holding vat tds

[Gravesj1s]

Stumbled on an interesting topic over on marine depot site. I dont remember the exact thread but Eric Borneman and some others are making some discussion on leaching leaching or contaniments within .Started doing some more searching and came across one of Randys H.F. comments on it. From his comments hes seen no evidence and has done some testing in that area. Personaly, I'd see no reason to question it.
Just for the heck of it as I have some time off from work. I went down stairs and tested my holding container I mix salt in but its rinsed very well prior and got a reading of 28ppm within the container .Went back and checked it directly from the output (ro/di) and got a 0.00. It doesn't say much but kinda makes you wonder.
Any thoughts?

 

[jaybfresh]

What kind of holding container? I use the tried and true Brutes and check the TDS regularly. It usually reads 1-2 (0 out of the RODI), but I'm sure that is just dust getting in from the outside

 

[reefman5511]

Is the water in the holding tank just RO/DI or mixed with salt?

 

[Flanders]

did you rinse it with tap water? the true test would be to fill it with RODI, let that sit for awhile, then dump it, then refill with RODI, let it sit again, THEN test it.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Rubbermaid brute ,its the type with the wheels and square-ish.I do mix salt in it but just vinegar washed and garden hosed any visable precipatants and dried.I cant really say either way.
Odd if anyone has kids though ever notice if you wash a plastic babybottle (milk in it) in hot water first the residue absorbs into the plastic.You cannot get it out even in the dishwasher.That kind of makes me wonder if washing a new garbage with warm soapy water is a good idea,you know.

 

[Gravesj1s]

did you rinse it with tap water? the true test would be to fill it with RODI, let that sit for awhile, then dump it, then refill with RODI, let it sit again, THEN test it.

Sure tapwater and wiped dry with paper towels.I agree and also, just wanted to add Im not in favor at the moment of either of there arguments. I for the most part take Randys opinions in pretty high regard in general.

FWIW-

 

[Flanders]

Rubbermaid brute ,its the type with the wheels and square-ish.I do mix salt in it but just vinegar washed and garden hosed any visable precipatants and dried.I cant really say either way.
Odd if anyone has kids though ever notice if you wash a plastic babybottle (milk in it) in hot water first the residue absorbs into the plastic.You cannot get it out even in the dishwasher.That kind of makes me wonder if washing a new garbage with warm soapy water is a good idea,you know.

I don't think washing any reef-related items with soap is EVER a good idea. I haven't seen the thread you're referring to, got a link?

 

[rigleautomotive]

Hi guys

Here is the original thread borneman started.

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

I think he is talking about the effects of a newly used container on larval mortality.I believe he is making a good point here and I noticed when my holding containers were new I had some issues.Now they are aged and i get 0 or 1 tds on rodi after sitting overnight.I never tested when the containers were new and they are not brute but industrial food grade drums(white ones).

I think sometimes death could occur on a microscopic level and loss of bacteria or larval goes unnoticed by us.We may just see a decline in the health of our more sensitive corals and attribute it to other factors.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I don't think washing any reef-related items with soap is EVER a good idea. I haven't seen the thread you're referring to, got a link?

Sorry for the confusion,I was refering to Randy H.F. recommendation to knew holding vats should be washed with "warm soapy water"to quote from him.Not my comments and I have no opinion on this at the moment.
I thought it would be good for discussion though as to the thoughts of this forum.

 

[Flanders]

I just read that entire thread. very interesting, and a little scary. not just with our fish tanks but all the plastics our food and beverages are exposed to.

