We have two plastic storage tanks for our spot free water (300 gallon and 500 gallon) that are growing algae. Does anyone have some tips on cleaning and disinfecting these holding tanks? Thank you for your help!
Disinfect 500 Gallon R.O. Holding Tank
- Thread starter maryj
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MEP001
Well-known member
First off, there shouldn't be anything growing in a R.O. storage tank because the water should be so pure there's not anything to support its growth.
You will probably need to pressure-wash it and then bleach it, after you determine what's getting into the tank besides purified water.
You will probably need to pressure-wash it and then bleach it, after you determine what's getting into the tank besides purified water.
soapy
Senior Member
I would start with a very small amount of bleach. 1/4 cup per tank and try to leave it overnight. then take further steps if needed.
You are absolutely right. We have been in business for almost 24 years and NEVER had a problem. My repairmen had to replace a float quite awhile back, and I'm wondering if they were careless (dirty hands or such) to contaminate the tank. We are in Arizona and can be very warm. We have been battling a high TDS in our bays for months, even though our production was between 1 and 4! Everything had been checked and each time they would think "Okay this will solve it"....NOT. It wasn't until this past week that it was visibly noticeable that there was algae. They had allowed the tanks to go almost empty a couple of times in order to fill with fresh R.O. water and it would help for a short time, then the TDS would climb again. Now how to clean, disinfect, rinse, and start all over during the busiest month of the entire year! These tanks are 7' or 8' tall, 3' and 4' wide and only have about a 1' opening at the top and only one tank has a small drain. Thank you to all who respond to help out and God bless you, too...
I.B. Washincars
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At one of my washes my RO tanks are out in the bay. They get some sun on them early in the morning. I ended up with algae in them after 10 years or so. I drained them and pressure washed them out with a long barrel on a SS bay gun. I then sucked out the remaining water and algae residue with a Flojet with a hose and long pipe.
Yes, that is a possibility. They had changed out the check valves with the wrong ones and replaced them again. Someone has suggested we go to higher pressure check valves ($30 each). It has appeared soap or wax has gotten into the spot free in the bays, so I am believing that has been a definite factor. A second problem I had not mentioned is that it has taken up to 2 minutes to change over to spot free into our farthest SS bay. Someone had said to check the seals. As far as our exact setup, I will need to consult my repairmen (I just own it). My 82-year old guy just retired and I have a couple of new (one has worked about a year), but there is SO much to learn!
MEP001
Well-known member
It sounds like your spot free is going through the high pressure hose to the bay, maybe even pumped through the high-pressure pump at reduced pressure. The best solution is to run a separate pump for spot free and run it through a separate line. Your changeover time should be less than five seconds.
I.B. Washincars
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The separate line should tie in at the boom, not in the equipment room. That’s where the long changeover comes from. Also, large bay hoses (3/8 and up) will significantly increase changeover time.
