1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Fly Fishing
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3. Collecting specimens/equipment........

Can someone give me a link where I can buy collecting containers for keeping insects; namely nymphs. I presently have small round containers that can be stacked vertically( threaded), but they are too inconvenient to work with.
I am also looking for a medium priced microscope. I have done a search for websites, but haven't found any that I like .

John....

Do you want to keep them alive or do you plan to make a collection? Bioquip.com has all kinds of insect collecting supplies.

I want to keep a collection. I'm using a solution of 80/20 alcohol/water. If I get a microscope would you recommend a stero-microscope? If so, what power lenses would be sufficient for general viewing/identification ?
Would this be a good model?
http://www.microscopeworld.com/MSWorld/detail.aspx?ID=11818

John

screwtop vials are convenient for a collection

the scope you listed probably would suit your needs. i'll check to see what powers mine has when I get home.

Konchu,
I did find this site for glass vials........
If I use these vials, how do I store them? Can I buy a storing bin to hold these containers safely?
http://sciencekit.com/vials-screw-cap-flint-glass/p/IG0025961/

John

a box with cardboard dividers is easy to make and works well

OK...... I found a nice vial container (holds 64) for $5.35.
Unfortunately they don't sell the glass vials that fit them???
I hate to order from 3 different places!

* Let me know what power would be Ok for the microscope.

Thank you.
John

John-

I've been searching for a reasonably priced binocular microscope, and have pretty much concluded tha AmScope offers the best quality/price ratio in that market segment.

For example, if you are targeting a 2-magnifications model (10x & 30x), I suggest you take a look at this one: http://store.amscope.com/em-2b13.html.

It is 18 pounds as compared to the 5.5 pounds for the microscope you are considering.

Taxon....
Very nice website/ great prices... Thank you!

DMM......
Can I buy Ethanol( ethyl alcohol) at the pharmacy ?
Thank you !

I just checked the dissecting scope that I use. I've been using it or a model just like it, for about ten years now and it suits my needs quite well. The total (ocular x objective) magnifications are 10x, 30x, 60x. I usually use the 10x for sorting and do the bulk of my examinations at 30x. Occasionally, I use the 60x, but usually I rely on the 30x.

Of course a compound light microscope is needed occationally to check out mouthpart characteristics and other fine details on troublesome taxa.

Konchu....
Very good! So 10X and 30X are the norm, but 60X may be needed at times. I'll digest the info I received. I have to decide whether anything above 30X is worth the extra money!
I borrowed a stero-microscope one summer when I was at the Univ. of Conn. It was a great experience just looking at common things.

Thank you,
John

DMM,
OK......... I will checkout the pharmacy and ACE hardware.
That shouldn't cost much, but the camera and scope will put a dent in my wallet........... oh well!

Thanks again!
John

i have never noticed ethanol at the hardware store. of course, i never thought to look. please let me know how much it runs and if you find any. thanks in advance.

Konchu, Quillgordon, I found 70% Ethyl Rubbing Alcohol (ethanol) at Rite Aid (a PA drugstore chain) recently. It was very inexpensive.

Ethanol can be found also at your local package liquor store, but much more expensive than elsewhere. :}

Ahhh yes, and you can drink that stuff when the classification quandries have you on your last nerve, unlike the drugstore ethanol, which has been treated to produce nasty side effects when imbibed. :(

Ok I'm confused now. Ethyl alcohol is used both in beverages and as industrial solvents! I went to my ACE hardware store they have 'MEK' , which has a HAZARD warning label on it. It is used as an industrial solvent.
Is the Rite Aid brand different ?
I thought 'rubbing alcohol' was isoprophol alcohol. That is what I have now!
I'm just looking for a safe solution that has some lasting preservative factor.
John...

It would be kind of entertaining to have a collection of bugs preserved in Jack Daniels.