A question about IBC water storage containers

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 01 Mar 2013, 18:24

If storing water for plant and possibly even animal use, is it best to use a black container to block light, or a clear one to allow UV light to kill bugs but possibly at the expense of allowing algae to grow ?

featherstick · Post by **featherstick** » 01 Mar 2013, 19:34

This is a question I've been pondering. My thinking is that the black ones would be better, to cut down on the algae problem. Clear ones seem to be more commonly available though. I suppose one could cover them.

Post by **adam2** » 01 Mar 2013, 19:45

I would go for black to discourage algae growth.
I doubt that the white ones transmit enough UV to kill bacteria.
As posted above though, the semi transparent white ones are more available.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 01 Mar 2013, 22:46

UV only travels a certain distance through water. So it works in transparent 2-litre lemonade bottles, but I think IBCs are too "deep". Black is probably better, like our water-barrels here at Chateau Renewable.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 01 Mar 2013, 23:18

I got black ones here

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 01 Mar 2013, 23:41

If you find a local source of black ones Cat, let me know. The only one I know is Cardigan Bay Trading in Emlyn, and I've only seen clear ones there.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 02 Mar 2013, 03:11

We find that sometimes our stored water goes green and sometimes it doesn't. Must depend on how clean the roof is when the rain falls I suppose.

Green water is a problem if you use a leaky hose to distribute it on the garden as the algae block the seep holes in the hose.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 02 Mar 2013, 16:05

Anything that even senses the slightest dampness goes green around here!!

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 03 Mar 2013, 08:14

JohnB wrote:If you find a local source of black ones Cat, let me know. The only one I know is Cardigan Bay Trading in Emlyn, and I've only seen clear ones there.

I'll ask them if they can get the black version, if they can how many would you want ? They advertise at £60 each, but could probably drop that. £50 seems to be the going rate. I can get a couple, possibly three, in my van if you need them delivered.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 03 Mar 2013, 15:02

Catweazle wrote:
JohnB wrote:If you find a local source of black ones Cat, let me know. The only one I know is Cardigan Bay Trading in Emlyn, and I've only seen clear ones there.
I'll ask them if they can get the black version, if they can how many would you want ? They advertise at £60 each, but could probably drop that. £50 seems to be the going rate. I can get a couple, possibly three, in my van if you need them delivered.

I'm not really ready for any yet, as I need to concentrate on other stuff at the moment. Collection is no problem when I am, as I'll get at least one in my trailer, and I'm only two miles away. But if you can do a better deal by buying a couple more than you want I may be able to scrape up the money.

They tend to have different qualities at different prices, and I'm not sure they do enough of them to do much of a deal, but not having to pay for delivery makes a big difference.

lurker · Post by **lurker** » 07 Mar 2013, 11:48

I can recommend the orange juice rotos/tanks from DV fuels

Larger capacity than IBC. Just right height to collect water from guttering.

Price has increased loads from when I got them though as they used to be 50 quid

Have 4 of them could do with 4 more

:

Black is best i reckon

Also would only get food grade as who knows what was in others before hand?