Rinsing Test Tubes

smellslikeTUNA · 10/03/2011, 05:54 PM

Is it OK to rinse out my test tubes with tap water after each test or should I be using RO/DI?

Chris155hp · 10/03/2011, 06:07 PM

Not and expert but prob rodi as tap can leave behind contaminants

zigzag1 · 10/03/2011, 06:15 PM

I use a small cup of RO/DI water to rinse syringes and test tubes each time. My tap water is pretty bad and would seem to be more of a contaminant than a cleaner, so I go with small rinses of RO/DI each time as a matter of procedure. JMTC & GL!

SneakyPete · 10/03/2011, 06:18 PM

I actually take some water out with a pipette from my tank to clean mine.

briankmarsh1980 · 10/03/2011, 06:20 PM

I use tap

asid61 · 10/03/2011, 06:24 PM

I use tap, but I live in an area where the water is clean. I rinse my test tubes in tank water before using them though.

DrSalty · 10/03/2011, 06:26 PM

I've been using tap water for rinses and haven't had any problems so far.

disc1 · 10/03/2011, 06:28 PM

Clean with tap then rinse with rodi.

smellslikeTUNA · 10/03/2011, 06:42 PM

what would 'clean' tap water be considered? I think Colorado has a pretty good reputation for clean tap water and my TDS is reading ~170 coming in

aquaticartist · 10/03/2011, 06:47 PM

Tap water should be good, I always rinse mine with with tap after using them, but I'll rinse them with tank water before using them when doing water test.

asid61 · 10/03/2011, 07:03 PM

170 TDS is pretty bad. I would use RO/DI, or rinse them in tank water before using.

Blayz77 · 10/03/2011, 08:33 PM

i use tap water to rinse, if your worried about tap water leaving residue just grab a paper towel and twist it up and stuff it in the tube to dry it out. thats what i do

daplatapus · 10/03/2011, 08:36 PM

I've always used RODI but my ammonia test vial always has a small bit of white film when I go to use it the next time, no matter how well I rinse it.

Blayz77 · 10/03/2011, 08:59 PM

wont have a residue if you dry them, hence why i use the paper towels

00Warpig00 · 10/03/2011, 09:06 PM

I rinse mine at the sink using my RO spigot on the sink after use and with tank water before each use

Nick

AquaticFins · 10/04/2011, 06:24 AM

I use RO/DI water, but some might say I'm a little compulsive with my testing equipment.

Mr.Tan · 10/04/2011, 07:23 AM

i use tap water. It doesnt really have any affect on the test results, they are all the same...as long as you dry it out/let it dry before using it you shouldn't have a problem.

DustinB · 10/04/2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

Clean with tap then rinse with rodi.

+1, I wash them out in the sink and rinse in a bowl of RO/DI. The pure water allows you to easily fling the water out of the tube. They end up almost completely dry for storage, ready for testing next time.

Ron Reefman · 10/04/2011, 07:38 AM

I wash mine with tap water, then rinse it good with RO at the sink (TDS of 5), shake it as dry as I can and then air dry upside down on a paper towel.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about just using tap water, but I have RO at the sink, so why not use it. I would do my rinse after testing. Rinsing before the test really won't get dried on film off as well as I would like. Drying test tubes with a paper towel is probably OK, but I don't want to risk any residue from that either. And rinsing with aquarium water will leave a residue behind. It probably isn't an issue, but why take the chance? We buy better and better test kits and then skimp on the clean up process?

So my final answer is; these are probably all acceptable practices and have little if any affect on our test results.

smellslikeTUNA · 10/04/2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asid61

170 TDS is pretty bad. I would use RO/DI, or rinse them in tank water before using.

Actually the EPA regulates tap water to have a max. of 500ppm TDS, with the average tap water in the US containing 350ppm... so I would have to disagree that 170 is "pretty bad"
http://www.tdsmeter.com/education?id=0018

00Warpig00 · 10/05/2011, 09:48 PM

While on the subject of test tubes... has anyone ever ordered test tubes/graduated cylinders with caps/stoppers that don't leak like strainer. Most of my API tube caps leak horrifically. I'd like to pick up some flat bottom glass graduated cylinders or graduated test tubes/stand that are graduated at at least 1ml increments and hold 7-15ml. I like my API chemicals/tests just cant stand their crappy tubes/caps. Half my test solution runs down my arm while shaking. This MUST effect results.

