I use a 5k liter tinaco as part of my water storage. It's made of that "white" polyethylene that allows some light to penetrate. It's fairly exposed
so I've kept it wrapped in tarps to keep the light out and prevent algea from growing in the tank. Of course, the tarps break down in the sun and now
I've got rotted areas of tarp that let in light, resulting in much greenery growing in the tank.
My question is...Can the polyethylene be painted black to keep the light out? I wasn't sure what kind of paint would actually stick to that stuff.
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.Woooosh - 3-26-2009 at 03:26 PM
I toss a 3" chlorine tablet (the pure kind for swimming pools) in my cistern every few months. I have a whole-house water filter though.
Wouldn't painting it black while out in the sun just make it a hot water heater (without the pressure relief safety feature) ?BajaWarrior - 3-26-2009 at 03:32 PM
I have one exterior pila which is black and yes because the water gets so warm I must use Bleach from time to time towards and during the summer.
We built a new home right behind the old house but put the tank (white/clear) in the garage where now the water stays cool in the summer, great for
showers, plus no more heavy bleach use.
Couldn't you build an enclosure lets say out of plywood with maybe a hinging panel for maintenence? You could paint that white, or any color you want
and even draw clouds or waves or tacos or something on it for looks.Mike99km - 3-26-2009 at 08:02 PM
Paint does not not stick to most plastic without treating it first. The treating is done by changing the surface energy and even then the treating
will begin to revert to the original dine over time.
If you sand the thing first the paint would say longer but still would peel off.
3m make's a product named IJ180c-v2 or v3 that might work. The stuff is opaque and will say on for years. The down side is it cost, apx. $350.00 for a
54"x25yd. roll.
This is the same stuff that cars are wrapped in. If you wanted it printed all the cost goes way up.
Because it's opaque you won't have the algae growing and being white it will stay cool as well.Cardon Man - 3-27-2009 at 08:13 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Mike99km
Paint does not not stick to most plastic without treating it first.
Thanks all for your replies. As I continue to research, it seems that a good paint job on plastic is indeed a tricky thing to do. I certainly don't
want to go through all the trouble just to watch it peel away.
The Cistern in question sits in an old concrete/block "pila" so it's partly shielded from the sun. Nonetheless it does get pretty warm in the summer.
The tarp wrap lasted about a year before it really began to rot. I guess this method, albeit temporary, does the trick and at little cost. A plywood
covering for the old pila is a fine idea too...certainly would go a long way towards keeping the water cool for those hot days of summer.
I've been light on the bleach use but I guess I'll need to stay on it and maybe even up the dose
