My darn trashcans disintegrate!

[Anonymous]

Hi....

I am totally frustrated. I mix my salt in 33 gal rubber trashcans and ususally let it sit for a few days mixing and coming up to room temp. Then I use it for freshwater top off. But the last three I have used; different brands, and one an industrial grade (or so they said) have sprung leaks and I come in to my shop to a fish room mess. Does anyone have any other suggestions of a container big enough to mix salt in, or a brand or grade of trashcan that can take the heat? I never have had this much trouble in all the years I have had a marine tank.

Thanks Jude

 

[EmilyB]

.I mix my salt in 33 gal rubber trashcans and ususally let it sit for a few days mixing and coming up to room temp. Then I use it for freshwater top off. .

I got confused there...??????

I've used rubbermaids for years. With heaters. Never a problem.

 

[Sidewinder]

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23677
HTH, Ed

 

[Anonymous]

I have read that one of the reasons to NOT use DI near anything copper, and why you definitly should NOT drink it is..

DI lacks minerals, and will readily absorb them from anything it comes in contact with, ie copper fittings will be disolved, or in the case of your body, when drank will not do anything for your body!! Because of reverse ossmosis happining with the minerals. Not sure if this is well proven, but I've seen it repeated many times.

I'm wondering if it's not having a similar affect on some of the chemcials in the storage containers you are using? FIrst I've heard of them disolving.

 

[MarkO1]

Megadeth, sounds a bit silly, doesn't it?
Do NOT drink RO/DI?
Sure it gives you absolutely no nutritional value what so ever, but does the body not need water?
As for it's reactive properties, it contains the absolute balance of ions and anions. It is neither acidic nor alkaline.

However, I have found that the 10 gal rubbermaid knock-offs I get from the dollar store tend to become brittle over time and eventually crack. I just think it's from the poor grade polyethlene they use, but heck they're only a buck!
_________________
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Since most trash cans and many other plastic containers aren't meant to hold water, the bottoms are not designed for the weight, and certain shapes of bottom can become distorted and break.

 

[Anonymous]

I am confused.

Do you use saltwater for your freshwater top off?

RR

 

[mountainbiker619]

I have been using a 40gal plastic trash can for a year now to pre-mix my water. Another great thing about the one I have is that it has wheels on it. So I make my water in my spare bathroom that I do not use, then just wheel the trash can into the living room, connect a hose to a Rio 2100 and pump that I keep in the trash can for circulation, and just pump the water in.

 

[LFS42]

I've used a rubbermaid trash can (about 33 gal) for premixing with DI for about 8 years now. No leaks yet
I mix a 50 gal bag of salt in a 33 gal bucket, so it accually hits well above 1.035 SG.
Where did that wood go or can I knock on plastic?

 

[Marcosreef]

Hello,

The Rubbermaid Brute plastic trash cans is what you can use. Home Depot and Lowes carries them, and you can get the wheeled dolly that attaches to the bottom like mountainbiker619 replied. Also they are NSF approved for food use.

Marco

 

[dick182]

I've used a rubbermaid trash can (about 33 gal) for premixing with DI for about 8 years now. No leaks yet
I mix a 50 gal bag of salt in a 33 gal bucket, so it accually hits well above 1.035 SG.
quote]

Why would you want it at 1.035?

 

[Bill2]

Is the container near a window or a heater. I've seen rubbermaids become brittle due to being outside/uv

 

[Mac1]

I've used a 55 gal Rubbermaid brand "Roughneck" trashcan (on big black plastic wheels) as my water vessel for over 3 years now, w/ nary a problem. Dragged it across the floor of my apartment (20 feet?) for 2 years, full of SW. For this past year in our house, it's been rather stationary.
I've also used a no-name brand (I wanna say "-lite-somethign" was the name?) as a holding vessel for my top-off (RO/DI) for about as long, and also not had any problems there.
I'll second Bill2's statement... UV light breaks plastics down quickly.

- Mac

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for all your input...

BTW, I tried the rubbermaid trashcan this time, but it leaked after a few months too. It is not cracking that I can see. Almost like pinhole leaks. Just about 4-5 gal water on floor every morning. I have never had this trouble either with containers I have used before. I use this can exclusively for mixing my saltwater. Use a five gal plastic bucket for top off water. I was thinking of trying a rubbermaid horse trough container next. Should be a bit more rugged since they are made to go outdoors. I do have the container next to a window, but not right against, so I don't think that is a factor. And most of the time, they leak from the bottom.

Maybe I have marine gremlins...???

Thanks,
Jude

 

[AJT]

Call any restaurant supply for a food grade trash can, they come in white & yellow(that I know of). They cost about 20.00 for can & about 6 or 7 bucks for a lid. You will never worry about anything leaching out of the plastic.

my .02

Andy

 

[mountainbiker619]

Jude, here is the container that I use, and with no problems for a year now.

http://www.rubbermaid.com/hpd/consumer/ ... enuIndex=4

 

[dick182]

You know it's funny this came up when it did, because I had a rubbermaid brute trashcan spring a leak this week as well. It happened right where there is kind of a corner, or ridge in the contour of the can. After I drained them (2 attached) I peaked in the can. and they both seem like they are quite thin at that point. I fixed the hole with plumbers Goop, but i thing I will reinforce the whole thing with the goop along that edge.