Water Storage Container Cleaning Question For Randy...

LiveWire · Dec 25, 2015

Randy,

I have received free of charge two very nice containers that are about 30 gallons each. I would like to use them both for water changes and storing/mixing water. They are the round heavy duty white style and I believe they are NSF rated. In their prior life one held a chemical called urea hydrochloride and the other held hydrochloride. I got them home and rinsed them out twice, then I mixed about a 5% bleach solution and rinsed them both out again. After that I rinsed them again and then did a rinse with Seachem aquavitro alpha and now they are drying. Do you think they are clean enough and I have the containers ready for RO/DI water or should I rinse a few more times or even rinse with peroxide? Or is it a lost cause? Thank you in advance and please let me know when you get a chance...

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 25, 2015

There is no such thing as just hydrochloride. Might it have been hydrochloric acid?

The uear hydrochloride one is OK once rinsed well. The only concern is possible acid (HCl, hydrochloric) that might have dissolved into the plastic and might later come out. I'd check the pH of water that has been in it, and unless it is below 5, it is OK.

LiveWire · Dec 25, 2015

Maybe these pics will help out. My PH out of my tap if I remember correctly is 7. something Its a little above neutral if I remember correctly. Should I fill these up with tap water and check the PH after a few days or what would you recommend? Right now they are empty just letting them dry out. The chemical in the container was used as a De-scaler for a clean steam water treatment prior to becoming steam.

omykiss001 · Dec 25, 2015

According to the CAS numbers in the pics both are urea hydrochloride

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 25, 2015

Right, so they should both be OK, keeping the pH issue in mind.

Iit is a combination of urea (not a concern at low levels) and hydrochloric acid (a pH concern, but not likely to stick to much to plastic.

LiveWire · Dec 26, 2015

Great Thank you! I cleaned them out pretty well so I will put some water in and check the PH level. I will let it sit a few days and then recheck it to see if it has fluctuated at all. Thanks again I really appreciate it!