"Charles" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 03:21:20 GMT, "Steve \(Dart\)"
wrote:

While cleaning the grunge out of my filter today, I noticed a strange growth
on the inner side of my filter.
It looked like a tiny root system growing along the inner wall of the
filter. I touched it and some broke off.
What is this?
What does it indicate?

Bryazoa, most likely. It means that you are more observant than most
people. They are cool animals, but only grow in the dark, otherwise
algae will overwhelm them. Can you put that part of the filter in
some water and watch them with a magnifying lens? It's worth the
trouble.
--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

There are about 2 dozen freshwater bryozoans in the U.S. And not much is known
about them. Might be a great chance to study them up close.