bleach and water tanks

rodcapedory · Post by **rodcapedory** » May 22nd, '10, 13:10

How do you cleanse water tanks in the Spring ? How much bleach do you add per gallon of water when filling for use ?

Thanks

Rod Croes
GEMS

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » May 22nd, '10, 13:47

Hi Rod,

If you're just cleaning them, add from 1/2 to a full cup of bleach to each tank and fill them at least half way. Agitate the water in the tanks if you can. Then let them sit for at least 24 hours. After that, empty them completely. Then refill with fresh water and empty them again. Empty them buy opening up both the hot and cold water at the faucets in the galley and head. You can get the remaining water with a handpump that you use ONLY for the potable water tanks and nothing else. Then add a box of baking soda to a gallon jug of water and pour that mixture into one tank -- completely fill the tank with water. Do this for each tank and let them sit for awhile (a few hours or overnight). Then empty them completely. Now you've got clean tanks.

I found some instructions online as well at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4644603_clean-d ... tanks.html

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » May 22nd, '10, 15:42

Cathy's information is always right on.

I do like the shop vac for water tanks. If you dip the nozzle in the bleach water it would disinfect it. The shop vac can remove a lot of water from your tanks in a short time without using your battery or running nasty water through your filter. It will also get the last of the crud that might sit in the bottom of the tank.

If you suck the tanks dry in the fall after you have winterized the fresh water system you will have very little problem with nasty water tanks in the spring.

When I first got Raven you didn't want to look in the tank and then drink the water, Steve.

rodcapedory · Post by **rodcapedory** » May 22nd, '10, 16:18

Cathy and Steve,

Thanks for the replys !. Do you add anything to the water that you use after the cleaning ?

Thanks again ,

Rod
GEMS

Maine Sail · Post by **Maine Sail** » May 22nd, '10, 19:41

These are directions from Peggie Hall who has written a book on this subject.

"This is all it takes to keep onboard water safe, and tasting/smelling as good as any that comes out of faucets on land:

Fresh water system problems--foul odor or taste--are typically caused by allowing water to stagnate in the system. Although most people think only in terms of the tank, the plumbing is actually the source of most foul water, because the molds, mildew, fungi and bacteria which cause it thrive in damp dark places, not under water. Many peopleâ€”and even some boat manufacturersâ€”believe that keeping the tanks empty reduce the problem, but an empty water tank only provides another damp dark home for those â€œcritters.â€

lhyde · Post by **lhyde** » May 26th, '10, 20:48

Thank you for your suggestions. I followed your recommendations and our tanks are now sparkling clean. In the process I discovered a leak in the starboard tank. I suspected a tank was leaking last summer as the bilge was always wet. See new post.
Les

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