Streamlining water changes by purchasing a 55g plastic drum, will this one work

[Curtis Scott]

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2747/Drum-Handling/Rubbermaid-Plastic-Drum-Dolly-55-Gallon

with

http://www.uline.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?modelnumber=S-10757BLU

 

My concern is that in the 'Additional Info' area, under 'Usage', it states:

 

 

"

USAGE:

* Fuel storage: Not rated or recommended for this use.

* Does not carry FDA or NSF approved certification required

for storing drinking water.

"

 

Will this be reef safe and still work great for making and storing saltwater in?

 

Alternatively, if you have any suggestions of where I can purchase these locally I'd love to see them.

 

Thanks!

[howaboutme]

HDPE is good so I'm thinking they did not go through the process to get it certified for NSF or FDA....

 

Either way, HDPE (I believe our HD/Lowes 5G bans are this) and LDPE (our Brute's are this) is good.

[Rosco's Reefs]

there are many discussions on this board about this topic and you DO NOT have to pay these prices to get these results. These barrels turn up on Craigs list all the time for between $10-20. They are usually from a food-grade manufacturer like Pepsi or some such. I bought one for $12, had strawberry flavoring in it, took it to the car wash with two gallons of vinegar and have been using it since. I do like the concept of the little dolly, somethign I never had thought of before.

 

I added some pumps, some uni-seals, some PVC and made a free-standing unit, pictures of which were included in the previous posts. Let us know if you have further questions

[Muddy357]

I have one of these exact same barrels at my house now that I am not going to use. I can sell it to you for $20.

[overklok]

I like these, but the closed top makes it more of a pain to use. I have one where there is a lid. It makes it easy to clean after water changes. I always wipe the container after a water change, without a lid it would be impossible to clean.

[Curtis Scott]

I like these, but the closed top makes it more of a pain to use. I have one where there is a lid. It makes it easy to clean after water changes. I always wipe the container after a water change, without a lid it would be impossible to clean.

 

I meant to post this one - http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-9945BLU/Drums/55-Gallon-Blue-Open-Top-Plastic-Drum-with-Lid

 

I would like one with a lid for the same reason.

[Curtis Scott]

HDPE is good so I'm thinking they did not go through the process to get it certified for NSF or FDA....

 

Either way, HDPE (I believe our HD/Lowes 5G bans are this) and LDPE (our Brute's are this) is good.

Thank you for your reply. So this would be safe to use? I'm currently using a BRUTE 32g from homedepot, just looking to upgrade.

 

there are many discussions on this board about this topic and you DO NOT have to pay these prices to get these results. These barrels turn up on Craigs list all the time for between $10-20. They are usually from a food-grade manufacturer like Pepsi or some such. I bought one for $12, had strawberry flavoring in it, took it to the car wash with two gallons of vinegar and have been using it since. I do like the concept of the little dolly, somethign I never had thought of before.

 

I added some pumps, some uni-seals, some PVC and made a free-standing unit, pictures of which were included in the previous posts. Let us know if you have further questions

I meant to post the one with a lid on it. I did check out craigslist, but didn't find anything close by.

 

I have one of these exact same barrels at my house now that I am not going to use. I can sell it to you for $20.

Sounds great, any chance it's the one with a lid? If so, I'll take it!

 

Still not clear if this one is safe to use or not. I know I should be able to find a cheaper one that will work just fine, so I am holding off until I am sure what I should get.

Edited April 24, 2013 by Curtis Scott

[Muddy357]

No lid it is solid with the small holes in the top. I can email you a pic later tonight just pm me your email address.

[MBVette]

You don't need a lid. I have one with the two holes. I was able to put a float valve at the top and drilled a hole with a bulkhead at the bottom and it works perfectly.

[Curtis Scott]

You don't need a lid. I have one with the two holes. I was able to put a float valve at the top and drilled a hole with a bulkhead at the bottom and it works perfectly.

 

Good to know. But, how are you able to clean it out and get a power head into it mix the saltwater up?

[Curtis Scott]

No lid it is solid with the small holes in the top. I can email you a pic later tonight just pm me your email address.

 

PM sent!

[mling]

Scott,

 

For that kind of money, why don't you do what I did -> get a dollar a gallon tank from Petco. It might still be going on.

ok, so that was my initial idea -> 40 gallon tank to be ATO water holder for $40. end result -> New 55G aggressive tank !

 

Mike

[MBVette]

 

Good to know. But, how are you able to clean it out and get a power head into it mix the saltwater up?

 

Oh mine is just for freshwater and the. I have a can that I move the water to for saltwater directly below the freshwater.

 

So no you can't easily clean it out of put power heads into.

[linkfalcon]

 

 

Oh mine is just for freshwater and the. I have a can that I move the water to for saltwater directly below the freshwater.

 

So no you can't easily clean it out of put power heads into.

 

 

Can u post a pic of your setup

[MBVette]

I have a small hose that runs from the RODI to the top 55g drum that has a float valve in it. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the tank and put a 3/4" bulkhead and drilled a similar hole in the plywood the tank sits on. So when I need to make saltwater I roll my brute can under the tank turn the ball valve and fill up the brute. Then I just roll that can to the tank to make the water change.

 

[matt]

I have a small hose that runs from the RODI to the top 55g drum that has a float valve in it. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the tank and put a 3/4" bulkhead and drilled a similar hole in the plywood the tank sits on. So when I need to make saltwater I roll my brute can under the tank turn the ball valve and fill up the brute. Then I just roll that can to the tank to make the water change.

 

 

How are you measuring the amount of RODI you drain into the brute? I'm measuring it out for each 1g scoop from my RODI vessel....and oh boy is that tedious...and often not quite spot on

[MBVette]

I know where the water level should be for an amount kf scoops. Trial and error at the beginning and then figured it out. I use 9 scoops of the cup I use.