Rubbermaid brute and a brown film

lilmonkey · 12/18/2007, 10:28 PM

I'm in the process of setting my tank back up after a year off.

I have a large Rubbermaid Brute container that I use as a saltwater reservior hooked to my Spectrapure MPDI-25 RO/DI. I used to get a brown film lining the walls of the container and when the container dried, it's still there. I always kept a powerhead and a heater in the resevoir and the problem kept coming back, but never seemed to affect the tank, that I could tell. I did every test I had avail, but everything came up clean. I also changed the RO/DI filters every 6-8 months, regardless of what the TDS monitor said.

I've used vinegar with no results, then I switched to a mixture of bleach and water with a powerhead. That seemed to clear it, but I'm afaid it's simply going to come back.

By any chance has anyone else had anything like this? Could it be an antibacterial coating in the Brute? I can't seem to find any evidence of that, but it was a theory.

Thanks for any tips in advance!

fierceseaman · 12/18/2007, 10:30 PM

Do you mix saltwater in it? I know I have a brown ring anytime I mix saltwater in a container.

atvdave · 12/18/2007, 10:38 PM

It's probably calcium deposits. Like fierceseaman said if you mix your salt in that can then some of the calcium will crust to the sides.

You should see my Brute can.

Mine is more of a white/brown.

lilmonkey · 12/18/2007, 10:39 PM

Yeah, it's my saltwater mix...so that is normal and I shouldn't worry...just clean it out every now and again?

12/18/2007, 10:28 PM	#1
lilmonkey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 52	Rubbermaid brute and a brown film I'm in the process of setting my tank back up after a year off. I have a large Rubbermaid Brute container that I use as a saltwater reservior hooked to my Spectrapure MPDI-25 RO/DI. I used to get a brown film lining the walls of the container and when the container dried, it's still there. I always kept a powerhead and a heater in the resevoir and the problem kept coming back, but never seemed to affect the tank, that I could tell. I did every test I had avail, but everything came up clean. I also changed the RO/DI filters every 6-8 months, regardless of what the TDS monitor said. I've used vinegar with no results, then I switched to a mixture of bleach and water with a powerhead. That seemed to clear it, but I'm afaid it's simply going to come back. By any chance has anyone else had anything like this? Could it be an antibacterial coating in the Brute? I can't seem to find any evidence of that, but it was a theory. Thanks for any tips in advance!

12/18/2007, 10:30 PM	#2
fierceseaman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lemoore, CA Posts: 265	Do you mix saltwater in it? I know I have a brown ring anytime I mix saltwater in a container.

12/18/2007, 10:38 PM	#3
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	It's probably calcium deposits. Like fierceseaman said if you mix your salt in that can then some of the calcium will crust to the sides. You should see my Brute can. Mine is more of a white/brown.

12/18/2007, 10:39 PM	#4
lilmonkey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 52	Yeah, it's my saltwater mix...so that is normal and I shouldn't worry...just clean it out every now and again?