I've used a small dose of bleach before to freshen my water tank as Peggie the Headmistress as taught us, but those tanks were all plastic. Can bleach also be used in boats with aluminum tanks? I've heard that this is a no-no and that something like hydrogen peroxide should be used. Does anybody know for a fact?
- Status
either will work
Rick Either will work and lots of folks use bleach in aluminum tanks with no apparent ill effect. Having said that, bleach does react with the aluminum, even those with coated al tanks, and can lead to premature failure, particularly if one adds too much bleach. This isn't an issue of the majority opinion but rather simple chemistry. Peroxide solutions are safer for the tank(s) and actually provide a longer residual level of disinfection for a number of reasons not worth going into here. It also doesn't impart a bad smell or taste like chlorine does. The only real argument against using peroxide is that it is difficult to find in the proper concentration as the typical drug store variety is not concentrated enough to be effective, regardless of the quantity used. If you can find 26% peroxide solution, it's a viable alternative; otherwise, it's a moot point and chlorine bleach is your only option. Don
Rick Either will work and lots of folks use bleach in aluminum tanks with no apparent ill effect. Having said that, bleach does react with the aluminum, even those with coated al tanks, and can lead to premature failure, particularly if one adds too much bleach. This isn't an issue of the majority opinion but rather simple chemistry. Peroxide solutions are safer for the tank(s) and actually provide a longer residual level of disinfection for a number of reasons not worth going into here. It also doesn't impart a bad smell or taste like chlorine does. The only real argument against using peroxide is that it is difficult to find in the proper concentration as the typical drug store variety is not concentrated enough to be effective, regardless of the quantity used. If you can find 26% peroxide solution, it's a viable alternative; otherwise, it's a moot point and chlorine bleach is your only option. Don
Adding a little bleach to each fill is not a good idea
regardless of whether your tanks are plastic OR metal, 'cuz it's also damaging to the rubber parts in the water pump and also hoses. But even though the solution used to recommission tanks is strong, it does no damage because it only stays in the tank for a few hours, and then is thoroughly flushed out.
regardless of whether your tanks are plastic OR metal, 'cuz it's also damaging to the rubber parts in the water pump and also hoses. But even though the solution used to recommission tanks is strong, it does no damage because it only stays in the tank for a few hours, and then is thoroughly flushed out.
H2O2
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is corrosive to steel, iron, copper and its alloys, nickel, nickel-copper alloy, lead and silver. It is NOT corrosive to aluminum, certain aluminum alloys (e.g.aluminum-magnesium) and some stainless steels (316 stainless steel and austentic stainless steels). The degree of hazard associated with hydrogen peroxide depends on concentration. Drying of concentrated hydrogen peroxide on clothing or other combustible materials may cause fire. H2O2 may attack or ignite some forms of plastics, rubber, or coatings. Hydrogen Peroxide is a key component in a so-called “liquid bomb”, and may be on a terrorist watch list.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is corrosive to steel, iron, copper and its alloys, nickel, nickel-copper alloy, lead and silver. It is NOT corrosive to aluminum, certain aluminum alloys (e.g.aluminum-magnesium) and some stainless steels (316 stainless steel and austentic stainless steels). The degree of hazard associated with hydrogen peroxide depends on concentration. Drying of concentrated hydrogen peroxide on clothing or other combustible materials may cause fire. H2O2 may attack or ignite some forms of plastics, rubber, or coatings. Hydrogen Peroxide is a key component in a so-called “liquid bomb”, and may be on a terrorist watch list.
- Status