Micro Safari Aqua Kit
Micro Safari Aqua is the best way to view and keep microscopic aquatic ecosystems alive. Check out the MS-205T if you also need a compatible microscope!
How does it work?
- Inject - Using the included dropper, fill the Micro Safari Aqua with aquatic samples from a lake, ocean, stream, river, pond, puddle, or aquarium.
- Peel - Remove the backer paper
- Stick - Stick down the diffusion film and press firmly
- Observe - Remove protective film and observe your personal ecosystem as it grows and changes over months. Find new organisms and explore their interactions.
- Repeat - Explore new water sources and find super rare organisms.
Why Micro Safari Aqua?
- Self-contained microscope slide can be filled in the field. No need to collect samples in a secondary container like a jar and then transfer to a microscope slide back at your microscope.
- Keep your ecosystem alive for extended periods for ongoing observation and grow your ecosystem
What’s included in the Starter Kit?
- 5x Micro Safari Aqua Slides
- 1x Micro Spoons
- 1x Droppers
- 1x Micro Safari Grow powder
What’s included in the Classroom Kit?
- 30x Micro Safari Aqua Slides
- 5x Micro Spoons
- 5x Droppers
- 5x Micro Safari Grow powder
Who is the Micro Safari Aqua for?
The Micro Safari Aqua is designed for anybody observing living aquatic samples. Teachers, hobbyists, university researchers, students, museum educators, and more. Micro Safari Aqua is not intended for medical purposes or to diagnose any disease.
Technical Specs
- Material: Optical-Grade Acrylic and LDPE polymer film with controlled diffusion rates
- Dimensions: 26mm (Length) x 75mm (Width) x 4.5mm (Height)
- Minimum objective working distance: 1mm
- Grow Powder Ingredients: Plant-based growth medium for sustained ecosystem energy
- Two month nominal organism lifespan inside of slide (individual results may vary)
Microscope Compatibility
Micro Safari Aqua works with any microscope that has a working distance of greater than 1mm. Ideal for transmitted light compound microscopes or high magnification digital microscopes. Our MS-205T is a perfect fit, and can also be paired with an HDMI Digital Camera for capturing images or live streaming to a monitor or projection screen.
Note that the highest magnification objectives these microscopes have may not work with Micro Safari Aqua Slides because the bottom of the objective has to be 0.17mm away from the sample AKA the thickness of a microscope slide cover slip. You will need to use a typical microscope slide and cover slip to achieve these magnifications. However, We find that the highest microscope objectives on consumer grade microscopes are blurry and actually contain less visual information than the lower magnification objectives. Depth of field also make high magnification objectives practically difficult to observe samples with. We rarely use the highest magnification objectives. If you are new to microscopy you should purchase regular microscope slides as well so that you can get a hands-on understanding of the mechanics of using high magnification objectives.