For all those with garbage can extra water holders

[ReefRian]

I'm thinking about getting a garbage can (probably around 32gal) and was wondering if I should get heavy duty or just the regular generic kind and what should I do to make sure the can is clean and won't cause any problems with the water.

Rian

 

[danmhippo]

Go with heavy duty. You will need the extra thickness to withstand the water pressure. These trashcans are not designed to hold water. Also, I would get a round dolly from www.usplastics.com It will make the trashbin last a lot longer without leaks.

 

[Anonymous]

I use a 32G Rubbermade Brute container with the dolly that available at HD or Lowes. I've used it for over 2 years w/ no problems. Recently I added a float switch to it so that the RO automatically fills it to my desired level and shuts off. I also added a drain line above the float switch so that it is fail safe in the event the the float switch gets stuck. I love it!

Louey

 

[ChrisRD]

I use a pair of Rubbermaid "Roughneck" trash cans because I couldn't find the "Brute" model in a small enough version (20 gallons). I use one for a freshwater feed reservoir for my kalk reactor, and the other for water changes. These are working fine for me for several months now.

I tested the TDS of RO/DI water in the trashcan I'm using for a reservoir after it sat for a week with the lid on. TDS was still 0. Not sure if that means anything but it made me feel better.

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
Wolfman, not to make you worry, but try to pour some rubbing alcohol on that RO/DI water. Measure the TDS, it will still be zero... Try it wil gasoline, PVC-primer, paint, and let us know.

 

[Anonymous]

Good point OP, do you have a way to guage the safety of containers?

 

[ChrisRD]

hi.
Wolfman, not to make you worry, but try to pour some rubbing alcohol on that RO/DI water. Measure the TDS, it will still be zero... Try it wil gasoline, PVC-primer, paint, and let us know.

So much for feeling better...

Thanks a LOT 7... :evil:

:wink:

 

[ChrisRD]

Good point OP, do you have a way to guage the safety of containers?

What about running Poly filter in it after RO/DI sits in it for a while? Since Poly turns colors as it picks stuff up maybe this could show if something was leaching?

 

[mountainbiker619]

I have a 32 gal Brute trash can with built in rollers on the bottom. I also have about 20 lbs of LR that I keep in there with a Rio 2100 for circulation.

 

[Anonymous]

I suppose you could get a "food-grade" container.

 

[jmlesq]

Roughnecks are not food grade. Brutes are (except the red one).

See www.usplastics.com.

John

 

[LFS42]

When I got mine, I just grabbed the first one available.
I drill a 1-3/4" hole towards the bottom and added a 1" bulkhead.
I then made a wood platform about 20" off the ground.
Just place a bucket under and turn on the ballvalve.

that was 12 years ago and 4 moves.
Still going strong.


Where did I put that piece of wood?

 

[Anonymous]

If you're in doubt about the can, just use new plastic trash bags (with NO treatments for anything whatsoever), they are chemically inert (as far as salt water is concerned, at least).

 

[Sidewinder]

What the other folks have said may also be correct. If you're using the Rubbermaid Roughneck trashcans, the thin plastic in the 30 to 40 gal. range, that is probably the problem. It happened to me with the green 45 gal. After about 3 weeks of covered storage in it, the RO/DI water that went in with a 000 TDS had a reading somewhere in the high teens. I don't know what leached but it couldn't be good.
For long term RO/DI storage you want the Rubbermaid, Brute, HDPE (High Density PolyEthelene); food grades come in white, gray and, yes, yellow. They're a bit pricey. But you can also get the wheeled dolly that attaches to the bottom of the can. I've never found it easier to move 44 gals. on my basement floor.
HTH, Ed