zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 12, 2014 1:02:14 GMT -5
I bought a bag of Sparex #2 pickle crystals, had them for a while unopened, perhaps a year. When I opened the bag, the crystals were brownish. When mixed with water the mix is brown. I can't see anything deeper than 3/4" or so. I called the company that makes Sparex & they said no problem. But wait, there's more. I heated up the mini crock pot with the lid on & when I opened it there was a 1/4" layer of crystalized white stuff on the bottom. It looked like ice crystals. I broke it up & mixed it. Even more - there was a brownish scum in the pickle. It got on the piece I was trying to pickle. I had to wipe it off. The guy on the phone said to skim the scum off the liquid with a paper towel. Am I being given the run around, or is this OK? Lynn
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Post by pauls on Mar 12, 2014 1:56:25 GMT -5
I don't know whats happened there but I would be inclined to throw it out. You can buy Sodium Bisulphite from pool supply shops. Its usually labeled Dry Acid or pH decreaser. Its exactly the same stuff and usually a lot easier to find than Sparex. Did I mention cheaper too. You can also buy dry acid from Building supplies for cleaning mortar off bricks but I don't know how pure it is, At least the swimming pool stuff says its pure.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 12, 2014 12:41:09 GMT -5
I called a poo, supply place nearby & they have 1lb 95% pure for $6. I may give that a try. Lynn
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 12, 2014 18:37:43 GMT -5
In the past they used to package the product in metal cans that rusted and contaminated the product. With the rust in it it had a brown tint. Perhaps yours came from one of these older batches. Over the last few years I've always used the swimming pool stuff with no problems and it is MUCH cheaper than Sparex. Bob
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 12, 2014 23:46:11 GMT -5
Bobby, It actually came in a plastic bag. Lynn
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Mar 14, 2014 13:31:05 GMT -5
I stopped buying pickle from jewelry supply vendors. Now I use either White distilled vinnegar or PH Minus Pool acid (can be found at Home Depot). Both work equally as well.
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