Making a Chamber with Tape

This method can be used when imaging relatively thick samples (e.g. Daphnia or Volvox), which will probably be damaged when mounted directly between a coverslip and a slide.

1. Place one to three layers of electrician's tape on a microscope slide (the number of layers depends on the thickness of the sample you are imaging).
2. Using a Stanley knife, razor blade or scalpel, carefully score an approximately 1 cm by 1 cm square in the layers of tape.
3. Peel away the central square of tape to make the chamber.
4. Add the sample in a drop or two of liquid.
5. Gently place a coverslip on the sample.
6. Wick away any excess liquid by inserting tissue paper next to the cover slip.

Return to the Water Flea experiment page.
Return to the Pond Life experiment page.