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Old 04-05-2019, 02:31 PM   #1
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THOR #14936
Attack of the Blob!

I know there are many threads about how to sanitize tanks, and I have done that, but I still have a problem. While using my water pump, water would flow ok for a while, then slow to a trickle and stay there. I finally discovered that the pump filter was clogged with algae. I cleaned the filter, but the same thing happened again, so I decided to take a look in the tank and the result is what you see in the photo.

This gunk is not fazed by bleach, even at 200 ppm, and is too big to drain through the tiny 3/8 inch drain hole. I would love to scrape and scrub the inside of the tank to get rid of it, but of course the problem is gaining access. My first thought was some kind of access port, but I am having difficulty finding something that I think would work.
I found this, but it seems too small: https://www.marinesan.com/Holding-Ta.../307238685.htm

I found this, but it seems too large: Access Panels|tank|hatch|boat|water|TCL4

And I’m not sure if either will withstand the pressure of being submerged. (There is no access to the tank from above.)

I also thought of installing a larger drain fitting, hoping that the gunk will drain out, but I see that the spin weld fittings require a router, not a drill, and I don’t want to buy one of those. The only access to the tank is from the bottom or one end and the tank is about 4-5 feet long.

I just ran across this, not sure if it would work to build a larger drain: https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...x?itemid=89951

I really want to clean the gunk out without removing the tank as that is not easy to do.

Does anyone have any other solutions that I haven’t thought of?
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Old 04-07-2019, 07:13 PM   #2
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Attack of the Blob!

Well that’s a new one on me! Always learning here. Here’s what I’d try: I’d replace the tiny stock drain valve with a 1 inch PVC ball valve. I’d also add a tank flusher (normally sold for black tanks). Then I’d try filling the tank about half full with hot water - straight from my water heater (conveniently located in my garage). I’d take it for a good sloshing ride and then drain and flush. Repeat a time or two if it’s helping. If you can get the tank out you might be able to get it steam cleaned somewhere. Any idea why the stuff grew there? Good luck.
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Old 04-07-2019, 07:29 PM   #3
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Assuming you can get at the tank's top I would get my hands on a hatch like this or similar
https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Round-...6WGCTXR4BQ5Y2E
making sure I got one with a gasket, and put it in. I'd try to get it above the "normal" water line on the flat top, down down lower where it would see hydrostatic pressure...or at least as high as possible. I can't say with any certainty if these things would hold at or near the bottom of a tank.
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Old 04-07-2019, 07:48 PM   #4
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I can't get my head wrapped around the fact that it grew so much of it: in a place that should be kept clean...
I'd go to. a Medical Supply store, and see what they suggest for a disinfectant.
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Old 04-07-2019, 07:52 PM   #5
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Unless you're tank was exposed to sunlight the slime isn't algae

Use high pH and peroxide and the slime will dissolve, keeping the vent/lid open so you don't blow up the tank

You have filled up with some well water that has iron bacteria
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Old 04-08-2019, 12:35 PM   #6
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Plus...not knowing the toxicity of "The Slim", you probably have it throughout your water lines as well. It looks like Sulfur Bacteria which is common from standing well water (no chlorine). I would contact a water treatment company for advice and have water tested. It can be broken down and flushed but will take time. You can probably do this without removing or opening up holes in the tank but most important...you need to kill it. This is an interesting read:


waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/publications/CCEWQ-07-HydrogenSulfide.pdf


One paragraph from this article states:


"For example, sulfur bacteria produce slime that may
cause clogging problems
. Shock chlorination of the
entire water system, including storage tanks, hot water
tanks, and distribution lines, may be necessary to
kill the bacteria
(see Water Treatment Notes 5:
Chlorination of Drinking Water). Chlorine should
remain in the system for several hours, preferably
overnight. If the problem persists, continuous chlorination
may be required."
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Old 04-08-2019, 12:58 PM   #7
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Until it's cleaned-out: it's probably safer to brush your teeth, and gargle with Captain Morgan Rum...
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Old 04-08-2019, 01:03 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Until it's cleaned-out: it's probably safer to brush your teeth, and gargle with Captain Morgan Rum...

My daily mouthwash of choice but "Private Stock".
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Old 04-08-2019, 07:35 PM   #9
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Unfortunately chlorine doesn't do much for controlling filamentous iron bacteria or sulfate reducing bacteria

If you really want to get rid if it before your pex lines are plugged then

Get a gallon of NSF 30% peroxide

Get a quart NSF surfactant, add an ounce or about 30 mls

Fill the tank up to about 4 inches or to a depth to cover the blob

Adapt an air fitting to the inlet water line to fill the tank, replumb if needed

Slowly turn air on and increase to agitate the solution

As noted in my earlier post the manual fill cap has to be open unless you want a larger water tank

After you get the blob dissolved and flushed then start sanitizing the entire plumbing including the hot water heater

There are only a couple effective biocide products however they are not NSF
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Old 04-08-2019, 08:40 PM   #10
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are you sure it's even algae or bacteria? From the looks of it in the photo it could just as easily be some glue that spilled in...or something like that.
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Old 04-08-2019, 09:34 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by blw2 View Post
are you sure it's even algae or bacteria? From the looks of it in the photo it could just as easily be some glue that spilled in...or something like that.
Great point, who knows what someone might have done

However since the program is getting worse per the OP it probably is alive

Snaking a bore scope to the glob and inserted the tip would allow closed examination

Do matter what it is it sure don't belong in your coffee water
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Old 04-08-2019, 09:41 PM   #12
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Its alive, its growing. Some of it is green and appears to be algae, some of it is white and has a slime like consistency.
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Old 04-08-2019, 09:43 PM   #13
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Lwmcquire, I have a different surfactant and sanitizer that I bought but haven't tried yet. I'll post the names later tonight or tomorrow morning as I'd like to see if you think they might be effective.
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Old 04-08-2019, 09:46 PM   #14
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As for your other post, it doesn't get direct sunlight but it does get indirect.
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Old 04-08-2019, 10:09 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by BrentB View Post
As for your other post, it doesn't get direct sunlight but it does get indirect.
Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) will be long and stringy

You seem to have slime from well water which wouldn't have sunlight

Some algae will form with indirect sunlight but usually not much

Why is sunlight getting to your tank?
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Old 04-08-2019, 10:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrentB View Post
Its alive, its growing. Some of it is green and appears to be algae, some of it is white and has a slime like consistency.


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Old 04-08-2019, 10:24 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by lwmcguire View Post
Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) will be long and stringy

You seem to have slime from well water which wouldn't have sunlight

Some algae will form with indirect sunlight but usually not much

Why is sunlight getting to your tank?
The bottom of my rv is not enclosed, so it is exposed.
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Old 04-08-2019, 10:26 PM   #18
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Have you been gargling again?[emoji6]
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Old 04-09-2019, 04:41 AM   #19
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Lwmcquire, I have a different surfactant and sanitizer that I bought but haven't tried yet. I'll post the names later tonight or tomorrow morning as I'd like to see if you think they might be effective.
So, the detergent doesn't actually list what it contains, but the sanitizer lists the following active ingredients:

Alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides...5%

Alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorites...5%

Do you think that would be effective against this stuff?
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Old 04-09-2019, 10:15 AM   #20
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Detergent acts as a wetting agent. Makes the water wetter, that is more effective. The two active ingredients are quats commonly used in household cleaners. Good at killing all microbes (germs).

Your biomass is a combination of microorganisms. Use an algaecide from the pool store and any good household cleaner including bleach or peroxide.

Add them and then go for a drive. Leave them in the tank for 24 hours.
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