TBE buffer precipitation

[Mike]

In article <9404210227.AA23473 at cscgpo.anu.edu.au>,
Klaus.Matthaei at ANU.EDU.AU wrote:
> 
> >Help!  My lab has been making 10XTBE buffer solution
> >
> >
> >
> >s for years and 
> >we frequently get precipitation forming.  Does anyone know the cause of this 
> >problem?  How can you make up 10XTBE stock solutions that do not precipitate?
> >What problems can TBE precipitation cause if we use the buffer anyway in
> >our experiments (sequencing gels, agarose gels)?
> > 
> The answer my friends seems to be blowing in the wind : DUST??
> 
> 0.2 micron filter the 10xTBE and it stops precipitating (at least in my > >  > hands).  Micronucleation of salts is my conclusion and yes if the ppte forms, then the sequencing gels don't get hot enough.
> 

Klaus, your suggestion certainly addresses the root of the problem. 
However, you can go one step further and address particulates in your
glassware.

If you do a quick acid rinse of the bottle to filter into, a 20x TBE
solution will stay in solution for over a couple of months if handled
carefully. Even a 25x solution will work for a while. I suppose if you
could waste a large, plastic, all-in-one filtration unit, the results may
be even better.

Cheers,
Mike