16 replies to this topic

[rptraut]

If you're having trouble removing wet cotton from test tubes, try using this type of tool.   I made mine from 14/2 electrical wire by making a hook on one end.  Bend the wire slightly so the hook follows the inside curve of the test tube.  That way you can slide it past the cotton, turn the hook under it, and pull it out.  I made a smaller hook on the other end for smaller test tubes.  

 

 

[Ant-nig321]

Good idea,but i use a skewer which the ends are broken to a hook like you did in your post then i put the skewer in the test tube on to the wet cotton then i spin it which is then attached to the cotton then i pull it.

[T.C.]

Long tweezers work quite well for me.

[Manitobant]

Yeah tweezers is what i use. What I’ll usually do is first fill the tube with hot water (i find it loosens it up) then stick in the tweezers and twist the tube in the opposite direction while pulling at the cotton.

Edited by Manitobant, November 27 2022 - 7:09 PM.

[rptraut]

I never had much luck with tweezers, they always seemed to be too short and by the time I got them to the bottom of the test tube, I couldn't squeeze them hard enough to grab the cotton.  Tweezers were especially problematic with smaller test tubes.  For a while I used a small crochet hook, but I realized the hook was too small so I made the wire hook larger with a slight curve on it to slide between the cotton and the test tube.   I find it works especially well when the cotton is tight in the tube and a slight suction occurs when I pull it out.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

I use a wire that doesn't have a hook but I made it twist like a spiral so it grabs the cotton by twisting.

Basically a mix of what you do and what others do with a broken skewer.

[dspdrew]

[LowQualityAnts]

That looks like a torture device.

[Flu1d]

👀

Where can I buy something like this?

Edited by Flu1d, November 28 2022 - 2:50 PM.

[rptraut]

I went low-tech.  I even reused an old piece of wire.

[Flu1d]

What do people use as cleaner for TT's.. Dish soap or alcohol?

[T.C.]

What do people use as cleaner for TT's.. Dish soap or alcohol?

 

What's a TT?  

[ANTdrew]

What do people use as cleaner for TT's.. Dish soap or alcohol?

What's a TT?

Test tube. I use dish soap for mine.

[aznphenom]

What do people use as cleaner for TT's.. Dish soap or alcohol?

I do vinegar if I need a quick clean. Soap if I am soaking them to use in the future

[Flu1d]

Thanks all

[M_Ants]

If you're having trouble removing wet cotton from test tubes, try using this type of tool.   I made mine from 14/2 electrical wire by making a hook on one end.  Bend the wire slightly so the hook follows the inside curve of the test tube.  That way you can slide it past the cotton, turn the hook under it, and pull it out.  I made a smaller hook on the other end for smaller test tubes.  

 

 

2022-11-26 002.JPG

Ha, I made the exact same thing. Works great.

[rptraut]

Hopefully we've saved new antkeepers from a lot of frustration.