Keep Mould Away from Your Slimline Tanks

Whether you're conserving water for your garden or gathering it for an agricultural setting, you'll want to keep your slimline tanks free from algae. While algae are common and may seem harmless, it's also unsightly and can make your water unsafe for drinking purposes. From prevention through to tackling the problem as it arises, there are many ways to keep your water clear.

Make sure your slimline tank is opaque

Like other forms of plant life, algae rely on photosynthesis to grow. As such, a slimline tank that's not opaque will allow the sunshine to penetrate through, encouraging algae to grow. If you already have a tank and it isn't opaque, you may want to consider buying a paint that rectifies this. In addition, you can try keeping the tank away from direct sunlight and provide it with a lid that reduces the amount of oxygen going in, which also contributes towards halting algae growth.

Begin adding bleach to your water

If you're not consuming the water yourself, you may want to consider adding bleach. Around a 1/4 teaspoon for every gallon of water in the tank is enough to halt growth or banish it. Remember to adjust these levels according to the amount of water in the tank rather than adding enough to cover the tank's volume. Adding too much may make the water less useful for its set purpose, such as washing without causing stains or watering your garden. An alternative to bleach is to add four parts chlorine to every 1,000,000 parts water. While this requires more in-depth calculations than using bleach, it is a safer option if you or your pets use the water for drinking purposes.

Try antimicrobial disks and/or pebbles

If you're using your tanks for agricultural purposes, such as drinking water for horses, it's natural to feel hesitant about adding chemicals. An entirely natural alternative is to add pebbles or gravel to the bottom of the tank, swirl it around vigorously with a little water to dislodge the algae, and then spray it with a jet hose. While this may not remove the algae altogether, it does give you a head start. Alternatively, you can try antimicrobial discs from the moment you start using the tank, as prevention is better than cure.

If all else fails and you can't banish algae from your tank, consider buying a new one. With the right preventative measures in place, you can keep it fresh and stop the problem from occurring again.