First of all, let Swim say that he has nothing but good feelings for all the people on here that give info and have helped Swim in the search for dreams. Some questions have arisen that are very confusing and unclear. Many hours of wasted time and probably a few more before everything is as should be. Swim's has gotten the RP,I, and clean E areas down (finally). Some questions about the ratios are still in concern tho... Does anyone know the proper (preferably mole's) way to determine?? Swim has been told 1:2:3 RP:E:I and the methods seen so far have a wide range of play in them. Swim understands that RP will have to be adjusted depending on quality/age and is looking for the best way to determine the proper ratio as to minimize waste/unreacted materials. Have also been told that certain size flask has to be used for certain amount of reaction. Swim has access to 500, 1000, and 2000ml. Is there any truth to this?? Swim also has a condensor available. Have heard/seen online that slow and steady is way to go. Using condensor Swim thinks ratios are very important. A 12 hour dream with a condensor at 150C max (or any suggestions are more than welcome) would this be able to be left for a bit at a time? Does reaction have to be stirred --if so how often--or can it be left for a while at a time. Swim has used a flask with a hose with a container on end all taped tightly. Higher heat was applied and yield was reported from 30 to 60%. Also in container sometimes ice was used sometimes not. What would this type of reaction be called (perhaps a reflux?) and would this make a difference if there was ice in container or not? Kinda confused on either hot and fast method (best way to utilize this one) and the long way. Swim would appreciate any help you guys can provide and trying to get things right without a lot more frustration and time wasted. Swim is a noob but not a complete idiot. In the right area but still off the mark somewhat. Thanks to all for the help.

SWIL uses the ratio of .8-1-1.2 of RP-E-I2.

Turn down that heat... 150 c is way too hot. Bring it down to somewhere between 70-90 c.

Use the condensor, it will only work in favor of less-than clean precursors, and will help if ratios are off. A condensor allows for a more forgiving reaction, in SWIL's opinion.

As far as flask size, how much E will be used?

Lukky D

Trying 14 to start and then 28--what would be recommended?? If not using condensor and at the lower temp, how often does reaction have to be stirred? Swim does not have hotplate WITH stirrer. Trying to NOT mess up, ya know? Thanx lukky for the help...

Also....About how long (ballpark) for the dream to finish?? And does this need to be airtight (or as close to possible?).

[This message has been edited by RedHorse (edited 06-11-2003).]

Here is SWIL's recommendations for a 14g reaction:

Standard:

-14 grams Pseudo/Ephedrine

-11.2 grams of Red Phosphorus

-16.8 grams of Iodine crystals

-14 ml(cc) of dH2O

Adjustments:

-RP: It is first very important to have a relative idea of the cleanliness of one's own RP. An idea of what Lab-Grade looks like, and also knowing what really poor-grade RP looks like, will help one to define a personal range of RP. This range will help one to determine the amount of RP that is needed for any particular reaction.

When using Lab-Grade, the ratios can be scaled down as low as .3 or .5 to 1, RP:E. If one is using a big sticky ball of poorly cleaned RP, then the ratios can be scaled up as high as 1.2:1, RP:E.

With RP from match books, if it is cleaned well enough that it can be made into powder, usually the .8:1, RP:E, is the way to go.

-I2 crystals: If it is Lab or Regent grade, the ratios may be scaled down as low as 1:1, but SWIL believes this may be pushing the lower limit threshold.

If it is from tincture, which is most likely the case, then the ratios should be set from 1.2 or 1.5 to 1, I2:E. So when doing a 10 gram Pseudo/Ephedrine reaction, anywhere from 12 to 15 grams of Iodine crystals should be used depending on how clean the user feels it is.

-H2O: Only distilled (dH2O) should be used. A 1 ml to 1 gram ratio, of dH2O to E should be the standard. 14 grams E = 14 mls of dH2O.

When using I2 crystals from tincture, SWIL was always taught to scale down the amount of water in a reaction by 1 ml for every 4 grams of I2. The logic behind this, is that Iodine crystals can hold a lot of water, and it can become very easy to mess up ratios by the amount that it can sometimes contain. Another way around this is to dry the I2 crystals by storing them in an airtight container with some calcium chloride or silica gels(Kitty litter wrapped in a coffee filter should work in a pinch!)

SWIL always sets his reactions for 36 hours, using about 135-160 degrees farenheit. SWIL doesn't judge the time by weight of precursors. SWIL believes that 4 grams of phed will be reduced in the same time as 28 grams of phed, if all ratios and temperatures are kept consistent. There may be some debate on this, but SWIL would rather be sure that his goods are completely reduced, rather than settle for a mixture of pseudo/meth.

The container should be airtight(not allowing additional air IN). Therefore, a balloon, condensor, or tube into water will probably be used. SWIL would suggest the condensor, as it seems to get the most out of the ingredients. The reason the container need be airtight is NOT because air hinders the reaction, but rather because both H2O and precious HI will escape as they boil away. One will want to keep that all "inside", so as to more efficiently monitor the ratio of ingredients. The water level should stay very close to the same throughout the entire reaction. If it should lower, just add more dH2O back to the original water line.

Hope this helps.

Lukky D

Man, that is just what Swim was looking for. As far as the RP, Swim has seen labgrade and matchRP looks very very close. Swim did want to know about the size of containment tho... and does this 36 hours need stirred at a given interval? If so, how oft? Thanks again lukky for the info, it is exactly what Swim was looking for.

14 grams would probably be around a 500-1000 ml. If a 750 could be found, that would probably be optimal.

SWIL always stirred by grabbing the flask and swirling till the goop flings up the flask walls. Not too high though, because it should all be able to now start sliding down the glass. This helps the reflux effect, by allowing more surface area to come in contact with the precursors, and will also help to judge a complete reaction. Swirl as often as possible, although with a round-bottom flask it is not as necessary(as the shape encourages mixing of ingredients). SWIL sometimes swirled about twice an hour, and everything seemed to work out fine.

When it starts to slide easily off the glass, and the color of the fluid lightens from dark brown to yellow or clear, and the marroon RP will quickly settle at the bottom of the flask... then this reaction should be stated as done. NEVER base a "complete" reaction upon only color. A condensor will cause the fluid to clear quickly, and if too much I2 was added, it may never go yellow or clear, but rather just stay dark. This excess I2 can be removed during the A/B.

Lukky D

[This message has been edited by lukkydleprachan (edited 06-12-2003).]

Thanx a lot Lukky.... Do preciate the help.. man.... 36 hrs is going to be a stretch (does Swirh hear sick day calling? lol) Take it easy and have a good nite.