Flexible water tanks

[tugboat]

I have a 120lt flexible water tank that I have removed for cleaning. It is a Plastimo jobby, plastic(?) liner inside a heavy duty cover which is stitched on. Dunno when it was last cleaned, if ever, and feels a bit slimey inside. Any ideas how to achieve a really thorough clean? I'm thinking a bamboo cane (carefully padded on the end) and swizzle (tech terminology) a rag round inside while flushing with plenty of FW. Followed by the usual Milton solution. Is that going to get rid of the grot and zap any bugs or do I need a different approach? Obviously don't want to do any damage.
I also have 4 fibreglass tanks which have good access to all compartments. Here I'm assuming a good workover with scrubbing brush and washing-up liquid, again followed by Milton/bleach solution. I remember when we carried Pot water to the rigs we used to dose it with Sodium Hypochloride (I think). Do I need to look for something similar.
Finally, the filling hoses are large diam so I can pull rags etc through, but how does one get rid of any slime/grot in the delivery pipework? I have a filter installed, but it would be nice to feel the whole system was clean.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[anderson]

go to your pub ask for some liquid that they clean the pipes with,it works.

 

[pvb]

Remove the liner...

You should be able to remove the plastic liner from its fabric outer case. The liner is usually translucent, so you should be able to see how you're doing with the cleaning process.

 

[michael_w]

My Plastimo flexi douche bag thingie has a label which recommendes using a 5% white vinegar solution to clean.

Worked well and I've used the same in the main Polyethelyene tank too.

 

[Blueboatman]

Re: Remove the liner...

If you had filled the tank time completely-up to the deck fill plate-with a milton/pub line cleaner solution in water,you would deslime the pipes as well.Used to do mine every couple of months in warmer climates.You dont need to remove the inner from the outer sleeve.Good idea to flush through and shake about a bit with a running hosepipe in it,I would not recommend any stick poking around..

 

[Swampyhotdog]

New tank

Hi There,
I just replaced mine for peace of mind, I got it from a site called www.boatbitz.co.uk

I can't remember how much it was though.

Good luck,
Stu

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Re: New tank

Can anyone recommend where I can get a flexible water tank made to size from? The standard "pillow" type tanks are not a good fit.

Regards, Jeff.

 

[Guest]

Re: New tank

There is a company on the south coast who supply ......


Tek-Tanks ....... have a wide range and also all fittings to suit .... www.tek-tanks.com

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Re: New tank

Hmm .. just got a rigid tank off them for fuel - very nice too. I didn't see in any of their bumph anything about flexible tanks ... Just had another whizz throught thier site .. Can't see anything /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif would have been nice.

Regards, Jeff.

 

[Guest]

Re: New tank

Sorry ... I thought they did ... I do apologise ...

What about back of mags - they use to have Flexi-tank adverts there ....

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Re: New tank

No need to apologise - I can easily have missed something.

There was a company which did flexible water tanks, but I understand that they have now stopped doing so. They provided a number for an alternative company, but this has so far been fruitless.

I was just wondering if the PBO'ers had any suggestions or recommendations.

Regards, Jeff.

 

[LeonF]

Re: New tank

Ther is a company that makes custom polyester flexi tanks in black, somewhere near Southampton. I spoke to them a couple of years ago, but cannot remember their details. How about a search on here ?? An old post may throw them up...

 

[LeonF]

Re: New tank

Ah ha !!!! see my post on here of 11.4.2005

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Re: New tank

Thanks - a couple more leads to chase up.

Jeff.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

You can buy just the inner liner for not too much. Maybe an easier option than trying to clean it.

 

[tugboat]

Many thanks to all for your thoughts and advice.
Blueboatman - your advice to fill right up to the deck filler has made me wonder if that might put too much of a head of pressure on a flexible tank. My forepeak tank is at least 5-6 feet below the foredeck filler.
Can anyone refresh my schoolboy physics and suggest if such a head of pressure would be OK. Don't want to burst the tank as well as my brain! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[pvb]

No problem with pressure...

5 or 6 ft head of water only gives a tiny pressure, which is no different from the pressure the tank is under when you fill it up until the water overflows.