whats your favorite type of "garbage can" for storing water?

nemo g · 03/01/2006, 06:50 PM

ive got my temp 29g up, and id like to be more efficient with water changes.

are there any particular container/garbage cans that are good for stashing away batches of saltwater or ro?

any to stay away from?

thanks

Pyrrhus · 03/01/2006, 06:53 PM

Rubbermaid BRUTE trash cans are pretty much the only ones people use, they are food safe and not known to leach any harmful compounds.

yettihead · 03/01/2006, 07:22 PM

I will second that about the brutes

emperora · 03/01/2006, 07:29 PM

rubbermaid ,i don't trust anything else

JimR · 03/01/2006, 07:30 PM

Whats wrong with the Rubbermaid 32gal round cans sold at Walmart for $13 and HD for $12? I bought one, fill it with water and let it sit over night. Then I punched the hell out of the sides with my fist, trying to make it burst. Held up just fine. Brutes are $25 for the 32gal and $38 for the 44gal at HD.

PJSEA · 03/01/2006, 07:32 PM

You can also get a dolly that fits the bottom of the Brute containers.

m3ntal · 03/01/2006, 08:09 PM

i got the rubbermaid 32gal ones as well for 11.XX...they are just fine IMO

nemo g · 03/01/2006, 08:17 PM

good info, the dolly's easily available from the same places as the brute?

nemo g · 03/01/2006, 08:18 PM

i just found both on homedepot.com

the brute is 25, the dolly 35, ouch

anyone get these cheaper?

JimR · 03/01/2006, 08:21 PM

Thats about as cheap as they come...thats why I went with the Rubbermaid.

Sparkysreef · 03/01/2006, 08:21 PM

I have 3 of these

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=549924

nemo g · 03/01/2006, 08:29 PM

hey pyrrhus,

where did you get the info that the brutes are the only food safe container. from what i have found, they are industrial/commercial grade cans made for janitorial purposes.

it would be odd that a container made specifially geared for garbage collection would be the only one that can hold food, no?

i wonder if a tds meter would be able to pick up anything leached into any given container. that is, if the container would leach anything within a day or two.

love the dolly though, just waaaayyyyy too overpriced. think ill try and make a dolly on my own

kim lathrop · 03/01/2006, 09:33 PM

Just a reminder....make sure any wheels or dollys can handle the weight of 30 gallons of saltwater! A good estimate would be 30gal x 8lb/gallon = 240 pounds!

Would really be hating life if your wheels gave out in the middle of your living room and spilt 30 gallons of water!

I found a old used fish tank, added a auto shut off from my RO and threw a power head and heater in it. Placed it in a corner of my garage and now I always have 50 gallons of mature saltwater.

I use the cheaper rubbermaid trash cans, marked for 10 gallons.
Fill from my water station then I roll it on a furniture dolly.

Just my .02$

Good Luck!

zapata41 · 03/01/2006, 09:39 PM

i use the red ACE 32gal trashcans, red lets me see when it gets algae in it and is time to clean

Tim

Wryknow · 03/02/2006, 09:27 AM

I use the brute 44 gallon with the dolly and it rolls just fine when it's filled up with salt water. (It rolls very easily on the tile floor but requires some effort on carpet.) I winced a little bit at the price but I am glas that I bought it now - it makes big water changes a breeze.

Evansbr · 03/02/2006, 10:18 AM

55 GAL food grade drum from Yoshida's, 600 GPH pump for circulation, and 50 foot of thick wall tubing to get to every tank in the house. makes water changes so much easier. powerhead and hose for water out of tank, then 600 gph pump puts fresh saltwater back in.

tom obrecht · 03/02/2006, 10:29 AM

I use the rubbermade cans, but built small boxes for them to sit on at a height to get a 5 gallon bucket underneigth. Then I installed basic ball valves towards the bottom so as to make water changes easier. I fill the can with r/o water, add salt, drop in a powerhead to mix and in a couple days your'e ready to go. Hopefully the picture will help explain.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

dteske · 03/02/2006, 10:56 AM

Yes most colors of the Brutes are food grade. The RubberMaid site says that "Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed"

http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/pr...75&rcpNum=2609

Not sure if the others kinds leach harmful chemicals or not, but I played it safe.

