Brute Trash can toxins

[serpent]

This is an article I found by Eric Borneman about the toxic qualities of the Brute trash cans. You can tell he is quite upset about this.

http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic101230-9-1.aspx">http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic101230-9-1.aspx</a>

I know other people have problems with their containers getting a slime in them, this could possibly explain why.

 

[acroholic]

I don't know why anyone would use a brand new brute after only "rinsing" it? I've always been told to clean out new containers to get rid of release agents/whatever in new cans.

New plastic containers, IMO, need an abrasive physical "scrub" not just a rinse in a liquid agent. Kind of like cleaning a fry pan. Rinse it in water, but the fat stays on the pan.

That is why I have always used moistened salt to scrub out new brute cans. It is abrasive and non toxic.

We have to remember that these are not designed for what we use them for, so we use some of these at our own risk.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

IMO, Borneman makes some LARGE leaps of faith. Going from "sperm died in teh brute" to "Brute are toxic to fish tanks" seems pretty stretchy. PErhaps there is more than he elaborated on, but I have the feeling he hasnt conducted a very thorough study of this.

 

[acroholic]

You can also use plain old sand to scrub out the inside of a new plastic container. Done this as well. Reach into the reef and grab some. Works just as well as salt. Leaves a few scratches, but who cares?

 

[son of adam]

Yes sir, Still learning every day.

 

[dakota9]

I have HUGE ISSUES with the statements made here regarding plasticizers. It's plasticizers that is added to PVC to make tubing pliable, much of the tubing we all use in the hobby. Many food grade containers do require plasticizers and like Jeremy stated, some huge leaps were made by the original poster in the link.

I'd argue the points made if needed, but I see, and have, little interest in doing so.

Believe half of what you see, and nothing you read......

 

[rbredding]

this...


fresh on the heels of our "how to properly clean your mix containers" discussion...

 

[dannybradley]

If anything, I believe this is a new development with Brute containers. I recently purchased a new one, and upon comparison to my old ones, is not as sturdy so may have been reformulated.

I'll need Dakota to back me up on this one- The rate at which plasticizers leech from plastic is quite slow. It would seem that it would only become an issue with long term water storage. I don't think there's anything special about the Brute containers compared to other large storage tanks that would make standard mixing tanks an exception.

It could be a coating applied to the trash can to make it easier to clean, similiar to teflon on a pan. I'd like to see if water beads on the outside of a new can like he described it doing on the inside.

 

[serpent]

Danny, I agree they are not like they use to be as they do seem more pliable.

Mine get a film on the top of the water even after a thorough cleaning with vinegar and bleach, but I have not tried the salt/sand trick. I will have to give that a go. Thanks Acroholic.

 

[dakota9]

Plasticizers are mixed in as the resins are being blended, this IS NOT a spray on treatment.

Like Danny said, any leeching would be a very slow process, if at all, as it's never been in any study that I've seen. (under normal conditions that is........ PLEASE don't post a link to some study where a test piece of plasticized PVC was microwaved into a gelatinous goo and deadly leeching was detected).

I'm really not understanding what all this talk about beading water is, as water either sheets or beads on all surfaces, and I've never seen water sheet over smooth plastic of any kind.

You guys do realize that the beading of water is determined by how smooth a surface is, right? It's a mechanical, not chemical reaction. A smoother surface affects the surface tension of liquids in a different way than a rough suface would. Auto polish and Rain-X temporarily fills tiny voids and pits in the glass, making the glass more smooth, thus repelling water droplets more easily. The polish is petrolium based, Rain-x is silicone based, but both do a good job temporaily. I just wanted to clarify that this is NOT a chemical response.

 

[smoothie]

Yes clean out your brutes before use.
Blaming plastisizers is jumping the gun. We all use plastic buckets of salt.
If bleach scares you then use rock salt to scrub clean your containers.