You are one of those folks who would greatly enjoy this. All my closeup videos are made with it:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Plugable USB 2.0 Digital... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I purchased this one from Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE. I didn't want to spend too much not knowing how much I would be using it. However, after the first day, I can see myself using it quite often.
In case you wonder, I am using this usb microscope camera:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
could be better, was one of the first times i lost a package from china! it was kind of a long process to get a refund, but now i've got one coming with amazon 2 day. it's a cheapie but i'm hoping it's sufficient to both get okay pictures, and get my feet wet.
it's the Plugable USB2-MICRO-250X
Amazon has some good choices, i recommend the bauch&lomb brand, hastings triplet for clear view.
I got this one
It works great, its just a tad bit small. Works fine for me tho, good price for great quality.
For a quicker way to spot errors, recommend
Extremely good working desktop usb microscoper, gets the work done, good bang for your buck.
I use this 30x/60x loupe. I've tried using both a USB microscopes and a "pocket microscope" but found both really hard to focus on a live plant without moving it from the spot I was trying to check. With the loupe, the wider 30x view sometimes good enough, and when not it helps to find places to check with the narrower 60x.
Thank you. I am using this gem:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got one off amazon that was garbage for under 20 Dollars and then I got another one for twice the price and I love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This one's highly recommended by other people on r/Ecosphere. :)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I highly recommend getting one of these, it's a must for the hobby, and really cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/
I am using this one because I can run it along the jar and turn the focus wheel with one hand. I have been able to catch pretty much everything with it. Of course, the faster they are, the more patience it takes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here is a good example:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ecosphere/comments/11ki28r/i_put_together_a_compilation_of_all_the/
I use this per recommendations of other growers and it works great and is fairly inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I would ask the biology subs where you will probably find more expert in this.
All I can do is tell you about the little thing I am using. If you have an Android phone, it'll work with that just fine. It's a usb microscope camera for under $40...if you go to my profile and look at any of my close up jar videos you'll see what it can do.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
How about this one? Works with PC and Android devices:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you look at any of my recent videos with close ups you'll see what it looks like. This cam is a gem for that price. There's a cheaper one out there but do avoid it. It's baaaaaaaad.
This is the one that my wife and I use. He'll need a computer/laptop but it works great!
This is what many use here for zooming in on critters, a little usb microscope cam that streams footage onto the computer to record:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Are these aquatic plants? If so, you're good to go! If not...we need to talk lol.
As to the placement...I would avoid direct sunlight or you'll get algae blooms. Indirect sunlight and/or LED grow lights are best. Maybe an hour here or there of direct sunlight if it doesn't heat up the jar too.
I think you would benefit greatly from this one. All my close-up videos are taken with this. Just don't get any knock-offs, this is the one. I have 4 others catching dust in the drawer from cheaper to way more expensive, nothing comes close to this gem:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
All my closeup videos like this are filmed with this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I tried 6 different cams ranging from $20 to $1200 and this is the only one that works great.
This one here is a really good one. Hope that helps.
I think you'll need one of these so can actually see what's all in there:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Post a picture so we can see what's going on?
I like this $6 loupe, which has both a fairly wide 30x lens and a narrower 60x lens. I've tried USB microscopes and handheld microscopes, but found both really hard to focus on buds unless I cut them off and hold them steady.
Nice! What's that plant?
Here's something for your Christmas wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1