National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Shanna on August 14, 2018, 09:09:01 PM

Title: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: Shanna on August 14, 2018, 09:09:01 PM
Hi there,

Am toying with the idea of buying a microscope for home use. Want something that would have strong enough magnification to be able to use with a haemocytometer for yeast counting as well as for mounting and viewing slides

Any assistance on what to look out for would be appreciated. Budget up to €500.

Shanna
Title: Re: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: Thewicklowhopscompany on August 14, 2018, 09:54:51 PM
Hi,
For counting cells you do not really need too much magnification or an insanely expensive microscope. Yeast cells are pretty big, something like this would do the trick.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apex-Microscopes-The-Practitioner-Microscope/dp/B001BPQL4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1534279634&sr=8-6&keywords=microscope

I would recommend a decent hemocytomoter like this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Counting-Improved-Neubauer-Hemacytometer-MarienFeld/dp/B073BH852J/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1534279824&sr=8-8&keywords=Hemocytometer

Then all you need is some sterile water for diluting and a couple of pipettes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3ML-GRADUATED-PASTEUR-PIPETTE-PK10/dp/B009WQPXLE/ref=sr_1_5?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1534279876&sr=1-5&keywords=pipettes

These for loading the chamber
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disposable-Micropipette-Pipette-Pipettor-Tipes/dp/B01EZZQKL8/ref=sr_1_6?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1534279932&sr=1-6&keywords=fine+tip+pipettes

Also if your interested in testing the viability you can pick up methylene blue solution. The methylene stains the dead/not viable cells.  Give me a pm if you get the stuff and I can give you a few tips.


Phil

Title: Re: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: Shanna on August 14, 2018, 10:17:13 PM
Cheers Phil will look at them appreciate the links.

Shanna
Quote from: Thewicklowhopscompany on August 14, 2018, 09:54:51 PM
Hi,
For counting cells you do not really need too much magnification or an insanely expensive microscope. Yeast cells are pretty big, something like this would do the trick.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apex-Microscopes-The-Practitioner-Microscope/dp/B001BPQL4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1534279634&sr=8-6&keywords=microscope

I would recommend a decent hemocytomoter like this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Counting-Improved-Neubauer-Hemacytometer-MarienFeld/dp/B073BH852J/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1534279824&sr=8-8&keywords=Hemocytometer

Then all you need is some sterile water for diluting and a couple of pipettes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3ML-GRADUATED-PASTEUR-PIPETTE-PK10/dp/B009WQPXLE/ref=sr_1_5?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1534279876&sr=1-5&keywords=pipettes

These for loading the chamber
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disposable-Micropipette-Pipette-Pipettor-Tipes/dp/B01EZZQKL8/ref=sr_1_6?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1534279932&sr=1-6&keywords=fine+tip+pipettes

Also if your interested in testing the viability you can pick up methylene blue solution. The methylene stains the dead/not viable cells.  Give me a pm if you get the stuff and I can give you a few tips.


Phil
Title: Re: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: garciaBernal on August 15, 2018, 09:56:43 AM
https://www.gtvision.co.uk/Aspen-GTC10-Trinocular-Biological-Microscope-with-LED-Illumination

I picked up this one for less than 500 through lads called Trafalgar Scientific in the UK. You'll need to email them and haggle a bit.
I wanted one with oil immersion as I'm analysing a lot of wild yeast so wanted to get deep down into it but if you got a 500 budget I recommend getting one with oil immersion.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: Will_D on August 15, 2018, 10:34:31 AM
 That reminds me Mr Dempsey!!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a reasonably priced microscope
Post by: DEMPSEY on August 16, 2018, 12:13:38 PM
Quote from: Will_D on August 15, 2018, 10:34:31 AM
That reminds me Mr Dempsey!!
I know,I was only thinking of contacting you the other day about dropping it back. :-[