Nick

smellslikeTUNA · 10/05/2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Warpig00

While on the subject of test tubes... has anyone ever ordered test tubes/graduated cylinders with caps/stoppers that don't leak like strainer. Most of my API tube caps leak horrifically. I'd like to pick up some flat bottom glass graduated cylinders or graduated test tubes/stand that are graduated at at least 1ml increments and hold 7-15ml. I like my API chemicals/tests just cant stand their crappy tubes/caps. Half my test solution runs down my arm while shaking. This MUST effect results.

Nick

My API caps also leak

jiperalta · 10/05/2011, 11:22 PM

I use 20 ml beakers purchased from:

http://www.novatech-usa.com/

They have 5 ml increments etched on the glass and they make it easy to swirl while adding drops .of reagent - much easier than test tubes.

yellow_tang2009 · 10/05/2011, 11:38 PM

Its not going to hurt anything, even if some dissolved solids are left in the tube its still nothing even compared to the small amount coming out of your RO.

Water Tecn · 10/05/2011, 11:40 PM

it is not good to rinse your test tubes out with anything but rodi or just ro water. everything else will leave something behind on the glass or plastic tubes. This is a common practice at the water treatment plants when testing drinking water.[/B][/B][/B]

10/03/2011, 05:54 PM	#1
smellslikeTUNA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 453	Rinsing Test Tubes Is it OK to rinse out my test tubes with tap water after each test or should I be using RO/DI? __________________ -Great minds don't think alike, they innovate!- 57g Oceanic Illuminata \| Kessil A150W 10K LED \| 1x 453nm Stunner \| Trigger Systems Sump/Refug \| Reef Octopus NWB-110 Skimmer \| RKL+ System \| 2X Evo 750gph \| BFS RO/DI

10/03/2011, 06:15 PM	#3
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	I use a small cup of RO/DI water to rinse syringes and test tubes each time. My tap water is pretty bad and would seem to be more of a contaminant than a cleaner, so I go with small rinses of RO/DI each time as a matter of procedure. JMTC & GL! __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.

10/03/2011, 06:18 PM	#4
SneakyPete I see you Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northwestern Minnesota Posts: 513	I actually take some water out with a pipette from my tank to clean mine. __________________ 40B in recovery mode Trumpet coral, Kenya tree, unknown Zoa Skunk Cleaner, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma Current Tank Info: 40B w 29 sump. 50 lbs rock

10/03/2011, 06:20 PM	#5
briankmarsh1980 I'm a member of **!!!!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maricopa, Arizona Posts: 2,127	I use tap __________________ My skim don't stink _______________________________________________________________ 210 gallons with stuff!!!!!!!

10/03/2011, 06:24 PM	#6
asid61 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,111	I use tap, but I live in an area where the water is clean. I rinse my test tubes in tank water before using them though. Last edited by asid61; 10/03/2011 at 07:02 PM.

10/03/2011, 06:07 PM	#2
Chris155hp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Miami FL Posts: 434	Not and expert but prob rodi as tap can leave behind contaminants

10/03/2011, 06:26 PM	#7
DrSalty Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 170	I've been using tap water for rinses and haven't had any problems so far.

10/03/2011, 06:28 PM	#8
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Clean with tap then rinse with rodi. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

10/03/2011, 06:42 PM	#9
smellslikeTUNA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 453	what would 'clean' tap water be considered? I think Colorado has a pretty good reputation for clean tap water and my TDS is reading ~170 coming in __________________ -Great minds don't think alike, they innovate!- 57g Oceanic Illuminata \| Kessil A150W 10K LED \| 1x 453nm Stunner \| Trigger Systems Sump/Refug \| Reef Octopus NWB-110 Skimmer \| RKL+ System \| 2X Evo 750gph \| BFS RO/DI

10/03/2011, 06:47 PM	#10
aquaticartist Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 227	Tap water should be good, I always rinse mine with with tap after using them, but I'll rinse them with tank water before using them when doing water test.

10/03/2011, 07:03 PM	#11
asid61 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,111	170 TDS is pretty bad. I would use RO/DI, or rinse them in tank water before using.

