Keeping RO storage tank sterile

Justin Freidman

Justin Freidman

Well-Known Member
I run a main nutrient tank in my flood and drain which is running two chillers keeping it at 18 degrees C, along with multiple air-stones. It is also covered from any light to prevent algae/bacteria growth.

However, my water is from a well, so I have to use an RO machine which is incredibly slow, it takes about 2 days for it to fill my 400L storage tank.

The problem with this tank is I'm unable to run a chiller on it and it is stored in the grow room, where the temp is fixed at 27 degrees C. I do run multiple air-stones in it to oxygenate the water as much as possible, however I'm concerned about algae/bacteria growth in it and then introducing it to my main nutrient tank.

I'm just wondering if it's possible to sterilize this water with hydrogen peroxide a few hours before I add it to my nutrient tap?
 
majins

majins

Well-Known Member
Low dosage of H202 or Chlorine. That your bubbling it it should be gone in 24 hours time.
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
105 gallons....Hmm

I might invest in some silver wire - .999 fine.
Place that over a stone and your golden.....(unspooled, so you get max surface contact with the water)

Silver is used in potable water tanks on ships to keep it from doing just what your concerned about!

I use silver in my RO tanks......Never had a problem.....
 
chemphlegm

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
Justin Freidman said:
I run a main nutrient tank in my flood and drain which is running two chillers keeping it at 18 degrees C, along with multiple air-stones. It is also covered from any light to prevent algae/bacteria growth.

However, my water is from a well, so I have to use an RO machine which is incredibly slow, it takes about 2 days for it to fill my 400L storage tank.

The problem with this tank is I'm unable to run a chiller on it and it is stored in the grow room, where the temp is fixed at 27 degrees C. I do run multiple air-stones in it to oxygenate the water as much as possible, however I'm concerned about algae/bacteria growth in it and then introducing it to my main nutrient tank.

I'm just wondering if it's possible to sterilize this water with hydrogen peroxide a few hours before I add it to my nutrient tap?
Click to expand...

great post!
my flood and drains loved my well water, whats wrong with yours?
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
Bugeye said:
How are you getting bacteria in your RO tank? Never had an issue with mine but I'd add a bit of h2o2 if I did.
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There are bacteria's, yeast's, mold's and fungal spores in the air all the time......Even covered....you can get a problem. That Belgian raspberry beer, Frambois,,,,is yeasted from the natural yeasts that float on the air. The wort is brewed and it's sent to basement fermentation tanks that are left open so the natural yeast floats in from the open windows and it begins to ferment. At that point they seal it up and let it go......That's why it's basically impossible to make Frambois at home to taste like the real deal Belgian ale.

I look (feel really) for any basic slippery (slime) on air/water pump lines and the sides....When looking at someone's op with problems.....I find more then you would think.

Once of prevention...eh?
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
You could dose your RO tank with a bene bacteria, like hydroguard. It should take care of any unwanted pathogens and your water will have an active culture in it constantly. I dosed my 55 gal RO storage drum about a year ago when I felt some slime on the airline I run in it. It's been clean and clear since and I, literally, haven't touched it in 8 months+, it just keeps getting refilled as I use it.
 
boilingoil

boilingoil

Well-Known Member
Ditch the air stones, you'd be surprised what pumping air through your rez introduces into your water. I haven't run stones in my rez's or RO storage units in years,
 
DaveInCave

DaveInCave

Well-Known Member
Waterproof UV led strips, kills anything in fractions of a second.
One coiled on the outside circumference, one coiled around a core in the center.
Maintenance free and cheap solution.
 
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