Prevent moss or algae growth in livestock, nurse tanks
The warmth and sunshine of spring and summer months can encourage algae growth inside stock tanks for animals and nurse tanks for spraying. Algae creates a film on the surface of the water, adds unnecessary extra material to the tank and can clog drains if it is thick enough, among other problems. But there are easy solutions to this hassle.
One option is to add a copper sulfate mixture to the tanks. To do this, dissolve 1 ounce of copper sulfate in 1 pint of water in a glass jar. Add 7.5 tablespoons of the prepared solution to each 1,000 gallons of water and mix thoroughly. This water can be used for crop spraying and livestock watering, excluding sheep.
The easiest way to prevent algae growth, though, is to paint the tank black. This blocks light from the tank so the algae can't reproduce or grow. Not only is painting the tank a simple solution, but it also is just as effective as other options and requires less labor because tanks rarely have to be repainted. While copper sulfate solutions must be constantly readjusted, tanks can be touched up with paint as necessary.
To paint a tank, begin by preparing the surface. For new tanks, lightly sand the tank with a fine grit and then clean it with soap and water. Tanks more than 1 year old can just be cleaned.
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