--Dave

Black71gp · 03/02/2006, 11:40 AM

i use normal rubbermaid got the 45 gallon ones have wheels and are square ncie for bulkheads.. i wanted 55 gallon drums but they are lie 60 bucks everyplace by me. the ones i got are 22 at HD... should work good. i have a 32 i have used for years no harm from it.. i think most all rubbermaids are safe

szwab · 03/02/2006, 02:43 PM

I've heard that the other types (non Brute) are made from other plastics and have the potential to leach things into the water. Especially if you are mixing salt water in them. Heard this a long time ago and have always just played it safe with the Rubbermaid Brutes as mentioned they are food grade, while yes they are "trash cans" they are also used in restaurants in food preparation. they also come in many more sizes and shapes besides the 44 and 32 gallon sizes. Check out your local restaurant supply store.

Sparkysreef · 03/02/2006, 03:20 PM

leach "things" onto the water. What are "things"?

nemo g · 03/02/2006, 03:42 PM

"things" = chemicals, solvents and the like.

think of those rinky dink lfs stores that keep their saltwater tanks decorated with colored substrate made for freshwater. in either case, many will bleed into the water, which can be for more toxic for the saltwater fauna than the fresh.

wow, talk about irony. cans made for janitorial purposes are the only ones that are food safe. gotta love those geniuses at rubbermaid

szwab · 03/02/2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparkysreef
leach "things" onto the water. What are "things"?

chemicals in the plastic or used in making the containers.

Freed · 03/02/2006, 09:08 PM

I just switched to two 96 gallon garbage cans donated to me by the city. Check my gallery.

szwab · 03/02/2006, 09:22 PM

so is your neighbor going to be able to throw his trash out tomorrow.

just kidding looks like a good fit and built in lid and wheels to boot!

03/01/2006, 06:50 PM	#1
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	whats your favorite type of "garbage can" for storing water? ive got my temp 29g up, and id like to be more efficient with water changes. are there any particular container/garbage cans that are good for stashing away batches of saltwater or ro? any to stay away from? thanks

03/01/2006, 06:53 PM	#2
Pyrrhus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,713	Rubbermaid BRUTE trash cans are pretty much the only ones people use, they are food safe and not known to leach any harmful compounds. __________________ Severe Knowledge In Plumbing

03/01/2006, 07:29 PM	#4
emperora Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: sw pa Posts: 82	rubbermaid ,i don't trust anything else __________________ who lives in a pineapple under the sea Current Tank Info: 125 fish only

03/01/2006, 08:17 PM	#8
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	good info, the dolly's easily available from the same places as the brute? __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

03/01/2006, 08:18 PM	#9
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	i just found both on homedepot.com the brute is 25, the dolly 35, ouch anyone get these cheaper? __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

03/01/2006, 07:22 PM	#3
yettihead Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hubertus, WI Posts: 127	I will second that about the brutes

03/01/2006, 07:30 PM	#5
JimR Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 247	Whats wrong with the Rubbermaid 32gal round cans sold at Walmart for $13 and HD for $12? I bought one, fill it with water and let it sit over night. Then I punched the hell out of the sides with my fist, trying to make it burst. Held up just fine. Brutes are $25 for the 32gal and $38 for the 44gal at HD.

03/01/2006, 07:32 PM	#6
PJSEA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pawleys Island, SC Posts: 295	You can also get a dolly that fits the bottom of the Brute containers.

03/01/2006, 08:09 PM	#7
m3ntal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 122	i got the rubbermaid 32gal ones as well for 11.XX...they are just fine IMO

03/01/2006, 08:21 PM	#10
JimR Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 247	Thats about as cheap as they come...thats why I went with the Rubbermaid.

03/01/2006, 08:21 PM	#11
Sparkysreef Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 384	I have 3 of these http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=549924 __________________ You can save alot of money on tank insurance by switching to Deltec Current Tank Info: BB 180gal/225lb LR/40 gal and 65 gal sumps/LPS/SPS/clams/2 Reef Optix III pendants on a light mover & Bluewave VII ballast/phoenix14K 250 DE/Deltec PF600S Ca Reactor/2 3/4" seaswirlson CL/Deltec AP702 skimmer, gravity fed/2 vortech pumps

03/01/2006, 08:29 PM	#12
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	hey pyrrhus, where did you get the info that the brutes are the only food safe container. from what i have found, they are industrial/commercial grade cans made for janitorial purposes. it would be odd that a container made specifially geared for garbage collection would be the only one that can hold food, no? i wonder if a tds meter would be able to pick up anything leached into any given container. that is, if the container would leach anything within a day or two. love the dolly though, just waaaayyyyy too overpriced. think ill try and make a dolly on my own __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

