Microscope Question

[osu133lbs]

To all the science guys out there.... I am thinking about getting a biological microscope to check out things on corals, in the tank, etc... Is there anything I should be looking for specifically?? Just starting to think about it.... Thanks

 

[porky]

Not exactly a microscope per se but I've always thought this was really cool!
But it's kinda pricey...

 

[ellinas]

Good microscopes are very expensive. That being said you might want to consider a couple of things:
1st do you want your objective to submerge under the water that your sample is in or do you want an inverted scope where your objective looks at the sample from underneath? Since we're dealing with saltwater here I would recommend an inverted scope so that not to ruin your expensive objectives. That being said you would need a slide or plate for your sample, and since these have a certain thickness a 20X objective will be the strongest you could use.

2nd: Objective strength, Unless your going to be looking at the cellular level you wouldnt need anything over 100X (which typically means a 10X objective). Taking cellular samples from your corals is a whole other discussion, and though very interesting I doubt you would see anything real interesting. Not that there isnt anythign interesting but light microscopy is not very impressive at the cellular level (DIC differential interference contrast is kinda cool but you wouldnt be able to do that). Now if you had a fluorescent microscope that would be pretty cool.

You know, the more I write about it the worse this idea gets. I do a lot of microscopy and love it, but I dont think its a good idea for a reef keeper.

Maybe that thing porky linked to may be better... or even better just get a great camara with a fantastic macro lens. Thatll be your best bet.

 

[jakano]

This might sound silly but get one of those kids toys called the Eyeclops. Its a magnification toy that you hook up to your tv to see what the camera sees, and this thing actually works. You have to get very close to your subject and of course its not waterproof but its pretty amazing what this thing can show you and its not expensive at all. We got one for our little boy this Christmas and it will let you see the individual threads on shirts and jeans just as an example.

 

[itZme]

I have been considering getting a USB microscope for a while. Here is the one I was planning to get. It is actually a 200x zooming digital camera. It would be really neat to be able to document things and have them stored on the computer or posted here on the forums.
Not a bad deal for $70 with free shipping. I get most of my blank media from them and have not had a problem with the company.

http://www.meritline.com/megapixels-zooming-digital-microscope-658---p-32526.aspx

 

[osu133lbs]

Thanks for the reply's! Some good ideas!

 

[jiriki]

I have the DigitalBlue USB microscope. It works okay. It's hard to get a good focus, especially if they move around a lot. It's only got a 200x zoom. IMO, it's not enough. Then again, I want to see the heart beating in a copepod...

I have pics and videos of red flat worms if you want to see the quality.

 

[szwab]

Shoot Ramon a PM and see if he has any recommendations from his experiences at the zoo

 

[janey]

i too want to get a microscope but which one???

 

[sammie]

I think a steroscopic disecting scope would be the most useful. You could look at corals macroscopically for some diseases but could not get down to a cellular level.