Strength of garbage cans

[GoLowDrew]

I'm helping a friend work on moving his tank.

We got a garbage can to hold water.

Example:

45G and got wheels.

Question: I know it's hard to tell, but this is our first time. Will the garbage can strong enough to hold that much water?

45G of water will be 450lbs. Even if we fill it up to 30G and make two trips, that's still 300lbs.

The plastic on a 5G bucket feels strong. The garbage can plastic just don't feel very strong as it does flex. Do I need to worry? All garbage can plastic seem to flex, unless I get the household garbage collection can from the city.

I'm just worry that the can will collapse when we roll it across the living room.

Anyone got experience, please share.

 

[ttuuk]

If it was me, I would not use the type of trash can. The wheels would not hold all the weight w/o falling off. The Brute trash cans are a bit thicker and you can buy wheels that the can sits on to roll around the house if needed. Then you can use the can for your water changes. JMO

 

[g8gxp]

Brute's are better. Stronger, plus they are round not square, so the load is distributed better. water is only around 8.5 lbs per gallons so at 45 g you are looking at around 380 lbs. You're probably better off just getting some 5g gas cans and doing it that way.

 

[GoLowDrew]

Thanks guys for your opinion.

The thing is, we already bought one. I know your suggestion may be better.

Would you say our choice is a bad choice? Would you recommend us NOT to use it at all because the garbage can will not be able to hold the weight?

 

[rhiggsbear]

I would return it and buy a couple 32 gal. brutes. Split the volumn between them. I believe the lids are much better at keeping water in than the one you have pictured. also, you can used the brutes later to hold saltwater and cure rock. I don't think you may be able to do that with the cart.

 

[will16]

My friend was using a square can like that. Sprung a leak around the handle. Square = corners = stress concentrations. Round is better. Everyone uses the brutes.

 

[crvz]

return it if you can, buy brutes and even the wheels for the brutes. If you decide to use that can, don't rely on the wheels. I'd get a dolly to move it around (either a hand truck or piano dolly). I could easily see that can be tipped backwards, you start rolling it, the wheels blow off, and then the water gets dumped everywhere. Now if you video tape it, it'd be good for a laugh, but probably not worth it all the same.

 

[g8gxp]

Just me personally, but I would recommend that you NOT use them, hopefully you can return to recoup the cost. It doesn't look like the lid locks down like the other kind, which is asking for all sorts of trouble, especially when you start moving it around.

 

[cdness]

A friend of mine just moved his 125 with a can like that. He filled it half to 3/4 full and the wheels wouldn't help it along. Also then you have a major stress point and can easily crack the can.

Your main worry is breaking it when moving through the living room.... if this is true then get rid of the can. If you like to gamble go ahead and let us know the results....

 

[mindytoy]

dude just fill it up with tap water, and try moving it. if it bends and spills your water then dont use it. i used a rubermaid 50 galon container, that thing flexed like putty, only 35 gallons made it back home, the rest RIP in my moms van's carpet.