Water reservoir maintenance for an organics guy....

So I put a resevoir in with a water filter and aerate my water. I've been having a problem with it turning fishy and nasty. What do I add to it to keep it clean, yet not interfere with my organics. I don't want say something like H2O2 which would kill off all of my microbes in my soil once added. Or would it? Thanks for the help in advance. -Bird

Oh and by the way I had this problem about 5 days ago and did a complete disassembly and cleaning, replaced hosing, and airlines etc. Going to clean it out again right now. Just was wondering what I can do to help extend times between cleanings.

if you add in h2o2 and let it bubble for 24 hours it should help with some of that slimy stuff.

No h2o2!!! Add more earthworm or compost and a carb if your getting a bad smell and your adding poultry pellets or cow shit remember they have urine in them witch contains ammonia and smells as microbes metabolize ... I use 1-1 1/2 cups of sucanate as I found molasses to cause problems in my rez if it was too warm

I don't mix anything in the resevoir, its just pure filtered water. No nutrients, nothing

NightbirdX said:

I don't mix anything in the resevoir, its just pure filtered water. No nutrients, nothing

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is your res covered good and no light penatration? If it's just h2o that's strange as the contaminants are getting in there some way.

What color is the slime?
White, Clear, Brown, Red, Green, Black...?
This will help diagnose the issue

most important thing for a reservoir is to pump air into it... keep your water oxygenated and covered, and everything will be cherry.

woodsmaneh! said:

is your res covered good and no light penatration? If it's just h2o that's strange as the contaminants are getting in there some way.

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I have the top and the clamp that originally came with the drum. I took out the plugs that were in the top. The smaller hole I use for my submersible pump and length of hose which I use to pump water into my buckets or jugs. The bigger hole is the one that I run the airstones into. It is the only hole that is open in the resevoir system.

Cannabisculture said:

What color is the slime? White, Clear, Brown, Red, Green, Black...? This will help diagnose the issue

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It was whitish in the water and tainted my rags orangy white and there was also some brown/black.

is it maybe something from the drum its self?

sounds to me like you have some bacteria, fungus and algae growing.
Go to a local pet store and get some Algae gone for aquatic plant aquariums. Also check your rez lid and tub for light leaks by trying to look through it into the sun. This will reveal all light leaks and should take care of your algea when covered. Black white black is a good painting technique. Black will absorb light which then the white catches and reflects back, then whatever makes it through the white will be absorbed by the black.
The algea gone is for the white slime so if you see it in there use it!

Any other colors are bacteria, fungus or viral.
Clean all parts with H2O2 and soak in a weaker solution H2O2 for 30 minutes
Use a systemic fungicide once you get her filled with BOTTLED WATER! RO specifically and treat every 2 weeks
this should clear up any issues...

-CC

ps. the systemic fungicide is ok to use on exposed roots and should froth if there is any contamination

Oh and you shouldn't have any holes in your rez that are uncovered. drill the holes to the size of your disks and feed the cord through with one on. like its a plant :]
This is were your contamination is starting most likely

I also mix nothing in my reservoir except pure water and the occasional dosing of molasses. I use an air stone bubbling about 30 gal. As one who waters with a wand I do not leave my submersible pump submerged. It is removed to dry out until needed again. This also keeps my hoses from getting tainted from overexposure to water. To clean my res I add h2o2 and turn the pump on and run it through my hose and wand. The h2o2 evaporates out before my next watering so I have no worries of killing microbes. My water flows through a dual stage sediment and uv filter, thus no contamination is coming from outside source.