immersion oil question
immersion oil question
I ask forgiveness io advance if this is a bit "over the top". I have a small pond aquarium and I have a procedure which, to my thinking, results in the least harm to the organisms I observe. I hope I'm not just fooling myself.
I use a well slide with a glass cover and after observing, I dunk the entire slide in the aquarium water until the cover slide floats off a bit. I lift it off with a pair of tweezers and rinse it in the aquarium, then toss it. I similarly rinse the slide, but re-use it.
I'm wondering if following the same procedure with a slide that had immersion oil (after being wiped off) on the cover would eventually foul up the aquarium water ? I know it will float on the surface, but the surface exchange with the air must be a pretty big deal.
Thanks,
Dan
I use a well slide with a glass cover and after observing, I dunk the entire slide in the aquarium water until the cover slide floats off a bit. I lift it off with a pair of tweezers and rinse it in the aquarium, then toss it. I similarly rinse the slide, but re-use it.
I'm wondering if following the same procedure with a slide that had immersion oil (after being wiped off) on the cover would eventually foul up the aquarium water ? I know it will float on the surface, but the surface exchange with the air must be a pretty big deal.
Thanks,
Dan
Re: immersion oil question
I would think that the oil, especially if it eventually spreads out to form a sheen or layer, would probably negatively impact the air-water gaseous exchange rate or process.
Re: immersion oil question
This is probably no design criteria for the formulation of immersion oil so I would be careful.
You might look for a clear natural oil of suitable refractive index instead. This oil might not be perfect optically and it is not tested for use on microscope objectives but this may not be a big problem.
Bob
You might look for a clear natural oil of suitable refractive index instead. This oil might not be perfect optically and it is not tested for use on microscope objectives but this may not be a big problem.
Bob
Re: immersion oil question
One solution would be to not oil the condenser and to lift the cover slip off before dunking the slide.
As it is a well slide, that is where most of the animalcules will be.
Note: Higher magnification objectives have a shallower depth of field, they are not ideal for well slide use.
Have a look at Oliver's video. It does look a little stressful at times but it does have a happy ending
As it is a well slide, that is where most of the animalcules will be.
Note: Higher magnification objectives have a shallower depth of field, they are not ideal for well slide use.
There is no need to toss cover slips after one use when observing pond water. I reuse them several times.I lift it off with a pair of tweezers and rinse it in the aquarium, then toss it.
Have a look at Oliver's video. It does look a little stressful at times but it does have a happy ending
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
Re: immersion oil question
What do you expect to see from an aquarium with a 100x lens that can't be observed under a 60x? you wouldn't need to use oil at all.
Alan
Bresser Science Infinity 4x 10x 40x 60x 100x oil. Canon EOS 4000d
Stereo Microscope Optika SFX 90
Bresser Science Infinity 4x 10x 40x 60x 100x oil. Canon EOS 4000d
Stereo Microscope Optika SFX 90
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Re: immersion oil question
Perhaps instead of dunking the slide, you could get a squirt bottle that has a good water stream so the microbes could be jetted back into the tank with minimal oil contamination.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Economy-Bottle-S ... 0497&psc=1
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Economy-Bottle-S ... 0497&psc=1
Re: immersion oil question
Thanks 7575RR wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:35 amOne solution would be to not oil the condenser and to lift the cover slip off before dunking the slide.
As it is a well slide, that is where most of the animalcules will be.
Note: Higher magnification objectives have a shallower depth of field, they are not ideal for well slide use.
There is no need to toss cover slips after one use when observing pond water. I reuse them several times.I lift it off with a pair of tweezers and rinse it in the aquarium, then toss it.
Have a look at Oliver's video. It does look a little stressful at times but it does have a happy ending
Yikes on the video ! Resilient creatures they are. I think I'm going to give up on the 100x oil immersion, since I think the depth of field will be driving me nuts anyways.
Re: immersion oil question
Thanks Heather-- I actually had considered just that.Sauerkraut wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:04 pmPerhaps instead of dunking the slide, you could get a squirt bottle that has a good water stream so the microbes could be jetted back into the tank with minimal oil contamination.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Economy-Bottle-S ... 0497&psc=1