Cleaning RO/DI Water Barrel

Jason R

Jason R

New member
I was wondering what are the best ways to clean RO/DI water barrels? My wife noticed that my water was smelling like rotten eggs so I suspect bacteria was growing in there and producing Hyrdrogen Sulfide gas. I think this has been the cause of some of my algae issues. Can I clean it with Bleach and Water?
 
Most gentle soaps will work fine. You could also use bleach if you wanted. Just use it very sparingly, if you use bleach you will need to rinse them with tap water and you could also let it soak with a chlorine removal additive.
 
We have a whole house water filter system so our tap is actually pretty clean. I think that is why I took the cleanliness of my water barrel for granted. I figured running already filtered water through an RO/DI unit would mean it was perfect. The problem is I have a VERY LIMITED sense of smell so I never noticed the Rotten Egg smell. My wife noticed it but thought it must be normal for running reef tanks. Suffice it to say I am going to teach her EVERYTHING I know so she can alert me to mistakes like this...
 
Part of the problem too is I brought my water barrel outside so I could fill it with the outside spigot instead of hauling water up from the basement. I think the weather changes helped the bacteria to grow. Hauling water from the basement is a PITA but it is a HELL of a lot better than cleaning up after a major tank crash...
 
Someone else mentioned to me that their water mixing container had a stank-azz smell. The only issue I had was the residue that built up in my mixing container. I never realized it was there and thought it was normal.

The last time I mixed water, the water was yellow. I thought it was the salt. When I dumped the newly mixed water, I noticed a film on my container and it was like Horchata. I decided to use soap, water and a scrubbing pad. I had to use some elbow grease too. I'm mixing water for the first time since, and the water is crystal clear, as of this morning.

I think that residue was also contributing to the phosphate issues I was experiencing recently. I did some research and what I found was Instant Ocean has organics in their formula and this usually is what you find on the sides of mixing containers and what causes that foaming in the container. I now need to remember to clean my mixing bin often. I’m always learning.
 
I know a couple changes I am making to my tank regimen...

I will make ONE barrel of water at a time indoors, use it as quickly as possible, and then do a thorough cleaning of the barrel after EACH batch...
 
You can use hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach. Safer. When it dries it breaks down to oxygen. You can also just give it a vinegar soak.

My RODI can smells like gym shoes too. Doesn't affect anything, still use the water in ATO and for mixing salt. Dre, you mentioned water movement, if I put a small pump in there will it eliminate the smell?
 
The reefer said:
I believe it should Cuz it will prevent it from getting stagnant.
Click to expand...

+1 I have seen many set ups using some type of pump creating movement.. I have even seen one set up using air stones.. But you won't get that crazy smell :eek:

Do a test!! I have done it and you will be amazed..

Crazy Dre :D
 
Lil BamBam said:
+1 I have seen many set ups using some type of pump creating movement.. I have even seen one set up using air stones.. But you won't get that crazy smell :eek:

Do a test!! I have done it and you will be amazed..

Crazy Dre :D
Click to expand...


+1

I'll definitely get the water moving again...
 
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