Hello All,
I have come upon some interesting information that I thought I should pass along as I feel it could affect all of us that store SW mixtures and RO/DI water for Top-Off:
I use Rubbermaid "Roughneck Refuse Containers", model 1339, for the storage and mixing of SW and RO/DI water for my reef tank. I never thought about checking the water being held in these containers because it is common practice to use trash containers to do this and these trash cans were bought specifically for this purpose and completely new and clean.
Recently, I have been "curing" some Lace Rock in an aquarium tank for use as
Base Rock in my tank. I have been testing for different things including PHOSPHATE in the tank to make sure that there aren't any problems with the rock "leaching" substances into the water.
I have been getting a test result of 1.0ppm of Phosphate in the "curing tank". I tested my main tank and get a reading of 0.0ppm Phosphate. This lead me to believe that the rock was leaching Phosphate into the curing tank's water. I wanted to make sure so I checked the stored RO/DI water, first with a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Meter and got a reading of 215. There has never been anything in the trash can except RO/DI water, a new PH, new heater and aeration.
I did a Phosphate test and got a reading of ~0.75ppm of Phosphate in the RO/DI storage water. I then tested the TAP water for Phosphate and it was ~0.5ppm Phosphate. I then tested the output of the RO/DI Unit itself and found that the
TDS reading was ~001 and the Phosphate reading was 0.0ppm.
This means that the trash can itself was suspect.
I called Rummermaid in Wooster OH and talked to a Customer Service Rep. and told asked her if it was possible for the trash can (Roughneck Refuse Container #1339) could LEACH into the contents fo the can. She quite readily said that IT WAS POSSIBLE because these are made of Recyled Material. She email me the codes that are molded into the cans and their meaning for what the cans are made of. I have copied the information into this post below:
Thank you for your interest in Rubbermaid Products.
Each of our products has a recycling code molded into the plastic on the container. It is a triangle with a number in the triangle, and letters along the bottom of the triangle, which indicate the material the product is made of. Codes are as follows:
1 - PETE polyethylene
2 - HDPE high density polyethylene
4 - LDPE low density polyethylene
5 - PP polypropylene
6 - PS polystyrene
I asked her if Rubbermaid maid containers that were safe for FOOD USE. She said that their Commercial Division has products like this and gave me their number: 1-800-347-9800. I called and they have containers that are USDA approved for meat and Poultry use. They have many products, and if you want to check them out you can go to:
http://www.rubbermaid.com or
http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com The web page on the 32gal containers that are USDA approved is:
http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/...search=2643-00
This will list the USDA codes and other information. You can also find local dealers from the site or the number listed above for these containers.
I can also tell you that they are not cheap. The Model 2632 in Grey, White or Yellow, which are the ones that are USDA approved) list for $31.68, the Lid Model 2631 lists for $9.42 and the dolly for the container is Model 2640 and is lists for $47.00.
I can also tell you that Office Depot sells the Rubbermaid "BRUTE" line model 2632 for $23.99, the lid 2631 for $6.99 and they seem to seel the dolly, but I couldn't find a price. This link is:
http://officedepot.com/shop/search/r...G1 F7TCF&PP=14
You might have to cut and paste the last link due to it's length...
I am sorry this was so long, but I thought it was important to let you all know about this situation.
HTH,
[ 04-03-2001: Message edited by: Pegasis ]
[ 04-03-2001: Message edited by: Pegasis ]
"A BRW Original"
