What is the reccomended dosage of bleach to be added to a potable water tank when using water from semi-suspect sources?
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
I don't get into water purification...
Only cleaning harmless critters out of the system. Try asking on the Cruising World site: http://www.cruisingworld.com/forums/genlmesg/ Those folks fill up their water tanks in third world countries a lot...they should know.
Only cleaning harmless critters out of the system. Try asking on the Cruising World site: http://www.cruisingworld.com/forums/genlmesg/ Those folks fill up their water tanks in third world countries a lot...they should know.
B
BW
Capfull of bleach
I just use a cap full of bleach each time I fill the tank. Works good for everything but drinking. I use bottled water for drinking.
I just use a cap full of bleach each time I fill the tank. Works good for everything but drinking. I use bottled water for drinking.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
A capful of bleach isn't enough to purify unsafe
water--which is what Roger asking about. Whether you drink it or not, some bacteria can be absorbed through the skin...some can remain alive on dishes etc for quite a long time. However, even when purification isn't necessary, adding ANY bleach to every fill is a bad idea. It isn't enough to kill the critters in the system that make the water smell and taste unpleasant--but are otherwise harmless--but it is enough to eat away at the seals and valves in your water pump. Adding just a capful doesn't cure anything, it only masks the unpleasant smell and taste with the taste and smell of chlorine. Recommission the system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in Head Mistress Reference Library (on the right side of the forum homepage) each spring as part of your total boat recommissioning, and and follow the directions in it for filling your time each time...and you shouldn't have to add anything to your tank all season to have water that's as "drinkable" as any that comes out of any faucet on land. Mind you, though, that those directions are ONLY for use where water going into the tank is from a safe municipal water supply...they do NOT purify unsafe water.
water--which is what Roger asking about. Whether you drink it or not, some bacteria can be absorbed through the skin...some can remain alive on dishes etc for quite a long time. However, even when purification isn't necessary, adding ANY bleach to every fill is a bad idea. It isn't enough to kill the critters in the system that make the water smell and taste unpleasant--but are otherwise harmless--but it is enough to eat away at the seals and valves in your water pump. Adding just a capful doesn't cure anything, it only masks the unpleasant smell and taste with the taste and smell of chlorine. Recommission the system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in Head Mistress Reference Library (on the right side of the forum homepage) each spring as part of your total boat recommissioning, and and follow the directions in it for filling your time each time...and you shouldn't have to add anything to your tank all season to have water that's as "drinkable" as any that comes out of any faucet on land. Mind you, though, that those directions are ONLY for use where water going into the tank is from a safe municipal water supply...they do NOT purify unsafe water.
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Kevin Greene
bleach in water tanks
In regards to "How much bleach do I put in my tanks?" The rule of thumb is 1 cap full per 300 gallons. I say, NONE! Adding bleach to your tank does nothing but create problems. It greatly shortens the life of any pottable water system using rubber seals. And then theres the smell. I say use a good 2 stage prefilter on your incoming water and you should be fine. A 10 Mic element and a 5 mic carbon filter will last about a month of normal use.
In regards to "How much bleach do I put in my tanks?" The rule of thumb is 1 cap full per 300 gallons. I say, NONE! Adding bleach to your tank does nothing but create problems. It greatly shortens the life of any pottable water system using rubber seals. And then theres the smell. I say use a good 2 stage prefilter on your incoming water and you should be fine. A 10 Mic element and a 5 mic carbon filter will last about a month of normal use.
Water Storage.
Roger: From what I can find, Red Cross etc. They recommend that you use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water (5 teaspoons/ 20 gals.) I doubt that this solution is any stronger than you get in your municipal water supply, but should kill anything that lives. If you need to get water from suspect sources, you may want to consider a filter that screws on to the hose. If you get the proper type of filter they can remove most anything that you care about. If it is more suspect than that I would suggest that you pass on putting it in your tank altogether. Maybe you should also consider carrying bottled water aboard for drinking.
Roger: From what I can find, Red Cross etc. They recommend that you use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water (5 teaspoons/ 20 gals.) I doubt that this solution is any stronger than you get in your municipal water supply, but should kill anything that lives. If you need to get water from suspect sources, you may want to consider a filter that screws on to the hose. If you get the proper type of filter they can remove most anything that you care about. If it is more suspect than that I would suggest that you pass on putting it in your tank altogether. Maybe you should also consider carrying bottled water aboard for drinking.
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BW
Peggy (response to previous post)
I was not aware of the damage that bleach can do to the system. If we don't add bleach to the fresh water, after a couple of weeks that water begins to smell terrible. Is there a way to keep that from happening without using the bleach?
I was not aware of the damage that bleach can do to the system. If we don't add bleach to the fresh water, after a couple of weeks that water begins to smell terrible. Is there a way to keep that from happening without using the bleach?
BW, followup.
Have you shocked your system to clean it out. Several of the sailors in our harbor have had the same problem as you. Check out the treatment process in the HeadMistress forum. It is basically 1 cup of bleach to each 10 gals of water. Pump the solution thru your system and let it sit for 24 hours. Then flush out your system and see if that works.
Have you shocked your system to clean it out. Several of the sailors in our harbor have had the same problem as you. Check out the treatment process in the HeadMistress forum. It is basically 1 cup of bleach to each 10 gals of water. Pump the solution thru your system and let it sit for 24 hours. Then flush out your system and see if that works.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
BW, if you read my previous post to this thread
you'll see that I've already answered your question: recommission the system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library. Although those directions call for a mega-dose of bleach, the corrosive effects of chlorine are cumulative...a little used repeatedly over time is what damages a system. An annual or even semi-annual shock treatment actually does FAR less damage than the cumulative effect over the years of just carrying chlorinated municipal water.
you'll see that I've already answered your question: recommission the system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library. Although those directions call for a mega-dose of bleach, the corrosive effects of chlorine are cumulative...a little used repeatedly over time is what damages a system. An annual or even semi-annual shock treatment actually does FAR less damage than the cumulative effect over the years of just carrying chlorinated municipal water.
J
john bonner
try cheap vodka
an old sailor friend recommends this remedy, haven't had a chance to test it yet as i couldn't find a bottle so cheap i couldn't drink it. start with an ounce per 10 gals and go from there and don't think it will do more than tickle anaerobes, but many forms of bacteria will succumb.
an old sailor friend recommends this remedy, haven't had a chance to test it yet as i couldn't find a bottle so cheap i couldn't drink it. start with an ounce per 10 gals and go from there and don't think it will do more than tickle anaerobes, but many forms of bacteria will succumb.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Vodka won't work, John...
And I've never heard of anyone using it to "purify" water...although some people use it instead of antifreeze to winterize the water tank. 80 proof booze is only 40% alcohol...a great anaesthic if you're wounded--that is, if you drink enough of it...but it won't even cleanse a cut if you pour it on straight..."critters" wouldn't even notice an ounce in 10 gallons of water (would you?)...even a gallon in 10 gallons wouldn't kill any of 'em...the most it MIGHT do is add a little extra kick your morning coffee.
And I've never heard of anyone using it to "purify" water...although some people use it instead of antifreeze to winterize the water tank. 80 proof booze is only 40% alcohol...a great anaesthic if you're wounded--that is, if you drink enough of it...but it won't even cleanse a cut if you pour it on straight..."critters" wouldn't even notice an ounce in 10 gallons of water (would you?)...even a gallon in 10 gallons wouldn't kill any of 'em...the most it MIGHT do is add a little extra kick your morning coffee.
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