Be certain the nail polish is completely dry before examining the slide under the microscope. Place a coverslip on top of the specimen. Turn on the illumination source, adjust the focus and brightness, and observe the sample under low power. Place the tissue on the slide and add a few drops of water. Dry mount slides are good for dry chemicals. The following steps are used to prepare a wet mount slide. Whether you mount samples, pipette into wells or use prepared slides, microscope slides offer a vehicle to contain a specimen while observing under magnification. KGKFIhR?^ T}}7i5!Til8ViMQ1S,IQu%V_Wt41j}u^-g+C$i]Z_2%-Y6{RtlN.}/?+{IMaWb_{1_b$A.@:U9u"Umgs}IN8?"QYl)ng(yq| @1? In the given question, the steps have been described to prepare a wet mount of the sample which is performed as followed: 1. Manage Settings Your paper "specimen" is far too large, it should be smaller than the cover slip. Aim for one cell thickness to a few cells. Document Sharing User Settings Place the wet mount on the microscope stage for Obtain the materials to make a wet mount: slide, coverslip, flat-tipped toothpicks, methylene blue stain, and physiological saline. 3.2, step 3). Place the specimen on a clean slide, and if necessary, add a drop of immersion oil. Step 4 Your prepared slide is now ready to be inspected beneath a microscope. What are the three steps to making a wet mount slide? If examining a plant cell, tap water can be used. A Pocket Sundial From a Broken Pocket Watch! In a wet mount, a drop of water is used to suspend the . Hour: Another problem is that large bubbles may lower the viewing resolution. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 2. Concave microscope slides contain one or more surface depressions ideal for liquid solutions and larger specimens. Personal protective equipment 2. A drop of the solution is added to the liquid drop before applying the coverslip. Dry mounts are suitable for specimens such as samples of pollen, hair, feathers or plant materials. Model: ADC H3-8FP: Hyperion 3 3003 Aluminum, NSF approved cookware. Concave microscope slides contain one or more surface depressions ideal for liquid solutions and larger specimens. Place a cover slip at a 45 degree angle over the spicimen with a toothpick under it. Sarah_Daniel29. This is the slide . H_K01ocn* Otherwise, seal around the edges of the coverslip with a thin film of clear nail polish (fig. personal issues resulting from performing the experiment. Start by wetting the area where you will be building the mound. a cross-section of a colorless plant stem), it may be difficult to see when looking through a microscope. Share it with us! Multiple methods of preparation allow for advanced viewing of inorganic and organic objects.. Read more here. How to Convert a Presentation to a New Template, How to Rotate a PowerPoint Slide 90 Degrees. Question: When preparing a wet mount for study under the microscope, you must ensure that a cover slip is placed over the specimen a drop of water is added to the specimen on the slide the low power lens is above the object on the stage a drop of methylene blue is added to the specimen. Preparing a wet mount slide Step 1 - Onion Sample Extraction - Cut a small section from the onion. Section mounts are suitable for useful for a wide variety of samples such as fruit, vegetables and other solids that can be cut into small slices. observation. 112 0 obj <>stream Unless the specimen is large and fragile enough Place a drop of liquid or solution onto the slide. Add NaCl Add one drop of Normal Saline (0.9 percent NaCl) to the drop of discharge. The angle of the smearing slide determines the length of the smear; a steeper angle creates a shorter smear. Slowly lower the other edge of the cover slip until it rests on the . Take a clean and grease-free slide. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Images are used with permission as required. Especially useful for educational purposes and for those who do not want to undertake the laborious process of creating slides, prepared microscope slides are available in all areas of science, including: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'microscopemaster_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_17',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-microscopemaster_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Pathology. When finished, carefully remove the cover slip and clean the slide and the microscope. Instead, use a clean eyedropper to pick up a couple of drops of the water in which the single-celled organisms or algae are swimming. Place the coverslip on top of the slide, making sure to avoid trapping any air bubbles. Add a drop of water onto the slide. