Rubbermaid "Brute" Containers

Plasma · 01/03/2008, 12:01 PM

Hi all,

Am using a couple of 55 gal brutes for fresh and saltwater storage.

Problem is that the water develops a strong odor after sitting in the tanks for a week or so (water starts out as RO/DI).

Has anybody else tried these containers and had this problem? If yes, how did you fix it?

Thanks,

Plasma

reeformadness · 01/03/2008, 12:13 PM

I have this problem too. I have not found a fix either. Right now, I just spray it out and let it air out occasionally.

KyleO · 01/03/2008, 12:23 PM

Can't imagine they are any different but I have been using the 20ga & 35ga containers for salt and RO/DI production and have not noticed any odors (about 1.5 years).

???

Plasma · 01/03/2008, 12:31 PM

Reefor, have you noticed/suspected any impact on your animals?

I'm going to try a polyethylene liner to see if that reduces the smell.

mcrist · 01/03/2008, 01:01 PM

I have/use 3 different Brute containers with no odors or problems. I have been using them for over a year. Maybe where you purchase them they had them stored near chemicals that accidentally spilled/contaminated the containers.

MinibowMatt · 01/03/2008, 01:04 PM

I also have been using them for closer to 3+ years... no issues whatsoever. I clean mine about once every 3 months...

m2434 · 01/03/2008, 01:10 PM

A lot of plastics will leach chemicals. A lot of these chemicals are known endocrine disrupters. So, its possible that they could effect livestock in some way.
Stock tanks may be safer because they are made to hold water.

chrissreef · 01/03/2008, 01:15 PM

where did you guys get youro Brute containers?

are they the same as the Roughneck?

any other brands/containers one should look into?

mcrist · 01/03/2008, 01:29 PM

Brute containers are USDA approved and meet HACCP guidlines. They are fine for storing water.

KyleO · 01/03/2008, 01:35 PM

I have seen a number of threads on these Brute containers as they seem to be the choice for most reefers..........seen lots of responses and about 98% positive.

USDA approved goes a long way but maybe mcrist is right and your containers came in contact with some chemicals (I would be very careful if I was you). A replacement container is much cheaper than a tank crash!

Davidb6 · 01/03/2008, 01:36 PM

No roughnecks and Brute containers are not the same and there not made for the same materials.

Watch out for rubbermaid roughnecks

trmiv · 01/03/2008, 01:47 PM

Yea I have this same issue with my brutes. It's never caused any problems though, so I don't worry about it.

rustybucket145 · 01/03/2008, 01:48 PM

you say 'strong odor' but you don't (that I see) describe that odor... what does it smell like?

reeformadness · 01/03/2008, 01:52 PM

No, I haven't had any problems other than the smell in the can, which airs out pretty easily. I have even been breeding snails lately, which are very sensitive to water quality issues. My guess is that it is because RO/DI water is highly reactive. My house is old and musty (smells like Grandmas!) and I have a cat and a litterbox indoors. My guess is that the water is absorbing the scents of my house and concentrating them. Just my theory.

sheldibridle · 01/03/2008, 02:15 PM

I have the same problem with my Brute can and the smell is the smell of cat pee.

KyleO · 01/03/2008, 02:22 PM

Makes me glad I don't have a cat..........

reeformadness · 01/03/2008, 02:28 PM

sheldi do you have a cat too?

trmiv · 01/03/2008, 02:31 PM

I have a cat, but I know for sure he's not peeing in my brute garbage can.

Plasma · 01/03/2008, 02:48 PM

No cats - best description is dirty laundry baked in a hot dark room.

m2434 · 01/03/2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Plasma
No cats - best description is dirty laundry baked in a hot dark room.

I'm not sure I want to imagine that. Out of curiosity, is that anything like old vinyl of a car dashboard, under the windshield?

MHannon · 01/03/2008, 03:53 PM

I have a brute can, and when the water gets low, the humidity builds up and I can smell a slight mildew smell. Thats it. I usually keep it full to avoid this.

tank o tang · 01/03/2008, 04:30 PM

Heard of people curing their new cans in some sunlight for a couple days before use. Just a thought.

Jay03GT · 01/03/2008, 05:45 PM

I have 3 of the 32gal Brute cans. The 2 I keep saltwater mixed in don't smell, but the one I store RO/DI water in has a smell. It isn't a bad smell, but something you notice. I never thought anything of it, figured it had something to do with the water having no minerals or other stuff in it.

IBASSFSH · 01/03/2008, 06:29 PM

I notice it with my Brute cans when its time to change filters and RO cartridge.

MrSquid · 01/03/2008, 06:53 PM

Plasma - are you keeping your can closed with a lid?

