Cleaning (And Keeping) Algae Out of Off Grid Water Tanks

[@Glencairns]

I take mine into town to the car wash, high pressure soap and water and then high pressure rinse. Then I reconnect the downspouts from the roof and wait until they're full of rainwater again. I treat the water with 29% hydrogen peroxide - works like a charm - just don't get it on your skin. 1 litre to 1,000 litres mix. The extra atom of oxygen bonds with any biologic growth, oxidizes it and then turns back into water. Safe and non-toxic.

[@off-gridonfriday562]

That’s very cool! The hydrogen peroxide is safe on skin at ratio? Is it potable? How long does the hydrogen peroxide last? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to make an apple to apple comparison. Great stuff!

[@Glencairns]

​@@off-gridonfriday562The hydrogen peroxide at 29% will burn your skin if you don't rinse it off within a couple of minutes. I shock my 1500 gallon underground rainwater cistern every three months with a full gallon. Inside the house I have 400 gallon holding tank which is a mix of 50/50 rainwater and well water (my well is slow to refill, so that's why I mix the two sources). I use a litre of hydrogen peroxide in the 400 gallon mix tank once a month. The mixed water then gets filtered and UV treated before it hits the taps. Potable, free of biological growth and tastes great. The hydrogen peroxide does its job and then turns back into water.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Thanks for sharing this important information

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you!

[@svelmoeaj]

Hey friends! Just catching up to your KZbin channel and life adventures. A couple things (and forgive me if these have already been mentioned). So the car wash IBC tank power wash system is great! The other thing that we do with our (several) IBC tanks on the land here is, one just take the IBC tank out of its cage and spray paint it black. We have several uses for ours and so a cover isn't practical (this may come in handy for your future needs on the land depending on what you're creating). Okay so once your system is cleared from the visual algae/bacterial buildup-- what have you. .. I'd recommend caustic. So bleach is only doing a halfway job essentially. Caustic will help ensure longevity to keep bacteria away. It's a higher alkaline processing that basically take the growth away so that you can keep the BS away for longer. Not sure what you've learned since you've posted this, feel free to share back as well, we're always learning! Thanks for sharing!

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Hey friend! Thank you for all the great advice! A couple questions: does it matter which brand/type of black spray paint you use to paint the tanks? And, what is caustic, or how would we make them caustic? Is caustic safe for washing dishes, showering, etc? Thank you!!!!

[@stifflerjj4]

Can u elaborate on the caustic procedures

[@Blueb5ers]

Power washer! With an extension and angle nozzle attachment

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you Allan! That’s something we considered, and may have to revisit if these cleanings end up being semi frequent

[@malikkhalid6787]

Very nice jee

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you!

[@otrotland5377]

it is brown algae, does not require as much light, but can become green algae fast. I hope today to add another two 275 gallon totes for a total of four. Are you using well water to fill them

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Very cool! We are looking to add a few ibc totes as well. And yes, we are using our well to fill them. Thank you!

[@JamesAmbrose48]

I’ve seen others taking their totes to a coin op car wash. Just an idea.

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you for the advice, James! That is a great idea!

[@MR_UNOoo]

How those pallet hold up under all of that weight

[@off-gridonfriday562]

They’ve done really well for at least a year in the rain, sun and snow under a full tank. I think the trick is they are on top of blocks and off the ground. Thank you!

[@otrotland5377]

good job

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you!

[@ellafields9424]

If you lay the concrete blocks on the sides - the pack rats won't be attracted so much. Or fill the holes in the blocks with spray foam or dirt. No place for them to hide / build.

[@bradjenkins932]

Put a piece of copper in the tank.

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Thank you for the advice!

[@evalynchuran8684]

I have a water hauler bringing in my water, but my water is inside a shed, the water haulers flush them for me 2x a year when they deliver my water for me.

[@off-gridonfriday562]

That is a great idea! I need to get my tanks out of the sun!

[@evalynchuran8684]

​@@off-gridonfriday562It actually saves on cost and labor

[@FreedomMfgLLC]

Have you ever tried a Freedom IBC Liner? So much easier and guaranteed interior surface.

[@off-gridonfriday562]

We have not. What does that entail?

[@otrotland5377]

@@off-gridonfriday562 I found some selling them and many videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSkpZWDqNSFetk

[@MR-backup]

Just burry it.

[@FreedomMfgLLC]

this quick video shows the liner kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6DRh5iGgc95Zsksi=9EJbUjgilfuc65WM

[@otrotland5377]

it has been 10 months, how often did you have to add Clorox, did it work?

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Hello @otrotland5377! We add bleach roughly every 2-3 weeks (8-10 fluid ounces per 275 gallons). It has worked pretty well this far. Thank you!

[@Motoxr32]

How much bleach are you using to treat a 275 gallon tote for drinking water long term? Which cover did you buy there are so many?

[@off-gridonfriday562]

Hi! We are still working out the correct level of bleach for the 275 gallon tote. I’ve ranged from 8-12 ounces, but I would consult water purification experts for your specific situation, especially for drinking water. There is a lot of seemingly conflicting info on the internet. We use this cover: IBC Tote Cover Huapate 275 Gallon... www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4W9TQK8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share But I’m considering painting our tanks, because the sun and wind eventually destroys the cover. Have a great day!

[@Motoxr32]

@@off-gridonfriday562 Thank you very much!