Reservoir Watering system?

Clear tubing

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/cleartubing.html

3/16 is 13.28 for 100' so just over 13 cents per foot

Well I did my own little test on algae growth on water systems. I noticed I had 2 water bottles that were right under a light that were growing an algae inside. Which made me think of the clear tubing and black tubing conversation. So I put black electrical tape around the one bottle and left the other clear, I left them for 2 weeks. The clear bottle is absolutely gross with algae and the bottle with tape is almost completely void of it. ;)

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Well I did my own little test on algae growth on water systems. I noticed I had 2 water bottles that were right under a light that were growing an algae inside. Which made me think of the clear tubing and black tubing conversation. So I put black electrical tape around the one bottle and left the other clear, I left them for 2 weeks. The clear bottle is absolutely gross with algae and the bottle with tape is almost completely void of it. ;)

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hrmmmmmm


What kind of light were they under?


I guess the question here is, if I went with black hose instead, if I had even minimal growth I would have no way of knowing how much was growing, Then again I dont want to be cleaning out 200' of hosing every 2 weeks either :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Well I did my own little test on algae growth on water systems. I noticed I had 2 water bottles that were right under a light that were growing an algae inside. Which made me think of the clear tubing and black tubing conversation. So I put black electrical tape around the one bottle and left the other clear, I left them for 2 weeks. The clear bottle is absolutely gross with algae and the bottle with tape is almost completely void of it. ;)

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I probably should add both bottles were cleaned out before the test and were set back in their positions and not used during the test. ;)

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

hrmmmmmm


What kind of light were they under?


I guess the question here is, if I went with black hose instead, if I had even minimal growth I would have no way of knowing how much was growing, Then again I dont want to be cleaning out 200' of hosing every 2 weeks either :)

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Just a regular flourescent light.

I am planning on using the black tubing and when I clean tubs just check each valve to make sure I am still getting water flow.

My reservoir is clear and the tubing is clear. No artificial lighting. No direct sunlight though, only fill light. No algae.


Could you use a fish anti algea type treatment?

I like the clear better ... let's you see just how much "gunk" is in the lines so that you know when to blow them out.

We test sippers each week as we clean tubs regardless ... "gunk" can get in those things and really clog them up ... it's a must to check them.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I like the clear better ... let's you see just how much "gunk" is in the lines so that you know when to blow them out.

We test sippers each week as we clean tubs regardless ... "gunk" can get in those things and really clog them up ... it's a must to check them.

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I thought you farmed out the feeder supply? Do you keep a few around for late night snacks?

Anyway, I guess I'm glad my high school bio class taught me something about algae. As a solution to the black vs. clear issue, perhaps you could splice a short section of clear tubing onto the black stuff. This would inhibit algae growth in the lines, but still allow you to see when the black stuff would need cleaning. If you're worried about algae growing only on the short section of clear, you could just cover it up using electrical tape and uncover it periodically.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I thought you farmed out the feeder supply? Do you keep a few around for late night snacks?

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I pitch in at my suppliers rat barn ... he takes care of me, so I like to return the favor as much as I can. ;)

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xdeus

As a solution to the black vs. clear issue, perhaps you could splice a short section of clear tubing onto the black stuff. This would inhibit algae growth in the lines, but still allow you to see when the black stuff would need cleaning. If you're worried about algae growing only on the short section of clear, you could just cover it up using electrical tape and uncover it periodically.

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Adding splices in would really only create a bottle neck for the algae and other "gunk" to catch on/in.

0.13 a foot is a really good price for clear tubing. Cheaper than buying it through any of the suppliers with the valves, and almost as cheap as using sprinkler line.

Algae grows fastest in stagnant water in direct sunlight. The best way to limit it is to use water fairly quick and keep it out of direct sun. The stuff for aquariums tries to reduce the amount of nitrates in the water. As normal tap water shouldnt be too high in nitrates it really wouldnt be effective. (I was running 7 fish aquariums for about 10 years and got to know algae real well ::grins::)

Having to clean out tubing lines is one of the trade offs of using drinking valves instead of water bottles. But then water bottle manufacturers recommend cleaning water bottles and drinking nipples weekly in soapy water.

Bryan