Water Tank Cleaning/Sterilising

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epervier

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What does the learned panel say to use for fresh water tank cleaning?

Here's the situation,

I emptied the tank in October, or more truthfully ran the taps until the pump stopped pumping, she goes back in on this next lot of spring tides, I intend to bunker when she's afloat along side the berth, but is there anything I can do in the next week or so to treat the tank?

Thank you for your input.
 
I just whack a bottle or two of Milton into the tank, fill it up and turn on the pump until water comes out all taps/hoses. Then leave for about an hour.

Seems to work well
 
epervier said:
What does the learned panel say to use for fresh water tank cleaning?

Here's the situation,

I emptied the tank in October, or more truthfully ran the taps until the pump stopped pumping, she goes back in on this next lot of spring tides, I intend to bunker when she's afloat along side the berth, but is there anything I can do in the next week or so to treat the tank?

Thank you for your input.
Click to expand...
Ok,I may not be one of the learned panel but a commonly used cleaner is white vinegar.
However,if your tank & fresh water system haven't been cleaned for some time then you might wish to first use a chlorine solution in a ratio of 100ml/100lt water.Allow it to run through all the system,removing shower heads or tap filters etc for separate cleaning,and then leave it for about 3-4 hours - definitely no more than 24 hours. Having flushed this lot out then fill the tank again this time with the addition of white vinegar at a ratio of about 1lt/25lt of water and again ensure it is allowed to circulate the whole system before leaving it for anything between 3 days to a week before flushing out and filling with fresh water. In our climate,just the white vinegar once a year without the initial chlorine cleaning seems to be adequate,though.
Incidentally,white vinegar is also a quite effective cleaner for all manner of things and,as well as being cheap is also a really green alternative eg. poured neat down the wc etc it clears limescale,added to water about 1:25 it's a good floor or carpet cleaner and about 1:4 it's good for cleaning windows.

Please note that the above suggestions are only offered on the understanding that no liability is accepted for when it all goes wrong.

PS. The worst thing we do is leave the water tank empty over winter (for obvious reason of course) as bacteria thrive better on the dark,damp surfaces of the empty tank.
 
BartW said:
thanks for your appreciation !
credits and many thanks to Chantal for making the text readable :)
Click to expand...

Milton as suggested is an excellent way of sterilising a water tank

If it actually need cleaning and sterilising the use Milton at the rate they suggest for caravan tanks etc
Namely 30cm³ per 5 litres. Pump some through all the taps etc and then drain and flush after 15 minutes.

If the tank is clean then just dose the water as you fill the tank at the rate they suggest for treating drinking water, 2.5cm³ per 5 litres.

See http://www.milton-tm.com/caravanning_and_camping.html.

If necessary you can sterilise the tank using a thin domestic bleach. It is more concentrated than Milton so use it at the rate of 12cm³ per 5 litres. It is advisable to flush the tank more thoroughly before use.

Dosing the water with Milton when you refill now and then at the 2.5cm³/ 5 litre rate will help to keep the tank sweet.
 
VicS said:
Milton as suggested is an excellent way of sterilising a water tank

If it actually need cleaning and sterilising the use Milton at the rate they suggest for caravan tanks etc
Namely 30cm³ per 5 litres. Pump some through all the taps etc and then drain and flush after 15 minutes.

If the tank is clean then just dose the water as you fill the tank at the rate they suggest for treating drinking water, 2.5cm³ per 5 litres.

See http://www.milton-tm.com/caravanning_and_camping.html.

If necessary you can sterilise the tank using a thin domestic bleach. It is more concentrated than Milton so use it at the rate of 12cm³ per 5 litres. It is advisable to flush the tank more thoroughly before use.

Dosing the water with Milton when you refill now and then at the 2.5cm³/ 5 litre rate will help to keep the tank sweet.
Click to expand...

Thank you Vic,and others,I was hoping you'd come along with your Chemists knowledge, as always, detailed information with instructions and links:D

You're a tremendous asset to this fora!
 
hlb said:
Hardly ever used anything in twenty five years, never had a problem.

Think it's a bit like most things. Use it or loose it.
Click to expand...

Agreed Hadyn, the boat was new to me last May, and she'd been for sale for a couple of years before I bought her, the fresh water issue is just for peace of mind, I just didn't fancy drinking the water and getting the trotts to find out if the tank needed cleaning:)
 
VicS said:
If necessary you can sterilise the tank using a thin domestic bleach. It is more concentrated than Milton so use it at the rate of 12cm³ per 5 litres. It is advisable to flush the tank more thoroughly before use.
Click to expand...
Big difference in price per unit of Sodium Hypochlorite though!

If the remaining chlorine whiff is a bit too strong, flush with a small amount of diluted acid, such as vinegar.
 
jimbaerselman said:
Big difference in price per unit of Sodium Hypochlorite though!
Click to expand...

Yes but contains no impurities or additives that you might not want in your drinking water.
That's why I say if you use domestic bleach rinse it out thoroughly. If you use Milton a little residue will do no harm... makes the tea taste effing awful though :(
 
VicS said:
Yes but contains no impurities or additives that you might not want in your drinking water.
That's why I say if you use domestic bleach rinse it out thoroughly. If you use Milton a little residue will do no harm... makes the tea taste effing awful though :(
Click to expand...

I use Morrisons own brand of Milton, just as good only a lot cheaper
 
I have a bottle or two of Milton was in the wrong tank, fill it out and start the pump to the water faucets and pipes. Then allow about an hour.
 
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