XChris1632X Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 I just got two 500+ gallon plastic tanks for a good deal and I would like to clean them out. I have no idea what they stored in them before hand, but neither one smells very harsh. I need at least one of them to haul freshwater back to my house. We are having problems with our well and our sistern(sp?) is running low due to the lack of rain water. I just want to make sure I am not going to contaminate anything. What can I use to ensure that these tanks are safe to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 bleach and a pressure washer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Couple tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Scrub well. Rinse well. Still not sure I would trust them for drinking water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHaze Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Boil the water for awhile just to be safe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Automotive Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Bleach trick will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XChris1632X Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 I cant get inside them to scrub them though. It will be dumped into our inground tank and go through a filter system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 dump a bottle of dawn or some sort of degreaser into it. Fill halfway with water and drive around for a couple days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GonneVille Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 I'm gonna second the opinion that you shouldn't use them for drinking water. Only use new tanks, or tanks that you can be sure were only used for drinking water before. Tanks that size could have been used for any number of horrible chemicals, many of which would either not be neutralized by bleach, or could produce even worse chemicals in reaction to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vander Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 500 gallons? that sounds huge! what are the dimensions on those things? Filled up thats 4,000lbs each!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 don't do it man. if you cannot get inside you cannot clean it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lustalbert Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 our water buffalos get a gallon of bleach, 1/2 fill with water, 8 hours of bouncing around behind a vehicle. these are stainless tanks that have only had water in them, however. For your tanks, after a through cleaning and rinsing fill with water, let set for 24 hours, then send a sample to the co health dept for anylis. They can tell you how safe it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XChris1632X Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Well the worst thing that I thought might have come in them was some type of degreaser. I will try to clean them up and atleast send a sample out to get it tested. If it doesnt test alright then I will know it is no good. If it does then I am safe I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XChris1632X Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 500 gallons? that sounds huge! what are the dimensions on those things? Filled up thats 4,000lbs each!!! Prob 5ft wide x 4ft tall x 3.5ft deep. One is round the other is square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Gut tells me to drink bottled water at your place IMO, I wouldn't use anything like that for water going to my family for consumption. I just got two 500+ gallon plastic tanks for a good deal........I have no idea what they stored in them.........I need at least one of them to haul freshwater back to my house........ What can I use to ensure that these tanks are safe to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Get some kids....put em in it with brushes and spray bottles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro1647545510 Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Get some kids....put em in it with brushes and spray bottles. Are you volunteering the kid in your avatar? He Looks like he is good with his hands.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XChris1632X Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Gut tells me to drink bottled water at your place IMO, I wouldn't use anything like that for water going to my family for consumption. We actually only drink bottled water. We use the the water I am talking about that would come through the faucets and for showering/washing dishes. I am going to at least give it a shot washing, I'll send a sample in to get it tested. If it does not come back good then I will use the tank for diesel fuel or something. I wonder how much cheaper I could get the fuel if I went to a distribution place and had them fill up 575 gallons on the spot? I would have enough fuel to last me two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Definitely get it tested. I'm sure Dr. Rick can chime in with detail, but be aware that your skin will drink in contaminants just like pouring them down your your gullet. We actually only drink bottled water. We use the the water I am talking about that would come through the faucets and for showering/washing dishes. I am going to at least give it a shot washing, I'll send a sample in to get it tested. If it does not come back good then I will use the tank for diesel fuel or something. I wonder how much cheaper I could get the fuel if I went to a distribution place and had them fill up 575 gallons on the spot? I would have enough fuel to last me two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XChris1632X Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Thats why I wanted to make sure that it was just as safe to drink before I even just took a shower in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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