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Be sure to d$oH7q|e70(73_>u.\Y'6{DRmP%i6 Steps in the procedure: 1. Less frequent characteristics include rectangular shapes, alternative materials such as quartz and certain types of plastic, etched lines or grids and additional thicknesses. Remove excess water with the paper towel. What is the ICD 10 code for septic shock? Place the slide on the microscope stage and observe the sample under the microscope. Obtain as thin a sample of the specimen as possible and place the sample on the water Step 3 to preparing a wet mount slide. Remove excess water from slide using filter paper on side of coverslip. Although care has been taken whenpreparing 5^ffk_ MyyGQ%rHKI &Qf9:*;iJWjS9t%:CZ OF`:"r(J81*JrLJ:De^c(]*zF;Q*9'j'QYtR!M~9+E@/*E#Qj1PXWNodlNKx>x .z=X=a!~-O4898&}"i{=^f5^.\ I_)gr@[q`3FV:wtu~30 ;g 3.2, step 1). It's a good idea to practice this until you're comfortable with it. Some of the specimens (e.g., a strand of hair or an insect wing) are thin and translucent on their own, and will not need to be sliced with a razor blade. Do not use stain if viewing photosynthetic cells (which already appear green due to chlorophyll), or living organisms, such as protozoans in pond water (stains will kill them). A vaginal wet mount, also called a wet prep or vaginal smear, is a test done to find the cause of vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. A variety of methods exist for staining microscope slides, including non-vital or in vitro stains of non-living cells and vital or in vivo stains of living tissue. If it does, wait until it dries before sealing. A smear is made by carefully smearing a thin layer of the specimen across a slide and then applying a cover slip. ThoughtCo. Ideally, two smears can be prepared on one slide, of which one can be stained with iodine. Gently press down the cover slip so that it spreads the sample evenly. When preparing a vaseline mount, keep in mind that the image ", http://www.microscopemaster.com/microscope-slides.html, https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/microscope-slide-making-ideas/, https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Interactive/make-microscope-slides-for-science-fair-projects/tr10768.tr, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m40s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m51s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m54s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0DYrU_0FM&feature=youtu.be&t=2m11s, preparar un portaobjetos para microscopio. To prepare a wet mount, obtain a microscope slide and the stool specimen. Wet mount slides are best for food. This method will help prevent air bubbles from being trapped under the cover slip. x'CwhCJysw9+,O h KG2s,F5(-g9}NLs( !2fA*)1KQ4ef ^~#K} W?h}up!u/o,6nLF?MtT@k$AF Zg+efuxgY|t4\lu A Each mount has its own pluses and minuses. endstream endobj 77 0 obj <>stream Place the prepared slide onto the microscope stage and adjust the microscope accordingly. Make sure there are no air bubbles trapped underneath. If your wet-mounted slide specimen is pale or colorless (e.g. Read more here. Saving time and money, electrostatic charged slides are a popular choice for researchers of histology, cytology and pathology. , an amazing new view into the world can be seen with the simple act of placing a sample on a glass slide. A wet mount requires a liquid, tweezers, pipette and paper towels. Now using the skill of constructing a wet mount, follow the steps above to help you. Why would use a wet mount? This article has been viewed 86,883 times. Prepared slides can be purchased in sets and are almost always permanent, providing indefinite reuse.. _a#Pi\gm2B=fo[N t!u=Qol~pC?G?2?Hkx These more expensive microscope slides can be used without a cover. Standard glass microscope slide Pipette Specimen sample Water Slide coverslip Tweezers Paper towel Q-tip The first step is to use the Q-tip to swab your sample and apply it to the center of the microscope slide. Use the edge of this slide to touch the drop. In a wet mount, a drop of water is used to suspend the specimen between the slide and cover slip. Preparation Techniques: Dry Mounts, Wet Mount, Squash, Staining. "I am about ready to start making slides for observation through a digital microscope I have assembled. If the coverslip is too dry, add a drop of water beside it. A cover slip may be used to keep the specimen in place and to help protect the objective lens. * How to Prepare a Wet Mount Microscope Specimen * Step One: Obtain a clean microscope slide. Collect the soil needed to build the mound. One way to retard evaporation is to use a toothpick to coat the edges of the coverslip with a thin rim of petroleum jelly before dropping the coverslip over the sample. It helped me with my homework.". > Add a drop of physiological saline to the c View the full answer Transcribed image text: Vaginitis is often caused by an infection. 