Thanks to all who replied with suggestions for pans for sorting macroinvertebrates. Below please find a summary of responses.
It seems there is still a commercial source for the white enamel pans--thanks to Jeff for identifying it. (If folks know of others out there, please let me know that too. Don't want to selectively advertise.) But many folks suggested alternatives that are cheaper, lighter weight, etc. Happy sorting! =Carola METAL metal trays item #359 in Forestry Suppliers Catalog http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=4537 I think BioQuip might have them. You might also try VWR - they did have them a few years ago. They are very hard to find - I need some myself. A while back I found some in white with a colored border on the website below. Not sure what they have now,,, <http://kolorfulkitchen.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=1058&osCsid=ad5345ccefe74930744414c4b85d4fed>http://kolorfulkitchen.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=1058&osCsid=ad5345ccefe74930744414c4b85d4fed Would an eclectic source work? If yes, consider eBay: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=white+enamel+pan&category0= Have you tried your local antique (junk) store? I've had some luck finding some there PLASTIC these plastic trays from US Plastics are a great replacement for the white enamel pan. They are lightweight, durable, cheap, and come in a variety of sizes. We have used them for sorting inverts in classes and doing everyday fieldwork. They also have a nice pour spout on one corner. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=usplastic&category%5Fname=97&product%5Fid=15224 You can find white plastic trays of different sizes at usplastic.com. They are sold as photo print trays and are quite reasonably priced. I've gotten in the habit of using the white plastic sorting pans from Bioquip. (<http://www.bioquip.com>www.bioquip.com) They don't hurt nearly as much when you drop them on your toes....and are much lighter, thus easier to carry into remote backcountry sites. And they're cheap. While I've never used them for invert sorting, white frisbees work pretty well for sorting roots that are suspended in water. I don't know about the enamel pans, but you should be able to find lots of similar sized white plastic ones that were used for darkroom printing and are now likely being given away. try GAGE Ind. Inc., Lake Oswego, OR for HDPE sorting pans. they come in several sizes and never chip or rust. They are not quite as deep as porcelain pans. -- Carola A. Haas Associate Professor, Wildlife Ecology Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences MC 0321 112 Cheatham Hall Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9269 direct phone line 540-231-7580 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.fishwild.vt.edu