10/03/2011, 08:33 PM	#12
Blayz77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ca Posts: 436	i use tap water to rinse, if your worried about tap water leaving residue just grab a paper towel and twist it up and stuff it in the tube to dry it out. thats what i do

10/03/2011, 08:36 PM	#13
daplatapus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Port Alberni, B.C., Canada Posts: 895	I've always used RODI but my ammonia test vial always has a small bit of white film when I go to use it the next time, no matter how well I rinse it. __________________ 130 lbs Tonga LR, GFO and Carbon reactors, Tunze ozmolator ATO, 2- 20 gal QT tanks, Current Tank Info: 80 gal display 48L X 24H X16D, 2 MP-40's, Odyssea 2-250W MH 4-HO T-5 Actinic's, 80 lbs Aragonite sand, 4 - 150W titanium heaters, Reeflo Baracuda return pump, 150gal sump, Filter Guys Reef Miser 6 stage + 1 Dual RO/DI, LifeReef 48" Skimmer

10/03/2011, 08:59 PM	#14
Blayz77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ca Posts: 436	wont have a residue if you dry them, hence why i use the paper towels

10/03/2011, 09:06 PM	#15
00Warpig00 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Schaumburg, IL. Posts: 621	I rinse mine at the sink using my RO spigot on the sink after use and with tank water before each use Nick __________________ 180G - 5 Yellow Tail Blue Damsels, Two Lined Sleeper Goby, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel pair, Yellow Stripe Maroon Clown, Pearlscale Butterfly, Australian Harlequin Tuskfish, Magnificent Foxface, Yellow Current Tank Info: 180G FOWLR Established 10/2010

10/04/2011, 06:24 AM	#16
AquaticFins Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 887	I use RO/DI water, but some might say I'm a little compulsive with my testing equipment.

10/04/2011, 07:23 AM	#17
Mr.Tan Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: York, PA Posts: 734	i use tap water. It doesnt really have any affect on the test results, they are all the same...as long as you dry it out/let it dry before using it you shouldn't have a problem.

10/04/2011, 07:38 AM	#19
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I wash mine with tap water, then rinse it good with RO at the sink (TDS of 5), shake it as dry as I can and then air dry upside down on a paper towel. I wouldn't be overly concerned about just using tap water, but I have RO at the sink, so why not use it. I would do my rinse after testing. Rinsing before the test really won't get dried on film off as well as I would like. Drying test tubes with a paper towel is probably OK, but I don't want to risk any residue from that either. And rinsing with aquarium water will leave a residue behind. It probably isn't an issue, but why take the chance? We buy better and better test kits and then skimp on the clean up process? So my final answer is; these are probably all acceptable practices and have little if any affect on our test results. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/05/2011, 09:48 PM	#21
00Warpig00 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Schaumburg, IL. Posts: 621	While on the subject of test tubes... has anyone ever ordered test tubes/graduated cylinders with caps/stoppers that don't leak like strainer. Most of my API tube caps leak horrifically. I'd like to pick up some flat bottom glass graduated cylinders or graduated test tubes/stand that are graduated at at least 1ml increments and hold 7-15ml. I like my API chemicals/tests just cant stand their crappy tubes/caps. Half my test solution runs down my arm while shaking. This MUST effect results. Nick __________________ 180G - 5 Yellow Tail Blue Damsels, Two Lined Sleeper Goby, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel pair, Yellow Stripe Maroon Clown, Pearlscale Butterfly, Australian Harlequin Tuskfish, Magnificent Foxface, Yellow Current Tank Info: 180G FOWLR Established 10/2010

10/05/2011, 11:22 PM	#23
jiperalta Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: coolidge, ga Posts: 165	I use 20 ml beakers purchased from: http://www.novatech-usa.com/ They have 5 ml increments etched on the glass and they make it easy to swirl while adding drops .of reagent - much easier than test tubes.

10/05/2011, 11:38 PM	#24
yellow_tang2009 DFWMAS Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 316	Its not going to hurt anything, even if some dissolved solids are left in the tube its still nothing even compared to the small amount coming out of your RO.

10/05/2011, 11:40 PM	#25
Water Tecn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 86	it is not good to rinse your test tubes out with anything but rodi or just ro water. everything else will leave something behind on the glass or plastic tubes. This is a common practice at the water treatment plants when testing drinking water.[/B][/B][/B]

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