Totally new - introduction

[Shivs]

Hi guys,

I just decided to buy a microscope (omax B005TJ5CEG) out of sheer boredom. After a few weeks I am getting pretty interested and want to learn a bit more. I have looked at some prepared slides as well as random things around the house, however what interests me most so far is looking at protozoa and moving creatures found in water.

So far I have soaked some moss in water and used a small 35mm petri dish lid to view samples of the water. I have seen lots of paramecium, a few tardigrades, heliozoa, nematodes etc. I am struggling with getting these little guys on a slide, I read somewhere dental wax to build a small support for the cover slip and have had some success.

Would appreciate someone to chat with about equipment and basic techniques.

[DrPhoxinus]

Welcome to the forum.

Concave slides can be bought from eBay and Amazon.

Best wishes

Gerard

[Shivs]

Oh wow, bought. That is super helpful thanks

[DrPhoxinus]

Glad to help.
Plastic disposable pipettes 1ml size are cheap in quantity.
Staples.com is a good source for Kimwipes- 280 for $3.49

It is a great hobby

Gerard

[Shivs]

I haven't been able to source any methyl cellulose yet, I ordered some from a website but it will take a month to get here. I ordered some stuff thinking it was methyl cellulose but I think it's xantham gum, any idea if it will work to slow down protozoa without killing them.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06ZYBTSVQ/ref ... FRTF45FX8K

[DrPhoxinus]

Egads

Carolina Biological Supply has ProtoSlo for $7.95

Good luck

Gerard

[Placozoa]

I am experimenting with xanthum gum, which is a polysaccharide produced by bacteria, aka a biofilm. I mix it to 1% with chlorine free water to make an odd light gray syrup. Then I mix 1 drop of that with one drop pond water. It slows them right down, but it takes a bit to thicken. It has the property that it thins when you mix it or stir it around then thickens when its still. Two drops per drop of pond water kills stuff. I also try to be quick with observing. I am no pro with coverslips, still learning, so its tricky to be fast and accurate with the coverslip. If I do it right the ciliates are fine after. The rotifers are fine also. Honestly not sure how it compares with methyl cellulose, I havent found any either.

[Shivs]

Interesting, I'm not sure how I'll measure it out to 1%, trial and error I guess.

[DrPhoxinus]

You might try serial dilution
With one of those graduated disposable pipettes
take 1 ml and add water to get to 10ml
That’s 10%
Mix well
Take 1 ml of that solution, add water to get 10ml

That’s 1%

Gerard

[Shivs]

I tried out the xantham gum, it works well! I found if I add the powder to boiling water it is much clearer. If anyone ends up buying the Nestle stuff linked above, I'm adding 2.5g to 125ml of boiling water. Works great

[Greg Howald]

I slow critters down by adding a drop of glycerin. Cheap and very effective.
Greg

[DrPhoxinus]

Great idea Greg,

And glycerin can be a substitute for immersion oil for causal work

[Voyager-1]

Shivs,
Welcome! I am also new to the Forum.
I seem to be in heaven! Moss, Tardigrades, Petri dishes!! all in the same conversation!
Just to let you know Amazon has Methylcellulose powder ~ $23 lb. no long waiting to receive.
V

[Shivs]

Shivs,
Welcome! I am also new to the Forum.
I seem to be in heaven! Moss, Tardigrades, Petri dishes!! all in the same conversation!
Just to let you know Amazon has Methylcellulose powder ~ $23 lb. no long waiting to receive.
V

Awesome Voyager, msg me any time we can chat about all of the above