A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Cleaning an IBC tank.... How???

I am the new owner of a lovely 330 gal IBC tank:-) It's been cut open, the metal frame has been painted forest green.... hmmm - there was canola oil in the tank previously and now needs to be washed out. Any suggestions for how to do this? I think I read somewhere that you SHOULD NEVER USE SOAP....well what in the world do you use then? I have biodegradeable dish soap that is supposed to be safe for the environment (One would assume that could include fish)...that seems like it would be OK. Anyone out there with any thoughts or recommendations?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Harold Sukhbir on September 9, 2010 at 10:07am

Hi Lori. My barrels came with much the same in them. I washed with a high pressure,wiped out as much as possible,used a little dish washing liquid on cloth and wiped the surface, then filled with clean water and left standing in the sun for 2 days.After that i rinsed and let them dry for a couple of days before installation.If you aren't sure, then try using chlorine, just rinse thoroughly and let dry.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amy D Crawford on September 9, 2010 at 1:05pm

Very, very good question! Where did you get your tote? Redwood Valley would not seem to have many available locally.
We'll be looking in another month or so, I think. any local resources would be appreciated!!!

Amy, Cotati, CA

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lori Platt on September 9, 2010 at 2:27pm

Hi Amy, Got it from a guy in Santa Rosa... he has both 275 gal and the larger 330 gal IBC totes. Found him on Craig's List. I think his number is 707-328-9888, Paul I think... sorry, I had my husband making the calls and pickup arrangements so I'm not positive of name and number, but I think those are correct :-)

Amy D Crawford said:

Very, very good question! Where did you get your tote? Redwood Valley would not seem to have many available locally.
We'll be looking in another month or so, I think. any local resources would be appreciated!!!

Amy, Cotati, CA

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Nabong on November 11, 2010 at 5:10pm

Although this is an old thread, one thing you can try is TSP, or tri sodium phosphate. You can find it in the paint aisle. There a many articles about it being an environmental pollutant, and that is because phosphate is of course a fertilizer, soil the rinse can go into the soil garden. This would be especially good with the tank you have since TSP is great at breaking oil bonds. And while I am not a fan of "big" food, TSP is a registered food additive (in the states).