Ok I need some Ideas

[nenmrancher]

I need some help figuring out what to try next on a plugged up pipeline. I am pretty sure the problem is in the storage tank stand pipe.

First let me tell you a bit about my problem.

This is one of two open top storage tanks on the place and is a relatively small storage tank holding about 12 to 15,000 gallons and is a odd duck for us because it has one line coming into the tank from the pump, two outlets and a overflow stand pipe. One of the out going lines is short just a bit over a 1/2 mile of line to a drinker. The other outlet is my problem child I am pretty sure it has sucked a lung full of moss and that is my plug. We are so dry that draining the storage is not an option. So far I have used a swimming pool treatment that is designed to kill algee and moss with no luck, I have also gone to the nearest drinker and put and air compressor on it and it will build up about 45psi and then it starts blowing bubbles in the storage, soon as I let the air out of the line I get a little water and when the preasure is all gone its back to a dry line.

In the moring I am going to try using some vinegar on it, some folks that I know help take care of a community water system that had a alge/moss problem that say plain old white vinegar will kill it and break it up in the pipe. So I am going to try it.

Does anyone have any other suggestions that I can try that wont make the water unusable.

 

[little bow rancher]

you could try to put a valve on one end to build up pressure ,your compressor should kick out at 90 to 100 lbs ,then open the valve . or you could try a 2" pump most of them pump 40 gallons a minute

 

[Cowpuncher]

Clorox is death on algae, but if you can't get it to the block, it probably won't work.

We used to get frogs in our lines from the float chamber to the tank. I got a piece of fairly heavy steel pipe about 8 inches in diameter about 4 feet long and welded ends on it. Put a tire valve on it. Also put a 1/2 inch pipe with gate valve and a rubber bushing on the. Jam the bushing on the plugged pipe and open the gate valve. Blows sand, frogs and anything else into the tank.

If your line is dry, you probably can't use air to blow it loose because the air will compress. If you could put the pressure on the filled side of the plug, it would come out.

If your tank has algae in it, get some copper sulfate(blue vitrol), either crystals or powder and put a pound or so in the tank. In a day or so, the algae will be gone. Cattle will love the water with a touch of copper in it since most mineral mixes add copper. In our country, copper is deficient. Wehn we put copper in the water, cows eat half as much mineral. Depending on where your are, copper sulfate should be available.

 

[Silver]

Sounds like you need to bluestone it like Cowpuncher said, then run a pig.

 

[George]

If the line is big enough there is a pipe clearer available ( I think I got mine at northern equipment ) that when placed on a garden hose will swell to seal the inside of the pipe then put out short high pressure burst that really clears clogs. A local dairy uses one at least once a week to clear a 4" drain from the milking parlor - - - -it is amasing watching the far end when they use it.

Water works much better than air as it moves the clog and many times air will just blow past it.