What does every home lab need?

[jason2459]

I'm looking to add some equipment to build up a little mini home lab. What should I be looking for? Space savings is a plus. Also, not trying to break the bank... May be hard for some things?

Any kind of input is appreciated. Reviews (Positive and Negative). Product suggestions. Links. Etc. I'll post below some of the stuff I've already gotten.

 

[twilliard]

This is where I get my glassware
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry/glassware-plasticware/pyrex-glassware-lab

 

[jason2459]

My center piece is my Omax microscope. I bought this kit
OMAX 2500X 5MP Digital LED Microscope + Slide Preparation Kit + Book + Cleaning Kit + Prepared & Blank Slide
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPJJ70I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's been a great full starter kit. Omax and AmScope seem to get similar reviews and seem pretty popular for home microscopes. I got it after my old 1000x monocular microscope broke. There are certainly cheaper (and much more expensive) options to go with and some decent ones down around $100. But I really wanted the ability utilize both eye pieces while still taking digital images or video so the trinocular was perfect. The software that this came with is pretty easy to use and has some nice controls that I've been able to use to help identify or at least narrow down types of microscopic organisms that are in my tank. Having the digital images and videos is also great to be able to go back and review what I found most interesting and see details I missed.

Eventually I'd like to get a higher MP camera for the top view, non-oil 100x lens, and a dark field kit.

 

[jason2459]

I've used these with the microscope more so exploring the backyard with my kids. Good far "larger" objects that wouldn't fit under a typical slide cover with out the sample being crushed or cracking the slide cover.
Microscope Slides Single Depression Concave Pack of 12
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O5G5ZCS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Identifying Bacteria and possibly other features of microorganisms like dinoflagellates a staining kit is handy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUV7I3K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[twilliard]

Also your lab will be dependant on your focus of study.
For instance I work with chemicals so I have a .001g scale, hotplate, beakers, flasks and test tubes.

 

[jason2459]

This is where I get my glassware
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry/glassware-plasticware/pyrex-glassware-lab

Also your lab will be dependant on your focus of study.
For instance I work with chemicals so I have a .001g scale, hotplate, beakers, flasks and test tubes.

Thanks, I've got a couple scales.

2000G x 0.01G
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSP1FMC?psc=1

and
50g x 0.001g
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L3LUCJ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I need more volummetric things like the flasks and tubes (holders) and will be looking at the site you link too above. Thanks! I currently have basic measure cups, stainless steel spoon set, and a 1000ml and 500ml graduated cylinders.

Hotplate and Centrifuge is next on my list to buy. Any suggestions?

 

[jason2459]

Oh, and what's focus?

 

[twilliard]

That looks like a great lab setup.
Don't forget about all your airlines and stones if you will be culturing

 

[twilliard]

Oh, and what's focus?

The desired intention on what your study is.
For instance if your not going to be working with chemicals but just raise bacterium for observation a scale and stirplate will not be needed.

 

[jason2459]

The desired intention on what your study is.
For instance if your not going to be working with chemicals but just raise bacterium for observation a scale and stirplate will not be needed.

Do you have a link where I can buy this thing called focus?

 

[jason2459]

These are indispensable. Actually they are dispensable.

Pipettes. I've got a box of small (1ml) and large (3ml) from DFS
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8940

 

[twilliard]

These are indispensable. Actually they are dispensable.

Pipettes. I've got a box of small (1ml) and large (3ml) from DFS
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8940

Indeed I get them in the bags of 100
Once used it goes into the garbage to avoid cross contamination

 

[JimWelsh]

A milligram balance. Class A volumetric glassware: At least one 100 mL flask and one 1000 mL flask, and a 10 mL pipette. Other sizes as needed. 1000 mL polypropylene bottles (lots of them). A simple stir plate, a few stir bars, and a few 250 mL conical flasks. A burette - 10 or 50 mL - with stand. A pH meter. A notebook. A good thermometer. When in the budget, a vacuum dessicator and vacuum pump.

 

[fab]

This thing called focus, you might have to discover it. Sometimes I start with a Google query. I follow some of the resulting links wherever they take me until I get some where really interesting. Then I squint real hard, home in and dive deeper. The deeper and deeper I get into what I find and the harder I squint, the clearer the details become. I think that when the details finally become very clear, I am focused.
fab

 

[jason2459]

So, I'm looking at centrifuges right now. Lots of options but don't think I need anything fancy or to high speed. I just want to help concentrate samples with out damaging them to much. Would a basic cheap 4000 rpm one be good?

 

[JimWelsh]

Filter, don't centrifuge. My experience is that anything except the tiniest creatures (bacteria, nanochloropsis, etc.) gets crushed, smooshed, and kinda squishy if you centrifuge them.

 

[jason2459]

I don't want that. Thanks for the input. I've got plenty of unbleached coffee filters... will need some finer filter paper too.

 

[JimWelsh]

For things larger than phytoplankton: http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/product_pages/Nylon-screening-mesh.html

 

[jason2459]

For things larger than phytoplankton: http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/product_pages/Nylon-screening-mesh.html

Cool thanks. Most of the stuff I've been interested in recently are 10-100 microns. But my "focus" may change...


But for now that would be handy to filter out the large stuff and use a 1-3 micron paper to concentrate the stuff I want to look at.

Edit: ohhh nice I didn't scroll down enough and notice it gets down to 7 microns.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Buy some stains. OMG! I love stains.

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry/chemicals