2 What are the three steps to making a wet mount slide? Place the steps in the correct order Rank the options below. Microscopes are designed to use these slides, and won't work if the slide isn't prepared properly. Wet-Mount Preparation: Examination of wet mounts requires lowered light for increased refractility, which can be accomplished by lowering the condenser (moving the condenser away or down from the glass microscope stage) using the condenser knob or partially closing the iris diaphragm on the condenser by using the dial (toward 0). The slide should be clean and free of dust or other fine particles. Dry the slide using a clean cloth. M for the first step followed by O for the second step and U, N, and T for the next steps. Wet mount means placing a sample in drop of water on slide and then covering it with cover slip. The "mount" is simply the way in which a specimen is placed on the slide. Step Two: Place a drop of liquid on the slide. It will stain carbohydrates in plants and animal specimens brown or blue-black. Observe preparation under the 40X objective lens. Wet slides will use a cover slip or cover glass, a very thin square piece of glass (or plastic) that is placed over the sample drop. 1. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Standard slides can be either plastic or glass and are 1 x 3 inches (25 x 75 mm) in size and 1 to 1.2 mm thick. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. You may need to add another drop to ensure complete coverage. The thin, transparent cover glass is usually square and available in types Number 1 and Number 2. There are three types of mounts that you can choose from when making microscopy slides. %PDF-1.5 % usV=v ^k#r>g_Lh//pO,R: Ri|r%Tq#7 Observe preparation under the 40X objective lens. Take a small amount of the specimen and place it on a microscope slide. Ensure that the cover slip is held at a 45-degree angle when laying it over the specimen. Grasp the cover slip by the outer edges. Gather the materials needed to prepare the wet mount, including a microscope slide, coverslip, drop of water and the sample you want to examine. Eosin's most important medical uses are in blood and bone-marrow testing, including the PAP smear. Using a pipette, place a drop of water on the specimen. Make the bubble move towards the edge of the cover slip by tapping it with the eraser-end of a pencil. Place the material on a clean glass slide. How To Prepare A Wet Mount - Microbiology Action - 78 Steps Health 1. Advantages This type of slide preparation allows you to view microscopic living things without them drying out. "I am giving a local talk on microscopy and was looking for a good basic reference to get people started. WoB8%"Z}[ qiXx1 i}=6KXl?|9E e: Ask the patient to empty their bladder prior to the procedure. Place the steps in the correct order. Place a drop of water on a clean microscope slide. What is the importance of preparing a microscopic slide? M for the first step followed by o for the second step and U, N, and T for the next steps. HU]k0}7?Gi,,>4Jvd!!sJ`KdZBs=Bj.AAm&TuHXu0}&W4O4!XT;ka.M>&M.h]Sj3u0^Da(@Ga|kUsQ(\`M(- KP..'/~;4|5c84zrCMUb6I4#.AF'ht7J#EW*{f>1BS5(2t}R'1Dhcek*`T to make a continuous vaseline ledge. Place the coverslip on a flat surface, such as a paper towel or clean petri dish. Use a slide warmer or a hotplate to heat the slide for 1-2 minutes. experiment. This process is known as chemoorganotrophy. Simply take a single cover slip and hold it between thumb and forefinger by the edges. An alternate way of doing this is to add the drop of staining agent to the water on a wet-mounted slide when you first prepare it. 3 What is the advantage of using a wet mount preparation? Place one side of the cover slip on slide at the edge of the concave center 4. )jv14l:pw%+4t;7BWA=1E4@]]V*xsG},NICjU;-a"p=+0% -,yfs40aiI 2cF>!OOO:7mupN~rebU/_9&2fU"4VGOgz 3@>Uo4jQUH/4={dzS')KC(W % xB(P- Prepare a second, similar slide using potassium hydroxide. Place the slide under a microscope and observe. Then place on edge of the cover slip over the sample and carefully lower the cover slip into place using a toothpick or equivalent. This will help remove any air bubbles and give you a smooth surface. experiment. Edit the footage using the computer and software. x*'89wI:: 6 How do you make a wet mount microscope slide? Adding a couple of strands of cotton from tissue or swab or else adding tiny bits of broken coverslip will add space and "corral" the organisms. Make sure the coverslip is clean and free of dirt, dust, or grease. 