03/01/2006, 09:33 PM	#13
kim lathrop Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: High Desert Posts: 61	Just a reminder....make sure any wheels or dollys can handle the weight of 30 gallons of saltwater! A good estimate would be 30gal x 8lb/gallon = 240 pounds! Would really be hating life if your wheels gave out in the middle of your living room and spilt 30 gallons of water! I found a old used fish tank, added a auto shut off from my RO and threw a power head and heater in it. Placed it in a corner of my garage and now I always have 50 gallons of mature saltwater. I use the cheaper rubbermaid trash cans, marked for 10 gallons. Fill from my water station then I roll it on a furniture dolly. Just my .02$ Good Luck!

03/01/2006, 09:39 PM	#14
zapata41 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Humboldt County, CA Posts: 2,024	i use the red ACE 32gal trashcans, red lets me see when it gets algae in it and is time to clean Tim

03/02/2006, 09:27 AM	#15
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	I use the brute 44 gallon with the dolly and it rolls just fine when it's filled up with salt water. (It rolls very easily on the tile floor but requires some effort on carpet.) I winced a little bit at the price but I am glas that I bought it now - it makes big water changes a breeze. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

03/02/2006, 10:18 AM	#16
Evansbr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland,OR Posts: 156	55 GAL food grade drum from Yoshida's, 600 GPH pump for circulation, and 50 foot of thick wall tubing to get to every tank in the house. makes water changes so much easier. powerhead and hose for water out of tank, then 600 gph pump puts fresh saltwater back in.

03/02/2006, 10:29 AM	#17
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	I use the rubbermade cans, but built small boxes for them to sit on at a height to get a 5 gallon bucket underneigth. Then I installed basic ball valves towards the bottom so as to make water changes easier. I fill the can with r/o water, add salt, drop in a powerhead to mix and in a couple days your'e ready to go. Hopefully the picture will help explain. [IMG][/IMG]

03/02/2006, 10:56 AM	#18
dteske Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fleetwood PA Posts: 93	Yes most colors of the Brutes are food grade. The RubberMaid site says that "Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed" http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/pr...75&rcpNum=2609 Not sure if the others kinds leach harmful chemicals or not, but I played it safe. --Dave

03/02/2006, 11:40 AM	#19
Black71gp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,186	i use normal rubbermaid got the 45 gallon ones have wheels and are square ncie for bulkheads.. i wanted 55 gallon drums but they are lie 60 bucks everyplace by me. the ones i got are 22 at HD... should work good. i have a 32 i have used for years no harm from it.. i think most all rubbermaids are safe __________________ Jarrod MASM president Current Tank Info: 315 reef... with a 900 gallon lagoon. and 100 gallon skimmer :)

03/02/2006, 02:43 PM	#20
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	I've heard that the other types (non Brute) are made from other plastics and have the potential to leach things into the water. Especially if you are mixing salt water in them. Heard this a long time ago and have always just played it safe with the Rubbermaid Brutes as mentioned they are food grade, while yes they are "trash cans" they are also used in restaurants in food preparation. they also come in many more sizes and shapes besides the 44 and 32 gallon sizes. Check out your local restaurant supply store. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

03/02/2006, 03:20 PM	#21
Sparkysreef Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 384	leach "things" onto the water. What are "things"? __________________ You can save alot of money on tank insurance by switching to Deltec Current Tank Info: BB 180gal/225lb LR/40 gal and 65 gal sumps/LPS/SPS/clams/2 Reef Optix III pendants on a light mover & Bluewave VII ballast/phoenix14K 250 DE/Deltec PF600S Ca Reactor/2 3/4" seaswirlson CL/Deltec AP702 skimmer, gravity fed/2 vortech pumps

03/02/2006, 03:42 PM	#22
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	"things" = chemicals, solvents and the like. think of those rinky dink lfs stores that keep their saltwater tanks decorated with colored substrate made for freshwater. in either case, many will bleed into the water, which can be for more toxic for the saltwater fauna than the fresh. wow, talk about irony. cans made for janitorial purposes are the only ones that are food safe. gotta love those geniuses at rubbermaid __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

03/02/2006, 09:08 PM	#24
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	I just switched to two 96 gallon garbage cans donated to me by the city. Check my gallery. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

03/02/2006, 09:22 PM	#25
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	so is your neighbor going to be able to throw his trash out tomorrow. just kidding looks like a good fit and built in lid and wheels to boot! __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex