Safe containers to use for mixing water

I just wanted to find out what containers people use to mix their water in for water changes? I use the buckets that big al's sells and want to know if that is safe or if I should change to something better.

 

We use these because they're "food grade":

Plastic Shipping Containers And Drums - US Plastic Corporation

What kind of buckets is Big Al selling? If they're old salt mix buckets, they should be fine.

 

5g Orange Home Depot buckets ftw

I like the orange so you can see if there is salt at the bottom

 

I picked up a couple of 22 gallon grey "Rubbermaid" plastic buckets (with cover). Prior to initial use I rinsed them with the garden hose and turned them upside down for drying. Ready to go!

In one bucket I keep ready salt water, with a heater and power head.

In the other bucket I keep RO/DI water, with heater and power head.

 

I use any bucket that hasn't had soap in it ie. washed! I use my 150 and 200 gallon salt containers!

 

I use the same drum Amcarrig uses. The 60G for RO/DI storage and then a Rubbermaid 50G Brutt for Water changes

J

 

The buckets big al's sells are brand new, never used. Look like the buckets you buy at home depot in the paint section...5g bucket. I just worry about chemical leaks from plastic.

 

The buckets found in HomeDepot and the like are also brand new and never used.

If the buckets (or any bucket for that matter) have been painted as the final step in their manufacture from the company then maybe your worries may have some merit and I, like you, probably would not use them.

If the buckets on the other hand have not been painted but the color is inherent in the plastic (or rubber) before it is molded to take the shape of a bucket I would not worry (unless the product is marked with some type of "warning" about the toxicity of the material itself).

Heck, look at all the PVC tubing (and the different colors) being used in this hobby: white, grey, black, blue...

I strongly believe in supporting my LFS because if they went out of business chances are I would quit this hobby. But there are items sold by them that I can save a couple of bucks by shopping at hardware stores. This way whatever is saved is spent on my tank itself.

Just my two bits worth.

 

Hey, be careful with those Home Depot Buckets. Check out carefully - I bought 5 once and when I got home, found a couple had already been used previously (for God knows what? )

Contractors are notorious for buying and "returning" used items.

FYI

 

Thanks for the heads up omard.

No problem with the 3 buckets I've bought so far.

God knows how many "Rubbermaid" plastic bins I've seen in many LFS in the back rooms where they do their mixing and stuff. I highly doubt these plastic bins were hermedically sealed at time of purchase and place of purchase.

It's smart to inspect while buying, thoroughly rinse before using, and test your RO/DI before pouring into your tank.