01/03/2008, 12:01 PM	#1
Plasma Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Poughkeepsie, New York Posts: 28	Rubbermaid "Brute" Containers Hi all, Am using a couple of 55 gal brutes for fresh and saltwater storage. Problem is that the water develops a strong odor after sitting in the tanks for a week or so (water starts out as RO/DI). Has anybody else tried these containers and had this problem? If yes, how did you fix it? Thanks, Plasma

01/03/2008, 12:23 PM	#3
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	Can't imagine they are any different but I have been using the 20ga & 35ga containers for salt and RO/DI production and have not noticed any odors (about 1.5 years). ??? __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/03/2008, 01:01 PM	#5
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	I have/use 3 different Brute containers with no odors or problems. I have been using them for over a year. Maybe where you purchase them they had them stored near chemicals that accidentally spilled/contaminated the containers. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

01/03/2008, 01:04 PM	#6
MinibowMatt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In Another Times Forgotten Space Posts: 3,389	I also have been using them for closer to 3+ years... no issues whatsoever. I clean mine about once every 3 months... __________________ ----------------------- Matt Prop & Save! "Sure dont know what I'm going for, but I'm gonna go for it for sure!"

01/03/2008, 01:10 PM	#7
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	A lot of plastics will leach chemicals. A lot of these chemicals are known endocrine disrupters. So, its possible that they could effect livestock in some way. Stock tanks may be safer because they are made to hold water. __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

01/03/2008, 12:13 PM	#2
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	I have this problem too. I have not found a fix either. Right now, I just spray it out and let it air out occasionally.

01/03/2008, 12:31 PM	#4
Plasma Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Poughkeepsie, New York Posts: 28	Reefor, have you noticed/suspected any impact on your animals? I'm going to try a polyethylene liner to see if that reduces the smell.

01/03/2008, 01:15 PM	#8
chrissreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,252	where did you guys get youro Brute containers? are they the same as the Roughneck? any other brands/containers one should look into? __________________ One's standard of living is determined by the size of their reef Learn and you continue to adapt, stop learning and you become obsolete We live with each other, not for ourselves, protect our planet Current Tank Info: 300g Starfire/Starboard A.G.E. mixed reef

01/03/2008, 01:29 PM	#9
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	Brute containers are USDA approved and meet HACCP guidlines. They are fine for storing water. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

01/03/2008, 01:35 PM	#10
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	I have seen a number of threads on these Brute containers as they seem to be the choice for most reefers..........seen lots of responses and about 98% positive. USDA approved goes a long way but maybe mcrist is right and your containers came in contact with some chemicals (I would be very careful if I was you). A replacement container is much cheaper than a tank crash! __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/03/2008, 01:36 PM	#11
Davidb6 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savanah Ga Posts: 770	No roughnecks and Brute containers are not the same and there not made for the same materials. Watch out for rubbermaid roughnecks

01/03/2008, 01:47 PM	#12
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Yea I have this same issue with my brutes. It's never caused any problems though, so I don't worry about it. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

01/03/2008, 01:48 PM	#13
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	you say 'strong odor' but you don't (that I see) describe that odor... what does it smell like? __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

01/03/2008, 01:52 PM	#14
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	No, I haven't had any problems other than the smell in the can, which airs out pretty easily. I have even been breeding snails lately, which are very sensitive to water quality issues. My guess is that it is because RO/DI water is highly reactive. My house is old and musty (smells like Grandmas!) and I have a cat and a litterbox indoors. My guess is that the water is absorbing the scents of my house and concentrating them. Just my theory.

01/03/2008, 02:15 PM	#15
sheldibridle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Windsor, PA Posts: 16	I have the same problem with my Brute can and the smell is the smell of cat pee. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Just getting it set up

01/03/2008, 02:22 PM	#16
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	Makes me glad I don't have a cat.......... __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/03/2008, 02:28 PM	#17
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	sheldi do you have a cat too?

01/03/2008, 02:31 PM	#18
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	I have a cat, but I know for sure he's not peeing in my brute garbage can. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

01/03/2008, 02:48 PM	#19
Plasma Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Poughkeepsie, New York Posts: 28	No cats - best description is dirty laundry baked in a hot dark room.

01/03/2008, 03:53 PM	#21
MHannon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cecil County) Posts: 800	I have a brute can, and when the water gets low, the humidity builds up and I can smell a slight mildew smell. Thats it. I usually keep it full to avoid this. __________________ "Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway." Current Tank Info: AGA 90gal W/ megaflow, 75gal sump in basement, Mag18 return, Vortech MP40 & MP10, six bulb 48" 54w TEK T-5, ASM G-3 W/ gate valve mod, softies, LPS, SPS, clams, lots of live rock & sand, & a 12 Gallon Nano Cube Deluxe w/ 70watt halide

01/03/2008, 04:30 PM	#22
tank o tang Thread Lurker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT Posts: 1,527	Heard of people curing their new cans in some sunlight for a couple days before use. Just a thought. __________________ A 5 gallon bucket of water dosen't look like much till it's on your living room floor Current Tank Info: 180gal

01/03/2008, 05:45 PM	#23
Jay03GT Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 606	I have 3 of the 32gal Brute cans. The 2 I keep saltwater mixed in don't smell, but the one I store RO/DI water in has a smell. It isn't a bad smell, but something you notice. I never thought anything of it, figured it had something to do with the water having no minerals or other stuff in it.

01/03/2008, 06:29 PM	#24
IBASSFSH Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lawrence Kansas Posts: 979	I notice it with my Brute cans when its time to change filters and RO cartridge.

01/03/2008, 06:53 PM	#25
MrSquid Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 1,437	Plasma - are you keeping your can closed with a lid?