Trashcan use?

[Sheldon337]

Has anyone used a 50 gallon trashcan (new) as a top-off resovoir?

Are they fish-safe?

Thx.

Lee

 

[xia]

I think people recommend using Rubbermaid Brutes. I've also seen food grade trashcans at Restaurant supply stores. They're the white ones. I think the price was around $25, for these.

 

[duec22]

As long as you use a food grade material they should be good for both coral and fish.

 

[ReefRian]

I have a brute I use for make up water but just use a 5 gal bucket for topoff.

 

[Sheldon337]

I wanted to use the trash can because i will be gone for over a month. Using the trashcan would mean less work for my fish-sitter. Im sure they are not food grade tho.

Where could i find a "rubbermaid brute".

 

[Nu2SW]

wal-mart has rubbermaid containers

 

[skierguy]

As long as the can is stamped with the NSF logo (Public Health and Safety Company) it is assumed to safe to be used for food.

The rubbermade "Brutes" can be found at ACE Hardware, Home Depot, or Lowes. Be sure to check for the NSF logo.

I would also recomend the wheels, they are a litttle expensive but I have found them to have been well worth it.

 

[ReefRian]

I agree with the wheels, forget moving the can if it has water in it and no wheels, it won't go anywhere.

 

[Sheldon337]

Nice. Thanks everyone. Thats exactly what i was looking for. This group's collective experience continues to amazes me.

 

[Greencup]

BRUTE Baby!

 

[Sparkss]

ditto on the wheels, we have them for both our top off and salt mix "Brutes". The largest I have seen is the 44 gallon ones at HD. And the last one I bought did have the "food grade" rating (that was last week, actually ).

 

[BONDQ]

Agreed, I have two Brutes, one for Fresh RO/DI water production, and one for salt-water mixing.

Definitely get the wheels. Water is amazingly heavy even in small quantities.

 

[Sparkss]

not to mention that with the wheels you aren't risking (as much) having the sides blowing out from moving it around when it has water in it

 

[raddogz]

Make sure to throw a powerhead in the trash can to keep the water moving around inside. If you have pets in the house, the "stufff" in the air will wind up in the water so keep the lid closed relatively nice and tight.

 

[Sparkss]

Good advice raddogz. In addition to a powerhead to circulate (using am MJ 900 currently on the 44 gal brute) we also have a small air pump that feeds into the powerhead venturi (the venturi is not strong enough to pull air all the way tot he bottom of the barrel) to oxygenate the water and hopefully help to PH balance it.