32 gallon brute trash can

kwandrsn · Nov 20, 2014

I have a 32 gallon brute trash can and lid that I used for mixing saltwater. I sold my tank a while back and now im setting up a new tank.

Well in the meantime my trash can and lid got put outside and my father-in-law put a gas jug in the bottom of it. Now when you pull the lid off you can smell gas but nothing has actually been loose in it.... I didnt know he put the gas jug in it and its been in it for a while.

My question: is it safe to use it again? Its in perfect shape and I really would hate to throw it away and buy a new one.

Im not educated on plastics and dont know if fumes can leech in the plastic. I know certain kinds of plastic wont leech.

Is there something I can wash it out with. Funds are tight right now and if I dont have to spend $45 on a new mixing container it would be awesome

Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2014

If you have patience, just leaving it open in a reasonably warm place will allow the volatiles to disappear.

Washing isn't likely any faster, as you are waiting for molecules to diffuse back out of the plastic. But warmth will speed it.

If you can just detect a hint of gas, that is likely OK. If it smells strongly, then I'd wait.

When you use it, you might use some extra GAC in the water to bind up some of the gas molecules.

kwandrsn · Nov 20, 2014

Ok ill leave it sit open... itll be a few week before im gonna need it. What is gac amd how do I use it?

kwandrsn · Nov 20, 2014

Im assuming gac is carbon but how do I run it in the water

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2014

Granular Activated Carbon.

Use it either in a mesh media bag or in something like a canister filter.

ROX is a good brand.

kwandrsn · Nov 20, 2014

Ok ill try the mesh bag. If I understood correctly what I read is the brute trash can are food grade plastic that chemicals cannot leech correct?.

kwandrsn · Nov 20, 2014

Of course gas was never in contact with the plastic

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2014

Food grade doesn't mean chemicals cannot leach, nor does it prevent the molecules in gas from entering the plastic from the air.

All it means is that if anything does leach, the type and amount of the chemical is not enough to be a concern for human food safety, and for us, that also generally means reef safe.