4. See different staining types and preparation techniques for more information. While making a smear isn't complicated, getting an even layer takes practice. Scrape your thumb carefully on each edge of the coverslip to make a continuous vaseline ledge. 1. Then slowly lower the cover glass into the liquid. Stains make it easier to see details that might otherwise be invisible. Next, add a few more drops of liquid until the specimen is covered. Start by cutting a piece of plant or animal tissue to be mounted on the slide. The material onthis page is not medical advice and is not to be used Remove excess water with the paper towel. First, wear the groves. Gather the necessary materials: microscope, microscope slide, cover slip, liquid culture of the desired microorganism, and a pipette. They give the image more contrast and allow cells to be classified according to their shape (morphology). Glass SlidesB. Place the cover slip over the tissue and the water, making sure to avoid trapping air bubbles. Enjoy! Some organisms (like Paramecium) need more space than what forms between a coverslip and a flat slide. Prepare a glass slide by wiping it clean with a lint-free cloth. They are more expensive and usually used without a cover slip. Put down the medicine dropper. Wet mounts differ from. Use tweezers to position the specimen in liquid. 0 MicroscopeMaster is not liable for your results or any The top and/or bottom edges of a slide can be frosted, enabling easy marking for sample identification and/or orientation. Students also viewed. Adjust the light if necessary for better viewing. If you work with microscopes or are planning to start, you should learn how to make a wet mount microscope slide. Video by Tami (Guy) Port, Chief Executive Nerd at ScienceProfOnline.com. 89 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<805C463A0618AA4683A03A421F488943><2F25A7CD4100F14C97045E7430F981BF>]/Index[72 41]/Info 71 0 R/Length 91/Prev 216683/Root 73 0 R/Size 113/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Prepare Microscope Slides." Fill the pipet with water and drop 1-2 droplets onto the specimen. Never drop slides or slide covers, and set them down only on clean countertops. In some cases, it's okay to view the sample without a coverslip, as long as care is taken not to bump the sample into the microscope lens. Take a second clean slide. Next is the liquid sample. PART I WET MOUNT Prepare wet mount slides of both S. aureus and P. vulgaris using 5 loopfuls of each organism in the center of a slide; Cover the organism with a cover slip. Turn on the condenser and adjust the light intensity and focus as needed. Thanks for the criticism. Place the cover slip on top of the slide, making sure the edges of the cover slip match up with the edges of the slide. MicroscopeMaster website is for educational purposes only. Document your findings and take appropriate action as needed. You should avoid thick formulas when sealing coverslips. Place a piece of napkin or paper towel against the opposite side of your cover slip, right up against the edge. Use a flat glass slide to prepare a wet mount. Number 2 covers, .17-.25 mm, are designed for general purpose. Do not press down on the cover slip. If youre wet mounting a particularly pale or translucent specimen, you may need to stain the specimen so its visible beneath the microscope. 82P~e6C.) Ys h` ~ Suited for high-resolution microscopy and oil immersion preparations, Number 1 covers are .13-.17mm thick. endstream endobj startxref 1 What are the steps to make a wet mount? Prepare it in a wet mount. Pick up a flat glass slide with one hand, grasping it by the outer edges. Once the nail polish has dried, gently dip a cotton swab into some alcohol and rub it over the slide in a circular motion. The presence of bubbles can also keep live organisms from moving freely. For the lab materials that go with this movie, see the Virtual Microbiology Classroom Microscopy . Place the cover slip over the sample, making sure the edges align. Water the mound to ensure it is evenly moist. Although wet mounts can be used to prepare a significantly wide range of microscope slides, they provide a transitory window as the liquid will dehydrate and living specimens will die. Microscope slides are pieces of transparent glass or plastic that support a sample so that they can be viewed using a light microscope. Approved. Glycogen will show as red. Step 1 to preparing a wet mount slide. hWko6+bHq 8]#Yms)?s `A2eYPL,4:-3Zs&y 0IE'W4^!S;T,*zV*)''0-$|HRJTaoa\a3ySyt1xy%L9?L'37][TuU^1f_3~YN\J{-kDCU2SPe1n:ZH_M{WhNJ>)d fj2#$? