Salt Bucket Ink Question

[Gumbo]

Does anyone have any thoughts on salt bucket ink toxicity to marine life? I was planning to use an empty IO salt bucket in my sump (rigging up a filter sock from the tank overflows) and now I'm having second thoughts. Does anyone think using a solvent or sanding the surface to remove the ink would be beneficial?

If this turns out to be a bigger pain than its worth, I could just break down and pay the $5.00 for a plain white bucket. I was just hoping to recycle one of many empty salt buckets I have around the house.

 

[bertoni]

I'd pay the $5.00, personally, but I have no idea what kind of printing is done on IO buckets.

 

[xJake]

Acetone should take the exterior print right off, but I don't think it would be a problem either way. The Toledo Zoo Aquarium uses drilled IO and RC buckets in their sumps for bubble traps/reduction without issue. They actually have some of the most successful coral tanks I've seen. They've done this for almost a decade now, so I doubt that the "ink" is very toxic - if at all.

I'd imagine that the "ink" (more likely, paint) is probably acrylic-based (or at least plastic-based), and is most likely inert and relatively harmless. If you're really worried about it then you can just buy the white buckets; however, I don't see why you couldn't just use the buckets you have.

 

[Gumbo]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try the IO bucket after attempting to remove the printing. I figure if it's good enough for the Toledo Zoo Aquarium, it's good enough for me!

 

[the2ofus]

You know, .......it may not harm the Toledo Zoo Aquarium and its 1000+ gal water volume, it could be toxic in your 150 gal. system.
Why take a chance? Clean it or spend the 5 bucks!!

Just my 2 cents.

~Matt~

 

[the2ofus]

Wally World around here sells nice indoor trash cans in 5gal. & 10 gal. sizes, About $5 & $10, they're white with sealable lids.....I use the 10 gal. for RO top off:rollface:
.......the foot print on the 10 gal. is slightly smaller than the 5 gal. bucket. Might be worth a trip there.