Solvent Issue

[BillyBadazz]

Alright guys, (and girls) I have one major question that needs answering to help me in the long run. I have about 2 tubs and 1 bucket and 1 small plastic utility box that I plan to use as mixing vats and topoff water for my 75 gal saltwater tank. They've all been used as storage for whatever my mom did with them, and recently i've used Lysol all-purpose cleaner to clean them, and I've read something that I shouldn't be using any type of solvent on ANY vats or containers used for a tank. I've followed up on it and used white vinegar, sprayed it on all the containers and cleaned it with a regular (but clean) kitchen sponge.

Question: Is it possible to use these containers even they were cleaned with Lysol? I wouldn't want to buy new containers when I already have a bunch.

For all you veteran reef-keepers, please tell me it's possible!

[Reefland]

Welcome to Reefland!

You can use them but only after performing several freshwater cleansings. I would do it 5 or 6 times; fill them with freshwater, use a new sponge or cloth and wash them down real good.

My concern with using these items long-term would be them leaching unwanteds. Do a search in this forum on Rubbermaid and you will see some discussion regarding containers leaching.

Hope you enjoy your stay,
Scott Z.

[BillyBadazz]

Thanks for the info Scott, even at the folks at my LFS were kind of not helpful, all they want to do is sell, sell, sell.
I just want to say that you guys here at Reefland are really cool and very helpful, and since i'm an internet junkie myself besides a saltwater junkie, i'll be here all the time.

So I guess I should wash it down with vinegar 5 or 6 times. I'll probably buy new rubbermaid tubs, the ones I have were kind of dirty anyway. But, I was reading this book (A Guide To The Coral Reef Aquarium, by Ron Shimek, P.H.D.) and he wrote that if any tub or bucket were washed w/ vinegar, then it shouldn't smell of any kind of odor. My bucket didn't smell anything, it was perfectly clean so I assumed it was okay. I think i'll just keep the bucket!

Thanks you guys.

Billy

[Reefland]

Your probably safe as fair as getting the other cleaners out if you've washed it that many times; however consider one of the Rubbermaid cans mentioned in the threads. I think it was Ltspd who checked the TDS on water he left stored in an unapproved Rubbermaid container detecting that they all may not be safe.

Here is a thread that discusses it in detail:
http://www.reefland.com/cgi-bin/foru...ght=rubbermaid

Scott Z.