Plastic barrel for mixing

[holabird]

I just picked up a 55 gallon plastic food grade barrel to use to mix RO water and salt for water changes. This barrel was last used by Coca Cola to hold the caramel flavor to make large batches of Coke. I picked this one because it is the safest (I think) one I could find. What do you recommend I use to clean it out? I want to leave the top on so I only have the 2 three inch screw on covers to get into the barrel. What is the safest way to clean it out and will it be okay to use once it gets cleaned? thanks in advance

 

[hfleming]

I had the same concern with my barrels that were used for car wash soap. I filled them up with water and 5 gallons of white vinegar and soaked overnight. No problems.

 

[basscyn]

I recently got a couple of plastic drums as well. They only had denatured alchohol in them though.
Vinager seems to be the safe product of choice for this kind of thing.
Rinse it out as best you can and let a vinager/water solution soak for a while and rinse it out good and let it dry. Repeat several times.

I cut a section of the top out if mine so I could drop in powerheads and pumps. Also makes cleaning and drying easier.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

You guys are right on. I got one that had sodium nitrate in it. Got that word...nitrate? So you would think it might have leached nitrates back....a RO water wash with 1 gallon of white vinegar and then another RO water rinse and it was good to go!

 

[stoney1118]

hfleming;524414 wrote: I had the same concern with my barrels that were used for car wash soap. I filled them up with water and 5 gallons of white vinegar and soaked overnight. No problems.

wow, thats hardcore bro. some types of carwash soap can be pretty volitle and corrosive. glad it worked out for you! i guess vinegar really works well.

 

[jbadd99]

I've been looking for a used 55g locally, where are you guys picking yours up from?

I checked craigslist and only found one guy and that's still a heck of a drive for me.

 

[basscyn]

jbadd99;524758 wrote: I've been looking for a used 55g locally, where are you guys picking yours up from?

I checked craigslist and only found one guy and that's still a heck of a drive for me.

I got both of mine from that dude on craigslist. Like Ellenwood or something??

Nice clean drums...but quite a drive from Jasper.

 

[jead85]

I've got some, I'll check them out and see if they are worth selling

 

[holabird]

JBAD90. The guy I got them from is between Cumming and Canton. PM me and I'll get you his info