Algae in catchment tank

[maud gonne]

We've got algae in our catchment tank. I think it's due to my caretaker not putting the monthly dose of food-grade peroxide in the tank for several months. Does anyone know whether (1)the "vacuuming" done by catchment cleaning companies can remove algae? and/or (2) will the peroxide if now applied kill the algae? We try to avoid bleach but I'd use it if I had to. We filter our water before drinking, but I still don't want any algae in the tank.

[shockwave rider]

We bought a repo house many years ago, the tank was full of algae, the person who cleaned our tank and replaced the cover got rid of all of it when he cleaned the tank. It was a long time ago and the company is out of business now, but it can be done.

[terracore]

The only reason to have algae in your catchment tank is an insufficient cover.

[dmbwest]

" The only reason to have algae in your catchment tank is an insufficient cover. "

Or lack of what kills / prevents it terracore.

[Punatic007]

If you do the maintenance on the catchment yourself, the local health dept in Hilo has all you need. Books, pamphlets, even ask the expert on the phone when you have an unusual problem. Once upon a time they would come out and advise you, that may have been before budget cuts. Good luck and don't forget to add baking soda due to volcanic acidity.

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Punatic007

...don't forget to add baking soda due to volcanic acidity.

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Found this out from spending about 2 hrs in Leslie Pools in Burbank, CA and then calling them on phone with questions! GREAT guys there!

Had a tough time in the beginning with our pool. Pool guy from Kona was worthless and just kept adding more chemicals, and charging us a ton here in Kapoho.

On my mom's pool grout was coming apart! (he blamed it on tile guy! and I knew this was BS) It helped hers immensely in Honomu.

Finally my husband got rid of idiot pool guy at both houses. Became our pool guy himself!

LP told us add baking soda. Was buying it at longs on sale for 99 cents a pond or 50 lbs for about $35 at BEI. Was a major improvement with ph balancing and helped also to keep the organics to a minimum. We put it in our catchment tank now too. (Much smaller amount than pool that people swim in though!)

[lavarat]

The University of Hawaii has guidelines on rainwater catchment systems including the use of bleach to treat the water.

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/rm-12.pdf

[dmbwest]

aloha lavarat !!!

aloha,
pog

[lavarat]

aloha pog!

[Guest]

The best way to eliminate algae from your catchment tank is to block ALL sunlight from reaching the tank. So-called 'tank covers' are porous shade cloth and admit plenty enough sun for algae to grow.

Solve the problem by buying a roll of the thick black 'construction plastic' used to cover lumber, etc. Also buy a roll of vinyl coated clothesline wire, and a small aluminum 'turnbuckle'. Remove the shade cover from your tank. Place the clothesline wire around the top of the tank and fasten it in place with the LOOSE turnbuckle. Cut a sheet from the plastic sufficient to cover the tank, and cut a small 6" hole in the exact center of the sheet for rainwater to drain through. Push the plastic beneath the loose wire all around the tank and center the hole in the center of the tank. Tighten the turnbuckle to pull the wire tight to hold the plastic in place. Pull the plastic tight around the tank, then trim it around the edges, leaving at least 6 inches all around. You may want to buy plastic 'cleats' and poly rope to hold the stretched plastic in place. Replace the shade cover.

It also helps to run a pipe from the rainwater inlet to the bottom of the tank so each rain 'flushes' the tank out the overflow.

My tank went from being too green to see the bottom, to crystal clear, by using this approach. No need for chemicals.