[Nhcoll-l] Vial jar system

[Alexandra Snyder]

Dear Simon,  The idea behind using quality gaskets (N-Buna rubber) in the
first place, is to avoid the catastrophic evaporation you describe.  I have
found that these gaskets need to be changed out every 5-10 years.

However, despite precautions, yes, one should be aware of potential
problems occurring (like detritus under the gasket so a seal is not formed,
etc.) and take precautions. However, I have not found the upside-down vial
to be particularly advantageous and, since it is necessary to annually
inspect the fluid collections for evaporation problems anyway, catching any
problems before a complete drying occurs is part of my responsibility.

I recognize that larger collections may not be able to annually inspect
their collections but my contention here is to use good products-to start
with-and good conservation practice regardless of a collections manager's
inspection protocol.

Sincerely,  Lex Snyder

On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 12:04 PM, Simon Moore <couteaufin at btinternet.com>
wrote:

> I am just going to add my pennyworth but relating to tubes 'right' way up
> or upside down?  I have noted both from the pics that have been circulating.
>
> I don’t wish to start a huge debate on this but I have always favoured the
> upside down. Reason is that as the alcohol (presumed) level slowly falls
> over time then the levels in the tubes tends to follow a bit behind the jar
> level if they’re right way up but if they’re upside down then they stay
> full until the jar is empty.  OK then they drain off fairly rapidly BUT
> presuming that someone finds them in time then all they have to do is fill
> up the jar (for upside-downers) if there is still a bit of alcohol left in
> the bottom, but if the tubes are part-empty (right way up) then each tube
> has to be re-filled, bearing in mind that the contents have also
> auto-diluted to a lower percentage.
>
> So there we are!
>
> With all good wishes, Simon.
>
> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
> www.natural-history-conservation.com
>
>
>
>
> On 16 Mar 2016, at 15:11, Alexandra Snyder <amsnyder at unm.edu> wrote:
>
> These vial jar systems work for accessing individual collections (up to
> 40) only if each jar is assigned a *unique number.*  In the MSB fishes
> database, each cataloged collection that is in a vial jar is assigned an
> alphanumeric, up to 40 individuals per jar.  (I have an automatic numbering
> system built into my cataloging program that tracks the vial jar numbers so
> that there are no duplications for collections in 70% ethanol.  The
> collections maintained in 5% buffered formalin and 95% ethanol are manually
> assigned vial jar numbers.)  The attached picture shows individual vial
> jars labeled with unique vial jar numbers.
>
> Regarding the comment that to look for a single collection in a vial jar
> is cumbersome and requires going to the fumehood I disagree with this being
> an issue.  Anytime we pull a single collection from a vial jar, we do not
> do that in the collection room but rather in the lab with a specimen tray
> and forceps.  Opening collections in the collection room (ours is strictly
> for archives, not for specimen examination) runs the risk of losing small
> specimens as well as mishaps with glass jars and alcohol.
>
> Extremely small larvae are double vialed.  Contained in many of our 8 dram
> vials in the system are .25 and 1 dram vials holding protolarval forms.
> Small wads of cotton do not seem to interfere with these samples.
>
> Again, I have used this system for many years and found that the trade off
> between access and long-term conservation is not hard.  The student
> curatorial assistants have pulled many of these collections for  loans,
> researchers , etc.  and have not found the system to be a burden.
>
> *************************************
> Alexandra M Snyder, Collections Manager-Fishes
> Museum of Southwestern Biology MSC03-2020
> University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87131
> PH./FAX 505.277.6005     amsnyder at unm.edu
>
> PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR FEDEX/UPS
> Bldg.83  Room 204
> 302 Yale Blvd NE
>
>
>
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-- 
*****************************************************
Alexandra M Snyder
Collections Manager-Fishes
Museum of Southwestern Biology
MSC01-2020

Physical address for FedEx and UPS
Bldg.83  Room 204, 302 Yale Blvd NE
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
PH.505.277.6005

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