Phosphate free mix containers in London?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Z

Zakk

Guest
My wife spoke up when I mentioned I might put a big trash can in our dining room, so I guess I'll be looking for something more subtle.  :(
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
Should have just goen to lowes first...

They have 18gal white "2" tubs on sale for $4 clearance right now.  I grabbed 2, and I'm not sure if they came with lids, so I grabbed some brown ones from another row that fit.  I figure for $4 I could have one inside the other in case one leaks, or if they stand up well and don't leech anything, I can have a tub of topup and a tub of mix.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll test these tubs for phos in about a week. 
 
C

Cal_stir

Guest
if they are "2" as in recycle code, they are High Density Polyethylene, same plastic just manufactured differently
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
They did have some that looked good that were a '5' (Polypropylene) but I went with these, the High Density Polyethylene.  Man, I wouldn't have gotten into this hobby if I knew there was this much chemistry involved.  I blew up my chemistry lab. 

A lot of them had to markings, and no mention of the materials on the label, but if these things for whatever reason don't work out, I'm going to have to special order one through tsc and stop screwing around :)
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
The white 18gal from lowes did the trick.  I washed with vinegar, then let a pail worth of water sit in them for 2 days.  0.00 phosphates.  Not bad for $4!!
 

pulpfiction1

Reef Scavenger
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Location
42.418807, -82.174073
Misc Notes on Plastics,might help when looking for a container,the corresponding number that is represented in the arrowed triangles


# 1 Plastics
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

#1 plastic leeches phylates and BPA (Bisphenol A) when exposed to temperatures over 78 degrees.



# 2 Plastics
HDPE (high density polyethylene)

HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.



# 3 Plastics
V (Vinyl) or PVC

PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

Polyvinyl Chloride PVC is unique because it not only resists water penetration it also resists fire. It is flame resistant because it contains chlorine. When PVC is burned it releases the chlorine atoms and chlorine atoms inhibit combustion.

Organizations including the U.S.-based National Toxicology Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health agree that vinyl is one of only 52 chemicals/compounds designated as a confirmed human carcinogen.

The risk is highest when containers start wearing out, are put through the dishwasher or when they are heated (including microwaved). PVC manufacturing can release highly toxic dioxins into the environment, and the materials can off-gas toxic plasticizers into your home.



# 4 Plastics
LDPE (low density polyethylene)



# 5 Plastics
PP (polypropylene)

Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid.



#6 Plastics
PS (polystyrene) STYROFOAM

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle.

Polystyrene is a concern because the chemical styrene can leach from it into food and beverages. According to the EPA, short-term styrene exposure at levels above the Maximum Contaminant Level (used to set drinking-water standards) can cause nervous-system effects such as loss of concentration, weakness, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and nerve damage and cancer.



# 7 Plastics
Miscellaneous

A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable.

Number 7 Other is the real crime in the plastic industry. Number 7 is made from any combination of any kind of plastic. The manufacturer of this
 
C

Cal_stir

Guest
Zakk link said:
The white 18gal from lowes did the trick.  I washed with vinegar, then let a pail worth of water sit in them for 2 days.  0.00 phosphates.  Not bad for $4!!
was it salt water?
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
Cal_stir link said:
[quote author=Zakk link=topic=1228.msg8077#msg8077 date=1311087399]
The white 18gal from lowes did the trick.  I washed with vinegar, then let a pail worth of water sit in them for 2 days.  0.00 phosphates.  Not bad for $4!!
was it salt water?
[/quote]

I bought 2 of them, so one I put salt mix in, and the other I put RO/DI water in, both were absolute 0  (wish I could say the same for my tank!) :)
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
They had about maybe 20 left, and marked clearance, so don't delay.  I'll grab a photo when I'm upstairs...think white rubbermaid tote :)
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
The beige/gold lid I just grabbed from another shelf, I don't think these ones actually came with lids, sorry I tried to get the sticker off the front, but they're the only ones there that looked like this, there were some smaller food ones, but these were in with the storage bins. 
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
did you grab lids?  I don't think they came with them, or someone had moved them, but they checked out with lids.

So far, still absolute 0 on the phosphate test, both bins.  I might check once more a month or two from now just to be sure, but I think these are winners for the price. 
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
I was at Lowes today, all gone.  Not surpried, I think they were less than $4!

Couldn't find anyone in the plumbing aisle to cut some bulk tubing, but even if someone had mugged me, stole my wallet and my car, kicked my dog and made "your mom" jokes at me for an hour, it still would have been better than any experience I have had at Home Depot.  :D
 
P

phi delt reefer

Guest
loews plumbing section is awesome... fact that its 3 seconds from my house, even more awesome.  I like go around and press all those call for help buttons while i am browsing just to bring a smile to my face and embarrass the wife (which brings an even larger smile to my face)
 
Z

Zakk

Guest
phi delt reefer link said:
loews plumbing section is awesome... fact that its 3 seconds from my house, even more awesome.  I like go around and press all those call for help buttons while i am browsing just to bring a smile to my face and embarrass the wife (which brings an even larger smile to my face)

The have call buttons?!?!?  Dammit!

It's totally across the west side of the city for me (I'm in byron), but still worth the drive.  I sure hope they put one in the south end beside HD and just totally put them out of business (which I understand is what they do in the states). 
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top