Peggy, please clarify....

[Tim]

Peggy,We just bought a new (previously sailed) boat which needs the fresh water system cleaned. I went to your article, Fresh Water Maintenance, in the archives and am confused about the amount of bleach to use.You say to use a solution of 2 oz. bleach to 1 gal. water, and use 1 gal of this solution for each 5 gallons of water capacity. If I do this, I'll have 4 oz. of bleach in 12 gallons of water, for example.Later in the article, you say that anything less than 8 oz. in 10 gallons of water won't do anything. I don't get it! How is the "cleaning solution" supposed to work with 4 oz. in 12 gallons if 8 oz. in 10 won't do anything?Did I read this wrong, is it 2 oz. for every gallon capacity?Better yet, I have 55 gallons of capacity, if I fill it up, how much total bleach should I pour in?Thanks,Tim

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Nono...you've read something wrong or

that article has corrupted. Besides, it's out of date. Here are the right directions (excerpt from my book...there's more that helps you keep your water fresher, longer):1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 1/2 cup (4 oz) Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium Hypochlorine solution). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon of solution for each 5 gallons of tank capacity. 2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open each faucet and drain cock until air has been released and the entire system is filled. Do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines 3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours.4 Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat. 5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days by vehicle motion. 6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by fill the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water.

 

[Dennis Thomas]

44 oz in 55 gallons

Peggy, Tim;Here’s the way I understand the procedure using Tim’s 55-gallon capacity.4 oz (1/2 cup) per gallon dilute bleach mixture. Mix 1 gallon for each 5 gallons of capacity. 55/5 = 11. So, you will have 11 gallons of the mixture for a total of 44 oz (5.5 cups) bleach used. 11x4 = 44.Pour this into the tanks and top off with fresh water (another 44 gallons). 11+44 = 55.You have a final dilution of 44 oz of bleach in 55 gallons of water or 0.8 oz per gallon. (the same as 8 oz in 10 gallons)I referred to both Peggy’s current reply and a copy I made of her fresh water maintenance procedures dated July of 2001. Though worded differently they agree on these points.I don’t know where Tim got the 2 oz per gallon but that’s where the confusion starts. You dilute the bleach first so that you’re not hitting the hardware with it straight. Dilution also helps mix it into more remote parts of the system like the water heater which other wise might not get much of the bleach.Dennis ThomasS/v Anodyne

 

[Tim]

I agree Dennis

Dennis,Thanks for the math! I came up with 48 oz., but also added 6 gal for the hot water heater.In my case, its a Benny 321 which has a water tank molded into the hull under the v-berth, with two 6" access plates. I plan to fill about half-way with fresh water, pour a 48 oz. bottle straight in through the access plate, then fill the rest of the way. The hose should mix it up enough, then I'll pump through the system and do the rest per Peggy's article.If you read the orginal article and take it literally, there ends up being 2 oz. of bleach for every 5 gallons, much less than what we're talking about here. Nevertheless, Peggy clarified it, so we're good to go!Now if I can just find a shipper to truck this boat to me......!Cheers,Tim