MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

A stereo scope is a great addition mate. The one I have(see signature) does from 3.5X to 90X magnification and has a zoom control and 2 interchangable barlow lenses 0.5X and 2X, it wasn't too expensive, though I did have to buy an LED ringlight for it. I primarily bought it for insect observation, b...

A padded camera backpack bag would also be ideal and quite cheap.

That's definitely a Stentor, though I don't know exactly which species it is.

Thanks mate. Here's what I did. I collected several samples of moss and soaked them in fishtank water for about 10 hours or so, I then looked at the container under my stereo microscope at 45X magnification to make sure it contained Tardigrades which it did, it also contained rotifers and lots and l...

My first Tardigrade video.
This little chap was found in a moss sample and was filmed at 200X magnification.

I think microscopy is reasonably cheap. Of course one can spend a great deal of money if one is so inclined.

However, the most expensive hobby I've ever had and a bottomless money pit is astrophotography.
My setup is fairly cheap and it still runs at well over 3,000 pounds.

Superb videos mate. Unfortunately, you have comments turned off, otherwise I'd have left you some feedback. I have subscibed to your channel.

BTW: Your second video is indeed a rotifer or more precisely Rotifer Vulgaris.

Thanks for the extra info Bruce, much appreciated.

I've obviously got an awful lot to learn

Thank you for the correction, it's very much appreciated. I will edit my post accordingly.

The Carchesium is a smaller protozoan and belongs to the Phyllum Ciliophora. It lives in a colony with others and is from 100-150 um long. The word Carchesium means a beaker or drinking cup which was used by the Greeks in very early times. The Carchesium is similar to the Vorticella.

Hi Greg

I only have 2 scopes and a camera having only been in the hobby for just over 2 weeks, but the amount of accessories and kit is growing exponentially and so is the cost. Looks like I've fallen down yet another rabbit hole.

Thank you so very much for your help Red_Green, it's very much appreciated.

Two stentor ciliates from my aquarium clealy showing the macronucleus.

I came across this critter on some decaying plant matter from my aquarium. It can move extremely fast and is rather a large size. I was thinking it was perhaps Daphnia, but I'm really not sure.
Any help would be most appreciated.

Those shots are amazing with a mobile phone. Just imagine what photos you can get with a proper camera.

I have the Swiftcam CR1803R 18MP high speed USB 3 camera and I highly recommend it.

I'll be honest, I've never even tried using the 25X eyepieces thus far. Next time I have the scope out, I'll give them a try and see what I think.
I mainly look at protozoa and 400X is plently for my needs.

I too have a SW380T(see signature) and absolutely love it. I only use the 10X eyepieces. I also got a 20X objective and stored the 100X oil objective as I simply don't use it. I have found the 20X objective to be very useful indeed. That's a pretty good pic considering the way you photographed it. W...

I found some Rotifer Vulgaris which have a kind of caterpillar locomotion in moss samples. The moss samples also contained some Tardigrades, but alas the ones I found under the compound microscope were doing their best to hide beneath plant and soil debris so didn't actually get any meaningful foota...

What a fantastic and educational thread. Super interesting too!

Thank you so much actinophrys, I do believe you are correct. As far as I'm concerned, Google has confirmed your identification of Stenostomum.

This is why I love these forums and all the knowledgable folks here.

Off now to edit my video title.

Thanks again.

Thanks for your reply tabkiel, it's very much appreciated. The worm was found in a water sample from my freshwater aquarium and rhabdocoela are fairly common in aquaria. I have done many searches on Google and it looks very much like rhabdocoela is what I found. Whatever it is, at least it's not a p...

I too am going to follow this thread with interest.

I came across this flatworm this morning, I'm thinking its rhabdocoela?

An Amscope SM-1TSZ-V203 stereo microscope is what I use and think it would be ideal for what you're looking for. It magnifies from 3.5X to 90X and has a zoom control and a trinocular port. It comes with a 0.5 barlow lens as well as a 2x barlow lens that can be changed as required. It isn't too expen...

I'm guessing the fast moving s shaped critter was a detritus worm & the other critter sounds very much like a flatworm(planarian).

Indeed it was mate, and at only £24 I don't think it was too expensive and it certainly does the job. Also,its parfocal with the rest of my dry objectives which is really nice.

Thanks Javier, please find a couple of video and some photos below. Most of which were filmed with my new 20X objective. PnEistbACcQ iUVPNuj5N4E https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DbnlSeoYywPO35jgTYZOPVVyD3R0i3AZo4q4PqNJGBClzBe5pbH0E0GqQLj39LBxRGMMaBM2FatWNxUyQY_Ru9nUt3A-S0L0d7Qkg22DEG6bOKq7fcO9d49qv...

My 20X objective arrived today and I'm pleased to say it works extremely well. I now have 40x,100x,200x and 400x magnifications. If ever I need more magnification, I can always swap to my 100X oil objective.

Great images Pasotteo and very well done. I've ony managed to photograph one tardigrade thus far and my images were nowhere near as good as yours. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZeEf7-YNvskilyp2xcqQ_WncbeJc3J55MnmxD_AM0UJfERTb7XVe2OlwzwWx8r2tj8mN8Orct__KRVTt_E5gnsoDaQVmYlT0JL2WXkaanns5MoulUs2qlMm...

Thank you too for your comments and subscription, it's very much appreciated.