Top Off water dirty - fix needed please

[Nehsmit]

Hi All,

 

I have a small water tank where I keep my water to be used for the ATO. I notice that it definitely gets slimy after a while and I notice algae build up in it. It is approximately 5 gallons and in the summer I go through 1 gallon per day. In the winter it is slightly less. I even put a pump in there so the water is not stagnant but I can't solve the problem. It is NOT in direct sun light. I know many people have larger water resevoirs and have no problem. How do I fix this?

 

Thanks in advance

[Dramad1]

Use better water.

[Nehsmit]

I have RO/DI water.

[yomon347]

I clean my ato tank every few months. If yours is growing algae something is wrong and you have nutrients in the tank. Its getting contaminated at some point.

[CJJon]

I have RO/DI water.

 

Test the water to be sure. Drain and clean out the tank very well. Use bleach and then let completely air dry. I would then wipe down with a bunch of H2O2 and then rinse well with RO/DI water that is at 0TDS.

 

I use 3 and 5 gallon carboys for my top off water and never have anything build up in mine.

[Nehsmit]

Its not algae growing in it. I have black mold on my tubing coming off the pump. I have it now in a clorox bath. Will rinse it off very thoroughly and replace the tubing.

[spinycheek]

I think it's normal. Very few water systems are actually sterile, including RO/DI, and microbes are really good at finding nutrients, like the organic molecules that inevitably leach from plastic tubes and containers. Just bleach/peroxide it periodically and you'll keep it at bay, I doubt it's doing anything harmful, unless it's really out of control.

[12_egg_Omelette]

Here is a question for you, do you have a lid on the top of your water container? If not just wrap some foil around it.

[Nehsmit]

I do have a lid. Only time it gets opened is when I refill it with another 5 gallons.