Microscope advice needed - Aquarium Advice

argileh · 10-30-2006, 03:38 PM

I am thinking of buying a microscope for this hobby. Can anyone tell me what I should look for and where I can find them.

Thanks

loyalrogue · 10-30-2006, 04:18 PM

Wow! That must be one small tank you're gonna setup...

But seriously, what is the microscope used for?

argileh · 10-30-2006, 04:30 PM

it's basically educational. I realize one does not really need it to successfult maintain a tank, but I am sure it can help one gain further knowledge

plecoperson · 10-30-2006, 09:31 PM

I thought I was the only person in the world that wanted a microscope. My tiny fish are very tiny, but I want to see the even tinier things floating/crawling/wiggling around in there.

I'm thinking of asking for one for Christmas...so I'm keen to hear if anyone has suggestions, too!

zacusmaximus · 10-30-2006, 09:48 PM

Well, before I could recommend one, what kind of budget do you have in mind?

argileh · 10-30-2006, 11:46 PM

well, I have no budget in mind. At the moment I want to know what type of microscope I should be looking for, and how much it costs, and then see whether I can buy it now or save money to buy it later.

zacusmaximus · 10-31-2006, 12:36 AM

Well, you can take a peek at http://www.microscopeworld.com/MSWorld/default.aspx and get a good idea of what your options are. There is quite a spread on pricing though, from under $100 to well into the thousands of dollars. For hobby-only use, I'd suggest something in the $100-300 range. Definitely use Froogle to check pricing on whatever model you choose. There are a lot of suppliers out there to pick from.

Ideally, a classic biological-grade compound light microscope will get you the most bang for your buck. I would suggest getting something with binocular eyepieces; they make extended viewing much easier on your eyes. Many schools use 4

, 10

, 40

magnification models. In turn, they have become very inexpensive and are well suited for most cellular observations. If you want to observe LIVE specimens, I would suggest getting a model with LED or fluorescent illumination as tungsten and halogen "cook" specimens fairly quickly.

EJS4 · 10-31-2006, 09:42 PM

It all depend on what you think you might want to see. A stereoscope would allow you to see the critters up close and personal. Its not the magnification of the microscope but you would be examing a bowl of water an see whats swimming about. With a microscope you would be examining cells, not organisms. You would be looking at a single drop of water to find something and only if its translucescent or a few cells thick.
I would go with the stereoscope.

10-30-2006, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
argileh Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	Microscope advice needed I am thinking of buying a microscope for this hobby. Can anyone tell me what I should look for and where I can find them. Thanks

10-30-2006, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
plecoperson Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Evanston, Illinois Posts: 1,083 Images: 3	I thought I was the only person in the world that wanted a microscope. My tiny fish are very tiny, but I want to see the even tinier things floating/crawling/wiggling around in there. I'm thinking of asking for one for Christmas...so I'm keen to hear if anyone has suggestions, too! __________________ -Lisa

10-31-2006, 12:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
zacusmaximus Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 192	Well, you can take a peek at http://www.microscopeworld.com/MSWorld/default.aspx and get a good idea of what your options are. There is quite a spread on pricing though, from under $100 to well into the thousands of dollars. For hobby-only use, I'd suggest something in the $100-300 range. Definitely use Froogle to check pricing on whatever model you choose. There are a lot of suppliers out there to pick from. Ideally, a classic biological-grade compound light microscope will get you the most bang for your buck. I would suggest getting something with binocular eyepieces; they make extended viewing much easier on your eyes. Many schools use 4, 10, 40 magnification models. In turn, they have become very inexpensive and are well suited for most cellular observations. If you want to observe LIVE specimens, I would suggest getting a model with LED or fluorescent illumination as tungsten and halogen "cook" specimens fairly quickly.

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10-30-2006, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
loyalrogue Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Posts: 231 Images: 3	Wow! That must be one small tank you're gonna setup... But seriously, what is the microscope used for?

10-30-2006, 04:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
argileh Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	it's basically educational. I realize one does not really need it to successfult maintain a tank, but I am sure it can help one gain further knowledge

10-30-2006, 09:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
zacusmaximus Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 192	Well, before I could recommend one, what kind of budget do you have in mind?

10-30-2006, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
argileh Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	well, I have no budget in mind. At the moment I want to know what type of microscope I should be looking for, and how much it costs, and then see whether I can buy it now or save money to buy it later.

10-31-2006, 09:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
EJS4 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Windsor, NJ Posts: 254 Images: 8	It all depend on what you think you might want to see. A stereoscope would allow you to see the critters up close and personal. Its not the magnification of the microscope but you would be examing a bowl of water an see whats swimming about. With a microscope you would be examining cells, not organisms. You would be looking at a single drop of water to find something and only if its translucescent or a few cells thick. I would go with the stereoscope.