I would think you could,but there is more to it than meets the eye,you've got to start somewhere,read as much as you can about testing.The simple things are easily seen canker,cocci etc.it's distinguishing which is which when it gets complicated,good bacteria from bad etc. There must be hundreds of fanciers who have a microscope and don't use them,when I first got it,used it nearly every day just to get the hang of it,now just when my backs against the wall.