used water containers

eb_reef · 03/09/2018, 08:45 PM

I am looking to build a salt water mixing station and I have a neighbor that sells used contains. I asked what was in them before and he said soap for car washes. Is there a chance that I can use these to store RO water and salt water? Also if I can clean them out will a TDS meter reading 0 be enough to be sure that it is safe to use?

I've included a pic of them if that help.

Dsekula · 03/09/2018, 08:52 PM

Soap will leave residual phosphates be careful and check before use if you try it.

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Dsekula · 03/09/2018, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsekula

Soap will leave residual phosphates be careful and check before use if you try it.

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Does he have an sds on the soap? Or could you call the car wash and get one, that should give a general idea what's in it and how to remove it. If there's nothing that would have leached into the plastic your PROBABLY ok. Second consideration is do you wanna risk it? I'd personally be up at night checking on my tank every 5mins but that's me.

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eb_reef · 03/09/2018, 09:28 PM

I guess my question is "is there anything that the TDS may miss?" My plan is to fill the tank with RO water wait 2-3 days and then test with TDS meter. I could also test Phos.

Dsekula · 03/09/2018, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb_reef

I guess my question is "is there anything that the TDS may miss?" My plan is to fill the tank with RO water wait 2-3 days and then test with TDS meter. I could also test Phos.

It depends on how accurate your TDS is and how close to zero you find acceptable for one. Next is whats in the "soap" to begin with. for example is it one with car polish in it too, or say rubber tire shiner. That's why I suggested a sds ( or ingredient list if possible) to see if it's 100% water soluble first, tds I'd total dissolved solids not a pure water checker

. Sds is usually possible auctually mixes are guarded like gold

Is it old school animal fat soap (probally not) but I'd personally use that type container but not one with polishes etc in it. Are you taking this to a lab for a .0001 accurate result or using a handheld meter that are usually 2.00+- accurate? If so could missing 2 parts of that specific chemical kill your tank ? Are there environmental cleanup instructions or discharge to potable requirements? This would indicate how dangerous it is or how to neutralize.

Non dissolved solids are tested by turbidity. There's also oil greese and fats tests that may come into play and polyphosphate may be a liquid not solid to begin with, just to name a few tests to give better results. It's hard to recommend testing with out the beginning chemical comp it's really a shot in the dark.

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billdogg · 03/10/2018, 06:35 AM

FWIW - the 55g barrel I have been using without issue for almost 30 years was originally used to store either developer or fixer for Xray film. I rinsed it, scrubbed it out a couple times, rinsed it again and put it in service.

MondoBongo · 03/10/2018, 07:11 AM

i tend to be a bit more risk averse than many. i wouldn't bother with those. spend a few extra bucks and get brute trash cans, or something you know wasn't used to store anything questionable.

why gamble your reef to save a few dollars? YMMV

thegrun · 03/10/2018, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

i tend to be a bit more risk averse than many. i wouldn't bother with those. spend a few extra bucks and get brute trash cans, or something you know wasn't used to store anything questionable.

why gamble your reef to save a few dollars? YMMV

This would be my advice also.

lapin · 03/10/2018, 07:45 PM

SDS section 13 for an industrial car and truck wash soap: Contaminated packaging: Since emptied containers may retain product residue, follow label warnings even after container is emptied. Triple rinse (or equivalent). Then offer clean, dry container for recycling or reconditioning.

Dsekula · 03/12/2018, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

SDS section 13 for an industrial car and truck wash soap: Contaminated packaging: Since emptied containers may retain product residue, follow label warnings even after container is emptied. Triple rinse (or equivalent). Then offer clean, dry container for recycling or reconditioning.

Section 13? Ok well that really doesn't answer the questions.
Is it 100% water soluble? And are there any hazardous materials or environmental cleanup type warnings? What does it say to do if you accidentally ingest would give a good idea how toxic as well. If it's 100% water soluble you can potentially clean it with water.
Another white lie type suggestion you could try. call the company and tell them you were working at the carwash and think you had this stuff on your hand when you reached in your tank and see what their response is.

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Cancun · 03/12/2018, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb_reef

I am looking to build a salt water mixing station and I have a neighbor that sells used contains. I asked what was in them before and he said soap for car washes. Is there a chance that I can use these to store RO water and salt water? Also if I can clean them out will a TDS meter reading 0 be enough to be sure that it is safe to use?

I've included a pic of them if that help.

If it were me I wouldn't risk it...but that is me.....I bought new brute trash cans for my RO and saltwater....

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03/10/2018, 06:35 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	FWIW - the 55g barrel I have been using without issue for almost 30 years was originally used to store either developer or fixer for Xray film. I rinsed it, scrubbed it out a couple times, rinsed it again and put it in service. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/10/2018, 07:11 AM	#7
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i tend to be a bit more risk averse than many. i wouldn't bother with those. spend a few extra bucks and get brute trash cans, or something you know wasn't used to store anything questionable. why gamble your reef to save a few dollars? YMMV __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

03/09/2018, 08:52 PM	#2
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	Soap will leave residual phosphates be careful and check before use if you try it. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

03/09/2018, 09:28 PM	#4
eb_reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 5	I guess my question is "is there anything that the TDS may miss?" My plan is to fill the tank with RO water wait 2-3 days and then test with TDS meter. I could also test Phos.

03/10/2018, 07:45 PM	#9
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	SDS section 13 for an industrial car and truck wash soap: Contaminated packaging: Since emptied containers may retain product residue, follow label warnings even after container is emptied. Triple rinse (or equivalent). Then offer clean, dry container for recycling or reconditioning.