Water Contamination

[mikeo5422]

Hey,
I have recently discovered an issue with my water source. I am guessing this is a typical problem but I am not really sure. I get my RO water from walmart and I store it in a 5 gallon jug. Usually I will mix the salt and change it out right away but recently I have not. Now I leave a heater in the jug for a few days then i mix the salt in. Sometimes I will let the saltwater sit in the bucket for a few days as well. However, once the water has been sitting, with or without salt, the ammonia levels begin to rise. I am assuming some kind of bacteria is growing in it. Does anyone have any suggestion on how to store my water better? Perhaps a UV sterilizer would help?

 

[meowzer]

You mention a heater...But do not mention aeration......do you run a powerhead in this water? that is a must....IMO moreso then a heater

 

[mikeo5422]

Its stagnant =0.

 

[meowzer]

I think you may now have your problem narrowed down...LOL

 

[al&burke]

It wouldn't hurt to rinse your water bottles with peroxide.

 

[bang guy]

Keep the water cold at all times until just before you are ready to add it to the tank.
I would also have the Walmart RO water tested for purity. Sounds like you're not getting high quality water.

 

[flower]

A busy wal-mart is good water...something about pressure and the filters they use.
Why not invest in your own RO unit? I hated lugging those jugs..I did it for years. LOL..everytime I fill a jug from my own home..I rejoice and say how good it is to have my own RO water.
I used to think I needed to heat my new water too but no, it's better not to. It won't hurt your citters to use room temp water either, the temp my drop a single point even with a large water change.

 

[bang guy]

This is results from testing I did several years ago:
TDS levels
A - 105
B - 76
C - 12
D - 142
E - 524
F - 360
G - 298
I posted them in the order of what I thought would be cleanest to dirtiest water. Am I the only one Surprised by the results?
A = Culligan RO/DI from a vending machine
B = Walmart Distilled
C = RO from my filter
D = Walmart RO
E = Dannon Spring Water
F = My Tap Water
G= My Well Water

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/386390/water-contamination#post_3393589
This is results from testing I did several years ago:
TDS levels
A - 105
B - 76
C - 12
D - 142
E - 524
F - 360
G - 298
I posted them in the order of what I thought would be cleanest to dirtiest water. Am I the only one Surprised by the results?
A = Culligan RO/DI from a vending machine
B = Walmart Distilled
C = RO from my filter
D = Walmart RO
E = Dannon Spring Water
F = My Tap Water
G= My Well Water
Guess who's got two thumbs and is never buying Dannon spring water again??? This guy!!! (pointing at myself) LOL.
That is crazy high TDS for what is sold as "good" water. I wonder what all the suckers who buy bottled water would think if they saw this. Thanks for posting Guy!!

 

[jstdv8]

I could be wrong but dannon water is probably for drinking and they add minerals to it to make it taste good.
I did a taste test at my place on a glass of Ro water and a glass of my tap water and I'd take the tap every time for drinking. This was a test the guy that was trying to sell us the RO setup showed. So of course he has a seperate way to get regular tap water for drinking and the Ro water goes to the clothes, dishes etc.

 

[flower]

I have a culligan RO in house 5 stage unit...TDS reading 4
I pay $39.99 each month and they take care of the filters. I have a 3g holding tank under my kitchen sink and a little faucet where a hand wash hole used to be up top by the main faucet, so it's real handy. I have well water and no water softener. We use the water for both fish tanks, cooking and we have a water cooler, we fill the jug for drinking water and it has a hot dispencer for tea. I never have to do anything but fill my jugs for what I need.