This past week we set up our micro aquariums, the water, and the small little friends that followed it into my aquarium was extracted from Meads Quarry, Island Home Ave, Knox Co. Tennessee. The sample was located in an area of partial shade exposure. It is a rock quarry located at exactly N35 57.162 W83 51.960 880. Extracted on 10/9/2011.
The aquarium was formed with water from the lower, middle and upper portions of the the water. I added two plants to the aquarium, one of which was a moss sample the other was from an insectivorous plant, the name of which escapes me. Once the tank was formed, I began my first observation of the magical wonderland contained in my small sample of pond scum. The residents of my small aquarium remained hidden in the dirt. I momentarily glimpsed a small green organism, but was unable to see it long enough to attempt identification. When searching the dirt, I noticed something massive burrowing through the small earth. Then he appeared, a water bear who I shall call Herbert. Though I cannot prove that he is a water bear, Herbert was well visible and had many features similar to that of photos of water bears I have previously seen. Before I could ask an instructor about the true identity of Herbert the unknown microscopic animal, he moved quickly it almost appeared that he had exploded as quickly as he moved away from the camera. There were no other movements within the tank. A quiet night in the small community built in the tiny aquarium.
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