How do you clean your test equipment/vials/syringes?

[HawkeyeDJ]

I use a variety of test kits weekly. Hanna (nitrate, phosphate), Red Sea (alk, calc, mag), API (pH). It takes me almost as long to clean the vials and syringes as it does to conduct the tests. Here is my process:

At the completion of a given test, I empty the vial contents into a waste cup.

When all the tests are done, I rinse each vial in tap water, filling it half way, and shaking it vigorously (to remove traces of reagent). I repeat this twice (3 total).

I then rinse the vial in RO water, filling it half way, shaking it vigorously (to remove the tap water). I repeat this process two times (3 total).

I then fill the vial to the brim with RO water and replace the cap tightly. I store the vial in an upright position.

For the syringes, I draw tap water in, and expel it three times. I then repeat the process three times with RO water.

In your opinion, is this sufficient or overkill? What would you do differently and why?

 

[Dan_P]

I use a variety of test kits weekly. Hanna (nitrate, phosphate), Red Sea (alk, calc, mag), API (pH). It takes me almost as long to clean the vials and syringes as it does to conduct the tests. Here is my process:

At the completion of a given test, I empty the vial contents into a waste cup.

When all the tests are done, I rinse each vial in tap water, filling it half way, and shaking it vigorously (to remove traces of reagent). I repeat this twice (3 total).

I then rinse the vial in RO water, filling it half way, shaking it vigorously (to remove the tap water). I repeat this process two times (3 total).

I then fill the vial to the brim with RO water and replace the cap tightly. I store the vial in an upright position.

For the syringes, I draw tap water in, and expel it three times. I then repeat the process three times with RO water.

In your opinion, is this sufficient or overkill? What would you do differently and why?

There is no shortcut to being good. @Rick Mathew recently reviewed best practices for performing water tests and I think you are following best practices.

 

[Garf]

I use a variety of test kits weekly. Hanna (nitrate, phosphate), Red Sea (alk, calc, mag), API (pH). It takes me almost as long to clean the vials and syringes as it does to conduct the tests. Here is my process:

At the completion of a given test, I empty the vial contents into a waste cup.

When all the tests are done, I rinse each vial in tap water, filling it half way, and shaking it vigorously (to remove traces of reagent). I repeat this twice (3 total).

I then rinse the vial in RO water, filling it half way, shaking it vigorously (to remove the tap water). I repeat this process two times (3 total).

I then fill the vial to the brim with RO water and replace the cap tightly. I store the vial in an upright position.

For the syringes, I draw tap water in, and expel it three times. I then repeat the process three times with RO water.

In your opinion, is this sufficient or overkill? What would you do differently and why?

For me, I just rinse everything with the water to be tested before doing the test, then a quick rinse in tapwater and a shake after each test, then throw it in a box. Apparently not best practices, lol

 

[Ober_Reef]

RO water, bottle cleaning brushes, and baby bottle drying rack. Having two children under three helped guide me in finding these tools if you can’t tell.

 

[Rick Mathew]

I use a variety of test kits weekly. Hanna (nitrate, phosphate), Red Sea (alk, calc, mag), API (pH). It takes me almost as long to clean the vials and syringes as it does to conduct the tests. Here is my process:

At the completion of a given test, I empty the vial contents into a waste cup.

When all the tests are done, I rinse each vial in tap water, filling it half way, and shaking it vigorously (to remove traces of reagent). I repeat this twice (3 total).

I then rinse the vial in RO water, filling it half way, shaking it vigorously (to remove the tap water). I repeat this process two times (3 total).

I then fill the vial to the brim with RO water and replace the cap tightly. I store the vial in an upright position.

For the syringes, I draw tap water in, and expel it three times. I then repeat the process three times with RO water.

In your opinion, is this sufficient or overkill? What would you do differently and why?

I use a variety of test kits weekly. Hanna (nitrate, phosphate), Red Sea (alk, calc, mag), API (pH). It takes me almost as long to clean the vials and syringes as it does to conduct the tests. Here is my process:

At the completion of a given test, I empty the vial contents into a waste cup.

When all the tests are done, I rinse each vial in tap water, filling it half way, and shaking it vigorously (to remove traces of reagent). I repeat this twice (3 total).

I then rinse the vial in RO water, filling it half way, shaking it vigorously (to remove the tap water). I repeat this process two times (3 total).

I then fill the vial to the brim with RO water and replace the cap tightly. I store the vial in an upright position.

For the syringes, I draw tap water in, and expel it three times. I then repeat the process three times with RO water.

In your opinion, is this sufficient or overkill? What would you do differently and why?

This is definitely not overkill. Keeping the vials and syringes Clean and Free of contamination is really a critical step in getting good repeatable results. One has to remember your testing parts per million and parts per billion so any small amount of contamination can make big differences. This is just good laboratory practices .....well done!

 

[Garf]

This is definitely not overkill. Keeping the vials and syringes Clean and Free of contamination is really a critical step in getting good repeatable results. One has to remember your testing parts per million and parts per billion so any small amount of contamination can make big differences. This is just good laboratory practices .....well done!

There is that, but it’s a residue / test sample ratio that’s important, combined with test accuracy / importance ratio.

 

[EricR]

I do similar to what you do but not quite as much -- couple of vigorous shake/rinse with RODI then fill with RODI to store,,, and just wipe the outside clean with lens cloth.

I like the idea of rinsing with DT water before testing but don't do that, personally.

 

[Garf]

I like the idea of rinsing with DT water before testing but don't do that, personally.

That’s the most critical step in my opinion

 

[G Santana]

Just rinse in RO water 3x and store vials filled with RO water.

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

That’s the most critical step in my opinion

Why?

 

[Garf]

Why?

Because any residual droplets are the ones you are trying to test anyhow.

 

[ingchr1]

My process for vials:

Before test, rinse with sample water.

After test, rinse with RO water two times.

Syringes I flush once with RO water after test.