Making a tub Foodgrade/Aquarium safe

[alp5747]

I have these 15 gallon tubs but they are not foodgrade. They are made of polyethylene. Is there any coating I can use to make the tubs safe for aquarium use? like for example a epoxy coating.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would just wash it with soap and water, rinse really well, and use it, unless it was labeled as containing added antimicrobial agents.

Polyethylene is generally a fine choice.

 

[alp5747]

I would just wash it with soap and water, rinse really well, and use it, unless it was labeled as containing added antimicrobial agents.

Polyethylene is generally a fine choice.

The would probably be fine but I need them for delicate invertebrates so i can’t take any risks of what could leach out of the tub as it is recycled. Is there anything I could coat the inside off it to make it 100% safe?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The would probably be fine but I need them for delicate invertebrates so i can’t take any risks of what could leach out of the tub as it is recycled. Is there anything I could coat the inside off it to make it 100% safe?

Not that I know of. Any coating you put on has potential to release some components. Food safe doesn't mean invert safe anyway. Tin can be a food safe additive, yet can be toxic to inverts. i don't beleive tin is used in any polyethylene products, but I cannot 100% guarantee anything about any plastic container.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

Rustoleum Fusion spray paint has been used in aquariums for a long time with no ill effects. It also adheres fairly well to plastic. But might flake off as the tub flexes.

Other inert coatings with the adhesion and flexibility for plastic will likely be $$$

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Rustoleum Fusion spray paint has been used in aquariums for a long time with no ill effects. It also adheres fairly well to plastic. But might flake off as the tub flexes.

Other inert coatings with the adhesion and flexibility for plastic will likely be $$$

I personally think a spray paint is more likely to release stuff than is polyethylene.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

I personally think a spray paint is more likely to release stuff than is polyethylene.

Agreed. Wash the tub well, and call it a day.

 

[JayM]

Just use it as-is. You're not likely to find anything "reef safe" that will permanently adhere to it anyway.

 

[alp5747]

I personally think a spray paint is more likely to release stuff than is polyethylene.

Could you ude fiberglass cloth to apply on the inside?

 

[CopperPotReefs]

Polyethylene is fairly inert and chemically resistant. It’s widespread used in labs for all sorts of microbiology and chemistry. Like Randy said probably just wash it with soap and water well.

Any paint will off-gas and could release solvents into the the water. Even silicone coatings are carried in a solvent which could affect your livestock more.

 

[fishguy242]

Could you ude fiberglass cloth to apply on the inside?

pond liner ?

 

[Tamberav]

I have these 15 gallon tubs but they are not foodgrade. They are made of polyethylene. Is there any coating I can use to make the tubs safe for aquarium use? like for example a epoxy coating.

Polyethylene is what many brute trash cans and such are made of... and they are used to mix salt for reef tanks with many sensitive inverts. They are even used as sumps.

It is used in pond liners and all sorts of stuff.

 

[Bruttall]

If the inverts are that delicate and important, why not just buy food grade tubs in the first place and not guess about it at all?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

IMO, anything one could do is as likely or worse for itself to be a problem. Food grade also is not that much of a guarantee.

That said, what organisms are we talking about? Something like sea urchin embryos (very sensitive), or something more typical for a reef tank such as corals?

 

[alp5747]

If the inverts are that delicate and important, why not just buy food grade tubs in the first place and not guess about it at all?

It is suppressing difficult to find the right tub shape and size in Europe need and the ones that fit are used to mix mortar and concrete so not very high quality and very cheap.

 

[alp5747]

IMO, anything one could do is as likely or worse for itself to be a problem. Food grade also is not that much of a guarantee.

That said, what organisms are we talking about? Something like sea urchin embryos (very sensitive), or something more typical for a reef tank such as corals?

Mespilia globules embryo and pluteus larvae. I would ideally use something like a fiberglass tub but it is surprisingly hard to find something that fits the shape and size I need in Europe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Mespilia globules embryo and pluteus larvae. I would ideally use something like a fiberglass tub but it is surprisingly hard to find something that fits the shape and size I need in Europe.

Cleaning that one and then doing a test run on it seems reasonable to me, without starting some large endeavor.

 

[alp5747]

Cleaning that one and then doing a test run on it seems reasonable to me, without starting some large endeavor.

The only other option I have is this 17 gallon tub made of HDPE and is food grade. Would that be a better option?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Might be better, and might not be. If I had to pick one, I’d pick the white one.

 

[alp5747]

Might be better, and might not be. If I had to pick one, I’d pick the white one.

Thanks, Randy