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Place a drop of the prepared specimen on the slide. Cover the specimen with a cover slip, being careful to avoid air bubbles. Emulsify the specimen in a drop of 20% KOH on a glass slide with the help of inoculating loop. 1.) What is the black stuff in Brita water filters? To prepare a wet mount using a flat slide or a depression slide: Some living organisms move too quickly to be observed in a wet mount. hbbd``b`$gs $A 5"t( P H\]P c`$ ' B) 1. this page, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.Scientific understanding 3. * Staining Bacteria *. Microscope slides and slide covers are small and delicate. Position sample on liquid, using tweezers. To use one of these stains: Many common foods and objects make fascinating subjects for slides. STAINING STEPS Prepare a wet mount slide. on Introduction. Place the cover slip at a 45 degree angle in the water. To one sample area of the slide, add a drop of KOH Coverslip both sample areas and examine under a microscope. Glass Slides B. Well slides have a small well, or indentation, in the center to hold a drop of water or liquid substance. [L}FvtD_?\Yal{6B7o9H7 One solution is to add a drop of a commercial preparation called "Proto Slow." . If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. First I used paper to represent the specimen. Examine the specimen using the microscope, adjusting the focus and magnification as needed. It consists of ecologically and metabolically diverse members. 2. Use pipette to place a drop of water in the concave center of the slide 2. References MicroscopeMaster is not liable for your results or any Increase the magnification and adjust the focus to view the sample in greater detail. Chemoorganotrophs also known as organotrophs, include organisms that obtain their energy from organic chemicals like glucose. Hold it at an angle to the first slide. Staining provides contrast through color that reveals structural details undetected in other slide preparations. Filled calibrated wells or flasks are viewed quickly without preparing or clipping individual slides to the microscope stage, making this especially useful in sediment studies, such as urine analysis; in addition, some tray designs can be placed in an incubator or refrigerator, allowing for the study of cultured samples. 2. This combination was evaluated for finding differences in the details and clarity of morphology and internal structures of parasites under low- and high-power microscopy . The following paragraphs describe the major steps in preparing paraffin sections. To prepare a wet mount using a flat slide or a depression slide: Place a drop of fluid in the middle of the slide (e.g., water, glycerin, immersion oil, or a liquid sample). Add any special effects necessary to create the desired microbiology images. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Carefully place the sample on the drop of water with the forceps. Microscopy Lab. Do not use tissues or paper towels, as these can leave lint behind. Place the slide under the microscope and adjust the settings to observe the sample. A wet mount is like a sandwich. It colors red for blood cells, cytoplasm and cell membranes. Simply take a single Take a piece of paper towel and hold it close to one edge of the cover slip. This will reduce the risk of air bubble formation when you position the cover slip. 1D0Hvv%XM]Tt+ojT.34% The fluid should not leak out from under the edges of the cover glass. endstream endobj 84 0 obj <>stream 3.) 72 0 obj <> endobj Suck up a few drops of your liquid specimen into a medicine dropper. Once finished observing, remove the coverslip and slide from the microscope and discard. How do you make a wet mount microscope slide? Place the cover slip at an angle over the sample so that it does not touch the drop of the sample. Apply a second thin layer of clear nail polish over the coverslip. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. How To Treat Erectile Dysfunction Naturally, Effective Treatment to Cure Premature Ejaculation. Repeat this process two more times for a total of four coats. Cheek cells can be easily obtained by gently scraping the inside of the mouth using a clean, sterile cotton swab. Scrape inside of cheek with toothpick (firmly but gently). 1. Stains tend to be grouped as neutral, acidic or basic, depending upon their chemical makeup and will attract or repel different organisms accordingly. Prepared microscope slides also offer access to bacteria, animal tissue, marine life, diseased cells and other specimens that may not be easily available to students or hobbyists. Hold a piece of paper towel against one of the cover slip's edges. Your objective is to have sufficient water to fill the space between cover slip and slide. Focus on the sample using 10X, then go to 40X ( NOT 100X). The liquid used depends on the type of cell being viewed. Press down the edges to seal the chamber against Gently scrape the swab or slide with the bacterial sample onto the water droplet on the microscope slide. New Zealand is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) east . Read about the benefits of owning a set of, . Place the cover slip over the piece of hair and place the slide on the stage over the aperture. It may be necessary to use a knife or razor blade to shave a section of the sample. If youd like to make a permanent slide using dead organic material, you can use a thin layer of clear nail polish instead of a water droplet. Make sure the drop goes on the center portion of the slide. This also makes the slide semipermanent. This problem This is the "wet" part of the wet mount. General Science Dry mount means placing sample directly on slide without putting water. These more expensive microscope slides can be used without a cover.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'microscopemaster_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-microscopemaster_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Some manufacturers produce plastic chambers with a predetermined number of slides with covers. Place a drop of liquid using in the center of the slide using the eyedropper. Gently lower the slide onto a microscope stage. Scrape your thumb carefully on each edge of the coverslip This is the "wet" part of the wet mount. Cover slips are very thin, transparent pieces of glass or, more commonly, plastic. In order to heat fix a bacterial smear, it is necessary to first let the bacterial sample air dry. What is the proper order for preparing an onion wet mount slide? Collect a drop of stain with an eye dropper or pipette. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. to be damaged by pressing down too hard on the coverslip, keep the chamber Wet mount means placing a sample in drop of water on slide and then covering it with cover slip. [3] Acts and the Gospel of Luke make up a two-part work, Luke-Acts . This will help make the slide easier to view. If you do youll risk squishing the sample specimen and water off of the slide. Read about the benefits of owning a set of histology slides. This solution is perfect for any fresh stain, such as removing ink from a hardwood floor while still wet. endstream endobj 226 0 obj <. Using a pipette bulb, aspirate a small amount of the Proteus culture with a capillary pipette and place a small drop on a clean microscope slide fig. Wet Mount. |M6x[ B Ur30$Fu0022*%%^Q78*yrvs/, C ** Be sure to 2. Label the slide with the name of the specimen, the date and your initials. Number 2 covers, .17-.25 mm, are designed for general purpose. Ho0#G{vb'>:$nEaCFM [9?7tn#N-0R*eViH2 URA.Elqeix ng#?x Rf`nLd0PI$0Hka0 7 To prepare a slide from cells grown on an agar medium, first place a SMALL drop, a loopful works well, of water on a clean grease-free slide. This helps in better observation. up some vaseline on the other forefinger and rub it over your thumb to Your objective is to have sufficient water to fill the space between cover slip and slide. 18 terms. cbAabtV:*UJ^-={6]0x0W8PPv12+(~4u'0FdQ` When it is complete, look at it under the microscope. Wet mounts are used for living samples, transparent liquids, and aquatic samples. This just made it simpler and easier for me to carry out in the school laboratory. It is a primary test that quickly and cost effectively divides bacteria into one of two types: Gram positive or Gram negative. Then follow the instructions for a dry or wet mount. Clean a slide and cover slipping using lens paper. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? Made of glass or plastic, slides are approximately 1x3 inches and between 1mm-1.2 mm thick. Living specimens do not survive long in the heat from an intense microscope Then place on edge of the cover slip over the sample and carefully lower the cover slip into place using a toothpick or equivalent. Start with a clean microscope slide and cover slip. Add a few drops of a wetting agent to the slide. Mulch will help retain moisture and help to suppress weeds. step 2: Gently tap the slide with a probe to eliminate air bubbles. 9 years ago The article, "Thanks a lot. 3.2, step 2). depth very shallow.