Small Cabin

Small Cabin Forum
 - Forums - Register/Sign Up - Reply - Search - Statistics -

Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Non potable water storage 275 gallon
Author Message
billrigsby
Member
# Posted: 11 Jul 2023 22:28
Reply 


I have a 275 gallon water tote I fill with rain water, I generally use it around the shop, filling bird baths watering some small trees, nothing that is human consumption.

The last couple of years with the excessive heat it has started going brown on me, it doesn't stink it just doesn't look good. Of course I'm not drinking it but I'm wondering what kind of additive I can use bleach chlorine Etc and at what level to keep the water both safe and usable for animals and plants but also looking desirable?

Not sure why I really care but I figured I'd ask because I'm not drinking it but?

spencerin
Member
# Posted: 11 Jul 2023 22:54
Reply 


UNscented chlorine bleach should be fine. Amounts can vary based on the source you consult, but the one I go off of says 1/8 tablespoon per gallon of water with 5-6% concentrated bleach.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 12 Jul 2023 06:08
Reply 


Quoting: billrigsby
safe and usable for animals and plants

If this is what you want to do do nothing. Growth in water is natural.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 12 Jul 2023 10:07
Reply 


Never had a 'tote' but have been using a rain barrel for utility water at the cabin for decades. The past couple years I input the metal roof runoff through a diy filter consisting of some porous landscape fabric over some fish pond filter fabric. About the 1st of each month I pour and mix in some bleach (did the calc as mentioned above long ago for the gal capacity), we have NO algae, insects, discoloration or odors.
Btw, our barrel is not opaque and mostly is not in sun through the course of a day.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 12 Jul 2023 12:56
Reply 


I throw in a cup or two of bleach into the tote. The water comes from a beaver pond and is full of tannin. In about an hour or so the bleach clears it up and it stays that way for the summer.

FishHog
Member
# Posted: 12 Jul 2023 14:41
Reply 


Just add a cup of bleach. Leave the top open on the tote and the chlorine will vent off in a couple days and not hurt anything

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 12 Jul 2023 20:04
Reply 


Am I the only person here who collects water and dosnt put bleach in it? I havent for 3yrs now yet my totes are painted black and have no growth...but I'm not putting that water in a fish pond like the OP is. I am bathing in it though.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 14 Jul 2023 16:26
Reply 


Quoting: Brettny
Am I the only person here who collects water and dosnt put bleach in it?


Maybe. Our tote isn't painted. I want to see how much water is left in it. We've used that water for everything except drinking. Could be just me, but I like clear water, not brown or green.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Jul 2023 14:52
Reply 


Does it go in green or brown? If not just painting the tanks dont let light in and things dont grow.

darz5150
Member
# Posted: 15 Jul 2023 22:44
Reply 


I put a cheap solar fish pond pump on a styrofoam float in my 325 tank that's covered with a tarp only. No algae grows. It is filled with city water, but still had some grow . Used to add a bit of bleach before like was said above. But not after I put the fountain pump in
It also helps to put off the skim of ice in the colder months unless it get super cold. I think I posted pics on here before.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 17 Jul 2023 17:56
Reply 


Quoting: Brettny
Does it go in green or brown? If not just painting the tanks dont let light in and things dont grow.


It's brown from tannins going in.

Steve961
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2023 22:03
Reply 


Quoting: Brettny
my totes are painted black and have no growth


This right here. I wrapped my cistern, a 275 gal tote, in two layers of black plastic and have never had my water turn color. I don't use it for drinking water, but have tasted it and it's been fresh, even without treatment.

Your reply
Bold Style  Italic Style  Underlined Style  Thumbnail Image Link  Large Image Link  URL Link           :) ;) :-( :confused: More smilies...

» Username  » Password 
Only registered users can post here. Please enter your login/password details before posting a message, or register here first.