Water change container not food grade?

[Wiskey]

I posted this on RC too, but I wanted to post it here to get your opinions as well.

I read a story recentally about somebody who was using a water change container that was not food grade and that it caused problems. My RO/DI storage is not food grade, nether is my mixing (water change container), and it has me worried.

This is the label on the container, it does not have any other information anywhere on the container, just the label.



What are your thoughts? Should I replace these as a precation? or am I being paranoid?

Thanks,
Whiskey

[Phishnoob]

You are fine. Rinse it first once in the shower with hot water to clear off the mold release.

[three90s&125sump]

I wonder if my garbage can reservoir is food grade?

[Casey]

I only use food grade take no chances.

[Geoff]

i would think that the only thing you would have to watch out for is if it were to say mildew resistant. things that say that i avoid putting in my system, but other than that i have been pretty haphazard with the plastic stuff i put in my system.

G~

[Casey]

If it's polypropolene it can leach chemicals you are better off with food grade or polyethelyne

[Wiskey]

Do you have any ways to find out what these containers are made of? I have been using them for a while, but the stories had me worried. I am going to try to find a company web-page and see if I can't get any information.

I did take them both and rince with hot water, when I built the RO holding tank I made it so it was easily removable, came in handy .

Thanks,
Whiskey

[Wiskey]

P.S. They don't say anything about mildew resistance, I take that as a good sign.

Whiskey

[Fahz]

If it doesn't have this on the bottom don't use it, Rubbermaid Brute garbage cans with the top are excellent. Non food grade plastic leech both in and out of the plastic.

Fahz


Types Of Plastic
According to the American Plastics Council, the following six resins account for nearly all of the plastics used in product packaging. You're probably familiar with these symbols on plastic containers and packaging.

	PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, tough polymer with exceptional gas and moisture barrier properties. PET's ability to contain carbon dioxide (carbonation) makes it ideal for use in soft drink bottles.
	HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage of its excellent protective barrier properties. Its chemical resistance properties also make it well suited for items such as containers for household chemicals and detergents. Most five gallon food buckets are made from HDPE.
	Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) provides excellent clarity, puncture resistance and cling. As a film, vinyl can breathe just the right amount, making it ideal for packaging fresh meats that require oxygen to ensure a bright red surface while maintaining an acceptable shelf life.
	LDPE (low density polyethylene) offers clarity and flexibility. It is used to make bottles that require flexibility. To take advantage of its strength and toughness in film form, it is used to produce grocery bags and garbage bags, shrink and stretch film, and coating for milk cartons.
	PP (polypropylene) has high tensile strength, making it ideal for use in caps and lids that have to hold tightly on to threaded openings. Because of its high melting point, polypropylene can be hot-filled with products designed to cool in bottles, including ketchup and syrup. It is also used for products that need to be incubated, such as yogurt. Many Cambo, Tupperware and Rubbermaid food storage containers are made from PP.
	PS (polystyrene), in its crystalline form, is a colorless plastic that can be clear and hard. It can also be foamed to provide exceptional insulation properties. Foamed or expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used for products such as meat trays, egg cartons and coffee cups. It is also used for packaging and protecting appliances, electronics and other sensitive products.

Another important type of plastic is polycarbonate, a clear shatter-resistant material used in restaurant food storage containers and recently in the Rubbermaid Stain Shield line of home food storage containers.

[Wiskey]

I can't find one of those symbols anywhere on it, the only writing anywere is what is on that label.

What does that mean?

Thanks for the info,
Whiskey

[Wiskey]

here is the company's webpage on them.

http://www.hpii.com/hpi/catalogs/Sto...SO%20Totes.pdf

Whiskey

[combiemaster]

FAhz i look at that thing you put up so i went to go see in my 5 gallon arrow head gallon and look it says other and it has a number 7 but what you put up goes only to number 6. this is what i use for my 5 gallon water changes any input on this matter please thx in adv

[Phishnoob]

Plastics are inorganic and inert. The lower grade ones can trap cooties but rinse them out with water or water and vinegar and you are fine.

I would worry more about avoiding brittle plastics that can shatter or the tubs being able to hold a lot of water safely.

[Fahz]

The plastic number is on the bottom of the container, if it doesn't have one of those numbers it is not food grade. Another thing to remember is DI water must be stored tightly covered, Because it is stripped it is aggressive in seeking ions.

Fahz

[doody]

Is this why my TDS sometimes reads higher in my holding container than right out of the RO/DI unit?