Growth in NSW reservoir

[Jason Scalise]

Hello,
I have a question about my NSW reservoir storage tank.
I have two 65 gallon tanks that I use for RO/DI fresh water storage and long term NSW storage.
Both are in the garage and plumbed to tank for ATO as well as AWC.

I have the typical brownish precipitate at the bottom of my NSW reservoir that many of us get.
But I have noticed now several small darker "algae" spots on the bottom and sides of the NSW tank.
Here is a picture taken today looking into the tank with lid off.

Given the appearance, I am assuming some sort of algae or cyano....and not a precipitate as it has the "biologic look" to it...like a culture spreading out on a petri dish.
The reservoirs get indirect light only when the garage door is open which is in frequent. It does get warm in the garage in the summer....as it is Phoenix, after all.....easily > 110 deg.

By the way, the fresh water tank looks absolutely pristine on the bottom and all over (like brand freaking new) and TDS is always 0 (at least according to the digital display)

Thoughts on if I am correct that this is algae....and what beyond emptying and power-washing you might do?

I did add a appropriate dose of H2O2 during my NSW mix today (I was making a new batch which is when I noticed).
I figured H2O2 is reactive enough to cause a problem for the algae but also converts to harmless H2O and O2 in 24 hours....and therefore is not a medication that may linger. Algae must be munching on the minerals in the salt mix given that the RODI tank has nothing for them....but has the exact same amount of light and temp.

appreciate your thoughts. truly.
thanks
jason

 

[Jason Scalise]

Just a bump to see if there are any ideas that you have related to this (issue and my proposed solution).
Thanks.

 

[shadesatsetbreak]

Only way to kill some types of algae and bacteria for sure is air drying. Stuff grows in saltwater really well. Maybe keep premixed saltwater for less time? I never let it sit more than about 24 hours for this reason.

 

[KrisReef]

It would appear that your water tank is functioning as a bio-pellet? There is some biological activity that is munching on the plastic, (or contaminants that were in/on the barrel perhaps?)

While it is unsightly I do not think it would be harmful to your tank, and if it doesn't cause other issues (like growing so fast and thick that the plumbing gets plunged) it might actually provide bacterial food that your coral can eat.

What salt mix are you using? I am guessing that the microbe came as a hitchhiker in the salt mix, but that's another interesting question that your post has spawned. Where did the microbe growth come from in the middle of the desert?

#reefsqaud #Lasse Somebody on this site must have seen this before. We need answers not guesses!

Edit: I noticed Reef Crystals in the photo. I've never seen RC cause that kind of precipitate?

 

[shadesatsetbreak]

It would appear that your water tank is functioning as a bio-pellet? There is some biological activity that is munching on the plastic, (or contaminants that were in/on the barrel perhaps?)

While it is unsightly I do not think it would be harmful to your tank, and if it doesn't cause other issues (like growing so fast and thick that the plumbing gets plunged) it might actually provide bacterial food that your coral can eat.

What salt mix are you using? I am guessing that the microbe came as a hitchhiker in the salt mix, but that's another interesting question that your post has spawned. Where did the microbe growth come from in the middle of the desert?

#reefsqaud #Lasse Somebody on this site must have seen this before. We need answers not guesses!

Edit: I noticed Reef Crystals in the photo. I've never seen RC cause that kind of precipitate?

There's plenty of bacteria in the air inside a house/garage, it doesn't have to come in through salt or water.
That being said, the salt is definitely a suspect source of contamination. It could come from anywhere, really. Point is, probably only gonna get it outta there by cleaning the thing out proper.

 

[Jason Scalise]

Thanks for the replies.
should have added the key info:
Salt mix was recently HW Marinemix Reefer. But i switched to tropic marine pro reef mix about 5 months ago.
Happy with both. Just a switch.
Btw...you have the eye of an eagle regarding the reed crystals bucket. However, that is just an old bucket for utility. Not for salt mix.

I am guessing, When I get to the end of NSW batch, time for a power clean with power washer.

glad to hear nobody so far thinks this is a “crisis”. I did not think so either.

I extract about 1 gallon/day from the reservoir for the AWC. (Which is about 1%/day) So, in 2 months will be ready for a reservoir clean.

again, thanks for the input.