(I'm posting my question here as the question might get lost over on Ink Reviews)

I had a pen that came down with a case of the fungus while I was away on vacation. I flushed all the visible fungus out of it with plain water and then rinsed it with the normal ammonia/water solution (1:10). Then I rinsed the ammonia out of the pen and filled it with new ink (the infected stuff went over the side). There have been no problems with the pen since then.

Instead of flushing the pen with Sterilink or Inksafe, I would add it to my ink supply. That way, it would always be in the pen and in the ink supply, protecting both of them.

Paddler

InkSafe/SterilInk aren't wholesale killers and flushers of bacteria and fungus- they contain bacteria/fungal growth inhibitors. Which is usually jargon meaning same thing as containing antibacterial/antifungal, but with a low concentration. That is, 4 drops of bleach to a gallon of water can partially purify it (for emergencies only) and inhibit biotic growth, but a solution in that strength would be close to useless in disinfecting a slaughterhouse floor.

I'd go with what Paddler said- go with ammonia, 1:10. An InkSafe/SterilInk rinse wouldn't hurt, but use the recommended (low) concentration. It wouldn't be useful because of the antibiotic agents but because of the surficants and lubricants which might help dissolve or suspend the bits of goo that aren't soluble in water, making it flushable.

Aaron

How long can the ammonia solution be left in the pen? I have a pen with what I'm pretty sure is a fungal growth lurking inside, and I'm just about frustrated enough to flush it with bleach.

With a 1:10 solution, unless there are is hard rubber or another contraindicated material, overnight would be fine. For stronger solutions of ammonia, up to 1:4 or so, I limit it to much short times, maybe an hour or two for 1:6, and only a flush on 1:4. That happens to be how I roll, no equation that told me that, but I've not had any problems. Avoid the bleach.

What will be far more useful than any chemical is elbow grease, though this really depends on the pen. In an easily assembled piston filler, swab and wash the insides out well, wiping down all the places you can. Floss the barrel with a hankerchief if need be, though that's something that can only be if you can get the piston assembly and the nib or section out. For a c/c there still might be a lot of Q-tipping you can do. Try that before you bleach the poor thing.

What makes you think it's fungal? Do you see the stuff, or is it just an odor, etc?

Aaron

When I fill the pen with ink, let it sit for a while, and then flush it, I get this:



They seem to be flecks of dried or congealed ink. The pen has been professionally stripped down and rebuilt, innards replaced and everything. It's a Sheaffer Snorkel, if that helps.

Worst of all, last time it went away for repairs and returned, all seemed to be well, nary a speck of crud in the ink. Then I left it alone for a few months (emptied and thoroughly flushed and dried), and when I came back to it, the problem had resurfaced.

My best guess is that there's something alive in this pen, and I want it dead. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears.