Microscopic images  8/31/13
Hi crew!  I've been doing freshwater dips on my fish looking for flukes. I haven't been able to identify flukes but I have looked at some wild things under the microscope. I was wondering if I sent some pictures to you if you could help identify them or point me in a direction so I could?  Thanks!
Jennifer
<Oh yes; do send along. BobF> 

Strange Growth    12/17/12 I have had the following growth appear in my Red Sea 250 several times in the past few months. My nitrates are under 5ppm ammonia is 0. Growth of corals and livestock is good. Tank is approximately 11 months old. The growth can appear in under an hour and can be from 6 inches to several feet it is tubular when in the tank and becomes a slime when removed. I have included a picture of the growth http://s1109.beta.photobucket.com/user/dbburkart/media/855815C4-15ED-4E32-A2B3-32AB5617F9D1-2221-0000058888A997B9.jpg.html  Regards,      Dave Burkart <With this fast growth, physical characteristics... must be an algae or fungus... Very interesting. The means to restrict? Nutrient limitation and competition (a more diverse, vigorous group of other life). Bob Fenner>

Re: Strange Growth - 12/19/2012 Bob, <Dave> Thank you so much, I have had opinions on everything from some type of sponge to I have no idea what it could be. It does not seem to be harmful other than the fact that it clogs the pumps when it goes through them.        Happy Holidays,           Dave Burkart <Mmm, yes... not harmful likely... some sort of decomposer... in fab circumstances... plenty of nutrient, lack of competitors, predators... to grow, reproduce so rapidly. Cheers! BobF>

SW/FW Microorganism nutrition - Another One Wants Us to do Their Work  11/9/05 I'm doing a science fair project and I wanted to know if fresh water microorganisms eat different things than salt do? E-mail me back as soon as possible Thanks. <Mmm, both types of habitats microbes have similar types of nutrition... some of both are photosynthetic, saprophytic, consumers of other microbes, parasitic... Bob Fenner>

Sand Sifters and Bacteria Effect, Mangroves Yikes!! The more I read the less I know!! <This is beyond you! You are on a path of enlightenment for sure.> 1) What effect do the sand sifters and burrowing critters have on the Nitrifying anaerobic bacteria in a 4 to 6 in DSB? Are they (the critters) counter productive in that they allow O2 where it shouldn't be? <Almost nil effect... the microbes are too small to be appreciated, eaten... some stirring is to their benefit> 2) Just how effective of a Nitrate/Phosphate remover are mangrove plants. <Can be tremendous... quite effective, measurably, in the wild> Saw a pic of what I think was about a 30 gal tank with at least 10 to 15 healthy plants about mmm......... 24-30 inches tall. Profuse green leaves. 3) If they are effective is there a preferred species. 4) What lighting do they prefer? 5) I am thinking of starting a solo refuge, and feeding it if I have to until it is healthy and full of critters and plants before I start the main tank. Your thoughts? Thank You, Ben <Posted... here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mangrovetrees.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: lost bookmark - Seeking Mycobacterium marinum Now I know what it was: MYCOBACTERIUM MARINUM. The article that was sent to me had pictures of the victims' hands and even their facial infections (I can't recall all of it well now).  The article was emailed to me when I asked about scoliosis and the person who answered said that scoliosis was a symptom of "tuberculosis" and then went on to caution about this MYCOBACTERIUM MARINUM and how it is hard to diagnose and that they had had to spend lots of money on extensive medication over a long period of time that then caused other problems.  Hope you can recover this article for me based upon this new information.  Sincerely, Leslie Wilson <Ahh, not our article, but a lead to it here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/woundfaq.htm In future... all can use the search tool on the WWM homepage... indices... Bob Fenner>