55g plastic barrels

[jadeguppy]

I'm looking into these as a way to store made-up saltwater and to possibly cut in half to use as breeding tubs. However, it seems that the ones I can find all had carwash soap in them. With a good rinsing, are these safe to use?

[Kmiec123]

I would not use it, plastics can leach all types of chemicals, that's why most places don't reuse them. If you find a Cheese factory or something that used them for Calcium Chloride, I would be fine using them. Car wash soap not so much, I have free access to Windshield Washer Solvent 55 gal barrels, called ChemTrec on that on and they said "That stuff is dangerous, i wouldn't risk it". Hope this helps.

[KMB]

If you can get the ones used for food items they should be fine. I used to get them from Coke and from a shoyu maker for free but now these barrels are so popular with the aquaponics people that there are waiting lists and they cost $. I do use mine for mixing water and they work great. The half barrels didn't work as well for larval tubs so they are now water lily bowls with guppies for seahorse food.

Karen

[jadeguppy]

thanks for the info.

[2divers]

2 things. First - Firehouse subs sells their 5 gallon buckets with lids for $2.00 - food grade - excellent if you want to up size fry growing from jars. 2nd - Tractor Supply in Chipley has 55 gallon and 110 gallon rubbermade "tanks" used for cattle/hoofstock. Cost for 110 gallon is $70.00. I think the cost for the 55 is $50. They are listed as chemically neutral. T.

[jadeguppy]

Good to know, thanks.

[ecoreeftech]

You can get 32 gallon trash cans which are plastic and very sturdy for as low as $8 at your local hardware store. I know ACE Hardware has occasional sales on them. Just a generic black plastic trash can with a lid. I have 4 of them. They work great. Never thought about cutting them down but I bet that would work too.

[PaulG]

Over here... (Australia) I can by 55Gal drums brand new for about $50... not worth teh hassle of risking 'used' barrels unless teh conts have been food grade to begin with or a 'safe' chemical such as sodium hypochlorite.

HTH
PaulG

[kileysmama]

We use pickle barrels here.