To slow down a fast moving creature on a slide, add a small drop of slowing solution (such as Carolina Biological ProtoSlo®) or corn syrup to the drop on the slide before adding the cotton. Gently mix the water and the slowing solution with a toothpick or other small object, then follow the directions above. Other things that can be added to slow movements of microscopic creatures are cotton threads, tiny bits of torn lens paper or tissue, or a single speck of yeast. Cooling your sample for a brief period of time in the refrigerator will also slow creatures' movements.

We recommend that you also try viewing the specimen without slowing. Protozoa will often react to a slowing solution and behave differently than they do under more natural conditions. With a dense enough cotton fiber obstacle course protozoa can be easily contained in a small area for long observation.