How to Deep Clean IBC Totes WITHOUT a Pressure Washer! Homestead Water Solutions | Rustic Skills

[@RusticSkills]

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[@DeadCactusRanch]

I'm so impressed by your work ethic...those of us who live in the desert know how difficult it is to get outdoor work done in the heat.

[@RusticSkills]

It was grueling, I tried to do the majority of the work in the morning but it didn't always work out that way. And the algae is already growing back! Ugh! Gotta figure out a good solution for that.

[@kreynolds1123]

Reguarding growing back. Would you like to cover the tanks with a tarp? It should drastically reduce the amount of algae growth.

[@08jk74x]

Thanks for the video. Finally have some hope of a clean IBC.

[@RusticSkills]

When you do clean it, please wrap it in a tarp or paint it black because the algae comes right back!!!

[@petersamios5409]

Thank you very much for the tips. 2 additions/recommendations: a: add a step 3b and after pulling the large chunks of algae out of the tank and dumping the small bits, close the valve and place the tote on each side for 30 minutes or so so that it can get to the inside upper corner. You can also brush and scrape the side at this time - to loosen any other gunk. Repeat for the remaining 3 sides (and top if you close the lid first and want to do it). 2nd, you can get a hose wand attachment with a reduced flow/high pressure head to fake a pressure washer's results. There are also attachments that will add soaps to help clean - but that requires a bit more water for rinsing. In any case - good luck.

[@RusticSkills]

Thanks for the added tips! Mine are already filled with algae again! 😭

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Thanks for sharing this important information

[@RusticSkills]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@ourrockydreamontheelephant4188]

Way to get’r done! Very helpful video! Thank you

[@RusticSkills]

I'm glad you found the video helpful! I already have to do it again ugh 😆😭

[@Alberto-Delgado]

Great information, I cleaned my IBC. Previously I saw a few videos but they were clean with a pressure washer pump. I did it with the pressure washer but it was better with your method. Thanks.

[@RusticSkills]

Awesome! I am glad my methods worked for you.

[@dianatorre7267]

Great job!!! That was a lot of algae!

[@RusticSkills]

Thanks! It was a huge amount!

[@greenfingersclubmalta]

Hey thanks for the great tips! Will try them out! Much love from Green Fingers Club, Malta xxx

[@RusticSkills]

I am glad you found my video helpful!!! ❤️

[@kreynolds1123]

After all the work of cleaning, you might want to prevent algae growth and have to clean them again. Cover with tarp maybe.

[@RusticSkills]

Yeah. They were already covered in algae within a month! 😆😵‍💫 I'm going to do another deep clean then cover with a tarp this winter.

[@Al_W_On_The_Trackz]

I respect you! Let’s network.

[@EarthenConversion]

You rock!

[@RusticSkills]

TY!!!!!!!

[@steveburris9687]

I found that if you just undo the 2 straps on top that hold the tote into the cage and remove the tote, it is much easier to move around without the heaviness of the cage.

[@RusticSkills]

Ah, thats a good idea. No need for the cage around it, I don't think it gives it any support.

[@magim8721]

Still watching ❤

[@RusticSkills]

Thanks for watching! ❤🌵🤠

[@richardjeun]

If you have all your personal protection on, and want to try something stronger than vinegar, you can try Muriatic Acid. You can buy it at any hardware store. People use this acid to clean toilets and bricks on fireplaces. It will get stubborn stains out. To soak the walls, instead of filling the tote up, you can just stick wet toilet paper, soaked in acid, on the walls to efficiently set stubborn stains. Baking soda with water can be used to neutralize the acid.

[@RusticSkills]

Awesome tips! It would be hard to get the tp onto the walls of the tote, but the muriatic is a must try. It won't eat through plastic?

[@kreynolds1123]

If one makes the mistake of filling it too much while it's on its side and its too heavy to turn. They may use a hose to siphon away much of the water.

[@RusticSkills]

Yes a siphon hose would work too.

[@aust4105]

The question is how to clean the ibc tote without much water available? My friends have cut the top off and hopped in to scrub. What do you think?

[@RusticSkills]

Well, if you cut the top off it essentially ruins the tote, but it depends on what it is being used for. These things are really a pain to clean!

[@floppagaming6920]

any suggestions on getting polymer residue out? same process?

[@RusticSkills]

I can't speak to that as my IBC totes are food grade so didn't have any residue. I'm wondering if an alcohol solution and letting it soak could help lift the residue. 🤔

[@gandl2123]

Smegma... Lmao I think I love you. Lol

[@RusticSkills]

😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@OZARKMEL]

How would you get a tote clean that held vinegar. Trying to get it all out because if I put water in it and irrigate my plants it will kill them.

[@RusticSkills]

You definitely have to do a flush. Make sure you flush and spray the tote out. The vinegar will not stick in the tote and with a rinse it will be fine.

[@ellafields9424]

Paint the exterior of the tank. OR tarp it then drape doubled shade cloth over tank. Secure it with bungee straps or baling twine. This is what I do with my mule water storage tanks. Keeping the light from the tank is key as light promotes algae growth.

[@RusticSkills]

This is all good advice. I find tarps disintegrate in the sun too fast here in AZ. But I think I will paint them this fall. I want to leave a viewing strip so I can see the level of water.

[@magim8721]

How long can you keep water inside before you have to clean it ?

[@RusticSkills]

Well. After all this work I did, it got completely gunked up again within a couple of months! I need to either wrap in a tarp, or spray paint it black to stop the algae growth. Ugh!

[@richardhoffman9729]

How much do you pay for the tanks ?

[@RusticSkills]

These are 320 gallon tanks I got for $150 used in Tucson. They're food grade.

[@richardhoffman9729]

Thank you. I am planning on moving to the Chino Valley area and just might need some of those tanks.@@RusticSkills