Mixing bleach with water

[Harry Greenspun]

Peggy, Our new boat came out of its first winter storage with the fresh water really smelling bad. I'm getting ready to re-commission my fresh water tanks as per your instructions. Quick question: is it necessary to mix the bleach and water before putting it in the empty tanks and then filling up the rest of the way. It would seem easier and less likely to spill on deck if I just put the right amount of bleach in the tank, then added water to fill the tank the rest of the way. I've got 200 gallons to treat!Thanks.HarryHarry GreenspunBethesda, MDHunter 456 - "Czech Mate"harry@greenspun.com

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

If the tank is metal...

fill the tank about 1/3 full before adding bleach directly. If it's plastic, don't worry about it...just pour in the bleach. Just be sure to add it before the tank is more than about 1/3 full, so it gets mixed thoroughly with the water.

 

[Harry Greenspun]

Proper ratio?

Thanks, Peggy. Based on the article I found, I'll use 1/2 cup bleach for every 5 gallons of tank capacity, right?Harry

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

That's twice as much as you need

It's a 1/2 cup for every 10 gallons of water tank capacity (you're just supposed to mix it in 5 gals of water first if you're gonna mix it instead of pouring it in). Make it easy on yourself...use a quart for every 50 gallons of tank capacity. For a 200 gal tank, you'd need a gallon..half a gallon each for two 100 gallon tanks. That's a wee bit short of the amount the directions call for, but enough to do the job if you use Clorox or Purex, which is 6%, as opposed to cheaper brands, which are only 5%.

 

[Paul Akers]

Why weren't the tanks drained for layup?

Am I making a bad assumption that the tanks were not winterized? Why do you have 200 gallons of water to treat?

 

[Harry Greenspun]

Tanks were winterized... water stinks

Paul, The tanks (and the entire system) were drained and winterized. After I drained, filled, drained, and refilled, the water still has a nasty odor to it. My boat holds 200 gallons, so I was asking for an easier way to add bleach (rather than mixing multiple buckets of water/bleach). Hopefully this will fix it.Harry

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

He doesn't, Paul...

He has water tanks that hold 200 gallons to sanitize. That requires filling 'em up with the solution.

 

[Paul Akers]

Oh, OK

I've experience stinky water in the past, but not too bad, when I haven't completely rinsed the antifreeze out. It seems like the first tank always "went bad" rather quickly. I carry 80 gallons, and that's a lot to drain. So 200 has little incentive but to try to treat it first. Sorry for the confusion.