denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 17, 2021 16:44:41 GMT -5
Hello, I am wondering what I should do with the grit after each stage when I have to get rid of it. I have been pouring it into the street, but I'm not sure if this is ok. I thought someone had said that if you let the grit sit, it will turn into a solid, but that has not happened. The only other place I can dump it is in the alley, which should be ok because there are no storm drains back there. Please help! I don't want to get arrested for improper disposal of chemicals.
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rrod
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 72
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Post by rrod on Dec 17, 2021 18:32:06 GMT -5
Hello, I am wondering what I should do with the grit after each stage when I have to get rid of it. I have been pouring it into the street, but I'm not sure if this is ok. I thought someone had said that if you let the grit sit, it will turn into a solid, but that has not happened. The only other place I can dump it is in the alley, which should be ok because there are no storm drains back there. Please help! I don't want to get arrested for improper disposal of chemicals. What I do in a pretty densely populated area for tumble cleanup is: 1. Put a colander over a bucket (call this bucket 1) and pour out the rocks into the colander, letting the slurry go into the bucket. 2. Put water in the barrel to clean off the rocks of the rest of the slurry sticking to them 3. Pour out rock again into a different bucket (call this bucket 2) 4. The rocks and barrel are now usually clean enough to wash off in the sink, but if they are rather dirty still wash them outside 5. Pour slurry from bucket 1 into a large cookie sheet and set it under a fan to help it evaporate (a space heater can help too but be careful with those) 6. Let bucket 2 sit for a few days 7. Once slurry in the cookie sheet is dry, you can just throw the slurry in the garbage 8. Pour or siphon off the water on top of bucket 2 9. Bucket 2 now becomes the new bucket 1 for the next round, and vice versa I'm sure others probably have a more efficient way, but this works for me to avoid having large amounts of slurry go into local plumbing systems.
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Post by rmf on Dec 17, 2021 19:11:37 GMT -5
I am assuming you have no grass. You can pour old slurry in a bucket as stated above and let stand over night. Decant off surplus water and in your area the low humidity should do the rest. When dry break up and put in a bag in garbage.
As far as the pouring down the drain... the slurry can setup like cement over time in the drain trap. Not so much on the ground. Could take the dry stuff to the "outback".
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 17, 2021 19:17:08 GMT -5
@ rmf We do have grass. Is that where I should dump it?
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Dec 17, 2021 20:47:43 GMT -5
We do have grass. Is that where I should dump it? The short answer is yes, you can dump it on the grassy areas. But if you use Borax, over time it could become toxic to plants. Grasses tolerate it better than weeds, and it is often used in Organic gardening since it is a trace element needed in all plants. But different soils have different levels of tolerance. Just something to keep in mind.
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Post by rmf on Dec 18, 2021 3:59:07 GMT -5
rmf We do have grass. Is that where I should dump it? denversue Yes I dump all of mine in the yard. As catskillrocks said the trace minerals are good for the grass. I do not use Borax so I was not thinking about that. Also if you tumble Fluorite and some other minerals know what heavy metals are associated since you would not want to place them in your garden. Example Fluorite usually is found with Galena and Sphalerite. Would you want to add Lead to your garden? Sphalerite always has some Cadmium content not good to consume this either. However, most agates and Jaspers should not have problems. Plus SiC grit keeps the Carbon captured and saves the planet from global warming. Who would have thought that rock tumbling people are saving the world with their hobby:)
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