Mixing Saltwater

[Steve McKay]

Steve, it wasn't really an article but a rather lengthy thread on another website. It was started by Eric Borneman and you can read it here. I believe I mentioned something about this thread before, somewhere in your thread maybe?

Anyway, they simply collected gammets and after placing them in those containers most if not all had died.
Something like that...
I store my RO/DI water in the container(40g) specifically designed for it, which I bought at one of the sponsors here. Can't remember which one but most likely it is no longer a sponsor here, maybe it was AquaFX or something like that. It was at aleast 5 to 6 years ago. I never had any issues with it either.
I'm looking to buy different container for mixing salt water but haven;t found one yet. Planning a trip to the restaurant supply store that is local to me, maybe I can find something there. They don't sell to the public, usually, but I have many friends that own restaurants so I should be able to get something through them.

Thanks Gene. Don't need containers myself at this time but I have a friend that owns and operates a pizza shop so if I can't get something he can.

[Steve McKay]

Here's an interesting post from that thread I mentioned in regards to "food grade" and "FDA approved" stamps on the plastic containers:

I did a bit of research on what "FDA approved food safe", or similar labeling, means.

I spend a lot of time working with the FDA on biologics, so I know a lot of reviewers and have calls into some of them, though I don't know yet if they will be able to answer food container questions. In the meantime I read through a number of section of Title 21 CFR (code of federal regulations) to see what I could find on food containers.

What I have found is the FDA has a list of approved substances that may directly (additives) or indirectly (packaging) contact food. The list is fairly long but referenced in the linked section of 21 CFR 177- container seals.

The section references and shows a common list of "approved compounds". The list is remarkable in what "they" are allowed to feed us, but reflects the necessary allowances for trace (or not so trace) solvents, polymers, etc. that inevitably come into contact with our food during the manufacturing process.

The take home message is that the regulations, and "approved" labeling only means there are not sufficient levels of any of these numerous known toxic molecules to cause harm to humans when consumed in low to modest amounts. The regulations DO NOT mean to imply that they are not present or that nothing will leaching from a container, or that what does leach isn't toxic to sensitive organisms - sperm or corals, at the allowed levels.

Further, there is nothing in the regulations (that I have found) that specifically requires a container manufacturer to demonstrate consistency of the levels of each of the known approved contact agents if they are below acceptable levels. In other words, minor manufacturing changes could produce containers that have lot to lot variability in toxicity for these sensitive organisms and our reefs.

Lastly, I hope to confirm, but my research so far suggests there is no definable or demonstrable difference in "safety" between a Brute "approved trash can and a $500 "potable water" container. Both are subject to the same regulations and both ostensibly meet the guidelines. I would speculate that a cheap "FDA approved" HDPE/LDPE container is made pretty much in the same way as an expensive HDPE/LDPE container meaning the trace contaminates and leaching may be similar.

Thanks again. Kind of makes you think doesn't it. What are we eating?