RO Water Barrel Maintenance

[Noahspapa]

Hello all. In my basement i have a 5 stage ispring RO system that feeds a 55 gallon plastic rain barrel. There is a float valve that controls flow and a secondary sensor as a backup shutoff mechanism. Within the barrel I have a hygger submersible pump and associated hose used to fill tanks. There are also 2 submersible heaters, and a power head for circulation. I remineralize with APT Sky to a TDS of 100-120. I use a full barrel to do water changes on my previously existing tanks. Now that I added the 120P I set up a second barrel. This setup works quite well for the th8ngs I need to do.

I have been noticing some so sort of film(?), residue, slime on the inside (sides, bottom) of the barrels lately.

I’m wondering if this is strange and unusual or if cleaning out the barrels is a normal maintenance action I need to plan on performing periodically? Seems to be, but thought I’d check with the community. Any insight and shared experiences would be appreciated. .

 

[techman81]

I haven't noticed in slime in my RO barrel yet but I've been wondering the same.

 

[GreggZ]

I've been using my two 55G drums for a decade and have never cleaned them.

The only time I ever noticed any build up at all was when one of the power heads failed. That holding tank had some film on the inside. Once I replaced the power head in a week or two it was clean again.

Either way I wouldn't worry about it too much if everything else is going well. I can't imagine what your describing would have much effect.

 

[Noahspapa]

Thank you Greg

 

[techman81]

At some point, I will need to add a 2nd barrel. How are the 2 of you connecting the barrels? Also, what power head are you using for circulation?

 

[Noahspapa]

I use the pump in the first barrel to fill up and top off the second barrel, and the tanks, all using all the same pump/hose. Then, if im filling the 120P (~80 gallon) i drop a small pump in the second barrel to pump back into the first barrel. The first picture is the pump used to transfer out of barrel #2, the second is the main pump used to fill tanks out of barrel #1. The third picture is the power head i use. There may be better options for all but I’m satisfied. This is version #4 of this setup. And the tank drain setup is probably version #10!

 

[Noahspapa]

I've been using my two 55G drums for a decade and have never cleaned them.

The only time I ever noticed any build up at all was when one of the power heads failed. That holding tank had some film on the inside. Once I replaced the power head in a week or two it was clean again.

Either way I wouldn't worry about it too much if everything else is going well. I can't imagine what your describing would have much effect.

I've been using my two 55G drums for a decade and have never cleaned them.

The only time I ever noticed any build up at all was when one of the power heads failed. That holding tank had some film on the inside. Once I replaced the power head in a week or two it was clean again.

Either way I wouldn't worry about it too much if everything else is going well. I can't imagine what your describing would have muc

Follow-up question - you mention using the power head. Did you also heat the water in the barrel and remineralize the water while in the barrel? Or have a pump sitting in the barrel?

 

[GreggZ]

Follow-up question - you mention using the power head. Did you also heat the water in the barrel and remineralize the water while in the barrel? Or have a pump sitting in the barrel?

I do not heat the stored water but I don't heat the tank either.

I do dose all macros into the holding tanks. So water pumped out is fully fertilized other than micros.

And yes there is a pump always in one of the holding tanks. It's tied to plumbing inside a wall to come out right behind the tank. So basically flip a switch and the tank fills.

I hope that is helpful.

 

[Noahspapa]

I do not heat the stored water but I don't heat the tank either.

I do dose all macros into the holding tanks. So water pumped out is fully fertilized other than micros.

And yes there is a pump always in one of the holding tanks. It's tied to plumbing inside a wall to come out right behind the tank. So basically flip a switch and the tank fills.

I hope that is helpful.

Thank you greg. How about remineralizing? Do you do that in the barrel?

 

[GreggZ]

At some point, I will need to add a 2nd barrel. How are the 2 of you connecting the barrels? Also, what power head are you using for circulation?

I use a bulkhead. Then they are essentially one large 110G container.

 

[GreggZ]

Thank you greg. How about remineralizing? Do you do that in the barrel?

Yes I dose all macros into the stored barrels.

So I do what is called front loading macros. Again the water is fully dosed to my parameters when it goes to the tank.

 

[hamfist]

Am I right in thinking that you guys keep your barrels full (or at least moist inside) at all times ? I can't see how a build up of some sort of biolfilm can be avoided in those instances.
I use a 300 litre tank that I fill up once a week. Water is remineralised, circulated and heated (but not fertilised) within that tank. I have been using this same tank for around 15 years and it has developed no unpleasnt gunk inside at all. But ......... the key thing is that I let it dry out completely for around 3-4 days each week between water changes. As we all know drying is really effective at sanitising wet surfaces. It works for me. I'm amazed that any of you manage to have long term permanently full/wet tanks without build up of a significant biofilm.

 

[Noahspapa]

I definitely experienced some sort of gunk and i suppose it was biofilm. I drained both barrels and washed out & rinsed both on tuesday. Sounds like it would be healthy to drain periodically. Thank you.

 

[CMooner]

I have used RO water for over 10 years. I keep separate holding barrels for potable water and water heated for aquariums. The potable water barrel stays clean and is first inline from the RO unit. The aquarium barrel, filled from the potable barrel, has always had crap build up in it and films over time, It would get the Ca/Mg/K premixed. Several month ago I stopped adding any premix to the aquarium barrel, now it is just heated water. I add all Macs, Mics, Ca and Mg directly to the tanks as needed. The aquarium barrel now stays clean. I also keep semi tight lids on both barrels. Cheers

 

[techman81]

I don't do any premixing in my Brute trash can and keep the lid on it as well. So far, no slime.

 

[Noahspapa]

I’ve recently cleaned and refilled my two barrels. I added remineralizer but I'm going to stop doing that and start adding mins directly to the tank. Ive never added ferts to the barrels. It’s almost like i need an intermediate mixing barrel…..