Would you use these?

[Bosco83]

I'm looking for a 55 gallon barrel to store ro water in and I really want a spigot on the bottom like these. I'm just thinking maybe the brass is bad but figured I would ask.
Rain Barrels

If I buy a regular plastic barrel is it hard to add a spigot on the bottom? What I want to do is put it in the garage on a stand. that way I can open a valve and dump water in to my water change bucket instead of having to pump it out like I do now.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Yes, brass will leech into the water. If I was you I'd get the barrels but remove the brass parts and replace it with a pvc ball valve. It looks like they are threaded on with prebuild female threaded adapter which would make the swap super easy.

 

[Bosco83]

Thanks for the info I was looking at the as more and I think the top is open with only a mesh screen though.

 

[returnofsid]

Cutting a hole, and bulkhead, to install a spigot, in a plastic barrel isn't difficult. However, it'd be MUCH EASIER to buy one of the ones you linked, and replace the brass with PVC. Yes, you'll need to replace it, as the brass will react to the saltwater, in a negative way.

 

[Bosco83]

Yea I really like the ones I listed but what about the top it's made out of mesh? I see what you guys mean about changing out the fittings looks pretty easy to change out for pvc.

 

[trido]

If its just RO water, then the brass wont be reactive to it. Only the saltwater will corrode brass and copper.

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Sid is right, if you can find a normal food grade barrel for around 25$, it will actually be cheaper to bulkhead a hole through it yourself. You're right, the lids are mesh which wouldn't be great for your useage. take alook at this link

Food Grade Plastic Barrels with removable lids and locking rings

Trido: good catch, I didnt notice that he was only storing RO water. And you are correct, but I think the paranoia of knowing that even the smallest/nonexistant chance of metal leeching into the water could cause someone to just replace the valve for an extra 10$ or less.

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Oh and if you don't have bulkheads, you can make dirt cheap ones with pvc conduit fittings and a little bit of HDPE liner.

 

[Bosco83]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the help! Trido I already have a call and e-mail into the guy with the removable lids but thanks for looking out.

 

[Bosco83]

So even though this is curved I can still put a regular bulkhead on it?

 

[trido]

So even though this is curved I can still put a regular bulkhead on it?

Yes, the bulkheads will flatten the area they're seated to. Crazy enough, Ive seen brass fittings on functioning reef tanks. I guess one or two fittings on 200+ gallons of SW want crash a tank but I'll never take the chance and wouldnt recommend it. For every brass fitting on the market, you can find a plastic one to replace it if you look hard enough.

 

[Bosco83]

Yes, the bulkheads will flatten the area they're seated to. Crazy enough, Ive seen brass fittings on functioning reef tanks. I guess one or two fittings on 200+ gallons of SW want crash a tank but I'll never take the chance and wouldnt recommend it. For every brass fitting on the market, you can find a plastic one to replace it if you look hard enough.

I got two of the ones you suggested today $30 each he wouldn't budge on the price but they are nice with the removable lids easier to clean that way.