Fresh water tank blockage

[julians]

So, finally got to the boat today after nearly 12 months to find that the fresh water system wasn't working. After a bit of investigation I discovered that the pick up tube in the tank was blocked.

So I take the inspection hatch off, and at the end of the pickup tube there is a collection of hard white stone like substance, is it calcium build up?

Anyway I cleared the blockage and the fresh water system is now working fine again, but I noticed lots of these little stones in the tank, so is there something I can buy to put in the tank to safely dissolve these stones?

We don't drink from the tank, it's just used for showers.

 

[Mr Googler]

I’ve got white stones too....end up in the filter....no idea what they are so interested in this aswell!

 

[simonfraser]

they may get stuck in the filter / holes of your taps and shower head
well they did in mine and blocked the flow there

 

[julians]

they may get stuck in the filter / holes of your taps and shower head
well they did in mine and blocked the flow there

Yes, for the last few years I have been picking them out of the shower head when the flow slowed too much, but this time they were blocking the pick up in the tank.

 

[Mr Googler]

Quick google.....dose with white vinegar if the tank is plastic.....leave for 12 hours....empty refill. I’ll through 5 litres into 200 litres of water....no idea if that’s enough or too much

 

[julians]

Quick google.....dose with white vinegar if the tank is plastic.....leave for 12 hours....empty refill. I’ll through 5 litres into 200 litres of water....no idea if that’s enough or too much

Yeah I saw the vinegar recommendation myself, not sure how much vinegar would be needed, I assumed it would need to be a very strong mix and would therefore need too much vinegar, maybe I'm wrong?

My tank is aluminium as well, so not sure if the vinegar is recommended for alu?

 

[BruceK]

Powdered citric acid 1kg ~ £15

or

Clean Tabs D-Scale from the chandlery

 

[Mr Googler]

How much citric acid powder in 200 litres of water Bruce?

 

[Silvercloud]

Yes Citric Acid powder is the way to go.
I would suggest Ikg for your 200 ltr tank.
Premix the powder in a bucket of HOT water and then pour into the tank and try to mix it if you have access.
Open taps one by one a wait untill you detect the mixture and then close, this will ensure all pipes etc. are cleaned .
Leave overnight and then drain and flush tank and you are good to go.
Citric acid is safe to use and bio degradable so no problem for the environment.

 

[Mr Googler]

Great....just checked....my water tank is aluminium....still ok?

 

[Silvercloud]

Yes
will not harm the ali tank

 

[julians]

Thanks all, now to see if I can find any citric acid in majorca......

 

[Clancy Moped]

Thanks all, now to see if I can find any citric acid in majorca......

You should find it in a decent supermarket, ask for Ácido cítrico

 

[Mr Googler]

Ordered 1kg for £5.99 from eBay.

emptied the tank, cleaned the filter so ready to add the acid and refill. Should I fill it to the brim or does it all settle at the bottom I’m guessing?

 

[BruceK]

Speaking for myself it settles near the bottom. I dont fill the tank. Just enough to clean out the system. But then I do this annually before relaunch so YMMV

 

[Mr Googler]

Had to google “YMMV”?

 

[Seastoke]

Ordered 1kg for £5.99 from eBay.

emptied the tank, cleaned the filter so ready to add the acid and refill. Should I fill it to the brim or does it all settle at the bottom I’m guessing?

You would be better filling that fun box , ready for August the 1st

 

[Mr Googler]

What’s happening August 1st?

 

[BruceK]

You'll be receiving unwanted guests

 

[Mr Googler]

Like calcium deposits