Hi all,

I just got a 10 gallon water cooler to store water in. The cooler is
totally opaque (it's one of the yellow Igloo pigs), but I'm thinking that I
should add something to prevent Icky Stuff from growing in it. I have
Physan, but that's a bit expensive to be constantly using. Is household
bleach OK? How much per gallon?

Thanks.

--Matt

Matt,

Bleach is okay. Exact proportions, I don't know, but a very small amount
should keep things fresh. And if you let the water stand without a cover
overnight, the bleach will dissipate, so no ill effects on the plants.

Diana

"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I just got a 10 gallon water cooler to store water in. The cooler is
totally opaque (it's one of the yellow Igloo pigs), but I'm thinking that
I
should add something to prevent Icky Stuff from growing in it. I have
Physan, but that's a bit expensive to be constantly using. Is household
bleach OK? How much per gallon?

Thanks.

--Matt

Matthew Donadio wrote:
Hi all,

I just got a 10 gallon water cooler to store water in. The cooler is
totally opaque (it's one of the yellow Igloo pigs), but I'm thinking that I
should add something to prevent Icky Stuff from growing in it. I have
Physan, but that's a bit expensive to be constantly using. Is household
bleach OK? How much per gallon?

Thanks.

--Matt


I have been using and storing rainwater (0ne 250-gal, one 150-gal, and
two 50-gal containers. I have never had any problems with anything
growing in the water in the opaque containers, and indeed, only a very
small growth of algae on the sides of the translucent one in six years.
Don't put anything in the water; just make sure the container is clean
when you start and you should be ok.

"tennis maynard" wrote in message
...
I have been using and storing rainwater (0ne 250-gal, one 150-gal, and
two 50-gal containers. I have never had any problems with anything
growing in the water in the opaque containers, and indeed, only a very

500 gallons??? Wow. I wish I could store this much rainwater. I am the
kind of person who feels guilty if I leave the water running when I brush my
teeth...

small growth of algae on the sides of the translucent one in six years.
Don't put anything in the water; just make sure the container is clean
when you start and you should be ok.

It's currently soaking in a very strong solution of bleach, and I plan on
scrubbing it on Saturday.

--Matt

doesnt bleach degrade most plastics????

Kye.


"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message
...
"tennis maynard" wrote in message
...
I have been using and storing rainwater (0ne 250-gal, one 150-gal, and
two 50-gal containers. I have never had any problems with anything
growing in the water in the opaque containers, and indeed, only a very

500 gallons??? Wow. I wish I could store this much rainwater. I am the
kind of person who feels guilty if I leave the water running when I brush
my
teeth...

small growth of algae on the sides of the translucent one in six years.
Don't put anything in the water; just make sure the container is clean
when you start and you should be ok.

It's currently soaking in a very strong solution of bleach, and I plan on
scrubbing it on Saturday.

--Matt

I guess it depends on the plastic... It DOES come from the store in plastic, after all.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Kye Tanson" wrote in message
om.au...
doesnt bleach degrade most plastics????

Kye.


"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message
...
"tennis maynard" wrote in message
...
I have been using and storing rainwater (0ne 250-gal, one 150-gal, and
two 50-gal containers. I have never had any problems with anything
growing in the water in the opaque containers, and indeed, only a very

500 gallons??? Wow. I wish I could store this much rainwater. I am the
kind of person who feels guilty if I leave the water running when I brush
my
teeth...

small growth of algae on the sides of the translucent one in six years.
Don't put anything in the water; just make sure the container is clean
when you start and you should be ok.

It's currently soaking in a very strong solution of bleach, and I plan on
scrubbing it on Saturday.

--Matt

Yeah... I thought of that after I said it, though it was my thought that the
plastics used for chemical storage were rendered inert whilst most domestic
plastics were more liable to degrade after exposure to strong chemicals.

Kye.

"Ray" wrote in message
...
I guess it depends on the plastic... It DOES come from the store in
plastic, after all.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Kye Tanson" wrote in message
om.au...
doesnt bleach degrade most plastics????

Kye.


"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message
...
"tennis maynard" wrote in message
...
I have been using and storing rainwater (0ne 250-gal, one 150-gal,
and
two 50-gal containers. I have never had any problems with anything
growing in the water in the opaque containers, and indeed, only a
very

500 gallons??? Wow. I wish I could store this much rainwater. I am
the
kind of person who feels guilty if I leave the water running when I
brush
my
teeth...

small growth of algae on the sides of the translucent one in six
years.
Don't put anything in the water; just make sure the container is
clean
when you start and you should be ok.

It's currently soaking in a very strong solution of bleach, and I plan
on
scrubbing it on Saturday.

--Matt

Matt,
Try 2 or 3 drops(5.25% - reg Clorox) per 10 gal. I think that will provide
the protection you are looking for. Should keep forever in a closed
container without overdoing the Cl. Will try to do a test and update in a
day or so.
Jim

"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I just got a 10 gallon water cooler to store water in. The cooler is
totally opaque (it's one of the yellow Igloo pigs), but I'm thinking that
I
should add something to prevent Icky Stuff from growing in it. I have
Physan, but that's a bit expensive to be constantly using. Is household
bleach OK? How much per gallon?

Thanks.

--Matt