meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Foam
Jul 1, 2019 12:57:30 GMT -5
Post by meanie on Jul 1, 2019 12:57:30 GMT -5
I'm doing a coarse grind right now for a batch of botswana agates in one of the barrels of my QT 66. It is extremely foamy--some of the foam had actually made it past the gasket when I first peeked. Is that normal for bots? The other barrel has crazy lace agate in it and isn't foamy at all. I've been opening it up twice a day since to scoop out some of the foam so I don't have a real mess. Is there anything else I should be doing? Adding more water/kitty litter etc? Right now, I just have rocks, grit, and water in it. Thanks!
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Post by rmf on Jul 1, 2019 13:06:17 GMT -5
Not sure why no soap would foam unless there is some organic mater on the rocks. I would not check it 2x/day (it may be I am too lazy) but coarse grit water and rocks should just tumble. I would only check them once per week unless it is making gas (which yours might be). since you are using a QT66 the 6 lb barrel is soft so tak a rock about the size of a barrel nut and put it in the center of the bottom (outside) and next time you take off the lid set the barrel on the nut as you replace the lid. be sure to clean the little step the inner lid rests on to make sure you get a good seal. Then push down on the drum to make a slight dimple in the bottom. Now while you hold that put on the outer lid and tighten the barrel nut. Now as it is tumbling you can check and see if the bottom bulges out you know you are building up gas and may need to relieve pressure. If it does not expand then you are good to go. over the week the bubbles should subside.
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Foam
Jul 1, 2019 17:18:39 GMT -5
Post by pauls on Jul 1, 2019 17:18:39 GMT -5
I wonder if it's some ingedient in the kitty litter causing the foam.
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Foam
Jul 1, 2019 19:05:12 GMT -5
Post by Rockindad on Jul 1, 2019 19:05:12 GMT -5
I'm doing a coarse grind right now for a batch of botswana agates in one of the barrels of my QT 66. It is extremely foamy--some of the foam had actually made it past the gasket when I first peeked. Is that normal for bots? The other barrel has crazy lace agate in it and isn't foamy at all. I've been opening it up twice a day since to scoop out some of the foam so I don't have a real mess. Is there anything else I should be doing? Adding more water/kitty litter etc? Right now, I just have rocks, grit, and water in it. Thanks! Foam is nothing to worry about, it happens occasionally and is likely due to there being something on the rocks. Did you rinse them? I don't always do this but try to remember, it is amazing how much "stuff" can be hidden in cracks, pits, etc. If you are seeing foam coming from the lid that may be of concern. If you are getting gas pressure you should be able to see the bottom of the barrel (end that is opposite of the lid) bulging out. That would be the only time I would open the barrel before a cleanout, to burp it. With opening that barrel twice a day, are you sure you are getting a good seal each time. You will need to clean the lid gasket and the shoulder of the barrel where it seats very well each time you go to close it up. I do not use kitty litter so I have nothing to add there. If it is any consolation the only time I've ever had foam it was during the first stage. Al
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meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Foam
Jul 1, 2019 20:58:51 GMT -5
Post by meanie on Jul 1, 2019 20:58:51 GMT -5
Oh, I don't use kitty litter--I was asking if that might be something I should add to stop the foam. I just have water, grit, and rocks in there now. I'm afraid if I don't open it up, it'll make a mess like it did after that first day when it got past the gasket.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Jul 2, 2019 4:04:14 GMT -5
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