To reduce fading of the FITC stain and preserve the filters of the microscope, always close the shutter between the mercury bulb and the filters when not viewing the cyst.
Always use the appropriate mounting medium for the FITC stain, otherwise the fluorescence may fade more quickly.
Use the minimum amount of non-fluorescing immersion oil necessary to resolve the fluorescence.
To help ensure optimal contrast and resolution, clean all parts of the microscope following the procedure described in Method 1623.