Plastic Buckets...

[Zen Reeferer]

Let me first say...Happy Holidays.
I was reading on another site about curing Rubbermaid plastic and a discussion about the plastic buckets that
our salt comes in, arose.

Are there any signs of problems from leeching of chemicals that may arise from the buckets,
and while we're at it, the suppliment and additives bottles,
that we should be concerned about?

[deepblueat2814]

Nothing that that I am aware of that has affected my reef for the past 3 years as a result of plastic containers.

[tngarner]

When I was starting out I used a couple of buckets and a trash can that was not Rubbermaid or from Salt and I immediately saw some issues with algae blooms etc.

Bought a Rubbermaid trash can for mixing salt water and two water changes later my issues where gone. I now only use the Rubbermaid trash cans and buckets that salt came in and have been fine since.

Not scientific but that has been my experience.

[Zen Reeferer]

Hmmm. I've gotta admit, altho I've only been into reefing just over a year, and havn't seen all posts from all sites. However, I have spent many hours weekly lurking sites across the globe, and I've never heard this before.

Don't get me wrong, I'm down with being careful, but I do have problems getting paranoid on possible rumors and gossip.
That's whay I'm wondering If real people are having/or have had real problems with plastic containers.
Of course, I'm sure I would have draw the line at using an old, used trash can, but this...what's the word...caution...? over the plastic buckets thing, I don't know.
With salts, for instance, is there a container besides glass that wouldn't absorb chemicals from or leech chemicals into the salts, over time?
I know salts are pretty darned caustic, so are there any chemists' here that know how long a plastic bucket should last before (breaking down) becoming toxic to the salts? (or does it depend on how long the bucket was cured, lol)
Thanks...
...James

[Hobster]

As far as I know, the white plastic buckets(for salt) are the same as what is used for food products. They have been used for many years and are safe.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not see any convincing reason to worry about most plastics in reef aquaria.

[Zen Reeferer]

Thank you for the peace of mind.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Happy reefing.