Kalkwasser container breakdown

[YankeeTankee]

I'm no chemist but since kalk solution has a ph over 12, I can't help but think that over time it might degrade the container and maybe cause some leaching, or maybe not?

Are there certain types of plastic that would hold up better holding this strong base? Is glass a better option for storage? I realize there may not be a clear answer but perhaps you science minded people can theorize

Even if you're unsure, what would you go with if all were of equal cost? HDPE, Glass, acrylic, something else?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

The one I use is HDPE. I've had no issues at all with limewater attacking the container in almost three years.

HDPE has excellent resistance to bases:

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Here's a portion of the compatibility table (see saturated calcium hydroxide at the end):

LDPE & HDPE resistance listed by chemical
1.4-dioxane	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C: little or no damage after 30 days. LDPE at 50°C: shows some effect after 7 days.
Acetaldehyde	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C: little or no damage after 30 days. HDPE at 50°C: shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE at 50°C: immediate damage may occur.
Acetic Acid 5 %	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Acetic Acid, glacial 50%	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C: little or no damage after 30 days. LDPE at 50 °C: immediate damage may occur.
Acetone	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Allyl Alcohol	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Aluminum salts	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Amino acids	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Ammonia	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Ammonium carbonate saturated	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Ammonium phosphate	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Ammonium sulphate	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Amyl chloride	HDPE at 20°C: shows some effect after 7 days. HDPE at 50°C & LDPE at 20°C-50°C: immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Aniline	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C: little or no damage after 30 days. HDPE at 50°C: shows some effect after 7 days.
Benzene	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Benzyl alcohol	LDPE / HDPE at 50°C: immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20°C: shows some effect after 7 days.
Boric acid	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Bromine	LDPE / HDPE at 50°C: immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20°C: shows some effect after 7 days.
Butyric acid	LDPE / HDPE at 50°C: immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20°C: shows some effect after 7 days.
Calcium chloride	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.
Calcium hydroxide saturated	LDPE / HDPE at 20°C-50°C: little or no damage after 30 days.

 

[Pntbll687]

I just use a 10g glass aquarium on my nano system, and a 20g high on my larger system. I usually clean them out once a month or so. No problems at all

 

[homer1475]

Been using a HDPE container for years with no issues or degrading of the container. This container to be exact.

Seachem Water Jug

 

[YankeeTankee]

The one I use is HDPE. I've had no issues at all with limewater attacking the container in almost three years.

HDPE has excellent resistance to bases:

Wow the 2nd column (FEP TFE PFA) is completely green, are there more common names for these?

Tendency to leach over time is not part of this right? Of those 3, if I found a food grade, would the be the best of the best?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Wow the 2nd column (FEP TFE PFA) is completely green, are there more common names for these?

Tendency to leach over time is not part of this right? Of those 3, if I found a food grade, would the be the best of the best?

Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) are teflon....very inert to most materials. IMO, overkill for your application (and expensive!).

The HDPE container I use is actually a potable water container I modified:

All three of those grades are teflon...I would expect them to perform similarly in this application.

 

[YankeeTankee]

Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) are teflon....very inert to most materials. IMO, overkill for your application (and expensive!).

The HDPE container I use is actually a potable water container I modified:

All three of those grades are teflon...I would expect them to perform similarly in this application.

How would good old glass work, very well right?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

How would good old glass work, very well right?

Glass would be just fine. I just prefer plastic.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Wow the 2nd column (FEP TFE PFA) is completely green, are there more common names for these?

Tendency to leach over time is not part of this right? Of those 3, if I found a food grade, would the be the best of the best?

don’t get crazy on unusual plastics. Polyethylene and polypropylene are perfect. Polycarbonate is the common one to avoid.

 

[reefpizza]

I put back up this topic, so polycarbonate/lexan is a no go for kalk? What about acrylic?

 

[Reef Jockey]

sorry for bringing up an old post but i was fortunate to find this one.
I had a 2.5g container from walmart as kalkwasser top off water for only about a month and it just cracked one day on it's own.

Robot or human?

then i read about kalkwasser breakdown and i had an "aaahhh" moment..

I'm using a Budeezz cereal container now and was wondering if that is any better?
thoughts?

 

[Pntbll687]

sorry for bringing up an old post but i was fortunate to find this one.
I had a 2.5g container from walmart as kalkwasser top off water for only about a month and it just cracked one day on it's own.

Robot or human?

then i read about kalkwasser breakdown and i had an "aaahhh" moment..

I'm using a Budeezz cereal container now and was wondering if that is any better?
thoughts?

Is space an issue?

A simple 5g glass aquarium would probably run around the same price, and give 2x the capacity

Or a 5g bucket from lowes or home depot, they are $3-$4.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

sorry for bringing up an old post but i was fortunate to find this one.
I had a 2.5g container from walmart as kalkwasser top off water for only about a month and it just cracked one day on it's own.

Robot or human?

then i read about kalkwasser breakdown and i had an "aaahhh" moment..

I'm using a Budeezz cereal container now and was wondering if that is any better?
thoughts?

Unless the manufacturer states the type of plastic, the best way to know is to check the recycling code stamped on the bottom and see what type of plastic it is.

 

[Reef Jockey]

Unless the manufacturer states the type of plastic, the best way to know is to check the recycling code stamped on the bottom and see what type of plastic it is.

thanks Randy

 

[Reef Jockey]

Is space an issue?

A simple 5g glass aquarium would probably run around the same price, and give 2x the capacity

Or a 5g bucket from lowes or home depot, they are $3-$4.

space is an issue on my DIY cabinet but that's a great idea