Pinkish-orange algae in water lines

[mobeewan]

I have the translucent pex tubing that you can see through that is like the plastic in milk jugs. There is as light pinkish orange discoloration on the inside of the tubing. I believe it to be the same algae stains that are around the edge of the tub. I plan on doing a good cleaning of the trailer soon and will be winterizing. I was thinking of using the winterizing connection and adding either dilluted peroxide or straight white vinegar into the lines and soaking for a couple days before flushing and sanitizing and then winterizing the water ststem. I would like to dissolve any organics in the tubing to get rid of them. I know bleach will sterilize everything but i also want to remove any deposits left in the tubing. Any recommendations from anyone that has done anything similar? I'll be doing the cleaning the FW tank too.

[Second_Chance]

Pink slime around tubs, sinks, etc., is not a fungus, mold or algae - it's a strain of airborne bacteria known as Serratia marcescens. Since it is airborne, it's not a "clean to cure" situation but rather "clean to control" and must be done periodically. Since the OP is talking about inside water lines, I'm not sure if it's the same organism. Either vinegar or chlorine bleach solutions will take care of the situation.

Rob

[Grit_dog]

What Scott says should cure it.
Same deal in our bathrooms around here. Mildew on the ceiling and pink slimy in the tubs and shower pans. Quick bleach wipe down keeps it at bay for a while.
It's early and worth a shot to see if that breaks it down and gets rid of it.
You can do it easy in your driveway.

[ScottG]

We have the pink mold around here so I know what you mean.
Hydrogen Peroxide diluted would be too weak to do anything and it would cost a fortune to use enough to fill the system.
I would use the tried and true method of using a 1/4 cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water and sanitize the whole system. I would not leave it in there all winter for fear of it getting worse. Then you can use an ounce or two of hydrogen peroxide to completely neutralize the bleach - yes, that little amount will destroy the bleach immediately. It's an amazing reaction.
Works great - I do it every year.

[Homer1]

I don't think you have any algae or bacterial build up in your water lines. I believe it is just calcium deposits on the line walls that has absorbed the color of the anti freeze. If possible pull a short section of line, split it and take a good look.

[coolmom42]

Vinegar would be more likely to dissolve any deposits. I would let it sit for at least 24 hours. You might need a repeat treatment. Flush with water and then sanitize.

This amount of growth makes me wonder about the quality of your water supply. If you fill from a well at home, consider getting it tested..

[eHoefler]

Iron Algea, sanitizing the system with chlorine will kill it, but the stain will remain.

[DutchmenSport]

All I can say is, try it! See what happens, and give us a report back, because it's quite obvious up to post #6, no one has done this. Maybe post #7 has?

[mobeewan]

Please reread my op. I never said it was calcium. It is organic probably algae. I don't want to just change the color. I know about using bleach and have used it many times in the past to sanitize the FW tank and lines. I'm looking for suggestions from those with similar past experience and if they used peroxide or vinegar or something else besides bleach. Ultimately I will be using bleach in the final step to sanitize once again but I'd like to make sure I get rid of any residue or deposited since I can't scrub out the lines like i did my FW hoses.

[SCVJeff]

I've never seen calcium with color. Have you tried bleach yet? I've seen that before in the shower and bleach kills it off

[mobeewan]

It's not antifreeze. I haven't use it in years. The discoloration occurred long after the last time I used it. I have also had the algae in my white city water hoses. Before bleaching them I have run a string through them with a wad of cloth attached at the end to wipe the inside of the hose. Like running a cleaning patch through a rifle barrel. Can't do that with the plumbing. That's why I was thinking about the peroxide or vinegar. They shouldn't hurt the plastic tubing and fittings. Vinegar will dissolve calcium deposits in coffee pots and is recommended by Atwood to kill the sulfer odor that can occur in their water heaters. So I am leaning towards using it.

[DrewE]

Are you sure it's not staining from RV antifreeze dye or possibly some mineral deposits?

I don't think you'll find anything that will dissolve algae or bacteria cells but not be harmful to plumbing or human cells. Some sort of mechanical cleaning (i.e. scrubbing or flushing with a lot of water) would probably be the most effective if it is indeed some biological contaminant.