Storing RO/DI water

[WMCWINGS186]

What is the proper way to store RO/DI water? I made up a batch in my Brute 32 gallon can and after a few days it started smelling sour. I poured it out and scrubbed the can and sure enough it had a very fine layer of scum on the walls. Algae maybe???

Thanks

 

[griss]

What is the proper way to store RO/DI water? I made up a batch in my Brute 32 gallon can and after a few days it started smelling sour. I poured it out and scrubbed the can and sure enough it had a very fine layer of scum on the walls. Algae maybe???

Thanks

More likely bacteria than algae. I store mine in a Brute trashcan as well. Mine is in the basement and it never smells sour. I only have to clean it once or twice a year.

 

[kfisc]

Any chance sunlight is hitting it?

 

[WMCWINGS186]

Any chance sunlight is hitting it?

No. Keeping it in the pantry, with the lid on. Maybe no lid?? Would be safe to wash it out with a dilute bleach solution followed by a thorough rinse and air dry in the sun?

 

[griss]

No. Keeping it in the pantry, with the lid on. Maybe no lid?? Would be safe to wash it out with a dilute bleach solution followed by a thorough rinse and air dry in the sun?

I keep the lid on mine so. When I do clean mine, I use bleach and then just rinse really well.

 

[Reefing102]

Do you have a pump keeping it moving? I found mine stinks if it doesn’t stay circulated.

 

[kfisc]

Also: Do your RODI filters/membrane need to be replaced?

 

[WMCWINGS186]

Do you have a pump keeping it moving? I found mine stinks if it doesn’t stay circulated.

Yes I do.

 

[WMCWINGS186]

Also: Do your RODI filters/membrane need to be replaced?

Brand new RO/DI system

 

[WMCWINGS186]

I keep the lid on mine so. When I do clean mine, I use bleach and then just rinse really well.

Thanks. I cleaned it pretty well and am making a new batch today. If it happens again, I'll do a bleach clean up and see how that works.

 

[griss]

FWIW, I don’t run a pump in mine. Weird how we each have different experiences.

 

[wvned]

The Earth is made of dirt. We keep animals that came from living in and on the dirt. It is amazing how many people think dirt or stuff that grows in tanks will harm something.
If you have a vessel with water, life will spread to it. It is in the dust that floats around us.
Unless you put something like chlorine in the water to keep it from happening. But the entire point of making RODI water is to remove things like chlorine.
Eventually your water tank will get a bit scummy or slimy if it never dries but it wont hurt a thing.

I clean things almost exclusively with Muriatic acid anymore. Its HCl and our saltwater is made with NaCl. So a tiny bit can go in our tanks and dissociate into the same ions that are already there. Ya some would change the pH but a tiny bit does nothing. It will dissociate the same way bleach does if you let stuff air dry. It leaves nothing behind.

My RODI water never smells. Is it a new can? Perhaps it is the plastics from the can.

 

[smoorman1]

I just picked a Brute 32g. Scrubbed it out with citric acid and rinsed with RO. Is this considered acceptable? New water is measuring 0 to 1 TDS.

 

[griss]

I just picked a Brute 32g. Scrubbed it out with citric acid and rinsed with RO. Is this considered acceptable? New water is measuring 0 to 1 TDS.

Which Brute trashcan did you purchase? I've used the grey ones from Home Depot for decades with no issues.

 

[smoorman1]

It is grey. I ha.d a reef setup 20 years ago. It thrived for 3 years until I had to sell it. Just got a deal on a used system so I'm starting over. Best hobby ever! BTW everything is more expensive now I'm good with the citric acid wash?

 

[wvned]

no problems
I just hose the dust out and use them.

 

[griss]

It is grey. I ha.d a reef setup 20 years ago. It thrived for 3 years until I had to sell it. Just got a deal on a used system so I'm starting over. Best hobby ever! BTW everything is more expensive now I'm good with the citric acid wash?

Yes, everything is so much more expensive. I remember paying $40 for softball sized Acro colonies with Acro crabs inhabiting them. Now, you're lucky to find a decent sized Acro frag for that price.

As @wvned stated, just rinse it out good and you're good to go.