BuzzKillerOfFire - 11-7-2017 at 06:25
I have a small amatuer lab, and am using a 12v ebay diaphram pump and a home depot bucket for my condenser water. Today I noticed some cloudiness in
my tubes, and think it might be mold. What would be a good way to solve this? (biocidal agents, etc. Ideally over the counter).
Fulmen - 11-7-2017 at 06:55
Basically anything toxic or corrosive to life. A bit of sodium hydroxide would probably work, but it can attack some polymers over time. Salt is also
effective against most microbes, but it will be more corrosive to metals. Copper salts should work, it's a traditional agent for killing algae, tree
roots and similar. Bleach is also highly effective.
But the first thing to do is to limit light exposure, this will limit the number of microbes that can survive.
JJay - 11-7-2017 at 09:19
It could easily be hard water residues; these can be dissolved in most acids (I usually use cleaning vinegar), but don't use sulfuric acid or they may
become permanent. If it is mold, bleach works well.
gdflp - 11-7-2017 at 10:18
A few crystals of copper sulfate works as a very effective biocide in a closed water loop. Not too corrosive, but effective at preventing bacterial
growth. Small silver coils are also available relatively cheaply for this purpose in watercooled computers.
XeonTheMGPony - 2-8-2017 at 10:18
Old thread but clear tubing will go cloudy over time in contact with water sterile or not.
But I use clean water with some methanol in it, and all my tubing looks cloudy, take it off and let it dry perfectly clear again.
As said shock it with bleach let sit for a day then drain, refill with clean fresh water and add a tea spoon of copper sulfate to it, or if sealed
methanol.