Water storage containers

heathd.hd · Jan 13, 2015

So I've been using these containers for all sorts of things. I can put 20 gallons of waste water in one when I do my WC without it collapsing which is great. My question is can I use them to mix new water? How do I know if there safe to hold new water?

HDX, 27-Gal. Storage Tote in Black, 207585 at The Home Depot - Mobile

heathd.hd · Jan 19, 2015

Anyone that's done some research into this stuff? I would really love to use these totes there the perfect size!

KorD · Jan 19, 2015

If mixing saltwater or storing water, I would go with a Brute can. They are food grade quality and will not leach plastics into the water over time.
they make the can in different sizes also
Rubbermaid Commercial Products 32 gal. Vented Gray Trash Can with Lid-FG8632-92GRA - The Home Depot

heathd.hd · Jan 19, 2015

I have seen 10 million use the brutes. I don't want 2 trash cans sitting around though lol. I would love to use these nice rectangular boxes that I can build a sweet stacking shelf for. Ugh I'll probably just make some acrylic containers cause I'm ocd like that.

AZDesertRat · Jan 19, 2015

Just because they do not have a ANSI/NSF approval for drinking water or food preparation does not necessarily mean they are not safe, it only means they have not gone through the very expensive and time consuming testing process to gain approval. Why would the manufacturer spend this time and money for something the containers were never intended to be used for. The Brute cans are used in lots of food perparation areas to transfer, mix and store products for human consumption so it was prudent of Rubbermaid to have them certified.

I have friends who owned a plastic manufacturing business for decades before selling it to a large corporation. They did contract work for many of the common brands we see like Rubbermaid, Tupperware, sterilite and others. Often the plastics used came out of the same batches as the Rubbermaid or Tupperware products so there really was no difference other than a final color or shape. One went down one line and got the NSF seal while the other went down a different conveyor and did not.

I wouldn't dismiss the containers without some testing first. Do a good rinse in a vinegar solution then fill it with RO/DI, cover or seal it and do some TDS, resistivity or conductivity testing over a period of time to see if anything leaches out.

I have been using a Rubbermaid Roughneck can for my water changes for over 20 years now and never had a problem with TDS. I also store RO/DI for my ATO in a 23 gallon blue Rubbermaid recycling can and it has only been cleaned twice in 6 years and still 0 TDS. Neither is designed for contact with food and do not carry a NSF stamp but they work just fine based on testing and long term usage. Its worth a shot if they fit your needs.

heathd.hd · Jan 19, 2015

I guess ill do some testing. I might just get a couple small tanks from Petco when they do dollar a gallon. I want them drilled and valves installed for draining. I'm setting this up in basement and just use 5 gallon jugs to bring upstairs

redfishbluefish · Jan 19, 2015

A little insight, for what it's worth. For the most part any of the polyethylenes are fine for water storage.....so if it's marked PE or LDPE or HDPE....you'll be fine. I specifically said "for the most part," because I'm unsure about recycled polyethelenes, and in all honesty, having worked with plastic suppliers in China, any plastic that comes out of China. I'm convinced they us their plastics to get rid of heavy metals. Very common to have plastics from China with heavy metals in them.

heathd.hd · Jan 21, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
A little insight, for what it's worth. For the most part any of the polyethylenes are fine for water storage.....so if it's marked PE or LDPE or HDPE....you'll be fine. I specifically said "for the most part," because I'm unsure about recycled polyethelenes, and in all honesty, having worked with plastic suppliers in China, any plastic that comes out of China. I'm convinced they us their plastics to get rid of heavy metals. Very common to have plastics from China with heavy metals in them.

Try this helps a lot in my purchasing decisions.

heathd.hd · Jan 21, 2015

I think I'm going with 3 of these.....

They seem durable enough to put bulkheads in them down low so I can just add a drain to fill my 5 gallon water jugs up with. So I'll have Rodi water than kalk water than salt water in a row without taking up to much space. I can build a shelf system to keep them a few feet off the ground for easy use. Well that's the plan for now anyways and I'm sticking 2 it! Haha.

heathd.hd · Jan 21, 2015

They say there lldpe which is food safe apparently in my Google attempt. Any in think differently?

Be102 · Dec 25, 2019

Wonder if op got them lol was thinking same thing! Easier to stack / not as bad as large trash barrels

Dmeu · Dec 10, 2020

heathd.hd said:
I think I'm going with 3 of these.....

They seem durable enough to put bulkheads in them down low so I can just add a drain to fill my 5 gallon water jugs up with. So I'll have Rodi water than kalk water than salt water in a row without taking up to much space. I can build a shelf system to keep them a few feet off the ground for easy use. Well that's the plan for now anyways and I'm sticking 2 it! Haha.

Did they work? I’m looking at those same trash cans and wondering how the rectangular shape will do supporting the weight of the water.