Community › Storage & Stability

Help a n00b with basics

14 replies10 peopleJul 22, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

How to draw all the bacteriostatic water from a 3 ml vial and get the last drops from a reconstituted peptide vial using small insulin syringes

The original poster struggles with tiny insulin syringes when transferring bac water and finishing off reconstituted vials. Replies recommend switching to larger luer-lock syringes for transfers, inverting vials, and slowly withdrawing the needle while pulling the plunger. Some users suggest peptide pens as an alternative to reduce waste and air bubbles, while one post warns that more research is needed before continuing.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

One user states that others are enabling risky behavior by answering questions and that the original poster lacks enough knowledge to continue safely

Still open

Whether loading pens is simple enough for a beginner and which specific products or setups work best for different peptides

Nothing here is advice.

14 replies · 10 people
SharpThistle77archiveopening postJul 22

After looking into this for a year I was set to begin in January and again in March, but work travel kept getting in the way. Now I finally have the time to start. I have 3 ml bac water vials and need to pull the whole amount to reconstitute my peptide. These short thin insulin syringes make it awkward. Would a bigger syringe make the transfer easier? The same issue comes up when trying to get the last drops out of a reconstituted vial. I got through it this time but will need a better method for the next vials.

LikeSame experienceReply
SlowAnchor19archiveJul 22

Try picking up some bigger luer lock syringes. Lower gauge numbers mean a wider needle that moves liquid faster. These are only for transfers, not for actual injections.

LikeSame experienceReply
SharpThistle77archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SlowAnchor19

Thanks. How do you get those final drops of liquid into the injection syringe?

LikeSame experienceReply
KeenMarble16archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77 (opening post)

I usually suggest pens for convenience, cleanliness, and less waste, but you can also just put the needle in partway, turn the vial upside down, and draw out the last dose that way.

LikeSame experienceReply
SlowAnchor19archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77

I flip the vial upside down, sometimes tilt it, and pull the plunger while slowly pulling the needle out. A drop may stay behind but I usually get the peptide. Then I tap the air to the top and push it out with the syringe pointing up.

LikeSame experienceReply
GreyAlder39archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77

Check the actual volume in your 3 ml syringe because the bac water vials are not filled to an exact amount. You can turn the vial upside down; the cap has a slit so you can see where the needle tip is.

LikeSame experienceReply
SharpThistle77archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @KeenMarble16

I’ll be honest, I only just got the hang of this. The thought of loading pens feels overwhelming. Is it actually straightforward? I haven’t come across a clear guide.

LikeSame experienceReply
SlowSparrow49archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77

If you are filtering, loading a pen works the same as moving liquid from the source vial into a new sterile vial. You just filter straight into the cartridge instead.

LikeSame experienceReply
PatientFenwick91archiveJul 22
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77

It really is simpler than it looks. There is a helpful guide available online, and they are also moving their video content to another platform.

LikeSame experienceReply
PatientTimber39archiveJul 22

It is worth getting the larger needles. Ones that are 1.5 inches long work well for moving research liquids.

LikeSame experienceReply
PlainAlder11archiveJul 23
↳ replying to @PatientTimber39

Larger needles make it much simpler to pull reconstituted peptide when filtering. I prefer insulin syringes and dislike pens. Your bac water is in a 3 ml vial? Which peptide are you working with? It would help to do more reading since these questions have already been answered here.

LikeSame experienceReply
RustCinder57archiveJul 23
↳ replying to @SharpThistle77 (opening post)

I use the 25 g 1.5 inch size because it reaches the bottom of the vial and gets every last bit. Luer locks work well for me too.

LikeSame experienceReply
ClearLantern70archiveJul 23

You should throw that bac water away and spend more time researching first. Some people here will answer your questions but they are only helping you make a mistake. I am not trying to be rude, but you are heading into something you do not yet understand well enough.

LikeSame experienceReply
PatientTimber39archiveJul 23
↳ replying to @PlainAlder11

You are right about that.

LikeSame experienceReply
PatientTimber39archiveJul 23
↳ replying to @RustCinder57

That is the same setup I use. Luer locks also make filtering easier.

LikeSame experienceReply

Add your experience

If you have tried it, this topic is still open. Sign in to reply — it takes a minute.

Sign inCreate an account