Controlling algae

[dun]

Chlorine may kill the goldfish

 

[M-5]

I don't really worry about mine much I clean them every fall after the leaves fall . all of mine are in the shade .

 

[Jogeephus]

I used to have an old galvanized tank with goldfish in it but I had to remove them because the goldfish kept pecking the algae and stuff off the walls of the tanks but this stuff was the only thing keeping the waster from running out of the many holes in the side of the tank.

Was the tank that old or full of bullet holes? Because someone (hopefully just stupid kids) actually shot all our stock tanks a couple years ago during the drought. I always have an extra tube of Bondo on hand.

It was actually just rust. Galvanized tanks just don't last long here. Not sure if its the water or they do a pizz poor job of galvanizing these days. Of course there was the one bullet hole in it. I take full responsibility for that and fixed with JB Weld.

 

[TCRanch]

I used to have an old galvanized tank with goldfish in it but I had to remove them because the goldfish kept pecking the algae and stuff off the walls of the tanks but this stuff was the only thing keeping the waster from running out of the many holes in the side of the tank.

Was the tank that old or full of bullet holes? Because someone (hopefully just stupid kids) actually shot all our stock tanks a couple years ago during the drought. I always have an extra tube of Bondo on hand.

It was actually just rust. Galvanized tanks just don't last long here. Not sure if its the water or they do a pizz poor job of galvanizing these days. Of course there was the one bullet hole in it. I take full responsibility for that and fixed with JB Weld.

Coyotes = bullet holes everywhere around here. I take full responsibility for the majority of them (not saying I actually hit the target).

 

[greybeard]

I think galvanize nowadays just means silver (zinc based) paint much of the time. "cold galvanizing". :roll:

 

[Jogeephus]

I think you are right. Was looking at some galvanized buckets the other day and one was nearly twice as much as another but the galvanization looked really thick like it had been dipped where the cheap pales were smooth and had a spray paint look. For water troughs I've gone to rubber or plastic. Metal only lasts about three years.

 

[jedstivers]

Tire tanks are the way to go for water troughs.

 

[TCRanch]

I think you are right. Was looking at some galvanized buckets the other day and one was nearly twice as much as another but the galvanization looked really thick like it had been dipped where the cheap pales were smooth and had a spray paint look. For water troughs I've gone to rubber or plastic. Metal only lasts about three years.

How well do rubber or plastic tanks hold up in winter, i.e. cracking? And is it okay to use a deicer in one (ours is the type that sits on the bottom of the tank)?

 

[dun]

I think you are right. Was looking at some galvanized buckets the other day and one was nearly twice as much as another but the galvanization looked really thick like it had been dipped where the cheap pales were smooth and had a spray paint look. For water troughs I've gone to rubber or plastic. Metal only lasts about three years.

How well do rubber or plastic tanks hold up in winter, i.e. cracking? And is it okay to use a deicer in one (ours is the type that sits on the bottom of the tank)?

They hold up fine. Our deicer is the sinking kind with the wire cage around it.

 

[TCRanch]

I put a half ounce of bleach in a 300 gallon tank when algae starts to come to life. Stock defense never worked that great for me. The bleach concentration is less than recommended dose for water purification, but does a nice job of knocking down algae.

Amazing results in less than 24 hrs! That said I did get the copper sulfate as well & will try it in the fountain to compare results.

 

[Jogeephus]

Don't de-ice here. They do hold up well though. I've been using the plastic tanks and they are really holding up well. I was worried about sunlight but it hasn't been an issue yet. Going on 10 years with the plastic ones and no problems.

 

[TCRanch]

Don't de-ice here. They do hold up well though. I've been using the plastic tanks and they are really holding up well. I was worried about sunlight but it hasn't been an issue yet. Going on 10 years with the plastic ones and no problems.

De-icing & breaking ice is the bane of my existence with our brutal winters - and yet 107 heat index the past couple days so excessive heat is also a consideration. Actually been thinking about plastic tanks since we switched to "bull proof" PVC bale rings.

 

[jedstivers]

Don't de-ice here. They do hold up well though. I've been using the plastic tanks and they are really holding up well. I was worried about sunlight but it hasn't been an issue yet. Going on 10 years with the plastic ones and no problems.

De-icing & breaking ice is the bane of my existence with our brutal winters - and yet 107 heat index the past couple days so excessive heat is also a consideration. Actually been thinking about plastic tanks since we switched to "bull proof" PVC bale rings.

Just use old combine tires. Free, tough and don't freeze near as much.

 

[Jogeephus]

Jed, I was going to go that route till I learned the large tires like that are scarce here and will cost you more than a tank. Don't seem right but those mud boggers want those big tires for their trucks. It must help with their mileage or something. ;-)

 

[bball]

I put a half ounce of bleach in a 300 gallon tank when algae starts to come to life. Stock defense never worked that great for me. The bleach concentration is less than recommended dose for water purification, but does a nice job of knocking down algae.

Amazing results in less than 24 hrs! That said I did get the copper sulfate as well & will try it in the fountain to compare results.

Good deal. Keep us updated on the copper sulfate. Awful hard to beat bleach. Half oz every few days is dirt cheap when a bottle of bleach is $1.79.

 

[jedstivers]

Jed, I was going to go that route till I learned the large tires like that are scarce here and will cost you more than a tank. Don't seem right but those mud boggers want those big tires for their trucks. It must help with their mileage or something. ;-)

Something isn't right with h that. We haul trailer truck loads of them from the tire store to the farm. They cost nothing.

 

[Jogeephus]

Your buddy up the road had four old beat up terragator tires that would have been perfect size for what I wanted. I thought it would be a win win deal if I took them off his hands and save him from having to pay the tipping fee but he told me he sold them to the bogging boys and I wasn't about to pay what he was asking. If what Steve told me was true then you might be throwing away a fortune.