Moldy poly sap tanks

[batsofbedlam]

The two 550 poly tanks I linked in series were covered in mold on the insides by the end of the season. They were a bear to clean even with a pressure washer.
Any ideas on preventing this from happening or best way to clean the tanks?

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Take a small 1 or 2 gallon hand pump sprayer and mist the inside of them with a good water and bleach solution a couple times during the season and let it set for an hour or two and then rinse them good. I have a 70 gallon and 140 gallon poly leg tanks I use on the tractor for collection and at the end of the season I do this to them and then turn them upside down for several months with the lids off and the lip of the tank edges where the lid sits up on pieces of boards to allow air to circulate in the to make sure they are bone dry and no mold in the off season.

During the season, I wash mine out with good pressure on my water hose at least once or twice a week during normal production.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

this whatI use before and after season.
RE-FRESH "Calcium Hypochlorite"
made by PPG Industries
Last Paragraph states
used for sanitization of water systems, municipal water mains, sewage,..........................,................ ........sanitization of food industry, restaurants, dairies, and hospitals.
So its allowed to be used by us.

[adk1]

what is the application process? Mix with water? bulk-head brush and scrub, let stand then rinse and do 2 more times? Where do you get this stuff?

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

fill tanks with water and just a little of this stuff (16oz treats like 8000 gal of water) use car brush on pole and scrub it all then rinse the heck out of it.

[brookledge]

I also use calcium hypoclorite for cleaning my sap lines after the season since it has no soduim
Keith

[3rdgen.maple]

fill tanks with water and just a little of this stuff (16oz treats like 8000 gal of water) use car brush on pole and scrub it all then rinse the heck out of it.

Is the car brush on the pole food grade????:D

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Is the car brush on the pole food grade????:D

it is as soon as it touches the cleaning mixture because at that point all the molecules of microbial action are rendered "useless(3rdgen)" and it becomes a food cleaning brush. There for complying with ARS.15-234.7 of the sanitation code:lol:.
But for all this to be recognized in the court of law you must be dressed only in a loin cloth with sandals on and ready to meet the man on May 21 at 6pm:D
If you need pictures of this ritual I can gladly post them for you eyes only 3rdgen:o

[CBOYER]

For your information, Calcium Hypochlorite is same as HTH for pool
and Sodium Hypochlorite is Clorox

[markcasper]

Do not use this procedure if you use an RO!!!!!!!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Do not use this procedure if you use an RO!!!!!!!

the sandals and loin cloth?

[markcasper]

bleach/chlorine

[batsofbedlam]

Markcasper, why no if using an RO?

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Markcasper, why no if using an RO?

The bleach/chlorine probably gets onto the membrane and wont wash out so it contaminates the sap that passes through it would be my guess

[DrTimPerkins]

The bleach/chlorine probably gets onto the membrane and wont wash out so it contaminates the sap that passes through it would be my guess

Many (most) maple RO membranes are very sensitive to chlorine due to the nature of their composition and construction. It will destroy them relatively quickly. Very costly mistake.

[mapleack]

Alright, this thread has shifted to a question I've had. Since RO membranes cant take chlorine, what then can I use to sanitize tanks / releasers during season without worry???

[sgrmaker]

I have very good luck cleaning my tanks with a food grade solution of chlorox and water, scrubing with a brush attached to a piece of conduit, rinsing with water. I use a wet/dry vac to get as much of the moister out after cleaning. The tanks are stored under cover to keep from getting condensation from forming inside the tanks. I also tape every opening using electrical tape to keep bugs and critters out. I have 4 poly tanks, 1100, 1500, 425, 550, lots of cleaning at the end of the season.

[FarmerJohn]

Mark:
Why no calcium/sodium hypochlorite if using an RO? I expect to rise thoroughly before putting sap in.

[DrTimPerkins]

Mark:
Why no calcium/sodium hypochlorite if using an RO? I expect to rise thoroughly before putting sap in.

Because of the membrane composition and structure, they are very sensitive to chlorine. It will destroy them. Even the fairly small residual amount of chlorine in municipal water supplies is bad.

[Brent]

The sensitivity to chlorine is way under the counter RO systems come with a carbon filter that must be changed at least once a year .... to get the chlorine out.