Yeah having used those systems (not top of the line, and I'm sure they have gotten better) resolution is an issue, as is pixalation. I know they have gotten more definition, but it is still hard to get a defined field from the screen; easier with the eyball. I used to adjust it to my eye, then adjust from there to the microcular...
I do see some scopes that have done away with the eyepieces all together...
HG
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The Helpful Gardener
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Sage Hermit
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Microscopic stuff!! >:3 cool!! 
Toil, in case you haven't already, make sure to get some microscopy stains. Most of the interesting stuff is nearly transparent. You'll see way more and depending on the type of stain, you can make some educated guesses as to what species you are looking at. Methylene blue is probably the easiest to use and very cheap, while a Gram stain kit will be more diagnostic. I also found a cool paper on staining for mycorrhizal fungus: [url]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC90956/[/url]
While you're at it, get some Protoslo ([url]https://www.carolina.com/product/885141.do[/url]) if you want to see protozoa. Most want to avoid the bright light of your microscope and move almost too fast to see (except amoeba, of course).
While you're at it, get some Protoslo ([url]https://www.carolina.com/product/885141.do[/url]) if you want to see protozoa. Most want to avoid the bright light of your microscope and move almost too fast to see (except amoeba, of course).
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The Helpful Gardener
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Yeah I learned flagellates and cilliates on the first day and had the difference between actinobacters and fungal hyphae on day two, but it took me about a month and a half to spot my first amoeba, despite the prevalence. Without a stain they are incredibly hard to spot...
Sounds like you have some experience Dan...
HG
Sounds like you have some experience Dan...
HG
Not in soil microbiology, but I did biomedical research for 5 summers which included LOTS of microscopy. There definitely is that learning curve, but it's pretty rewarding once you start to figure things out.-
Ozark Lady
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I am looking for a microscope. In another forum, I am learning to do such mundane and yucky things as fecal samples for my animals!
They posted links to slides of the various parasites in various stages, and times to look for them.
So, if we use the microscope also for garden applications, what exactly are we looking for? Besides just having fun with it?
They posted links to slides of the various parasites in various stages, and times to look for them.
So, if we use the microscope also for garden applications, what exactly are we looking for? Besides just having fun with it?
It's just another way to get information about your soil. More is always better!
What pushed me over the edge was a trip to the dermatologist. He took a scraping and told me he was going to look at it under the scope.
"cool! Can I look as well?"
"no."
there are so many things I want to see besides soil. Like the mucelage from my sundews, bokashi, EM, you name
it!
What pushed me over the edge was a trip to the dermatologist. He took a scraping and told me he was going to look at it under the scope.
"cool! Can I look as well?"
"no."
there are so many things I want to see besides soil. Like the mucelage from my sundews, bokashi, EM, you name
it!
Self taught is what I did concerning the scope. Sending out for a bioassay is really expensive. The reason I bought my scope off microbe organics A: good deal(I thought) B: It came with the DVD"S on teaching myself as well the calculations of figuring out the populations. Now my lawn customers are more inclined to have the test done now that I charge them say 1/3 of the cost as it would if I sent to SFW inc. Sure my counts and print outs aren't as precise and flashy as theirs but it does give me a rough idea.
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The Helpful Gardener
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Right on, CL; a field count on your scope isn't a bioassay with SFW, but it can get you in the ballpark if not on base. I still would like to know what I have for nematode species, and I'll be darned if I can suss out active to inactive ratios on the SFI assay, but I do know good soil when I am looking at it in the scope. Too many cilliates? Probably compacted because it's certainly low on O2. Lots of bacteria and no protozoa? SOMETHING polluted it because a mast food source with no predators is an ecosystem gone wrong... no fungal mass? Houston, we have a problem...
Just more good information...
HG
Just more good information...
HG