Microscopes, the most important tool for reefing.

[Hans-Werner]

Is that a pod?

I think the image shows a polychaete worm above, a small one, most likely a very young one. You can see the bristles and the segmentation.
Below is gammarid. You can see the quite big black eye left of the mid of the image.

 

[1guydude]

Im not a scientist. What do i need to properly id that i cant see with my eye?
D

 

[Hans-Werner]

Im not a scientist. What do i need to properly id that i cant see with my eye?

Cyanobacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates and golden algae (chrysophytes) may look very similar sometimes viewed with the plain eye. Under the microscope they are easy to tell from each other.

 

[MexiReefer]

I think the image shows a polychaete worm above, a small one, most likely a very young one. You can see the bristles and the segmentation.
Below is gammarid. You can see the quite big black eye left of the mid of the image.

yes, one of them looked like a worm with the naked eye. This is awsome. Thanks Hans.

 

[jarviz]

I got my $17 microscope today... it feels like i'm going to break it everytime i make an adjustment lol. I can't focus without the lens or glass changing the spot i'm focusing on. here are some sample pics i took which i'm also trying to ID this algae if anybody has an idea. I'll prob be returning this one trying something a little higher quality.

 

[58e970b2-3f88-4897-87ba-5]

Here is what I am getting with my AmScope M150C:

Images were taken with a DSLR on a tripod pointing through the scope. If I remember correctly the first on is lowest zoom, second is highest.

 

[Ippyroy]

I got my $17 microscope today... it feels like i'm going to break it everytime i make an adjustment lol. I can't focus without the lens or glass changing the spot i'm focusing on. here are some sample pics i took which i'm also trying to ID this algae if anybody has an idea. I'll prob be returning this one trying something a little higher quality.

I believe those are diatoms. If you are using RODI water they will go away with time. The eat silicates which are in the sand and rocks.

 

[jarviz]

I believe those are diatoms. If you are using RODI water they will go away with time. The eat silicates which are in the sand and rocks.

do diatoms form hair like filaments sometimes? kinda of like how dinos do?

 

[Ippyroy]

do diatoms form hair like filaments sometimes? kinda of like how dinos do?

I think they do. Have you compared the pics to some online?

 

[Ippyroy]

Here is what I am getting with my AmScope M150C:

Images were taken with a DSLR on a tripod pointing through the scope. If I remember correctly the first on is lowest zoom, second is highest.

Does it move around?

 

[jarviz]

I think they do. Have you compared the pics to some online?

I couldn't find anything that looks like what i have seen under the microscope to confirm it's diatoms. It doesn't match any dinos i have seen online though so that's a good thing i guess.

 

[Ippyroy]

I couldn't find anything that looks like what i have seen under the microscope to confirm it's diatoms. It doesn't match any dinos i have seen online though so that's a good thing i guess.

Sorry. I looked at the wrong pic. Not diatoms for sure.

 

[58e970b2-3f88-4897-87ba-5]

Does it move around?

It most certainly does.

 

[Thaxxx]

Do they make microscopes that take pictures with a app to download them to your phone? They should.

 

[Thaxxx]

I found one for computer

40X-1000X Biology Science Metal Glass Student Microscope with USB Digi

This is a perfect microscope with a 640x480 pixel USB digital camera for students to learn science. There are five magnification settings, 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X and 1000X. It comes with full glass optical elements, metal framework, 45 degree inclined 360 degree rotating monocular head, LED...

microscopecentral.com

 

[FortyFour44]

How do I get a sample of possible dinos in the sand? Add sand to the slide? Does this look like anything? I’m suspecting dinos in my tank.

 

[Ippyroy]

How do I get a sample of possible dinos in the sand? Add sand to the slide? Does this look like anything?

Use a turkey baster to slowly suck some up. Empty the contents into a clean glass. Strain the water through a coffee filter. If it reforms it is dinos. Use an eye dropper to collect the dino and put that on the slide.

 

[FortyFour44]

Use a turkey baster to slowly suck some up. Empty the contents into a clean glass. Strain the water through a coffee filter. If it reforms it is dinos. Use an eye dropper to collect the dino and put that on the slide.

This is incredibly difficult. Is there a video anywhere?

Does my sample show anything?

 

[Aqua Man]

This is incredibly difficult. Is there a video anywhere?

Post #8 page 1 , good video

 

[jarviz]

This is incredibly difficult. Is there a video anywhere?

Does my sample show anything?

I used a tweezer to pull out some of the "hair" filaments coming off the sand, than put that under the micrscope... I'm not sure if that works... but i think it gives a close enough idea of what you're working with.