This is the shorter one, not showing much color, however there does seem to be an even marbleing going on throughout the column
These 2 pictures are of the white growth I have going on in the first 500ml of the tall column

These two pictures are of both columns side by side

Here are my new pictures:
Taken 3/24/09

March 23rd

My columns are beginning to smell much more than they have in previous months. The taller column is showing more bacterial growth than the shorter one and emitting a stronger smell. Both my columns are very dark in color, I was expecting more color change in both at this stage. My columns might be lacking in bacterial growth because they are probably not getting as much light as they should be. I will post pictures tomorrow, I want to take them in the day light so I don't get the reflection and there is a better view of the growth in the columns.

I took more photos today 3/1/09 but left my camera cord at work so I will post them tomorrow!

I am seeing growth in both columns, but no colors yet. The taller column at this time seems to be showing more growth but since it is still early it is hard to tell. Even though my columns have been covered the whole time there has been significant water loss in both. I will show this in my next set is pictures.

I took pictures on 2/19/09:

Here are both columns, both are showing signs of growth:

One of the interesting things I saw in my columns within the first week were many polychaete worms:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Nerr0328.jpg

These are very common marine organisms so I wasn't shocked to see them, however, they only lasted a few days. I also had a large zooplankton, about 5-8mm long. I planned to save and attempt to ID it but it died before I could find the time to catch it.

Here are the pictures I took while creating my columns on 2/9/09:

Mixing in the CaCO3:

Mixing in the CaSO4:





Filling the tall column:




Filling the short column:




Both columns filled and ready to be set in the window: