I want to buy a 55 gal water storage tank, whats the best way to sterilize it?

kilofey

kilofey

Member
I found a 55 gal water storage tank on craigslist. I believe its new, (if not Ill buy a new one else where)
Whats the best way to sterilize it and how long could I store RO/DI saltwater?
I will have to alter the container, so pls tell me if it sounds good:
Make the top detatchable but sealed (not sure how yet)
Install spicket towards bottom for quick drainage if needed
Put a pump inside the container (cut a hole in the top for the plug to hang out & silicone around the plug with fishtank sealer. coil hose up inside the container & attatch hose to pump for later use during water changes)
When I need to do water changes, I would remove the lid & put the hose in the tank & pump the water from the garage to the tank in the living room
I would run the pump all the time so salt is good & mixed & I would check sg before water changes
If this wont work cause of mildew or any other reasons pls tell me... Im just trying to make water changes easier cause lifting buckets is alot of work and cause I have hardwood floors so im also trying to eliminate spilling water on the floor because I suck at pouring water from a bucket into the tank accurately lol
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Is the container specifically used for water. I would be worried about using something that had something else in it. A lot of people around here including myself buy brand new garbage cans for making water and removing water. They are cheap and easy to clean. I have two 15 gallon one's one i use specifically for removing water and one just for making water. I even made a dolly for mine so I can move them around easily when they are full. Now for top off water I just use and old 30 gallon tank I had.
But to answer your question when ever I clean a tank I will scrub with baking soda, wash with vinegar, and sometime i will fill the tank/container and put pure bleach in it - then rinse really really good. Also someone from here made the suggestion of putting a water sprinkler in the tank upside down and running it - that works really well.
But please don't buy the container you are thinking of if you don't know for sure what was in it.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/387018/i-want-to-buy-a-55-gal-water-storage-tank-whats-the-best-way-to-sterilize-it#post_3402084
But to answer your question when ever I clean a tank I will scrub with baking soda, wash with vinegar, and sometime i will fill the tank/container and put pure bleach in it - then rinse really really good. Also someone from here made the suggestion of putting a water sprinkler in the tank upside down and running it - that works really well.
But please don't buy the container you are thinking of if you don't know for sure what was in it.
I was about to say all of the above.
 
kilofey

kilofey

Member
The container is specifically for water... BUT the garbage can idea is way better! Thanks!!! That way I can have the removeable lid (and itll prolly be cheaper)
How long can I keep both ro/di water and salt water in the garbage cans before I need to make a fresh batch?
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Usually when I make water for my tanks I will leave it with a pump running and circulating for 24 hrs at least, RO water I only leave in my TO reservoir.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Brute food grade cans are the best. Yes a beach bath and good rinse once in a while is also a good idea.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Everyone has their own way.....here is mine, so you can get an idea and do your own thing.
I use a 37g plastic garbage can Marked FISH ONLY, it sits next to my 90g tank with the lid on it. I have a utility pump in the can with RO water.... I use it as top off. I also add Salt mix at water changing time. I have a hose that attaches to the utility pump that reaches to the top of my 90g..... I let the salt mix 24 hours before I use it in the can with the pump to churn it (testing to make sure SG matches). Then I unplug the pump and attach the hose...I remove water to a bucket...Meowzer lets a hose drain to the sink (I'm not that brave) .....I turn on the pump and let it refill the tank with new saltwater. When the can is almost empty and too low to allow the pump to run... I finsh it by hand.
After the can is empty, I wash it with a tiny bit of bleach and rinse the thing till I'm too tired to continue (LOL..4Xs) and let it sit out in the sun (or bathtub upside down in the winter) to dry. I then rinse it a few more times. And begin again all over with using the can for top offs. The RO is fine for a full month, it does get a little sour smell if you put a lid on it...so a table cloth thrown over it works and it doesn't look too bad. Egg crate works as a table topper under the cloth so nothing falls through and the cloth doesn't get wet.
I use a tablecloth over the can so it doesn't look like an eye sore in my living room. That way it looks nice, and it keeps my dogs hair and dust out out of the water.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
thats a good idea.... I do the same with my W/C's then clean it out with hot water and then dry and put it in the garage for storage. I'm not to brave to use bleach tho. I used some on the biocube when the wife took her tangs out after QT'g. (I scrubbed that buger due to the copper we used for ich) then rinces several times and allowed it to sit full with powerhead on for 24 hours. I was told that I wouldn't have to use the polyfiber but I wanted to be sure all the copper was out (Not the toxic copper tho). After 5 days, I took out the filter and looked for the blue hue to insure no harmful chemicles were left in the tank., and began the cycle process. Almost done with the cycle now, ammo is 0, trites are still traceable and trates are around 10. yippy.
So anyhoo, yes there are several ways you can clean/sterilize your tank.
 
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