fresh water tank ?

[canmaker]

hi everyone ,we just bought a 1996 monteray cruiser ,i was just wondering if there is something that i should be adding to the fresh water tank to keep the water fresh and clean . thanks .

 

[Fireman431]

Re: fresh water tank ?

There's a few schools of thought, first being to assure the tank is clean to begin with. Fill the tank and add 1/4 bleach for every 10 gallons of water. Drive the boat (or tow it around) so the water is splashed all over the insides of the tank. Drain completely. Fill with fresh water and drain again. Now fill with fresh water sine the tank is sanitized. Always fill with the white marine type garden hose, not the standard green one.

Keeping the tank full assists in keeping growth out. Flush and refill every 3-6 months depending on use or if you notice any abnormal odor from the water. Some places sell sanitizing tablets for water tanks but I've never used them. We use our tank for toilet, shower, washing dishes, and cooking only if it involves having to be boiled. We drink water from bottles (conveniently, alcohol comes in bottles, too!!).

 

[agallant80]

Re: fresh water tank ?

I bought a bottle of tank keeper from west marine. It was about $14 and lasted two years. Its just food grade bleach. Add 2oz per 10 gallon.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: fresh water tank ?

Since we don't drink the water, I just add some bleach to the tank every now and then. . . .

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: fresh water tank ?

Although we don't drink the water from our fresh water tank, I use the following guideline I found just in case someone does. I've used this formula for three seasons now with no problems:

"To treat water for storage, use liquid household chlorine bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use bleach with soaps or scents added."

1/4 teaspoon bleach, per gallon

or, easier for larger volumes:

1 oz. bleach, per 24 gallons

 

[JoLin]

Re: fresh water tank ?

There's a few schools of thought, first being to assure the tank is clean to begin with. Fill the tank and add 1/4 bleach for every 10 gallons of water. Drive the boat (or tow it around) so the water is splashed all over the insides of the tank. Drain completely. Fill with fresh water and drain again. Now fill with fresh water sine the tank is sanitized. Always fill with the white marine type garden hose, not the standard green one.

Keeping the tank full assists in keeping growth out.

That's pretty much the way I use the water, and pretty much the way I keep the tank clean. I personally wouldn't trust any treatment for 2 years. Might be fine, but I'd rather flush and treat the tank regularly.

 

[canmaker]

Re: fresh water tank ?

thanks, i just got some treatment from the rv store .

 

[agallant80]

Re: fresh water tank ?

Be carefull about bleach. It will eat your rubber seals. I think I just killed a fresh water pump by having too much bleach in the tank.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: fresh water tank ?

The Chlorine in the tank is slowly depleted over time. As long as there is ANY Chlorine in the water nothing will grow.

Go to any place that sells pool supplies and buy just the OTO Test Bottle. (OrthoTOlidene)

Occasionally, run the water for 10-15 seconds and then collect about a 1/4 ounce of water in a small glass.
Add 3 drops of the OTO to the water. If it turns ANY shade of Yellow/Orange. The Tank Water still has Chlorine in it.

If it is clear, flush the tank with fresh water or add some Chlorine Bleach at the 1oz/24gal rate. (~15 Parts per Million)

Note:
15ppm is a high level compared to the ~4ppm delivered by municipal water systems.
The concentration will be lower and may be zero a few hour later if any thing had started growing in the tank.
After any Chlorine addition, A retest a few hour later is indicated.