Using a microscope Noob Help

[tpirovol]

Hi Everyone,

I have some algae growing on my rock think it’s diatom but it does not blow off. Question how would I go about getting a sample?

What is the best technique?

Thanks T

 

[DaJMasta]

It depends on the microscope and the stuff, but if it can come off with suction, using a small pipette could be a good way to get a small, concentrated sample. Otherwise if it sticks and needs to be pulled, you can try grabbing it yourself, using some sort of forceps/tweezers (but only ones you know are totally clean), or you can turn off the pumps, scrape it off, then suck it up.

Especially if looking through high magnification, you want to get as much of the stuff you want to look at as possible in as little water as possible, so if you get some extra water, it's good to remove it and let what you want to examine settle because you will only be able to get a drop or so on a slide (if it's that kind of microscope).