Building Your Own MicroAquarium

1. Obtain 75mm X 50mm (3inch X 2inch) X 1mm thick glass
slides

2. Obtain low melt hot glue and a hot glue gun, (clear silicone may also be used)
3. 1inch X 3inch microscope slides
4. Glass scribe or glass cutter
5. Small binder clips
6. Assorted rubber bands

Cut a standard 1inch X 3inch microscope slide in half. Line up two 3 inch X 2 inch microscope slides using the two half microscope slides as spacers. Hold together with the small binder clip (see Figure 1). The half microscope slides when stacked act as a space to separate the 3 inch X 2 inch slides. Carefully apply hot glue or silicone to the two short sides and one long side of the 3 inch X 2 inch “sandwich, (see Figure 2). Cut away excess glue. Hold upright and fill with pond water. Wrap a suitable size rubber band around the edges to seal the microaquarium, (see Figure 3). Place on microscope stage and observe! Microaquariums are reusable and can be cleaned with “q”-tips and mild soap solutions.

micacq1118 setup

Figure 1. Glass slide “sandwich”. Apply hot glue or clear silicone to seal three sides (arrows).

micacq1124 glued

Figure 2. Almost finished! Allow hot glue to solidify (about 10 minutes, if using silicone allow about 2 hours). Cut away excess carefully with a single edge razor blade. Do not remove binder clip until glue /silicone has solidified.

micaqu complete

Figure 3. Rubber band will seal opening and keep water in. Just add pond water add you are ready to observe with your microscope!

One Response to “Building Your Own MicroAquarium”