Potable water tank resurrection

[Donald Tyson]

My water tank has set empty for some time. Looking through the archive I've found a number of opinions and recommendations for cleaning, purifying and maintaining the onboard 20 gallon water tank. The following is what I've understood as best practices:
1) add a significant amount of Bleach to the tank. the amount usually sighted seems to be 8ounces (1Cup).
2) drain tank properly. Using a hose from the sink siphon the tank dry. repeat once or twice.
3) Add one tablespoon of bleach to a full 20 gallons for continued safety and cleanliness.

If there is anything in this list that you feel needs to be updated let me know. We May or may not drink this water but If I fill from our Easton PA city water (highly rated water) I would not hesitate to do so and I'd skip the addition of the extra bleach.
Thoughts,
Don

[jkidd]

I use 1 teaspoon of Sodium Dichloro-S-Trizinetrione Dihydrate for 20 gallons. It is what they use to treat hot tubs. Fill it, treat it, let it sit for a day, drain it, Refill and use it. Any remainder will dissipate pretty fast. It doesn't stink.

[Donald Tyson]

I looked up the MSDS sheets for these products and I'll stick to Kroger, Wegmans or Giant brand bleach. Its manifold times safer for Dermal, ingested and respiratory toxicity. Too many grandkids will visit this boat.

[jkidd]

I guess you should check the msds for bleach too. It is just as hazardess as the sodium dichlor neither of these should be used around kids. I found out about it off of the RV forums. After all when you treat a hot tub the kids are going to be swimming in it.

[Tom Hruby]

As some folks have said, the chlorine found in cleaning solutions toxic, and I know from experience that cleaning plastic bottles with chlorine will leave a residual chlorine taste to the water for a long time. I would suggest using hydrogen peroxide. It is also an effective biocide. A 3% solution is needed to kill "bugs". A gallon of 35% food grade peroxide is readily available for about $40. Mix it up with 9 gallons of water and you will have plenty of solution to clean your water tank. FYI The contact time needed for chlorine to act as an effective biocide is 30 min. For a 3% solution of peroxide that time is only 5-10 minutes. Denatured alcohol (rubbing alcohol) only needs 15 - 30 seconds wet contact but then has to be thoroughly rinsed off to remove the acetone and methanol put into to it to preclude its use as a drink.

[Donald Tyson]

Alright that's enough. I'll be using Gin or Vodka, 18 gallons to 1 gallon of dry vermouth to 1 gallon of olive juice. Goes to work in minutes and you don't have to rinse it out.

[ssobol]