Post by trehopr1 on Oct 19, 2018 6:45:36 GMT
This is a topic which many people can relate to. The safe storage of ones prized specimens is paramount in maintaining and keeping an insect collection for posterity. Whether you pride yourself on the things which you have personally collected or pride yourself on things which have come at cost in time and money; it's still an investment. It is your passion and you want to protect it.
Fortunately, there are a lot of fine drawers and boxes of various kinds which are readily available from a number of sources and individuals (as well); to suit ones storage needs. However, if you should find yourself in the monetary bind I find myself in (all too often); than you need to have a temporary "alternative" so that you can safely house your continued acquired things.
Personally speaking, I house most of my collection in Cornell drawers. However, because they now cost me $60-70 bucks a piece to purchase; I can only now afford to get perhaps 4 a year. Though, I have heard of some folks buying them cheaper; there certainly has to be a hefty shipping cost still incurred. Especially, if you choose to order 3 or 4 at once.
Many collectors who must work within the constraints of a tight budget or even no budget at all are often left to store their specimens in boxes of questionable size, tight-ness of fit (requiring tape to seal cracks/gaps), or obscurity (inability to see what you have stored).
Well, for those of you in such need I propose at least a temporary solution which has worked for me these last few months.
In the above photo, you will see a relatively clear tupperware container which has a "snap tight" locking lid. And believe me it truly snaps down and locks at either end for a tight seal. I purchased it at a Home Depot store for $11 and have left the tag visible so you will know the dimensions of it.
Additionally, I purchased a thin 1/2 inch styrofoam board measuring 36 inches long from a Hobby Lobby store for $5.
The idea here is straightforward. We cut the styrofoam board to fit the bottom dimensions of the container (using a razor blade).
Now, if you don't happen to have either of these stores near your home then at least this gives you food for thought and you may find something similar at some other store near you. The most important point here is that the container should be of a clear plastic for easy viewing and possess a snap tight locking mechanism for the lid/bottom.
Fortunately, there are a lot of fine drawers and boxes of various kinds which are readily available from a number of sources and individuals (as well); to suit ones storage needs. However, if you should find yourself in the monetary bind I find myself in (all too often); than you need to have a temporary "alternative" so that you can safely house your continued acquired things.
Personally speaking, I house most of my collection in Cornell drawers. However, because they now cost me $60-70 bucks a piece to purchase; I can only now afford to get perhaps 4 a year. Though, I have heard of some folks buying them cheaper; there certainly has to be a hefty shipping cost still incurred. Especially, if you choose to order 3 or 4 at once.
Many collectors who must work within the constraints of a tight budget or even no budget at all are often left to store their specimens in boxes of questionable size, tight-ness of fit (requiring tape to seal cracks/gaps), or obscurity (inability to see what you have stored).
Well, for those of you in such need I propose at least a temporary solution which has worked for me these last few months.
In the above photo, you will see a relatively clear tupperware container which has a "snap tight" locking lid. And believe me it truly snaps down and locks at either end for a tight seal. I purchased it at a Home Depot store for $11 and have left the tag visible so you will know the dimensions of it.
Additionally, I purchased a thin 1/2 inch styrofoam board measuring 36 inches long from a Hobby Lobby store for $5.
The idea here is straightforward. We cut the styrofoam board to fit the bottom dimensions of the container (using a razor blade).
Now, if you don't happen to have either of these stores near your home then at least this gives you food for thought and you may find something similar at some other store near you. The most important point here is that the container should be of a clear plastic for easy viewing and possess a snap tight locking mechanism for the lid/bottom.
