the end 20 of bottom wall 18 inner wall 28 extends substantially parallel to supporting legs 22 and assists in supporting trough 12 outer end wall 32 is spaced from inner wall 28 and extends substantially parallel thereto for forming an end wall of pickling trough 12 discharge trough 26 includes a top wall 34 coupled to inner wall 28 top wall 34 is spaced from outer end wall 32 to form an opening 36 into discharge trough 26 in this embodiment trough 26 prevents large quantities of pickling solution from entering recovery tank 14 a guide member 38 is positioned on top wall 34 to guide the steel strip 40 being carried through the pickling trough guide member 38 preferably extends the entire width of pickling trough 12 and has a height sufficient to support and guide steel strip 40 and prevent steel strip 40 from contacting inner wall 28 and end 20 of bottom wall 18 preferably guide member 38 has a height to support steel strip above end 20 of bottom wall 18 as shown in fig1 guide member 38 also has a height sufficient to form a dam and assist in controlling the level and depth of the pickling solution in pickling trough 12 preferably guide.