Brute garbage cans....not good for water storage?!

[talon4x4]

Came across this interesting find from Eric Borneman. Looks like Brute garbage cans and all plastic garbage cans are not good for storing any water going into our tanks.

I'd like to hear some thoughts from others on this. I have used one for 3 years now, with no apparent issues, or so I think.

http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic101230-9-1.aspx

 

[S Helinski]

I switched to using a glass tank to store make-up water because all plastics leech a number of chemicals which are simply---not good. Many of them leech sterilants, especially regular water bottles and pop bottles. If you're drinking out of a bottle with a "1" in the recycling symbol, you are injesting a sterilant.

Steve

 

[jaybfresh]

We had a thread about this here a couple weeks ago. Most people think that thread is blown out of proportion... maybe the brutes gave trouble with the crazy spawning stuff they were being used for, but noone has ever related storing RO/DI water or mixing salt water in brutes with trouble in their tank

 

[backdraft79]

I use them all the time. No problems here. Where the problem lies is with cheep recycled plastics.

 

[Posidion]

been using them for years no prob here (at least no apherent issues)

 

[dadoftwins]

I use a glass aquarium,but what if you put a liner in the can (garabach bag) would the bag leech into the water too?

 

[Gravesj1s]

Well if you look at the thread its sorta easy to assume using brute garbage cans at all is bad.A more broad look says its an assumption. I got to agree with Jay on this,cool to see some one in the scientific community investigate further but as it stands no facts of anything.
Lots of aquarists use Brutes and other plastic based cans for makeup water and mixing saltwater yet we see/hear of regular spawning and raising of differnt larvae.From shrimp,snails,fish ,ect..so its not so clearcut.

 

[ggdowski]

x2 on this. I agree with Steve on this.
I'm glad someone is looking at it. But they are so widely used that if they were leaching massive chemicals I would have thought it would have reared its ugly head by now.

 

[frofan]

This is a very interesting subject. I'm not convinced of the side effects presented in the Borneman's post. There are too many "Other" variables that could contribute to his findings. A true test would need to be performed in a controlled sterile environment. He simply may have grabbed a bad batch of sea water too close to the shore that was contaminated with toxic run off from a local street.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I was pretty alarmed when Eric started that discussion, but I guess my fears have died down, since I just bought two big Brutes for my water change station.

 

[Mrs. Music]

this thread appears to have fallen to the wayside, but I have a question about the food grade rated Brute containers. The larger sized container I have says NSF, and food grade right on the botton and on the lid. However, most of us have food grade tap water that is considered safe for humans, and our nonfish pets to drink, but not safe for our reefs due to "stuff". If I am lazy and let my water sit for awhile, maybe a week or two, there is some slime on the edges. It freaks me out and I don't use it. what a waste!

 

[acdraindrps]

My take on the issue is that plastics are not good for storing water long term, but I use them for mixing and holding for a few days only. I just dont like how the inside of an old 5g bucket is "torn up" or "weathered" after transporting water long term (instead of it being smooth like when its new).

 

[pascal32]

I'm sure he has a valid point for what he is doing. Just because of the effect on sperm for his purposes was ineffective, it does not mean that it will have an ill-effect on our tanks. I remember reading articles on brute containers being an issue for breeding years ago.

I store all my RODI in one, mix in the next, and store pre-mix in another. all bins are full almost all the time - which by all accounts means I'm at "high risk". My fish and corals are happy, the clownfish lay eggs...not worried

 

[tmz]

Others of some renown like Randy Farely take issue with Eric on this. Brute cans are fine imo after a wipe with vinegar to remove any left overs on the surface from the manufacturing process there isn't anything to breakdown as far as I know.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I've been using Brutes exclusively for saltwater mixing, RO/DI storage, and kalk storage since I made the post above with zero problems observable. I have three of them in the basement and they are always full. Pretty much every drop of water that enters my system sits in one or more Brutes for a few days/weeks/months. Granted this is nothing but anecdotal evidence but it's eliminated any concerns I had.

 

[tmz]

Been using them and rubbermaid stuff here and there for about 8 yrs with no issues.