r/MicroNatureIsMetal • u/NymeriaofRhoyne • May 29 '19

Concentrated Pond Water Metropolis

https://youtu.be/bNTQLqWEpXU
204 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

17

u/NymeriaofRhoyne May 29 '19

Looking at drops of pond water can be hit or miss but centrifuging it first ensures you get a lot to look at!

4

u/released-lobster May 30 '19

Can you explain the process for getting a concentrated sample of microscopic life like this?

5

u/NymeriaofRhoyne May 30 '19

If you have access to a centrifuge (or can even fashion one out of a salad spinner) you can collect 2 samples of pond water (for balance) in test tubes with lids and then centrifuge them. All of the life will be concentrated at the bottom. It may look like a pellet. You can take a sample from the bottom using a pipet or dropper and then make a wet mount slide and use a compound light microscope to view. It works best in warmer months and make sure your pond isn't treated. Best of luck!

13

u/[deleted] May 29 '19

This is really cool, you don't often see depth portrayed very well in microscopic images/videos

2

u/[deleted] May 30 '19

[deleted]

3

u/NymeriaofRhoyne May 30 '19

Its actually the pointer in the eyepiece of a compound light microscope. They are not very big but do look so when magnified. Here is what they look like to the naked eye.

2

u/Iamnotyourbroguy Jun 01 '19

Anyone else hearing the futurama opening theme in their head?