cleaning used water barrel question

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 02:26 PM

so i picked up a 55g from another guy that used it for his water changes...This is what I am going to use it for ... mixing salt. there is some brown algae in it and I am having a hard time getting it all the way clean...I am unable to reach the bottom....it there any way to get it all the glean..? I have been scrubbing it with vinegar and get it mostly clean but for the bottom. can i use it with some algae in it or should I keep on trying ..?

ganjero · 03/19/2015, 02:43 PM

is it brown algae or calcium carbonate precipitation? If it's precipitation, just use more vinegar and let it sit overnight.

Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 02:53 PM

Pic

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 02:54 PM

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 03:39 PM

how clean dose it need to be..?

I have been scrubbing the crap out of this thing...and can not get in the groves of the bottom

julie180 · 03/19/2015, 04:37 PM

I bought a small rag mop at the dollar store that I use to get to the bottom of my barrels. If you think its algae, I would try to get it all out. Bleach is also an option, just rinse very well and let dry before using.

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 04:51 PM

I don't really know what it is...this was on a system that was up for awhile. I have scrubbed the best I can I will try the mop...I am trying to stay away from bleach...seams like I have the same stuff in my brute that I am using...it is also brown...what would that be...I have not cleaned my brute for about 6 months...always has water in it

Gangous · 03/19/2015, 04:53 PM

They do sell barrel liners

Kona26 · 03/19/2015, 11:00 PM

I just used another one I stored away the held vinegar in it scrubbed it rinsed and installed.

Raul-7 · 03/19/2015, 11:30 PM

Use bleach.

kmbyrnes · 03/20/2015, 05:55 AM

Looks like Calcium Carbonate to me. It won't hurt anything.
How does the barrel smell when it is damp but no water in it?
If it's musty, use some bleach, rinse and then sun dry.
If you can't smell anything, you are good to go.

rickyb · 03/20/2015, 08:56 PM

I use my power washer to clean them.

i_danvers · 03/22/2015, 07:44 PM

+1 on the power washer if you have access to a hot water one they take just about anything off

Grkgod36 · 03/23/2015, 12:34 AM

Power wash it fill it up put a little bleach let it sit for 24 hrs then dump and since thoroughly

Big_Boss_77 · 03/23/2015, 02:17 AM

Yup, power wash it with bleach or some other cleaner, let it air dry for several days then hit again with a vinegar solution. Third time just water and go nuts. By then it should be clean enough to eat off of.

03/19/2015, 02:26 PM	#1
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	cleaning used water barrel question so i picked up a 55g from another guy that used it for his water changes...This is what I am going to use it for ... mixing salt. there is some brown algae in it and I am having a hard time getting it all the way clean...I am unable to reach the bottom....it there any way to get it all the glean..? I have been scrubbing it with vinegar and get it mostly clean but for the bottom. can i use it with some algae in it or should I keep on trying ..? __________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 02:53 PM	#3
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	Pic __________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 02:54 PM	#4
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	__________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 03:39 PM	#5
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	how clean dose it need to be..? I have been scrubbing the crap out of this thing...and can not get in the groves of the bottom __________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 04:51 PM	#7
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	I don't really know what it is...this was on a system that was up for awhile. I have scrubbed the best I can I will try the mop...I am trying to stay away from bleach...seams like I have the same stuff in my brute that I am using...it is also brown...what would that be...I have not cleaned my brute for about 6 months...always has water in it __________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 02:43 PM	#2
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	is it brown algae or calcium carbonate precipitation? If it's precipitation, just use more vinegar and let it sit overnight. Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

03/19/2015, 04:37 PM	#6
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	I bought a small rag mop at the dollar store that I use to get to the bottom of my barrels. If you think its algae, I would try to get it all out. Bleach is also an option, just rinse very well and let dry before using.

03/19/2015, 04:53 PM	#8
Gangous Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 395	They do sell barrel liners

03/19/2015, 11:00 PM	#9
Kona26 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 845	I just used another one I stored away the held vinegar in it scrubbed it rinsed and installed. __________________ 130g long DT. - (april. 2013) - 55g sump w/fuge (60in 80w 6 bulb ATI) - Bubble mag. curve 7 skimmer - 2 jebao 15 pumps - ATO - GFO/carbon - 2 heaters

03/19/2015, 11:30 PM	#10
Raul-7 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 891	Use bleach.

03/20/2015, 05:55 AM	#11
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	Looks like Calcium Carbonate to me. It won't hurt anything. How does the barrel smell when it is damp but no water in it? If it's musty, use some bleach, rinse and then sun dry. If you can't smell anything, you are good to go. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

03/20/2015, 08:56 PM	#12
rickyb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Coppell, TX Posts: 1,683	I use my power washer to clean them. __________________ Reefaholic #9999889888777444899111558 Current Tank Info: 240G Custom Planet Aquariums

03/22/2015, 07:44 PM	#13
i_danvers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 1	+1 on the power washer if you have access to a hot water one they take just about anything off

03/23/2015, 12:34 AM	#14
Grkgod36 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 375	Power wash it fill it up put a little bleach let it sit for 24 hrs then dump and since thoroughly

03/23/2015, 02:17 AM	#15
Big_Boss_77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Missouri USA Posts: 345	Yup, power wash it with bleach or some other cleaner, let it air dry for several days then hit again with a vinegar solution. Third time just water and go nuts. By then it should be clean enough to eat off of. __________________ Work smarter, NOT harder. Current Tank Info: 55 gallon with a 5 gallon fuge and 10 gallon sump