u/BraDDsTeR-_-

Currently stored 2 stackable 55 gal containers of water in my garage a little over 2 months ago. I recently checked it and the top container has a thin layer of biofilm/algae growing and a little concerned as I was hoping to keep stored for 2 years at the latest then rotate

Process

1. Rinsed containers out with soap and water

2. Disinfected with a bleach solution and let air dry for 24 hours

3. Filled containers with pre-treated municipal water with a drinking water hose

4. Added H2O ResQ to prevent biofilm

Conditions

1. Garage is not temperature controlled and I live in the Midwest

2. Containers are blue opaque but my garage door does get left open at time so sunlight does reflect in as well as LED lights overhead are left on at times

I see light and the heat being the issue but worried it’s more the light than anything despite the containers being specific for water storage and blue opaque.

Solution Advice I Need

1. After dumping and ready to re-fill I’m thinking about covering the containers with a 100% blackout curtain to ensure no light gets in.

2. Need advice on if I should filter the water with Camco hose filter.. my municipal water is pre-treated with chlorine so I’m iffy on if I should filter since it would filter out the chlorine. However, the filter could keep out any contaminant that maybe affected this current fill I did from the spigot

3. Even though the water is pre-treated would adding bleach at the end for 55 gal. be a good idea? Would it hurt anything? I shouldnt need to add bleach since it’s pre-treated but obviously something is going on for my water to have algae after two months. Could I add it simultaneously with the H2O ResQ or just do the bleach? Per Utah Department of Environmental Quality they state 1 teaspoon of bleach per 5 gal. for water storage so 11 teaspoons to add to my full containers each.

My goal is to open up the container in 2, 4, 6 months etc and see crystal clear water. The majority of the water is clear aside from a thin film when I shine a light on it.

Any advice is welcomed as I was definitely not expecting this only after 2 months. This project was a large investment so I want to make sure I get this right where I can fill and leave it and rotate it long term.