[Nhcoll-l] Tips for tiny jars?

[Simon Moore]

Good selection of responses and ideas.

I agree about not submerging the jars unless as a last resort.  What sort of silicone has been used?  I always use the flowable fluid one which is much less ‘gloopy’ and has never let me down, even with adhering lids onto old-fashioned glass cavity blocks - the sort we used at school for A-level small critters.  But you have to ensure that both surfaces of the seal have been ground (as in ground glass) before sealing or it won’t work if the surfaces are polished./shiny.  I can let you know of sealants if you need them and how to grind the glass surfaces.

With all good wishes, Simon 

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian.

www.natural-history-conservation.com




> On 2 Jul 2026, at 16:30, Shoobs, Nate <shoobs.1 at osu.edu> wrote:
> 
> Hey Claire,
> What is the type of closure?
> If you’re topping off that frequently chances are the lids you’re using are bad. If you use vials/jars made from phenolic resin with poly-cone seals, or alternatively polypropylene lids with f217 foam liners, you shouldn’t have to top up narrow-necked containers for years or decades in most cases.  
> 
> 
> -
> Nathaniel F. Shoobs, Curator of Mollusks
> College of Arts & Sciences Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University
> Museum of Biological Diversity
> 1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
> 614-688-1342 (Office)
> mbd.osu.eduFrom: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Claire Smith <claire.smith at reading.ac.uk>
> Sent: Thursday, 02 July 2026 11:22:05
> To: nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Tips for tiny jars?
>  Hi everyone (with apologies for cross-posting), 
> 
> We have a selection of small specimens in our fluid collection, in jars of around 10 to 25 mL, and they evaporate incredibly quickly. We have to top them up almost annually, which isn't great for the specimens. The rate of evaporation doesn't seem to be worse with a particular fluid, or with a particular sealant. 
> 
> Do those of you who work with fluid collections have any tips for how to prevent these tiny jars from evaporating so quickly? 
> 
> Best wishes,
> Claire
>  *******
> Claire Smith (she/her), AFHEA
> Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cole Museum of Zoology
> University of Reading
> claire.smith at reading.ac.uk
> www.linkedin.com/in/wetconservatrix
> Social media: @wetconservatrix
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