FEC equipment purchasing

[GrannyAching]

A neighbour was asking about setting themselves up to do FECs. I had a quick search on here and couldn't see any recent info - apologies if I've missed it.

I've updated a list I made years ago from @bovine which I've stick in below if any one has any comments/additions I'd be glad to know (the comments are mine.)

Mainly, though what kits are available for a price comparison/ease of purchase, please.

Also have people gone digital with their scopes? If so what are you using? I did look at the eye piece adapter for my manual one and decided I preferred looking down the scope. Is binocular that much better than monocular?

Thanks

Link to the technique https://www.rvc.ac.uk/review/parasitology/EggCount/Purpose.htm

The MacMaster slides (avoid the cheap ones with green lines if possible – they are very thick and not all scopes like them) I can't find singles to buy.

4 MCMASTER Microscope Slides $16ea Fecal Egg Count - Is Your Dewormer Working? | eBay

Instructions for Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). • Egg per gram sensitivity: 25 EPG. Simply rinse the slide thoroughly under warm running water and re-use again and again. Slide careinstructions included.

www.ebay.co.uk

You need a weigh scale accurate to 0.1g

0.01G-200G Digital Weighing Scales Pocket Grams Small Kitchen Gold Jewelery | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 0.01G-200G Digital Weighing Scales Pocket Grams Small Kitchen Gold Jewelery at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

A tea (stainless steels) strainer (with cup)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383695747649?hash=item59560c7a41:g:aTwAAOSwcqxfXpva

Couple of spatulas (old teaspoons work ok)/ lollipop sticks

Plastic pipettes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25468740...nlrSGIORuy%2F1K0Y%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

Beakers as you can use them to measure the liquid/mix faeces – easy to tare on the scales

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15442275...5E41lOggPbM4T22rKsbU|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

NB I use a syringe to measure the salt solutioin

Microscope:-
10X eyepiece
10X objective lens
You examine eggs at 100X magnification.

You can get away with a single (monocular) eyepiece, but the binocular set up is less tiring if you use it much.

You need a mechanical stage - you jiggle the fluid about trying to move by hand.

Ideally a self contained light source.

The more you pay, the better quality the optics.

 

[Dry Rot]

Nothing wrong with an old student's microscope as they were of a certain standard, but some take an obsolete type of bulb so are cheap. But they are easy to convert. http://www.frankshospitalworkshop.com/electronics/diy-led_microscope.html

 

[GrannyAching]

Nothing wrong with an old student's microscope as they were of a certain standard, but some take an obsolete type of bulb so are cheap. But they are easy to convert. http://www.frankshospitalworkshop.com/electronics/diy-led_microscope.html

That is very much worth knowing. Thanks.

 

[ISCO]

We bought all the kit a couple of years ago based on advice on TFF. Cost less than £200 and works fine.
If I was doing it again I would buy binocular microscope as, probably due to age, it gets uncomfortable using one eye.

 

[neilo]

We bought all the kit a couple of years ago based on advice on TFF. Cost less than £200 and works fine.
If I was doing it again I would buy binocular microscope as, probably due to age, it gets uncomfortable using one eye.

I had to replace the old microscope that came originally with my Fecpac a couple of years ago, so opted for a binocular one thinking it would make life easier. I still find myself closing one eye and only using one eye piece though.

 

[Dry Rot]

Nothing wrong with an old student's microscope as they were of a certain standard, but some take an obsolete type of bulb so are cheap. But they are easy to convert. http://www.frankshospitalworkshop.com/electronics/diy-led_microscope.html

I forget what my microscope cost me but to my dismay I found it took a special type of incandescent bulb only avaialble from one source in Europe and a few in China. They cost £30 each and usually got broken in the post. Replaced with LED powered by a torch battery for not much money.

 

[GrannyAching]

I had to replace the old microscope that came originally with my Fecpac a couple of years ago, so opted for a binocular one thinking it would make life easier. I still find myself closing one eye and only using one eye piece though.

I have to remind myself to close one because I'm no longer trying to draw what I can see!