MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

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.

Interesting way to get a sample on a slide!

75RR wrote:Interesting way to get a sample on a slide!

True. Its efficacy remains to be seen...

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

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






Diatoms






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





Ciliates




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



A strange goose necked ciliate:

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!

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.

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.

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" )

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