Isolating and slowing down fast microbes?

[Sir]

I've been observing various pond life lately, occasionally recording my observations on my camera. One problem I frequently run into is that some microbes move so fast and are incredibly hard to image because of that. Other times the microbes are wound up in various pond debris that they can barely move.

What methods can I try to isolate microbes from debris in my samples, and how could I try and slow them down? Thanks!

[Wes]

What you need is methylcellulose. Its an osmotically inert agent of very high viscosity that slows down microbes (or even stalling them completely) which allows closer examination.

[daruosha]

Wes , do you know if glycerol can produce the same effect? Does it harm the water organisms in a short run for simple and short observation?

[Wes]

I forgot who it was but a member on here tried glycerol and reported that the organisms exploded. Sounds like an osmotic effect.

[daruosha]

I forgot who it was but a member on here tried glycerol and reported that the organisms exploded. Sounds like an osmotic effect.

Thanks for the reply.

[Wes]

I found the thread if you want to follow that discussion. It was started by Radazz

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7517