cleaning out "new" water jugs

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 03:17 PM

here's a brain-buster,,

,got some 5 gallon containers from a friend with a pizza place,,they contained vegetable oil,through a lot of hot water i was able to get rid of a lot of residue.but the insides still have some remainder(smell) of a oil film in it.
it would be great to use these(i have access to more)if i'm able to get them "reef-clean". afraid of using any cleaners,i know i can ,and have tried bleach with a lot of de-chlor and many treatments, but not happy with the results. the jugs are a white plastic with a handle and a threaded cap on top, so access inside is not that e-z. anyone have any tips on attempting to get these cleaned up/out? i have a 34 gallon can for RO/DI tank water and some new containers like the other ones that were made for water use that i use(oldest plastic 5 gal. container i have is at least 30 years old,dating myself

and still in use ,,just want to be able to use these other ones to store water short term to replenish 34 gallon can,right after use so i can re-fill and start sooner than waiting for RO/DI to fill it up again. Thanks,

tdwyatt · 09-25-2001, 04:44 PM

Vodka

Cheap Vodka

Seriously....

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 05:06 PM

Tom, just put some in ,and swish it around? but will it work on the jugs too?hehe
seriously also, i take it the alcohol will"cut/de-grease" the oil and and leave the jug safe for use(after multiple rinses)?
got nothin to lose,,now i got to explain to the wife that cheap vodka is part of the reef-keeping experience!haha

(she bought the part about the beer,,,,,)Thanks! will let you how it turns out!

Spanky · 09-25-2001, 05:25 PM

LOL

I've heard the vodka thing before, but I thought it was for boats!
It does work.

Jeff,
Also try Simple Green. We use it for everything.

Jerel

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 06:09 PM

Jerel, you think Simple Green would be safe on the jugs?all kidding aside, i do value your opinion,,,(boy did i cringe typing that)lol.
Jeff

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 06:14 PM

Jerel, i got it!!! RUM-RUNNERS!!!

,ROTFLMAO,,,,got the Simple -Green, told the wife about needing Vodka for the tank water stuff,,she said "you been away from the Keys too long!"...hehe
Jeff

tdwyatt · 09-25-2001, 08:19 PM

I don't know what is in simple green, but I do know that it is a detergent/surfactant, and even if it is a natural one, I am hesitant to use ANY surfactant in something that might possibly change the "wetness" of water in terms of biological membranes. It may be totally safe, but I just don't know enough about it, and I would be hesitant to use anything that humans, at least, couldn't drink. The great thing about Vodka (no kidding) is that most of it will evaporate without a residue from the container if it is allowed to dry in the sun (or under low heat, like a hat vent during the winter, but it is flammable, so I would leave it in the sun for a few days) Even if any was left in the container, it would be non-toxic at trace levels.

Better to be safe than sorry...

FishDaddy · 09-25-2001, 08:42 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmm......

Quote:

Cheap Vodka

At 5 gallons per jug, thats a lot of hooch!!

Good, clean, new white 5 gal buckets from Lowe's are cheaper than than the Vodka!

Dick

Spanky · 09-25-2001, 09:01 PM

Oh Jeff you are ssllllllloooooooowwwwwwwww! ROTFL

All kidding and double entaundrey's aside. We really do use Simple Green. Just rinse it out well.

I really have heard of using vodka too.

On that note, follow Dick's advise.

Jerel

Doug1 · 09-25-2001, 09:16 PM

Hmmmmmm vodka as a cleaning agent, sounds like an advanced reefing technique to me. IME it is marginally reefer safe but I wouldnt use it in my reef. On the other hand a few washings with simple green and a long rinse( hose in jug, running all day) followed by washing with a kalk soaking or Lye for the brave and hazmat experienced may well do the trick. On the other hand its prolly safer to invest in the apprpriate sized containers that are potable water cert or food grade
Is it worth it to save a few bucks????????

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 09:20 PM

yup! these were just "freebie extras",,have enough of the good ones ,,just looking for a couple of extras,just looking for a way to clean them out,,,,never thought i would get such a thread!

Junkzoo · 09-25-2001, 09:25 PM

Dick, these are 5 gallon containers ,not buckets,,(Lord knows i got plenty of those salt buckets)just nice to keep water in for a few days to be made until i empty the 34 rubbermaid for h20 changes

fishinchick · 09-26-2001, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by landescaper
LOL

I've heard the vodka thing before, but I thought it was for boats!
It does work.

Jeff,
Also try Simple Green. We use it for everything.

Jerel

OK the only thing more interesting to me than reef tanks are boats. What does vodka do for boats?! I know what mayo and toothpaste do, but vodka? What? Makes your boat happy??:
I assume it must be for cleaning it somehow???

(I have a sailboat and love all the neat home remedies people come up with to clean boats.)

FishDaddy · 09-26-2001, 06:49 AM

Hey Adrienne,
Good to have a fellow sailor on board!

Quote:

but vodka? What? Makes your boat happy??

From what I've been told, Vodka on boats is primarily for crew applications!!

S/V "Honey Bear"

Dick

Spanky · 09-26-2001, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishDaddy
From what I've been told, Vodka on boats is primarily for crew applications!!

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