LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Dec 14, 2021 19:32:38 GMT -5
Okay, this is kinda out there. I have been researching disposal methods for the water and sludge left over after tumbles. I noticed an interesting thread running throughout the various methods - dirty water and it's use in a garden. Has anyone offered their water to neighbors or family as an additive to their gardens? Getting rid of the water still leaves the problem of what to do with the sludge. But, as I've discovered, the water is the major byproduct.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 14, 2021 19:41:38 GMT -5
When I clean my rocks once a week, the sludge goes into a 5 gal pail. Let it settle for 4-5 days , then dump off the water and save the sludge. I add it to the recharged tumbler. Get a thick slurry in 2 days. Any water added to my tumblers comes from “clean out” water. The water I pour off goes into the garden. I’m a organic gardener, it sure helps the soil!
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Dec 14, 2021 19:42:05 GMT -5
I've only used Borax once, dumped that on some weed trees. I now rinse my rocks & barrels in the front yard or over one of raised beds.
I live in the country so disposal isn't an issue for me.
Going to spread some Borax in the rows between my beds tho.
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Post by stephan on Dec 14, 2021 21:02:55 GMT -5
I don't tumble, so I don't have large amounts of grit or any Borax, so the swarf I have in the pan is quite literally mud (based on particle size it would be sand, silt, loam or clay, depending on the grit being used) -- neither helpful, nor harmful, if you are sticking to basic silicates. Some would argue that those rocks containing metals such as mercury, copper, arsenic... (plenty of threads on those topics in this forum) would constitute a toxic soup. IMO, the amounts ground off a cabochon or two would likely be below naturally occurring levels in most places, but it would probably still be better to pour on the ornamentals than in the veggie patch.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 15, 2021 10:29:33 GMT -5
Stephan I tumble agates, mostly Mexican at this point. Do you think the water from these are bad? I respect your opinion on this. I dump my waste from my lotto with borax on the weeds outside my shop, works getting rid of them.
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Post by stephan on Dec 15, 2021 11:43:13 GMT -5
Agates are silicon dioxide, with the color coming mainly from iron. You are quite literally making mud. Sand, clay, loam and silt are made by the wearing down of rocks (mostly; in some cases it includes organically derived minerals) by wind, water and other erosive forces.
The Borax residue could be problematic if you try to grow something else there, after you get rid of the weeds.
I dump all my cabbing mud into the landscaping.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 15, 2021 12:53:30 GMT -5
Thank you for the reply. Was nervous is was putting bad stuff in my garden. Lotto clean outs never go in the garden.
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