what should i be testing for in a reef / fish tank?

How do I test for chemicals that plastic or silicone may be leaching into the water?

 

Plastic and silicone should not leech anything into the water. Unless silicone is less than 72 hours old

 

Plastics will leach things into water.

 

Is there a way to test for leaching chemicals or is it just cheaper to change out the Rubbermaid bins?

 

Vinny. Please give me more detail. I have alot of plastics in and around my tanks.

 

Same here. My top lasts a month and for the whole month it sits stagnant in the plastic trash can. It smells musty/moldy so I'm wondering if the plastic is contaminating the top off.

 

Study: Most Plastics Leach Hormone-Like Chemicals : NPR
Plastics can also act like sponges.Trapping solids and chemicals that are placed in the container.My advise is to only use your wc or topoff containers for clean water.It is also very important that your container has a lid.Water is a solvent and will absorb impurities right out of the air so the longer they are exposed the "dirtier" they will become.Heres a good explanation of that by AZ our local water genious.lol

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/fluxuating-tds-results-149589.html