 

[rigleautomotive]

Yea I found it troubling also. I know there has been some attention given to a similar matter with baby bottles and such.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Ok , decided to test makeup water holding vat. This has never had any salt or other known foreign contaniments that made give a false reading.Straight RO/DI since I purchased it. Got a reading of 0.00

 

[jfl14609]

I have noticed it depends on how long it sits if its just been a day or two its 0 but after that it goes up but I am sure that has a lott to do with the fact dust and other stuff gets into it as well

 

[Gravesj1s]

Ok , decided to test makeup water holding vat. This has never had any salt or other known foreign contaniments that made give a false reading.Straight RO/DI since I purchased it. Got a reading of 0.00

FWIW, retested same makeup water holding vat got a reading of 0.01-2 this morning ,it has a tight fitted top and not open to refill.Drilled through the upper side plumbed with all plastic float valve.
Doesn't say much if anything as its still a really low number.

Wanting to test the salt mixing container next more accurately.Using this approach :
Empty,wash with a baking soda/vinegar solution,rodi rinse and wipe dry.
Refill with rodi and test again before heating or aerating.Test again after heating and aeration with just a regular power head.Its just in wonderment,if thats even a word.
If anyone has any thoughts or different approach they liked to see let me know.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Yea I found it troubling also. I know there has been some attention given to a similar matter with baby bottles and such.

Yeah , I definately can see now how porous plastic is when you just look at common household used items.Food grade or not seems to have little if any proof that its any safer.From that whole thread it seems foodgrade can be defined as it probably wont give you cancer for about 25 years.

Just generalizing ,when looking at baby bottle or a plastic bowl spagetti sauce was in seems their is definately a difference with temperature.If I first rinse a baby bottle with cold water then wash in warm-hot it comes clean.The same can be done with spagetti sauce in a plastic bowl.If you use warm -hot water first it adsorbs and/or absorbs to the plastic.

That being said,Im not so sure I agree with Randys statements,I think washing a knew vat in cold water first might be a better idea.

 

[jfl14609]

Yeah , I definately can see now how porous plastic is when you just look at common household used items.Food grade or not seems to have little if any proof that its any safer.From that whole thread it seems foodgrade can be defined as it probably wont give you cancer for about 25 years.

Just generalizing ,when looking at baby bottle or a plastic bowl spagetti sauce was in seems their is definately a difference with temperature.If I first rinse a baby bottle with cold water then wash in warm-hot it comes clean.The same can be done with spagetti sauce in a plastic bowl.If you use warm -hot water first it adsorbs and/or absorbs to the plastic.

That being said,Im not so sure I agree with Randys statements,I think washing a knew vat in cold water first might be a better idea.

This is really interesting to me as I recently made my own Wavebox out of a tupperware container. It is food grade but still its submersed in my tank 100% of the time at close to 80 degrees and even warmer where it stick out of the water near my metal halides

 

[ggdowski]

I'm a newbie on this for sure.
But dissolved plastics are not ionic components -- right or wrong?
Can you use TDS as a good indicator of leached plastics?
I thought it was really a measure of dissolved hard metals (etc.) that change ionic concentration which is measured with a TDS meter as a change in resistance.

I guess I have to do some more reading on this, but I thought I would throw it out there.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I'm a newbie on this for sure.
But dissolved plastics are not ionic components -- right or wrong?
Can you use TDS as a good indicator of leached plastics?
I thought it was really a measure of dissolved hard metals (etc.) that change ionic concentration which is measured with a TDS meter as a change in resistance.

I guess I have to do some more reading on this, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Hi Greg,

I agree a TDS wont read leached plastics but when were talking about new holding vats and what they were exposed to while sitting in home depot,well, I guess know one really knows,my thoughts are more based on weather its a good idea to wash with warm -hot water first,as noted above using just common household items from a visual aspect,it appears it maynot be the best idea.
If we use a coldwater wash first it may rinse off better and not adsorb/absorb to the plastic.
Leaching from the plastic itself ,I could say if I put a brand new garbage can even at room temp with the top on for a day or so ,open up the top and smell their is some gaseous odor.I have no idea if its toxic or whatever but it is noticable.
Thats pretty much all Im saying, no real hard proof.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Looks like my salt mixing container is testing out at 1-2 ppm after a clean wash and sitting for 24hrs.I think it just needed to be cleaned out again.

How often do members here clean out the salt mixing buckets?