RyanM
New member
Was looking on Dr Fosters and Smiths for some new test kits and saw a microscope. Was a good bit of money and at first glance saw it as a toy rather than a tool. It started me thinking about what it could be used for and how it could help instead of just something neat to look thru.
Im not sure how strong a scope youd need to see the microorganizmes living in the water colum but doing some quick searching I came across a few references as to the size of most bacteria. Most are .3 - 2 microns. Thats small but I dont think its so small to require an electron microscope. Maybe it is. I saw one on Ebay for $35,000. Ouch!! I was thinking that if you could see them under a semi normal power microscope that you could take a drop of tank water place it on a glass slide and count the life you see. If your tank's bacterial colony is in decline you might be able to tell it thru visual bacteria count. This may be a useless idea, maybe they rise and fall in numbers normally more than one could count on a regular basis. Just figured Id think outloud and see what anyone else thought. Maybe one of you have a microscope. Id love to know if it was doable from the hobbiest stand point. Cheep scopes cost less then some of the probes we use. I always feel helpless with my tank. Going thru the motions but never really know if things are happy. If your micro life is thriving, your tank should to id guess.
Im not sure how strong a scope youd need to see the microorganizmes living in the water colum but doing some quick searching I came across a few references as to the size of most bacteria. Most are .3 - 2 microns. Thats small but I dont think its so small to require an electron microscope. Maybe it is. I saw one on Ebay for $35,000. Ouch!! I was thinking that if you could see them under a semi normal power microscope that you could take a drop of tank water place it on a glass slide and count the life you see. If your tank's bacterial colony is in decline you might be able to tell it thru visual bacteria count. This may be a useless idea, maybe they rise and fall in numbers normally more than one could count on a regular basis. Just figured Id think outloud and see what anyone else thought. Maybe one of you have a microscope. Id love to know if it was doable from the hobbiest stand point. Cheep scopes cost less then some of the probes we use. I always feel helpless with my tank. Going thru the motions but never really know if things are happy. If your micro life is thriving, your tank should to id guess.
