flexible water tanks

[willtaylor]

I have just removed the inadequate fresh water tanks from my Moody 333. I intend to replace them with Plastimo flexible tanks, largely because their dimensions most nearly coincide with the spaces available.

However, I discovered that Plastimo tanks are considerably cheaper than their competitors. Does that mean:
1. That they are an inferior product?
2. That the volume of their sales produces economies of scale?
3. That the others are seeking profits in line with what the market will bear?

The was a joke about 'new Russians' that ended, ' - --Oh what a pity, if only you'd asked me I could have shown you where you could have paid much more.'

Boatowners have been there and done that many times. I am not of that persuasion.

Can anyone advise me, or tell of their experience with flexible tanks.

Thanks a lot,

Will Taylor
Spirit of Colaba
Weir Quay

 

[gianenrico]

Will,
I had in my 1989 boat, when I bought it new, two Plastimo 75 ltrs water "bladders".
They have been at the time a very "pain in the a**" as the way they were joined to the pipes needed an almost surgical precision in assembling and re-assembling them, so I switched to a competitor make; in this case the problem has been to properly cut and fix the plastic joints for the pipes: once learned and done, no pbs.
One thing good of the Plastimos was they came with a blu heavy plastic outer "bag" which could be helpful in preventing punctuations in a water full tank: I cut them to measure in order to protect the new ones.
As for price, I guess P. can make huge economies of scale.
Cheers,
Gianenrico

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Hi, I've used them on 2 boats and they are well made. One just failed on our HT27, but it had been in there since 1991! I'm replacing with the same.

 

[rhumlady]

As with Pasta_Simon I have used them on two boats for thirteen years. the last one split after 9 years and I was able to just buy a replacement bladder and reuse the outer cover.

 

[Pye_End]

Have had several Plastimo tanks - only had one failure - a small (2mm) hole in the platic when it was manufactured. Took a few days to realise that I was not sinking from a shaft seal failure as the leak was not obvious until the tank emptied itself.
One problem I do find is a build up of mould. 2 to 3 seasons and I replace the tank. Have not found an answer to this in spite of soaking pipes and tank in Puri Tank. Don't know if other manufacturers have inhibitors for this sort of thing in the plastic?
Also find changing/inspecting the bladder awkward so opened up one end and fitted ties to make it easier. Perhaps this is my biggest mistake - looking at the water I am drinking!

 

[dralex]

Had a Plastimo flexible tank on our previous boat which failed- fortunately I thought to taste the water slopping around down below before panicking.

In it's defence, it was the original tank and had probably been in place for over 10 years. It failed on a seam when full.

 

[macd]

Presumable the outer bag that "could be helpful in preventing punctuations" should more correctly be called a parenthesis?
In my experience, such as it is, the major question mark (there we go again) about Plastimo bags hs been an occasional tendency to leak at the fittings.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

I agree about the fittings, it's interesting to note that new Plastimo triangular bags only come with the fittings on the top of the bag, not with an outflow on the bottom. Perhaps they never quite got their fittings right? With regard to mould - have you got any clear pipe in the system at all? Green slime needs sunlight to grow and any clear pipe will allow this. The best way I have found to clean them is with Milton fliud.

 

[Gordonmc]

Like others I had a Plastimo fail after yonks. In my case a seam went because, I think, the inner bag became brittle through time. I had no problem with fittings.
I had to buy both inner and outer bags as the new bladder wouldn't fit the outer bag.
Its important to use the webbing corner tags and tie the bag so it doesn't fold in on itself when half empty.
The amount of crud in the bag has convinced me to change the bladder every few seasons and purify yearly, but that's an issue which has more to do with the quality of water at the pontoon than the container.

 

[cliff]

I had plastimo tanks on my previous boat and can happily say I had no problems with leaks or mould. The only criticism I would have would be the location of the inlet and outlet being on opposite sides of the tank meaning that with the inlet uppermost (logical place to have it) the outlet was underneath the tank resulting in problems fully draining the tank although the electric pump would suck most of the water out as the tank collapsed.

Do make sure the tank is well supported and/or tied down and if the tank rests against an internal panel/moulding a piece of expanded polystyrene (like the old ceiling tiles) stops the condensation on the other side of the panel due to the cold water in the tank.

I would not consider them inferior in any way and as for the price - economies of mass production and largish volume sales means they can keep the price down and still keep a good mark-up.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[willtaylor]

Thanks for all your help. I have decied to go for the Plastimo tanks. They fit the spaces.

Will