Foul smelling fresh water tank

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McZube

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Apr 5, 2012
119
Hunter 31 Chesapeake Bay, MD
I was doing some work in the quarter berth area on our H31 when I decided to open the large plug over the fresh water tank and have a look. I was met with a stench of sulfur and could see black fuzz growing on the interior walls of the tank. How do I address this problem? Do I have to remove the tank to have it cleaned?

Thanks.
 
whatfiero

whatfiero

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Oct 30, 2011
542
klidescope 30t norfolk
fresh water tank

bleach and water drain all water pour in gal bleach then top off with water then flush thoroughly 10 times or so wm sells some kind of water conditioner but its just bleach based power or tablets after fill up with bleach water sail around to stir
 
M

McZube

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Apr 5, 2012
119
Hunter 31 Chesapeake Bay, MD
DeniseO30 said:
It wasn't the holding tank was it?
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No, but it's funny you should ask. I opened the access plug in the v-berth earlier in the week thinking it would give me access to the exterior of the tank. Whatever odor came from the holding tank was less than the general odor in the salon which is way less than the odor in the water tank. Kinda backwards.

Question re: bleach: It won't hurt Pex plumbing lines and fixtures, will it?
 
Bill Murray

Bill Murray

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Jun 2, 2004
241
Hunter 410 Charlevoix, MI
search the site for Peggy Hall's recipe for spring conditioning your water tanks the right way. uses specific amounts of bleach and then vinegar. Bleach is very caustic and needs to be properly neutrilized with acidic formula (vinegar). This formula really works -- -- detter yet buy her book -- the last word on water and holding tank systems.
 
Dan Hill

Dan Hill

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Dec 16, 2006
353
Hunter 25.5 Cayuga Lake, NY
1/2 cup of bleach diluted in 1 gal of water for every 5 gallons of water tank capacity. So, a 20 gallon tank will need 2 cups bleach diluted in 4 gallons water then top tank with plain water. Run water til all lines have mixture in them, hot and cold if equipped (turn heat off). Let set for a minimum of 3 hours (go out for a sail) but no more than 24 hours. Empty and flush with 2 tanks of clean water, clean the filter as needed. Depending on boat use do this twice a year. The trick in between is to keep the tank FULL as much as possible.

Revised post after finding Pegs recommendations.
 
M

McZube

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Apr 5, 2012
119
Hunter 31 Chesapeake Bay, MD
I got the tank and its contents into pristine condition. Then this morning I discovered that the water stinks again. I'm wondering if I missed something fundamental here. Are these systems not intended for storing water in the tank indefinitely? Should I only fill up when we're going out and drain it when I get back?

Thanks.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,186
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Several Times

McZube said:
I got the tank and its contents into pristine condition. Then this morning I discovered that the water stinks again. I'm wondering if I missed something fundamental here. Are these systems not intended for storing water in the tank indefinitely? Should I only fill up when we're going out and drain it when I get back?
Click to expand
I think the key is to do the shock treatment several times. However, the water heater anode could be a culprit too as recent posts on these boards has disclosed. See this example:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|10172|319679&id=1038669
 
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