Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have an opportunity to purchase 4 IBC's at $65.00 each but they all previously contained these liquids:

50% LIQUID CAUSTIC

SEPA ACID

Can anyone suggest cleaning methods please Or should I not use these at all


Thank you Members for all of your posts; they are soooooooo helpful and greatly appreciated .

Bahama Mama

I believe the Caustic liquid is Sodium Hydroxide NAOH. Neutralize with a dilute vinegar wash and rinse very well. Should be usable. Others, please correct me if I am mistaken. I would personally have no qualms about using those ones.

As for the SEPA Acid; self etching automotive primer comes to mind. I don't know if and or how to clean that one. Might be able to dig up a MSDS to see what its constituents are?

Hope it helps.

J.B.

This link will give you an Idea about the SEPA. I would probably look for other tanks.

http://www.dominionsureseal.com/media/d ... 25G_EN.pdf

Just thinking out loud, what about sealing them with something like a food safe epoxy paint sealant?

good luck trying to seal an ibc..
clean with detergent, rinse with bleach and water, then rinse with vinegar and water..
smell chemicals after it dries in the sun? repeat..

I work with 50% caustic. It is very easy to clean out of plastic and equipment. Rinse tote out with water, then soak with vinegar wash. At work we triple rinse and consider it clean, vinegar soak is to make sure it wont mess with system pH.

Safety items: chemical goggles and heavy plastic gloves. Neutralize any splashes of caustic on you with vinegar concentrate and flush well. It will ruin clothes and can kill plants so take that into consideration on where you setup.