Microbiology in our reef aquariums

[clowner]

Hello fellow reefers.
i am a college student and i am currently taking a micro biology class
10% of our grade will be a project where we study and report different aspects of the microbial world
however one assignment, we where given a list to choose from here is the one i chose:

Participate in the AREM (Authentic research in Microbiology) project: in this project we will be collecting environmental samples, extracting DNA from these samples, and obtaining DNA sequence data. Sequence analysis will allow us to determine which types of microbes are found in the environment without having to grow the cells in culture.

so my question is as follows; from where should i collect my sample that will show the greatest biodiversity?
from deep in the sand bed? a peace of rock? a sponge from the filter?
any advise from any lurking marine biologist would be greatly appreciated

i was thinking of taking it from my ' anti anemone blender' sponge covering one of my wave pumps as it has a slight amount of cyanobactiria (which in themselves are extraordinary fascinating as its one of the only bacteria capable of photosynthesis) and i would imagine it is also home to a plethora of nitrifing bacteria and algae.

 

[cbutkos]

I'm not a microbiology major but I took an environmental biotechnology class, and in it I learned that bacteria are somewhat ubiquitous throughout the world, so if you take a handful of soil/water/air from two different places in the world you will find the same kinds of bacteria in each, even if they aren't the exact species, more to the point it shouldn't matter much where you take your sample from your tank you will find the bacteria, sponges or live rocks will just have a higher concentration of bacteria

 

[Bdog4u2]

Sand bed would have the most I'd imagine just from all the surface area Romo all those grains of sand and detritus

 

[andrewey]

Take the sample from your skimmer. As disgusting as it sounds, it concentrates the bacteria and has the greatest abundance of bacteria/algae/etc. anywhere in the tank so far that I've seen using a microscope. It's up to you whether you want to sample the foam or the collected skimmate.

As for DNA sequencing saltwater samples, it's going to be a whole lot of fun. It's probably one of the more difficult environmental samples to sequence due to a number of factors, but I don't want to spoil the punchline and take away from your own enjoyment/learning .