galvanic corrosion

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Jun 30, 2009
2
2 1989 Caliber 33 Havlock,
Has anyone had small white deposits found in the water tank that seem to be pitting the interior surface? I clean my water tank out every year after cruising and find them. Someone has suggested that it is galvanic corrosion.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,695
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
It's most likely aluminum chloride salt deposit resulting from acidic reaction rather than electrical galvanic action. I'm presuming you refer to an aluminum tank?

If so, it's quite common and nothing to get alarmed about not that there is much you could do to prevent it other than not use bleach to disinfect the tank as bleach will exacerbate it.
 
Jun 30, 2009
2
2 1989 Caliber 33 Havlock,
It's most likely aluminum chloride salt deposit resulting from acidic reaction rather than electrical galvanic action. I'm presuming you refer to an aluminum tank?

If so, it's quite common and nothing to get alarmed about not that there is much you could do to prevent it other than not use bleach to disinfect the tank as bleach will exacerbate it.
Don, these deposits seem to be pitting the aluminum. Is there a product to cleanse the tank or a paint on product to protect the aluminum that you know of?
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,695
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Don, these deposits seem to be pitting the aluminum. Is there a product to cleanse the tank or a paint on product to protect the aluminum that you know of?
I don't know.
I can only guess that some epoxies may be both safe and effective coatings but I'd ask someone well-versed in environmental toxicology before drinking from one so treated. Aluminum tanks are not typically used in potable water storage so I am skeptical there is a definitive answer.
 

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Aluminum chloride from reaction of chlorine in municipal water.

Tank lining is easy if you have large access ports in the tank. Small epoxy lined tanks will be 'slightly over' the FDA 'leachables limits' ... so use a carbon packed filter on the outlet to 'strip' them.
www.epoxyproducts.com/nsp120.html
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/nspcases.html
... above is very good for repairing metal tanks that have developed pin-holes.
 
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