Daniel has this right-
You can't make comparisons of accuracy or contamination without an  
idea of the home made design.  Flot-tech can probably tell you how  
accurate their tank is when used correctly.  One measures this by  
adding a known number of seeds, such as poppy or sesame seeds, to a  
test sample and then floating it to compare the rate of recovery.   
Floating samples in a bucket with a fish-tank skimmer can be either  
accurate or inadequate depending upon the operator's care during the  
procedure.
Cheers,
Tim

Timothy Scarlett
Assistant Professor of Archaeology
Department of Social Sciences
Michigan Technological University
[log in to unmask]
(906)487-2359 (office)
(906)487-2468 (fax)
------------------------


>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Jennifer M. Faberson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 4:03 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Flotation
>
> The flotation department at our company is considering developing an
> indoor
> home made flotation tank.  In your professional opinion which is more
> accurate a flot-tech machine (which we are currently using) or a
> homemade
> machine?
>
>
>
> Jennifer M. Faberson
>
> Historic Materials Specialist
>
> Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc.
>
> 151 Walton Ave.
>
> Lexington, KY 40508
>
> (859) 252-4737
>
>  <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>