API Test Tube stoppers bulk buy

[dmolavi]

Edit to add: I am having samples from several vendors sent to me. Hopefully within a week or two, a viable alternative will be available.

(Continued from http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/test-kits-api-vs-seachem-vs-redsea-240872.html)

As many of us have become all to familiar, the caps provided to us by API for their test kits are notoriously leaky. If you read the post referenced above, I've started the trek for the Holy Grail: A replacement cap or stopper for our tubes that won't leak when we do the shake, rattle, 'n' roll for our nitrate testing.

I have spoken with the vendor this morning, and since the tubes I am trying to purchase the caps for are not their tubes, they cannot promise a leakproof seal with the caps I was going to purchase (found here 12mm Thumb Caps (Multi-Color)). I am requesting information from them about alternatives (ie, non-reactive rubber stoppers, other caps, etc).

The exact price will depend on what item I am able to find. Once I find an appropriate replacement, I will post pricing here.

Shipping will be flat USPS shipping: $5.35 for a Priority Mail flat rate box. Right now, US folks only.

That being said, if I am able to find a suitable replacement cap for the leaky ones given to us by API, and you are interested in purchasing some from me, please reply to this thread with a quantity that you would like to purchase. Please reply even if you already posted in the other thread so that I have one consolidated location to go over for a final tally.

Thanks.

 

[Rlavassor86]

I would like 20

 

[Scottyhorse]

Let me know what you find out about this, please!

 

[Sambo7475]

I'll take 10!

 

[Convict2161]

I'll take 20

 

[The CodFather]

I need 10 please (and if you happen upon more tubes I'd be interested in a price for them too)

 

[Twoie]

I'll take 12!!

 

[CharlieKlein]

Wow I thought i was just a clutz! Haha I'll be shaking and my papers will get wet and I'm like." We'll I can't put my fiver over it, but this is more important than school work!"

 

[bobbyj206]

10 for me please, and thank you.

 

[kwandrsn]

I'll buy 24 from you

 

[Andrewz00]

O, ok, im in!! I rarely use the caps but because ur doing this and im a fan of the idea, ill take 6...

 

[Aqualady40]

I will take 4 to start till I know total pricing (may bump it to 8, pending)

 

[Magicmarymac]

Two dozen for me

And tubes if you figure that out too.

 

[dmolavi]

Samples are in the mail from 2 vendors. Hopefully I will find one that works well.

I have checked into replacement tubes. They are prohibitively expensive (ie, a case of 700, which is the smallest most places will sell, for about $250..not including shipping). Unless I find a local supplier, for now, it's gonna be the stoppers/caps only

 

[Rlavassor86]

Samples are in the mail from 2 vendors. Hopefully I will find one that works well.

I have checked into replacement tubes. They are prohibitively expensive (ie, a case of 700, which is the smallest most places will sell, for about $250..not including shipping). Unless I find a local supplier, for now, it's gonna be the stoppers/caps only

I sure hope at least one works. I can't wait to not have to hold paper towel over the cap just to not make a mess.

 

[dmolavi]

I sure hope at least one works. I can't wait to not have to hold paper towel over the cap just to not make a mess.

I hope so, to. I think a total of almost a dozen different types of caps, plugs, and stoppers are incoming...I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed

Edit to add: I have requested samples of silicon stoppers in addition to the plastic cap/plugs that are already on the way. Hopefully the vendor will oblige.

 

[dmolavi]

Here's the latest. I am having a sample of one, maybe two, silicone stoppers delivered. One set of them is reasonably priced, $17 for 50. The other is out of sight, $130 for 12. Guess which one I vote for

Once I get everything in, I'll cap up my tubes, shake the everlovin' you know what out of them, and see which one stands up to the test.

 

[Magicmarymac]

Wow. Those second ones are expensive!

 

[dmolavi]

The first set of stopper samples arrived today. One was too small, the other fit very well. See the attached image. You'll notice a small amount of leakage, but this was after 60 seconds of insanely vigorous shaking, much more so than what I normally do with any of the tests. My goal was to see how it stood up to the hardest shaking I could do. Nothing leaked out of the tube.

I will retest it a few times tomorrow to see if performance degrades over time/usage. Granted, this is highly unscientific, but hopefully of some value.

 

[Magicmarymac]

Thank you for your research!