fresh water tank cleaning

terraplane · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:36 pm Post subject: fresh water tank cleaning

I use my freshwater tank for cooking water, face washing, doing dishes...not for drinking..but it is getting funky in there...
How do you guys clean this tank?

terraplane

SeaSpray · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject:

I cleaned my water tank less than a year ago. Some have posted that they use a few tablespoons to 1/4 cup of clorox. I used hydrogen peroxide because my home RO water system says to us it.

What I found is that the hose from the tank to the foot pump had a layer of brown gunk on the inside. I think this is a normal development when ever you have water sitting in a hose. I replaced the hose but suspect the brown stuff is back.

I don't think it is toxic and I use the tank water for many of the same things including brushing teeth. I carry additional drinking water. Before I go on a trip I drain the tank and put in fresh water.

Steve

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

I always pump the system down when I am not using it...then add some chorox ..... before I fill it again....I add several gallons of water and drain that... Been doing that since the boat was new and I always have clean safe water... sometimes smells a bit of clorine...but that does not bother me...it's not bad and I know it's safe water..

Joel
SEA3PO

Chester · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject:

I winterized the water system with a bottle of vodka. It won't freeze, kills the cooters, and won't poison the end user. Hopefully it won't damage the pump, I guess time will tell.

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

I've been winterized like that a time or two...

Joel
SEA3PO

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

The easiest way on a 22 is to pick up a piece of tubing that will slip over the faucet and hang it out the window below the hull. Then pump the pump and get a flow going. It will then syphon on its own. I use a 1/2 tsp of bleach per gallon of water in the tank and fill it entirely, pump water through the faucet several times over 5-10 minutes to bring the bleach in contact with the entire system and then syphon it out. Also pour a splash into the level tube. Bleach only needs several minutes of dwell time to sanitize.

I do this twice a year. You may want to do it more often in a warmer climate.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject:

El and Bill · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:41 am Post subject:

The bleach, siphon over the side, and freshen with baking soda is the technique we use. However, we must confess ... since we drink our tank water (that might explain some things, eh?) we also dump in a bottle of cheap vodka every so often (also explains some things, you're thinking?). Makes good antifreeze and really zips up the morning coffee ...

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:07 pm Post subject:

El and BilI-

I think I'll just pump the water over the side, flush it out with some water and bleach mixture, and then refill the whole tank with vodka!

Might as well cut to the chase, so to speak!

See ya' in Seattle!

Joe

seahooked · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject:

[quote="JamesTXSD"]

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris,

After years of living in the frozen northland and frequent winterizing of RVs, here's how we handled the UNwinterizing: Assuming you don't have a hot water heater full of the pink stuff, fill the fresh water tank (add a couple tablespoons of bleach; really, it doesn't take much), and run water out of all the faucets until the water doesn't look foamy. Fill the tank again; if you smell the bleach in the water, mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda in water and add that to the tank. Run some more water. That's it. With the smaller water tank in our 25, I put about a capful of bleach in the water when we're sanitizing it.

If the hot water heater has the pink stuff in it, it will take a lot more flushing to clean it. It's best to drain it and add water with the drain open.

I've never tried the vodka technique... I'm guessing you don't have to go so easy with the amount you add with that. Wink

Best wishes,
Jim B.

seahooked · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jim,
Your details will be very helpful come spring.

patrick and linda · Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

hi david, (anna leigh)
it's always the simple solutions that are hardest to discover!
great idea, can't tell you how much time i've waisted pumping the foot pump to empty the fresh water holding tank.
thanks for sharing this tip!
pat

SEA3PO · Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

Don't feel alone Capt..... we'all did that foot pumping thing until we heard about the hose out the window trick.

Joel
SEA3PO