Trash can/ safe for new saltwater?

[prsnlty]

I posted this question here because I think maybe it has more to do with chemicals than equipment. I'm just wondering something before I make a huge mistake.

I read a comment once long, long ago where the person said that he made sure some sort of logo was on a trash can than he planned to purchase for the use of making new saltwater in.

I just purchased a couple of new cans and have one older one. The old one is a Rubbermade 32g can and the new ones are from United Solutions (also 32g).

How do we know if these cans are safe to make new saltwater in them? Rev?

 

[wysiwyg]

i make sure any plastic i get is food safe safe for food safe for water

 

[prsnlty]

But how do you know? The post I read said that the rubbermade can was safe but also said he looked for a lable or logo. I just don't remember what it was. Also, I have purchased a 55g "food grade" blue drum before and still can't get the smell of the original contents out of it so I wont use it. Supposedly it had aloe in it. But smells like sunscreen to me. United Solutions claims "BPA-Free" about the can however.... Which the FDA is safe. BUT is it reef safe?

 

[BarbH]

Food safe plastics will have the symbol number 2 in a triangle How Do I Tell If it Is Food Grade Plastic? | eHow.com

 

[Young Frankenstein]

People use trash cans, Eric Boman, if I am writing his name correct, a biologist found problems with them about 4 years ago, for a bit more money I am using a 40g aquarium that I bout from petsmat for about $ 45.00

 

[caudill187]

My general understanding is that most plastics are safe. Over the years, I have used several different brands of plastic trashcans and bins to mix water and move tanks without any apparent ill effects. The BPA issue is a new thing which may have some validity. BPA is apparantly an estrogen analog (ie. other animals absorb it an it acts like estrogen on the body). In the past, many plastics (even some drinking cups and baby bottles) were made with plastics that leached it. I have read thoroughly written articles on the subject that say plastics with #2, 4, or 5 are fine for sure, the others are controversial (but probably safe anyway).

 

[prsnlty]

Thank you all very much! This is great information :clap2: Mine has a 4 in a triangle on the bottom

I'm sure other reefers are curious about the same thing since food grade barrels/drums are not able to be found everywhere or if you can find one, it can't be trusted as to what actually was in it. I found this out the hard way I washed mine with boiling water and dawn 3 times, soaked it for a couple of days in between washings and whatever was in it still leached. I also cleaned it with pure white vinegar. Each time it felt and looked clean until it soaked in plain water. Since I can still smell the original contents I won't use it. Buying a new trash can just seemed a bit safer.

 

[wysiwyg]

i have a good supplier for plastic barrels any where from 55g to 15g they were used for vinegar storage. there from a kraut plant

 

[prsnlty]

i have a good supplier for plastic barrels any where from 55g to 15g they were used for vinegar storage. there from a kraut plant

Those would be PERFECT, you're so lucky... I swear this one had sunscreen in it, it has that distinctive smell to it even though I was told it was aloe. I have aloe plants and that wasn't the smell. Plus it wouldn't keep leaching.

 

[prsnlty]

.....and I forgot to mention.....after the last cleaning, I filled the blue barrel with new RO/DI and tested the water for phosphates and it showed enough to turn the test sample green. TDS 24. I tested for phosphates also in my old trash can and it came up at 0. TDS 0.

 

[wsurf4me]

Not sure if it's true but I've heard some of the release agents they use to make the container can contain phosphates. I always used Brute, rinsed it multiple times and left it soaking before using, never had a problem.

 

[mcarroll]

Those would be PERFECT, you're so lucky... I swear this one had sunscreen in it, it has that distinctive smell to it even though I was told it was aloe. I have aloe plants and that wasn't the smell. Plus it wouldn't keep leaching.

There're places online that sell plastic barrels too - $99 for food-grade. A little cheaper for refurbished. Should come up if you google for it.

FWIW, I had a pickle bucket from Subway that took two or three years of use on my freshwater tank (90's) before the vinegar/dill smell faded out.

-Matt