Did you know we offer several handy guides to help you maximize your FlowCam experience for aquatic applications? Whether you're just starting, preparing for a research cruise, or need tips on sample preparation, we've got you covered. Even if your work isn't aquatics-related, our Recommended Laboratory Equipment and Supplies Tech Note is an excellent resource for all new FlowCam users.
Here's a summary of what’s available to you:
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Recommended Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Have you just bought a new FlowCam? Ensure you have all the suggested lab materials and equipment, from pipette tips and centrifuge tubes to vortex mixers and purified water systems. This guide details everything required for basic sample analysis and recommends equipment for setting up a new lab.
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Best Practices for Using FlowCam 8000 at Sea
If you’re planning a research cruise, this guide will help you optimize your FlowCam use at sea with tips on space and power requirements, instrument setup, sampling methods, data management, and daily maintenance. It includes an Advanced Preparation section to ensure your instrument is ready before departure and an Onboard the Ship section with tips for secure setup and efficient operation.
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Preserving Phytoplankton Samples
We suggest running live plankton samples whenever possible, as live organisms provide the most accurate size, morphological, and fluorescence data. However, running samples on FlowCam immediately after collection is not always practical. The following guides offer helpful advice for using common preservatives:
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- Preserving Samples with Glutaraldehyde: This preservative is ideal for maintaining pigment autofluorescence in Trigger mode. This tech note includes preservation instructions and experimental results demonstrating that glutaraldehyde-preserved samples remain viable for accurate Trigger mode analysis.
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- Preserving Samples with Lugol’s: Lugol’s offers a less toxic alternative for analyses that don’t require Trigger mode. Our guide covers preparation instructions and provides preservation tips, making handling and storing your samples easier.
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Using Trigger Mode with FlowCam 8400
Get accurate fluorescence data with expert tips on dilution ratios and a mathematical model to simplify the process. This guide will help you achieve the right particle concentration without guesswork, simplifying sample preparation and increasing throughput.
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Estimating Cell Counts for Filamentous Cyanobacteria
Determining cell counts of colonial and filamentous cyanobacteria is critical for monitoring these potentially toxic organisms. This guide provides a practical method for estimating cell abundance for Microcystis and Dolichospermum using area and particles/mL values calculated by VisualSpreadsheet.
Let us know what you think! We hope these technical notes enhance your FlowCam experience. For additional technical content, please visit our website's Resources page or use our FlowCam Customer Support Center.
