The Pond Box, or Clear Acrylic Box "C" (1" x 2" x 3/4"), is the only box we know of that is virtually leak-proof for observing salt or fresh water organisms under the loupe or microscope.  To insure an effective seal, however, you must keep the lip of the box bottom and the lip of the box lid DRY. Any drop of water on the lip allows a pathway for a leak.  The secret is to fill the boxes by using an eye dropper to move "pond" water and critters from a holding cup into the "pond box."  Don't top off the box with too much liquid.  We usually fill box so water is almost level with the top of the bottom box rather than mounding the water.  This allows an air bubble for the critters inside.  Too big a bubble in the box can be distracting to the eye.  If a drop of water gets on the lip, we usually dab it off with a Q-tip or tissue.  As with the loupe, use a soft cotton cloth to dry the box.  (Of course you can use this box for dry specimens as well.)

The CRITTERS in our workshops and conferences are: Daphnia, Ostracods, sometimes also copepods and blood worms.  We collect them from lakes and rivers.  You can also order them from biological catalogs, which we do during winter if our supplies are down.

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