Water storage issues??

Usatennisfan · Aug 9, 2020

Greetings all!
Well! Time to get my feet wet again! (Figuratively speaking, of course.)
So I have an IM 25 Lagoon in the works as well as a near-ish future 56 column to be filled. A few months ago I got a large storage barrel for $25 (pretty sure this things holds 50 gallons) that was used once to transport soybean oil. I picked it up thinking it was a steal and a good place to store water that is made by the RODI. A few questions revolving this:
1. How do I go about cleaning this to get the stink out of it?
2. Is it going to screw with my water chemistry long term?
3. Anyone else have a similar thing they have DIY’d into an easy mixing/dispensing station?

I think to get best results I am going to cross post this in the DIY forum simply for ideas on how to rig something up.
Thanks in advance! Cheers!!

Old Fritz · Aug 9, 2020

since there was soybean oil in there I would imagine if you used it there will always be a film at the top of your tank of oil. I don't think it would be harmful but probably unsightly. Whatever you do though do not use soap or detergent of any kind as it is toxic to fish and inverts. I'd probably give that bad boy a few really deep rinses and see if you notice any film floating on top of the water

DSEKULA · Aug 9, 2020

Those drums can be a pain since you can't remove the top completely. The oil can be removed with drain cleaner (caustic soda) and a scrubber not sure how you'd do that without cutting the whole top open.

Usatennisfan · Aug 10, 2020

TJDSEKULA said:
Those drums can be a pain since you can't remove the top completely. The oil can be removed with drain cleaner (caustic soda) and a scrubber not sure how you'd do that without cutting the whole top open.

I did think about removing the top to be able to drop in some sort of circulation pump and heater. My concern is with it in my unfinished basement that it would get al sorts of debris in it.
Also thought about drilling a hole at the bottom for a spigot off some sort to make dispensing for water changes easier.

DSEKULA · Aug 10, 2020

Honestly for the trouble of cutting open, cleaning, getting stuff in I'd probably look for one that has a removable top. I got my barrels as used pickle shipping containers from a restaurant the whole lid comes off.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 10, 2020

I don’t think soybean oil is a big deal. Is it still oily, or had it been washed by someone?

DSEKULA · Aug 10, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don’t think soybean oil is a big deal. Is it still oily, or had it been washed by someone?

Don't think it's a huge deal contaminate wise but in my dealing with containers like this one the oil is more the consistency of a shortening oil blend, it's really sticky and gooey and a pain to clean out. I've done it by cutting the containers open but don't know how you'd even attempt it without opening them up. I've used them for things like planters and secondary containment for small quantities of chemicals for work. It really sits on the bottom and if it got in the equipment I could see pumps etc getting gunked up.

DSEKULA · Aug 10, 2020

Olive Barrels & Pickle Barrels, Olive Barrels from Greece and Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Olive Barrels, Screw Top Olive Drums, Pickle Barrels from Canada and Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Pickle Drums.

Olive Barrels from Greece and Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Olive Barrels, Screw Top Olive Drums, Pickle Barrels from Canada and Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Pickle Barrels, Screw Top Pickle Drums,

www.lexingtoncontainercompany.com

Here are the ones I've used, not specifically from this company.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 10, 2020

I was partly to wondering if it was cleaned before sale, like with steam or something.

Smokeshow · Aug 10, 2020

I used 3 of those 55g barrels for my storage

Drilled the bottom for a 1" bulkhead. I can shut off water flow from each barrel if needed. Have a 3/4 thread on the end to attach a hose. Attach it to a pump and can easily pump water upstairs to where my tanks are.

X-37B · Aug 10, 2020

Get the open top 55.
I have one of each. The open top is best if your mixing salt.
I use a brute 20 gallon for salt mixing.
The other 2 are for holding my ro/di.
You can get the open top at hydro stores new for around 25.
Their are many on craigs list that are food grade too.
If you have the room the 275 gallon totes are nice.
I am upgrading to one of them soon.
Cleaed food grade used ones for around $50.

CindyKz · Aug 10, 2020

We have similar containers - they were originally used for root beer soda syrup. Quite smelly (but not oily). I took them outside, gave them a good soak in vinegar/water, then hosed repeatedly. Then a final rinse with RODI. Never any problems.

Just cut a hole in the top. Eventually you'll want it anyway for some reason or another, those screw tops aren't big enough to get a pump in and out, which is useful for cleaning. I think my hubs used a jigsaw on mine. I just lay a piece of plexiglass on top to keep dust and debris out.

HockeyRooster · Aug 10, 2020

I bought a barrel like that (new so I can’t help with the oil part) but I just cut a rectangle out of the top say 5” x 8” and made a cap for it I keep a pump in it to circulate the water. I put it on a dolly and roll it to my DT when I do water changes.