Water tank questions

[machurley22]

Apologies if this has all been covered before but the search facility is acting the goat.

My water tank is a pointy one up for'ard and is formed as part of the interior moulding with a separate screwed-down, reinforced, triangular GRP sheet as the top surface. This has always leaked a little and you can hear air being drawn in when water is pumped out. This is presumably because the tank has no vent which I presume it should. The filler pipe has a horizontal section in it's run (just below deck level) through the chain locker and I'd planned to make a small hole in the top of the pipe here to allow air in. A small amount of water may escape when filling but this would drain into the bilge. What do you think?

What should I use to re-seal the tank lid? It currently uses a grey non-setting goo a bit like soft blu-tack. I'd thought of using some thin self-adhesive neoprene tape. The mating surface is about half an inch wide. Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1>The question 'Why not?' is a very difficult question to answer, and a very foolish question to ask.

 

[TheoSr]

Would recommend that you make sure that only (clean) air enters your little hole. Make sure that there is some sort of filter to keep unwanted guests out of your water tank.
Keep smiling,
Theo.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[machurley22]

Thanks for that Theo. I hadn't considered the possibility of stowaways coming up with the chain. How are tanks usually vented?

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1>The question 'Why not?' is a very difficult question to answer, and a very foolish question to ask.

 

[TheoSr]

Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.vetus.nl/> vetus </A>. They show some drawings of water tanks. Look at "Rigid tanks for drinking water" in their sales program.
Theo.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TheoSr on 16/12/2004 22:15 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[paulrossall]

I would consider putting a flexible tank in the space you have as it will be easier to keep clean and you don't have the venting problem. What capacity is your tank? Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.

 

[machurley22]

It's only 10 gals. My original plan had been to install a flexible tank since I had imagined that the tank would be 'orrible on the inside. But since it's really quite sanitary (poor choice of word there I think) I can't see any reason to spend the money when all I need is a new seal and a suitable 'ole somewhere (wandering OT again possibly - sorry, it's late)

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1>The question 'Why not?' is a very difficult question to answer, and a very foolish question to ask.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Try Wilks for a self-adhesive seal. They were very helpful at SBS.

<hr width=100% size=1>GBW

 

[Becky]

Why don't you make a small hole at the top of the side of the tank and run a pipe to a high vent point, eg cockpit or anchor locker?

Silicone sealant will make the lid water-tight prior to screwing down

From HWMBO on Becky's machine.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[VicS]

If you use a silicone sealant on the water tank cover you should make sure it is suitable for use in contact with drinking water.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>