Water Changes- Color Plastic buckets

[Dive_Master]

When doing water changes, I've heard that it is possble that color plastic containers can release some chemicals into the water and cause problems.

Did anyone hear of this before? I am using color garbage cans to change water in my fish tanks, with no apparent probelms, but I have a clear continer for the reef tank.

I want to use the color continers for storing water for the reef tank.

[Rin]

It's not so much that you want a clear container. Rather you want a container that is rated as food grade. Unless it's food grade, there's no guarantee from the company that the container won't release chemicals. Plastic gas cans are supposedly the worst about this.

Even the food grade ones have to be thoroughly rinsed before use.