The Wife came across this from a Living Off the Grid Website... Harvesting Rain Water... We do have your standard sized Home Depot / Lowe's Rain Barrel which invariably comes out to small for the amount of rain fall.. We do have a couple places close by that stock pile various sizes of Used Plastic Tanks , some complete with the wire cage around them... Now with the emphasis on the word Used, is there a DIY remedy or concoction we could spray on the inside of the tank and let sit for a period of time to take away any residue embedded in the plastic from the tanks pervious life... Thanks

The plastic drums have to be clean before they can sell them. There won't be anything embedded in the plastic and anything that you could clean them with would deam them unsuitable for usage for rain water.

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Originally Posted by tickle

The plastic drums have to be clean before they can sell them. There won't be anything embedded in the plastic and anything that you could clean them with would deam them unsuitable for usage for rain water.

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@ tickle... Thanks for the Quick Comeback.. The collected Rain Water is definitely for Watering the Plants & Gardens Only... As I said the availability of a larger plastic tank being close by and plenty to choose from... The journey the used tank took and the hands that touched it if you will and ending up stock piled.. My curiosity that the tank would actually be Decommissioned if I can put it that way before Me Purchasing it is the Concern...

If you have doubts and the cost is a factor, go for a rain water drum from Home Depot or Lowe's if you want it to save water for watering.

Just what kind of plastic tank are you meaning, what size? If it is the large white square ones, I too would be doubtful about what they previously held.

If you have spent a lot of time and money on your garden and lawn, it is worthwhile to buy one for rain water purpose only, and advertised as such. I too like to save pennies but have not got the time to look around for a cheap deal for a rainwater holder. Anyway, I go for the asthetics. I like to see one of those pretty blue drums sitting under my downspout. Or better yet, an old wooden barrel.