Slimy bacteria in water holding tote

[Hollatchaboy]

Hey all, quick question.

I have a 20 gallon, black tote that I use to keep r.o. water in. I have a couple airstones in it for aeration. The problem is I keep getting slimy bacteria in it. I know for hydro its bad, but is it bad for watering plants in living soil? I can't seem to find much info (or I'm just wording it incorrectly on Google).

 

[FastFreddi]

Hey all, quick question.

I have a 20 gallon, black tote that I use to keep r.o. water in. I have a couple airstones in it for aeration. The problem is I keep getting slimy bacteria in it. I know for hydro its bad, but is it bad for watering plants in living soil? I can't seem to find much info (or I'm just wording it incorrectly on Google).

Not sure ...but you can always sterilize the tote with h2o2 if in doubt.
FF

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Not sure ...but you can always sterilize the tote with h2o2 if in doubt.
FF

Yea I looked into that, but I'm finding conflicting answers. Some say 3% works, others say you need 35%. My plants aren't showing anything negative going on, but I'm not exactly sure how long the slime has been around.

 

[lusidghost]

I know you said the tot was black, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to wrap it in panda film. The white side will reflect light instead of converting it to heat, and the black side will prevent algae. Cover the lid too.

 

[xtsho]

Are the air stones covered in slime as well? I've had that happen in the past. What I do if I'm going to be aerating a reservoir is to use a small pond pump on the bottom of the reservoir instead of air stones. The action of the surface of the water being disturbed and turned over actually introduces more oxygen into the water than the bubbles from an airstone.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Are the air stones covered in slime as well? I've had that happen in the past. What I do if I'm going to be aerating a reservoir is to use a small pond pump on the bottom of the reservoir instead of air stones. The action of the surface of the water being disturbed and turned over actually introduces more oxygen into the water than the bubbles from an airstone.

The airstones, not so much, or the sides of the container, but where I notice it most is on the air line tubing. I have black tubing and you can see like a clear haze on them that's slimy. I have a water pump with a venturi I thought about using. Do you know if that slime is detrimental to plants in soil?

 

[xtsho]

The airstones, not so much, or the sides of the container, but where I notice it most is on the air line tubing. I have black tubing and you can see like a clear haze on them that's slimy. I have a water pump with a venturi I thought about using. Do you know if that slime is detrimental to plants in soil?

It's some kind of bacteria. It may or may not be bad.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

It's some kind of bacteria. It may or may not be bad.

Why risk it though, right?

 

[lusidghost]

If nothing else they are stealing nutrients and pushing an imbalance.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

If nothing else they are stealing nutrients and pushing an imbalance.

Makes sense. Looks like I'm bleaching the shit outta everything. Lol

 

[lusidghost]

Have you taken the water's temperature?

 

[Detroitwill]

How long do you let your water sit? I’m asking because I have not had a slime issue ever. I was taught to draw my water the day before watering and I never leave it sit for more than two days. If it isn’t gone by the third day I dump n start over. Never mix more than you need to use and clean out after every feed. No issues.

 

[xtsho]

How long is the water sitting for? Maybe just make as much RO as you need and not keep extra in a tote. I doubt you're getting any real benefit by aerating it with airstones. In soil there are lots of gaps and such and the actual process of watering will pull pockets of air into the rootzone.

 

[xtsho]

How long do you let your water sit? I’m asking because I have not had a slime issue ever. I was taught to draw my water the day before watering and I never leave it sit for more than two days. If it isn’t gone by the third day I dump n start over. Never mix more than you need to use and clean out after every feed. No issues.

Looks like we were thinking along the same lines.

 

[Detroitwill]

There are tons of ways to aerate you water. Waterfall, pump, air stones, vigorous stirring...lol. I use a stone. It’s true it’s not a must. Just makes me feel sure it’s getting enough air.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Have you taken the water's temperature?

Its the same as my grow room. Around 70-73.

 

[lusidghost]

Its the same as my grow room. Around 70-73.

You have the res in the room? That's not ideal, but I had to do the same. The panda film helped a lot.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

How long do you let your water sit? I’m asking because I have not had a slime issue ever. I was taught to draw my water the day before watering and I never leave it sit for more than two days. If it isn’t gone by the third day I dump n start over. Never mix more than you need to use and clean out after every feed. No issues.

My problem is, I'm out of town a lot. I have a buddy that comes by and waters my plants and fill my humidifiers. I use ro water and it takes forever, so I keep it on reserve so my buddy doesn't have to sit around my place for hours waiting for it to filter.

 

[Detroitwill]

Maybe time it and set a timer to come on and pre fill before he arrives? I mean it’s better than letting it sit. Edit... also I would have him empty it every time and just set the timer.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Maybe time it and set a timer to come on and pre fill before he arrives? I mean it’s better than letting it sit. Edit... also I would have him empty it every time and just set the timer.

That's not a bad idea. I might try that.