Australia's Science Forum

Hi All,
Tried sending this question yesterday, but it hasn't appeared yet so......try again.
How do others decant limewater without disturbing the sediment? We don't use much limewater anymore (prefer Thymol or Bromothymol blue).
Any suggestions?
Thanks everyone,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth i just gently tip the container and pour out what i need - i have a winchester of it made up so i have always plenty of solution above the sediment.

Hope this is of soem help

Hello,

The best way to prevent the CaOH from clouding the lime water is to store it in a really tall bottle, we use some old style glass cordial bottles with the leaver stopper.

With the tall bottle you are less likley to disturbe the sedemint on decantering.

Regards
Michelle

Hi there,
We have a large tall stock bottle and when needed I use a 100ml syringe to get it out that way I do not touch the sediment in the bottom of the container, has worked for me . Also if I know in advance that I will be needing alot of limewater I decant as much as needed in advance so that there is plenty for the experiment.
Good luck

Ours is kept in very tall Winchesters (3L).
Have learnt to give it a good shake a day or so before needed, so that the limewater is fresh, to get the best result.
I have a few smaller plastic bottles labelled ready to gently decant into, and pour in short bursts, so that no sediment goes in.

Cheers,
Liz

We have several large glass jars - lids are about 10cm diameter - to store limewater . We use ladles to extract the liquid without disturbing the sediment. You can easily make a ladle by bending the handle of a soup spoon so the handle is at rightangles to the spoon.

Works well for us.

Robbie

Thanks people, I think I'll go with the ladle,
Cheers
Elizabeth

One of my teacher asked me to filter it. I have a "Shaker bottle" as well.

Like Robbie, I have a large necked jar for my limewater. I use disposable gloves and can carefully lower a 100ml beaker into the top layer of the solution getting a large amount every time without any sediment.
Maree