Smelly 55gal barrel safe

[Jez1992]

ive bought a used barrel which previously held mango chutney/orange juice, I've cleaned it with soap, bleach then baking soda but still smells! Al of the cleaning materials been washed off.

Is it safe to use or will if make tank water smell? Lol

 

[tlindsey]

ive bought a used barrel which previously held mango chutney/orange juice, I've cleaned it with soap, bleach then baking soda but still smells! Al of the cleaning materials been washed off.

Is it safe to use or will if make tank water smell? Lol

Tbh would not use until smell was completely gone. May try letting it soak with the hot water and white vinegar.

 

[Drstrangelove]

ive bought a used barrel which previously held mango chutney/orange juice, I've cleaned it with soap, bleach then baking soda but still smells! Al of the cleaning materials been washed off.

Is it safe to use or will if make tank water smell? Lol

Here's the problem as I see it.

As far as I can tell, mango chutney and orange juice are two different things. No one (as far as the internet goes), uses that term as if it's one thing. So was this barrel used twice? Or were you told it held one or the other of those things? So did the person really know what was in the barrel?

Do you know what was done to the barrel after the food was removed? Maybe it was doused with rat poison, insecticide, etc.? Basically, it's an experiment: what will happen if it's washed and then used in an aquarium system.

I've seen questions like this before. I suggest using feeder fish in the barrel first if you are certain you want to use it. Personally, I understand that free or inexpensive things look like too good of a deal to pass, but I would at least test it first before letting it be exposed to my own fish.