Is this Rubbermaid safe to cure LR in?

[JG]

It's a Rubbermaid "Roughneck" 31g container. I bought two of them to cure about 60lbs of LR in.

Safe?

[Biomanjcs72]

Should be fine, I kept my LR on one of the 16gals when My tank was down for three months. Everybody did fine (had a few hermits in there too), Rock even stayed purple.

[Ninong]

You need the Rubbermaid Brute container in gray, white or yellow: http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/...search=2643-00

• Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed and assist in complying with HACCP guidelines.

This came up a few months back and the end result was that Rubbermaid confirmed that their other models leached chemicals and were not recommended for storing RO/DI water or saltwater for the aquarium hobby. They suggested sticking with their models that meet USDA guidelines as they do not have that problem. Several hobbyists (including Ltspd on this board) tested their RO water prior to storing it in their Rubbermaid container (wrong model) and then tested it a few days later and found phosphate levels that were unacceptable. So it turns out that only the more expensive Rubbermaid containers that meet USDA guidelines are recommended for use as water storage containers or sumps/refugiums for reef tank systems.

Ninong

[JG]

You need the Rubbermaid Brute container in gray, white or yellow: http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com...Osearch=2643-00

Ninong

Umm, so this Roughneck container isn't safe then?

[JG]

This came up a few months back and the end result was that Rubbermaid confirmed that their other models leached chemicals and were not recommended for storing RO/DI water or saltwater for the aquarium hobby. They suggested sticking with their models that meet USDA guidelines as they do not have that problem. Several hobbyists (including Ltspd on this board) tested their RO water prior to storing it in their Rubbermaid container (wrong model) and then tested it a few days later and found phosphate levels that were unacceptable. So it turns out that only the more expensive Rubbermaid containers that meet USDA guidelines are recommended for use as water storage containers or sumps/refugiums for reef tank systems.

I posted before you edited your reply. Hmm, looks like these are no good then

[Ninong]

Depends on what you mean by "safe?"

According to Rubbermaid, it will leach chemicals (mainly phosphates). People have been using them for years but people began to wonder why they were getting phosphate readings in their make-up water. At first they thought it might be their RO/DI system. So they tested the water right after it was made and it was fine. Then they tested it a few days later and got readings on phosphate and maybe a few other things that they didn't test for. Someone decided to call Rubermaid and talk to their tech people and that's when Rubbermaid told them to stick with the USDA approved containers.

I don't know if this is something that is more of a problem with brand new containers (of the wrong model) or not, but it seems that the new containers would be more likely to cause a problem. It could be that folks who have been using the wrong containers for years no longer notice that problem because it has gone away over time. I don't know.

Ninong

[Ninong]

Here is the thread that discusses this topic in detail: http://www.reefland.com/cgi-bin/foru...ght=Rubbermaid

Ninong

[JG]

Let me ask this then..... I know its not a good idea to use these as sumps, or water top off containers, but will it potentialy harm the LR that I'm going to cure for a couple weeks? I don't plan on using these things permantly...just to cure the LR.

[Ninong]

It may help the nuisance algae grow.

Ninong

P.S. - I guess you already read what Ltspd posted in that thread, right? Anyway, here it is again:

"Wow, I just checked a can of RO/DI water I have made up and the TDS went to 400! The water is 000 when its made.

This also might explain why I lost all my livestock when I moved the tank from the 55 to the 168, even after it was rinsed out.

Guess I will be going to the home depot and buying the right one, and it also explains the possible cyno and hair algea problem I have in my 20g that has only had RO/DI water made up in the rubbermaid cans."

[JG]

Gotcha'. Looks like I'll be heading to HD to get those Brute contaniers.

thanks Ninong,

John