Storing RO/DI water

[pjhaddock]

Quick question. My RO/DI fills a 44 Gal brute in my garage, a 32 Gal brute next to it is my Kalk mix that is pumped by a reef dosing pump to the tank through the attic. Anyways, when I open up the fresh water can, it usually smells kinda musty. I am guessing it is from being out in the 100 degree garage, evaporating a little as the lid is not air tight. Anyone else experience this? Should I be concerned?

[Aquarist007]

run a power head in it for aeration and circulation.

How long are you storing it before using it up----I store my salt/r0 water for two weeks with a power head---at the month period I completely clean and drain the plastic pail of any sediment etc.

[jeffbrig]

I have a covered 30g acrylic container that I use to store RO/DI. It hasn't been fully emptied or cleaned in the 2.5 years the tank has been set up. No powerheads, no stirring, I just use the water as needed, and refill it when it starts getting low. It's never grown a bit of algae (0 tds water shouldn't), and is just as clean as the day I started.

[erid]

I have the same in my rubbermaid (musty smell). Dosen't seem to effect the tank. I'll go buy a small powerhead. Never thought about that.

Thanks,

ER

[Aquarist007]

should add that a "musty smell" is usually evidence of mildew or mold. which probably isn't good to introduce to the tank

[Mykayel]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
should add that a "musty smell" is usually evidence of mildew or mold. which probably isn't good to introduce to the tank

My Brute can of RO/DI that I keep covered has that "Musty" smell but no signes of mold/mildew. There's nothing for it to feed on, the plastic is inert and there's nothing in the water and the water should have no/minimal oxygen. I think that "musty smell" is the very humid air you are smelling. And even if it is actually mold/mildew, it would be in such small concentrations that it wouldn't effect your tank. I would say your tank is a better environment for growing mold/mildew anyway and it handles the natural environment just fine.

[Aquarist007]

it can creep down in the tank-----I found mildew behind my micron filter bag between it and the glass and it had travelled down the side of the sump almost to the water level. The fact that it is a fungus--I wouldn't want it in my tank. I have a good friend who is responisible for removing mildew and mould from portable school rooms---it does affect school children--I would infer that it could affect our fish?

Mildew refers to certain kinds of mould or fungus. In Old English it meant honeydew (a substance secreted by aphids on leaves, formerly thought to distill from the air like dew), and later came to mean mildew in the modern senses.[1]


"Powdery mildew growing on a leaf. The ladybird beetle is a Psyllobora species which feeds on the mildew.The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mould growth. Moulds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of homes with moisture management problems. Moulds often live on shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high. There are many species of moulds. In unaired places, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildew

[pjhaddock]

Glad to see others have the same experience. I have never seen any evidence of anything growing, even on the underside of the lid (which is where I would think it would be) After it airs out for a few minutes the smell is gone. I'll try a powerhead though and see if anything changes, if not, I wont worry about i. Thanks!