Keeping the freshwater wholesome

[mikey9]

I'm seeking advice. How do you keep both the freshwater tank and the water wholesome and fit to drink, cook with, make tea etc. How should you over-winter the tank - full or empty? - with or without additives? - what additives? - when do you use them? - do they taste? Is there a generally recommended 'best practice' in this area.

 

[FWB]

I dont add anything, I have a Seagull Mk IV inline filter which I change regularly. The water is always very good to drink.

 

[pvb]

One of the best ways....

One of the best ways of keeping your tank water fresh is to use it! Refilling frequently ensures a good turn-over of the water and keeps it tasting OK. During the summer, I tend to use quite a lot of water and it stays fresh without additives. In the winter, I leave the tank full, but add purifying tablets. (My boat's in the water all year round, but the marina removes the freshwater hoses in the winter, so I like to have the tank full before that). In spring, I flush the tank a few times by removing the outlet connection and letting it flow into the bilge, then letting the bilge pump remove it.

 

[PCUK]

Re: One of the best ways....

Charcoal filters keep the water tasting fresh.

 

[mikey9]

Re: One of the best ways....

Thanks for your advice which more or less coincides with my inclinations - but what purifying tablets do you use and where do you get them?

 

[steverow]

Re: One of the best ways....

Aquatabs or "Clean Tabs" available from Caravan Accesories and camping shops.
Basically a weakened form of Milton.
They should always be used where water is stored for any length of time. Stops what is known as "camping tummy" which is a two day bug.
The water system should then be purified at the start of the season or at least once a year by using either Puriclean or Chempro (used for home brewing sterilisation). This is a much more concentrated solution and is put in the tank, and run through all the pipes/taps and allowed to stand for 24 hours before flushing out.

This will kill any bacteria and algea that has built up in the tank or pipework.

Steve.

 

[samwise]

A word of warning about keeping the tank full over winter. Unless you have heating running, there is a risk of freezing. The tank may be ok but the water in the pipes can freeze and the expanding ice pushes the pipe off the spigots. This happened on my Sadler, when the ice blew the connection to the Freshness filter. On my next visit I was greeted with water over the cabin sole. If it were me, I'd drain the system.

 

[pvb]

Puritabs?....

Think the ones I'm using now are Puritabs or Aquatabs.

 

[pvb]

Freezing...

I leave my boat in the water (salt water marina) and have never had a problem with pipes freezing. If really cold weather is anticipated, I do turn the pressure pump off and leave the taps open.

 

[Sans Bateau]

To ensure you put clean water into the tank in the first place we stick to the following routine:

Always run the water from the hose, at least long enough for the water to run cold (in summer). The reason for this is that I understand that the water simmering in the hose is a breeding ground for bugs.

Never put the end of the hose into you water tank. I have witnessed on occasions A curious dog visiting the pontoon for the first time will want to 'make his mark' and the hose stand is just too convienent, also if the hose has been ditched into the marina water, what has been flushed out by other boats?

This plus the addition of Aquatabs to clean the system and charcoal filters will ensure a clean fresh supply.

 

[tross]

Sometime ago I remember reading in one of the mags a bag of silver enabled thingies that you drop into your tank and keeps the water free from bugs - anybody remember who it was ? All I can remember was they are from the southampton area?