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jbjints

Experienced Reefer
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Hello:

If my questions are stupid, sorry.

1. I've used in the past those orange Home Depot buckets strictly for my tank. I was wondering what others did for buckets and if you think those HD buckets are okay to use to store water, etc? I was just thinking what if someone used one of those buckets for storing copper and decided to return the bucket? I know many plumbers that use those buckets to store copper, black fittings, etc.

2. Proper way to rinse sand. I have sand in a few buckets in my basement and before putting the sand back in to my tank I wanted to rinse the sand. What is the proper way of rinsing sand?

I am sure I will have more questions. Thanks in advance.

Joe
 

jaa1456

MR's Greatest Member
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Where is the sand from? I put sand in a 5 gallon bucket, Maybe halfway or less. And I run the garden hose into it. Not full blast otherwise you are gonna lose a lot of sand. And when the water runs clear it is rinsed. But I would not use sand from the beach or a playground or anything.
 

jbjints

Experienced Reefer
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Where is the sand from? I put sand in a 5 gallon bucket, Maybe halfway or less. And I run the garden hose into it. Not full blast otherwise you are gonna lose a lot of sand. And when the water runs clear it is rinsed. But I would not use sand from the beach or a playground or anything.

The sand is reef safe for sure. I bought the bags a few years ago from a fellow reefer but I forget the name but the sand is reef safe.

Thanks,

Joe
 
Location
UES, Manhattan
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Regarding Q1:
I got mine from Petco at the outrageous price of $10 because I wasn't sure where else to get one. I've since seen the $2.50 ones at Home Depot and kicked myself. Not sure if that helps you... lol.

My rule of thumb so far is to ensure that the bucket is rinsed out and dried thoroughly any time it's used. I'm sure that the cleaner you can keep it, the better.
 

OzoneParkGuy

Advanced Reefer
Location
Ozone Park
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I use a 55 Gallon food storage container drum rating #2 for storing my RODI water. Just not to sure if anything else that would be used, would leach any chemicals back into the water. If you buy thoose HD orange buckets always check for skuff marks in the inside to see if it has been used. If in doubt get one from the middle.

Rule for rinsing sand is 3 pounds per bucket or about a quarter of the bottom and shake it with your hand to make sure you can get to the bottom easily. Do that for 15 minutes till the water is clear. On your final rinse you may want to use rodi water. (Always stir not mix. Nahh just kidding on that part.)
 

jaa1456

MR's Greatest Member
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Ozone that should have been shaken not srirred hahaha. I don't store RO in those orange buckets, I just use them to mix the salt in and then I'm done with it.
 

Imbarrie

PADI Dive Inst
Location
New York
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Target has large circular Rubber maid buckets in the storage section that are great for mixing. Just clean them with water before using them.
I store fresh RODI in the 5 gallon buckets for top off water, I never let it sit for longer than a week.
After I finish with the bucket I always rinse them out, wipe them with a paper towel and let them air dry. Then put the lid back on to keep them clean.
 

KathyC

Moderator
Location
Barnum Island
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There is a bait shop by me that recerntly got a TON of these blue drums in (30g?) that they are selling off for $10 each.
Ralphs Bait & Tackle - 4195 Austin Blvd, Island Park NY..incase anyone wants to know now...
I have a pic and will try and upload later today.

I was told they are food safe as they were originally used for transporting vitamins. Can't beat the price and they come with a cover.
I am going to be using mine to build another barrel filter for my Koi pond :)
 

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