[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: Formalin question
Folks,
I am sure that there is a harder way to obtain formalin or even make it
yourself. But your LFS should carry it under the "Aquarium Products" brand
name. It is 37% Formaldehyde and it is labeled "FORMALIN". It should set you
back about 2 to 3 bucks. By the way "Aquarium Products" also sells Life
Bearer which also works wonders on worms.
Best regards,
-RJ-
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-killietalk at aka_org [mailto:owner-killietalk at aka_org]On
Behalf Of Wright Huntley
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 1:48 PM
To: killietalk at aka_org
Subject: Re: Formalin question
Barry Cooper wrote:
>
> Wright,
>
> have you actually bought 37% formaldehyde at a drugstore?
I have to admit that my last bottle came from LabPro in Sunnyvale, an
industrial chemical supplier. I have not gotten it, potassium permanganate,
or a lot of other useful stuff from drugstores in years. [The KmNO4 is from
Sears, these days!] The chemical hysteria and trial lawyers seem to have
driven them off the market. No regulations were even needed, for many. I
think I have *seen* it in CA drugstores in recent years, tho. Could easily
be mistaken.
> If so, I'd be
> surprised. In many states there are restrictions on buying formalin and on
> how you have to dispose of it. It is allegedly carcinogenic, although as
> someone whose profession uses it by the barrelful, I think that is
> over-rated.
How come so many vertebrate paleontologists (and killy taxonomists) grow to
such advanced age, if it is so vicious? [As far as I can tell, "lumpers"
*may* eventually pass on, but "splitters" are seemingly immortal. :^)]
> Anyway, I doubt that many drugstores carry it. Your best bet,
> in my opinion, is to ask your veterinarian. Some of them will have the 37%
> stuff that they dilute 1:10 for fixing tissue for submission to a
pathology
> service. Others will have the 10% solution ready made. The latter is fine.
> You just use 10 drops/gal rather than 1. Just be sure which one you are
> using. Personally I feel more comfortable with people using 10% anyway, as
> 37% formaldehyde is dangerous stuff for which you must avoid skin
contact,
> breathing vapors, etc.
>
> The nomenclature is confusing by the way. Formalin, as far as I know, is
> not an old brand name, but the name given to a 37% solution of
> formaldehyde, which is a gas. We then use the term, 10% formalin. That is
a
> 1:10 dilution of the strong stuff and is usually buffered with phosphates.
> The latter won't do any harm if you use 10% formalin to kill hydra. You'll
> get rid of most of it anyway when you do the requisite water change.
The phosphates can potentially do a real number on your tanks, if you don't
care for algae. [Depends greatly on your original plant-nutrient balance.]
My experience with the 3.7% stuff (10% Formalin) is that it often isn't very
stable, and is worthless after about six months in the sun on the LFS rack.
It also costs about 100X as much.
"Formalin," BTW, is, I think, a very old trade name, gone generic, very much
like aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It isn't either a currently-valid
registered trade name or mark, AFAIK.
Thanks Barry.
Wright
--
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679 wright at killi dot net
http://www.atchison.com/Killifish/BAKA-WCW-10.html
For all you ever wanted to know about West Coast Weekend X
The great killifish show and convention, combined with West Coast Live
---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Shop online without a credit card
http://www.rocketcash.com
RocketCash, a NetZero subsidiary
---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
References: