluorescent ceiling fixtures. Light exposure times include: suspended light fixture illumination 24 hrs/day,  and ceiling lights illumination at random time periods between 8:00 AM – 12:00PM during the duration of experiment(McFarland, 2013). 

Bibliography,

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2013. [16/10/13]. Available from http://botany1112013.blogspot.com/