Aging barrel

[btrader]

I just got a plastic barrel from work. What do I need to do to prepare for water storage? It is new but was not meant to be used for food. I want to disinfect and clean it to make sure I don’t contaminate the tank with anything, plus I don’t want to use a chemical to clean it that would harm the fish ether. Thanks for your time Brad.

[ZX10R]

I got a barrel from work and it contained silicon. I first used very hot water and bleach then I pressure washed it inside and out.

[Jhhnn]

What was in the barrel before you got it?

[btrader]

It was not used at all. it is a new barrel. I talked to my LFS and they said I should fill it up and add a goldfish and see what happens.

[aalbina]

Is it polycarbonate? Bisphenol A, (BPA) found in that type of plastic can leach into the water over time and harm fish. http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/fact-fait/bisphenol-a-eng.php

I would want to know what the intended usage for the barrel was - it could make a difference in what's in the plastic that might harm your fish or what the plastic was treated with after manufacture. Food grade, pretty much guarantees a safe substance for water storage. I would be pretty leery of a generic barrel without knowing more about it.

Just my two cents.

Adam