Mold/funk in my RO storage tank?

[loneboat]

I am using a RODI filter that I've been using for about 6 months. I am using a Brute trash can to store the water in, and today I noticed a "funk" when I opened the lid. I rarely open the lid, so I can't say how long it's had a smell. It smelled like gym socks, but fairly faint, so it's not horrible. I also noticed that at the water's level were some TINY bits of mold/mildew/something growing, but just in one spot. I have a TDS meter on the RODI unit, and it shows 80PPM on the input line, and 0 on the output line, and the Brute can is dark grey with a sealed lid so it's dark, so I can't imagine there being anything much of anything for whatever this is to "eat" - any ideas what could be growing? And how to safely clean out my RODI water tank without hurting my fish? Is this normal to have a gym sock odor?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I am using a RODI filter that I've been using for about 6 months. I am using a Brute trash can to store the water in, and today I noticed a "funk" when I opened the lid. I rarely open the lid, so I can't say how long it's had a smell. It smelled like gym socks, but fairly faint, so it's not horrible. I also noticed that at the water's level were some TINY bits of mold/mildew/something growing, but just in one spot. I have a TDS meter on the RODI unit, and it shows 80PPM on the input line, and 0 on the output line, and the Brute can is dark grey with a sealed lid so it's dark, so I can't imagine there being anything much of anything for whatever this is to "eat" - any ideas what could be growing? And how to safely clean out my RODI water tank without hurting my fish? Is this normal to have a gym sock odor?

Bleach water and rinse well. Let dry. Then use.

I keep RO/DI in a grey brute now going on, I think 5 years continuously. I do keep a small powerhead running in it always to keep it from just sitting still. I keep it's lid on it always. I do keep it filled most of the time as well.

I never get any growth in it.

 

[loneboat]

Aah cool. So just empty it, bleachwater it for a bit, and then rinse? What sort of concentration of bleach to water is safe?

 

[ReefLab]

Aah cool. So just empty it, bleachwater it for a bit, and then rinse? What sort of concentration of bleach to water is safe?

You could just pour bleach right into the water that’s already in there. 5-10% bleach should be good to sanitize

 

[loneboat]

You could just pour bleach right into the water that’s already in there. 5-10% bleach should be good to sanitize

Haha doh. That's why I post here - so you guys can tell me the answers that should be obvious to me in the first place! ;Facepalm

 

[ReefLab]

Haha doh. That's why I post here - so you guys can tell me the answers that should be obvious to me in the first place! ;Facepalm

Haha no worries. This happens to me periodically and I've been trying to be really good about only putting clean pumps/tubes in it so I don't contaminate it with microbes. I typically have to clean it out every few months anyways.