Exploring marine microbes

Here you can discuss sample and specimen preparation issues.
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
Mintaka
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:24 am

Exploring marine microbes

#1 Post by Mintaka » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:49 am

I've set up a small (about 5 liter) marine tank about two weeks ago. This was furnished with some pebbles, gravel, old shells and a blade of seaweed - and of course whatever organisms were clinging to these at the time - scooped from a rocky pool at the coast. I also added an air-stone to induce some water movement. This morning I've dropped in two slides, and hopefully something of interest will settle down and cling to its surface by this evening.

Image

Image

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#2 Post by 75RR » Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:24 am

Interesting way to get a sample on a slide!
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

User avatar
Mintaka
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:24 am

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#3 Post by Mintaka » Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:47 am

75RR wrote:Interesting way to get a sample on a slide!
True. Its efficacy remains to be seen...

User avatar
mrsonchus
Posts: 4175
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:42 pm
Location: Cumbria, UK

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#4 Post by mrsonchus » Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:25 pm

I love the experiment - very interesting to see what happens. :)
Keep us updated!
John B

User avatar
Mintaka
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:24 am

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#5 Post by Mintaka » Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:41 am

Removed the slides, wiped the underside, and had a look. For an extended examination, I had to use a cover glass, otherwise all I ended up seeing after three minutes were salt crystals. Here are my finds (my classification is, of course, open to correction):

Arthropods

Image
Image
Image
Image

Diatoms

Image
Image
Image
Image

Moluscs
( At least, I think this is a tiny shell and a radula :? )

Image
Image
Image

Ciliates

Image
Image

This Hypotrich appears to be making more of itself. Also, it wouldn't hold still to allow for proper focusing! :roll:

Image

A strange goose necked ciliate:

Image

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#6 Post by 75RR » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:45 am

That was a bountiful experiment.
I take it that you used "fresh seawater" as opposed to the reconstituted stuff some aquariumists use?
Fun GIF at the end!
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

User avatar
Mintaka
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:24 am

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#7 Post by Mintaka » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:57 am

That's right, the sea water was from the same pool where I gathered the stones etc. I've now added a few grains of rice to the tank to see if the bacterial and concomitant wildlife count can be boosted a bit.

Joab
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:31 am

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#8 Post by Joab » Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:41 pm

Thank you for sharing, it's interesting to read about the project! According to a book I have it is possible to create a rice infusion by simply adding grains of rice, so my guess is that it will affect the amount of microbes in a positive way.

User avatar
gekko
Posts: 4701
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:38 am
Location: Durham, NC, USA.

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#9 Post by gekko » Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:13 pm

It is great to have someone doing marine (as opposed to fresh water) critters. And you have such a wonderful variety. I think the goose-necked ciliate may possibly be Lacrymaria? (My previous post does not appear in this thread so I must have clicked "Preview" but forgot to "Submit" :()

User avatar
Mintaka
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:24 am

Re: Exploring marine microbes

#10 Post by Mintaka » Sun Apr 05, 2015 5:48 am

Mmm ... I think you hit the nail on the head with it being a Lacrymarian. Thanks for the pointer.

Post Reply