We have the standard Seaward 6 gal. HW tank on a 2000 Catalina 28II which heats well but smells bad (not quite rotten eggs). Always use a water purifier (Aquabon) when filling tanks. Suspect it is just lack of frequent use in the short 4 month season in the North. Any suggestions??
hot water tank
- Thread starter rbergman
- Start date
Yes,
Fresh Water System Recommissioning 101 - Peggie Hall's "Cocktail" http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5836.0.html
Fresh Water System Recommissioning 101 - Peggie Hall's "Cocktail" http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5836.0.html
I read the link and it is well done. Here are my additional thoughts on the problem.
1) Change your water source
. No sulphur in water, no rotten egg smell.
2) A cartridge type filter shown in the link will not filter sulphur, unless it has activated carbon (which will eventually saturate and need replacement)
3) The magnesium anode should not be needed if your water system is isolated electrically i.e.. plastic/vinyl hoses. Although magnesium is a dietary need, not my idea of vitamin control. In addition, crappy water (high mineral content) might corrode your hot water tank. Normal (not galvanic) corrosion needs oxygen/sulphur/clorox to react with metal. A stagnant tank will eventually stop corroding since no new oxidizing chemical is available to react. BTW fresh water corrosion is like nil,nada,near zero.
If you want purity, taste, no minerals, no corrosion and no bacteria, use REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO). They can even de-salinate sea water, but it is pricey. People cruising the Bahamas find diesel is cheaper than water. Most bottled water is RO water.
4) Clorox is ok but not complete. If you get an algaecide for a swimming pool, a few drop with the clorox will get most biologically active critters.
5) Rotton egg smell is transient and after about 2x6gallons= 12 use of hot water, it should go away, unless the cold water also smells.
6) Make sure your filling hose is RV type (white) and you should clean it also.
Whirlpool makes a small house type RO system that makes about 5 gallons/ hour, no power needed. Mount in on shore to your water source. Even if you overfill your tanks while asleep, the water rate would not sink a boat with bilge pumps on.
Wishing no more stinky showers....
Jim...
1) Change your water source
. No sulphur in water, no rotten egg smell.2) A cartridge type filter shown in the link will not filter sulphur, unless it has activated carbon (which will eventually saturate and need replacement)
3) The magnesium anode should not be needed if your water system is isolated electrically i.e.. plastic/vinyl hoses. Although magnesium is a dietary need, not my idea of vitamin control. In addition, crappy water (high mineral content) might corrode your hot water tank. Normal (not galvanic) corrosion needs oxygen/sulphur/clorox to react with metal. A stagnant tank will eventually stop corroding since no new oxidizing chemical is available to react. BTW fresh water corrosion is like nil,nada,near zero.
If you want purity, taste, no minerals, no corrosion and no bacteria, use REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO). They can even de-salinate sea water, but it is pricey. People cruising the Bahamas find diesel is cheaper than water. Most bottled water is RO water.
4) Clorox is ok but not complete. If you get an algaecide for a swimming pool, a few drop with the clorox will get most biologically active critters.
5) Rotton egg smell is transient and after about 2x6gallons= 12 use of hot water, it should go away, unless the cold water also smells.
6) Make sure your filling hose is RV type (white) and you should clean it also.
Whirlpool makes a small house type RO system that makes about 5 gallons/ hour, no power needed. Mount in on shore to your water source. Even if you overfill your tanks while asleep, the water rate would not sink a boat with bilge pumps on.
Wishing no more stinky showers....
Jim...
The Seaward owners manual does warn these tanks can produce hydrogen gas and warns of the dangers if you get any "air" coming out of a hot water tap ! Probably only a concern to those with a hot water tap next to a stove burner ?
The tank drain valve can be replaced with one of Seawards magnesium anodes.
Bob
The tank drain valve can be replaced with one of Seawards magnesium anodes.
Bob
Don't do the magnesium anode. It is very likely just bacteria/growth in the water heater. Follow what Stu linked. Essentially you need to do a bleach shock followed by flushing. The instructions are all there from Peggie Hall on Stu's link.
Are we still talking about a 6 gallon water heater? I hope it is not a Hold Tank or the main fresh water tank.
If that water doesn't taste foul onshore, the amount of sulphur in 6 GALLON is got to be less 1/8th teaspoon of Sulphur. For bacteria to live, they need FOOD,
WATER and NO air. In your stagnant (no air), Water tank, what is the FOOD? Sulphur is NOT FOOD, but organic Sulphur compounds are FOOD. In the absence of food, bacteria will die or go dormant.
H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) is toxic, poisonous, and inflammable (burns). H2S will dissolve in water to form Sulfurous Acid (Corrosive and Clorox won't help).
You can't make 50 cookies (inflammable gas) with 1/8th teaspoon of flour (sulphur)!
If you onshore water is that foul to contain what would be in a septic tank...
Do RO water! The Whirlpool unit costs less than $200 and you never have to worry about foul, corrosive, toxic, inflammable water again. The unit uses onshore water pump pressure to drive the process.
Jim...
PS: I hold a Masters degree in Chemical Engineer and a Major in Chemistry.
If that water doesn't taste foul onshore, the amount of sulphur in 6 GALLON is got to be less 1/8th teaspoon of Sulphur. For bacteria to live, they need FOOD,
WATER and NO air. In your stagnant (no air), Water tank, what is the FOOD? Sulphur is NOT FOOD, but organic Sulphur compounds are FOOD. In the absence of food, bacteria will die or go dormant.
H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) is toxic, poisonous, and inflammable (burns). H2S will dissolve in water to form Sulfurous Acid (Corrosive and Clorox won't help).
If you have a Magnesium anode, it may be the problem.
You can't make 50 cookies (inflammable gas) with 1/8th teaspoon of flour (sulphur)!
If you onshore water is that foul to contain what would be in a septic tank...
Do RO water! The Whirlpool unit costs less than $200 and you never have to worry about foul, corrosive, toxic, inflammable water again. The unit uses onshore water pump pressure to drive the process.
Jim...
PS: I hold a Masters degree in Chemical Engineer and a Major in Chemistry.
I just recently replaced my water heater early this year. The water it produced also had an "odor", but the primary reason for replacement was a pin hole leak. After after I drained it as much as possible and pulled it out there was (a LOT) this nasty, white, stinky, gloppy substance in the bottom of the tank. I assume that was the source of the odor.
Bottom line:
Just pull out the tank and rinse the hell out of it to clean it up, or (better) just replace it and start fresh. My hot water is real nice now.