Cleaning a saltwater makeup can

[JohnD]

I went to make up some new saltwater today and noticed a super nasty growth of stuff (very scientific) in my foodsafe rubbermaid can. I guess it came from the last time I did a water change. I must have used the waste water jug instead of the clean water jug to take the clean saltwater from the rubbermaid.

My idea was to wash down the rubbermaid with some warm water and maybe a couple capfuls of bleach to sanitize it. Then raise with clear water and some Amquel. several times.

Was anybody had this experience? What do you folks think?

TIA,

JohnD

 

[Mogo]

How about buying another can?. I certainly would not use bleach.

 

[Anonymous]

I am having the same problem with my RO jugs. Even though they have only ever had ro water in them, they are several years old and getting cruddy.


I usually use vinegar to disinfect fish stuff, because then you don't have to worry about residual chlorine from bleach and it works well.

I think A LITTLE BIT of bleach is OK to use as long as you are sure you got the tub dechlorinated , but for me that is more trouble than I want to deal with so I use hot water and vinegar.

 

[JohnD]

Mogo - I know we spend a heck of a lot of money in this hobby, but I would just hate to have to replace that foodsafe rubbermaid can. It took me some trouble to get it and it cost about $40, if I remember right.

Laura - Your idea of hot water and vinegar sounds like a good plan. I think I will pick up a gallon white vinegar later today.

Thanks!

Oops, I forgot, if anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know.

 

[reefman101]

I used clorox bleach to clean my rubbermaid 30 gal can used for RO water. I rinsed it out, let it dry for a day, and reused it. I had no problems.

Now the next question. How did I get pink algae or bacteria growing in RO water? Is it time to change the membrane?

 

[Anonymous]

I always use bleach and I have never had a problem. Just rinse it several times with hot water.

 

[JohnD]

So, you fellows say bleach is okay. I'll have to remember that. I did go ahead with washing the rubbermaid three times with vinegar and hot water. That stuff damn near killed me.

I rinsed the rubbermaid with some fresh RO and it looks great. Now I am making up some new RO. With a 50 GPD unit, that will take a while to fill the rubbermaid.

Reefman101 - I do not believe it was the membrane. I think it was becasue I inadvertantly contaminated the rubbermaid by using the tank waste water jug to get the newly made saltwater. You know I will never do that again.

Thanks all.

 

[Anonymous]

You can safely use bleach. Just make sure to rinse it out well, add some dechlorinator, then rinse well again.

 

[Anonymous]

Yep I use bleach on all my buckets and ro jugs.

Chlorine will <mostly> evaporate out of water if you let it sit. However, rinsing it and then adding a little dechlorinator to one of the rinses works as a good backup/assurance step.

B

 

[shalegac]

a small amount of bleach in water will only stay active 2 days at the most. Bleach is great for cleaning as long as people can be somewhat patient and are careful.