Microaquarium setup and First Observation 10/20

Our first lab period that introduced us to the term project involved the setup of our own microaquarium. Dr. Mcfarland provided all the materials. He had collected water samples from close to a dozen different areas and several different kinds of plants to fill our microaquariums with. To start off we took a double wide microscope slide that was put together and provided by Dr. McFarland. He also provided us with a base and a lid that would hold it in place and keep the water from evaporating out. After we got all the materials in place we then filled our microaquariums with water and plants. I chose water that was collected from the Holston River in Knoxville, TN N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/12/2014. The plant that I chose to inhabit my aquarium is known as Ultricuilaria Gibba (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00) and was collected from Spain Lake in Sparta TN. After we put it all together we were able to take a quick glance of it under the microscope. There were several little organisms zipping around. I did not see anything very big. Most of the life was tiny even looking through a microscope. Everything was moving so quickly it was hard to get a real good look at most of the organisms. I am hoping to have better luck in my next observation.