Does anyone know of a product that will prevent algae growth in the bilge sump? We are running a de-humidifier that drains to the sump and is pumped out from there. The algae growth has already clogged the pump impellor and caused it to fry. We need something that will not harm the prop shaft and packing that is also located in the sump. Thanx in advance.
Slimey bilge water.
- Thread starter glenn8720
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Bilge cleaner?
On our powerboat, I always squirted some bilge cleaner in from time to time and it was never bad. Also used one of those oil mats. You could try a clorox toilet tank tablet (maybe a tiny piece of it) and the clorine will/should control the growth for a while. Just a thought. never tried it. Or justplug in the hole in the dehumidifyer, put a pump into the dehumidifier tank and pump it directly out the boat. Only cost is the smallest pump/switch and hose. Paul
On our powerboat, I always squirted some bilge cleaner in from time to time and it was never bad. Also used one of those oil mats. You could try a clorox toilet tank tablet (maybe a tiny piece of it) and the clorine will/should control the growth for a while. Just a thought. never tried it. Or justplug in the hole in the dehumidifyer, put a pump into the dehumidifier tank and pump it directly out the boat. Only cost is the smallest pump/switch and hose. Paul
Fresh Water Flush
Hi Glenn: I have an older boat that the air, shower and ice chests drains into the bilge. I've tried several products and they all seem to be just odor maskers. I just do a fresh water flush to the bilge before I close it up for the week and that seems to help, however, I don't have an algae problem. Unless Peggie has some product in mind, you might try pulling the bilge pump out and cleaning the sump out with a little clorox to kill any bacteria and then flush it out before putting the pump back in. Clorox does horrible things to the impellers and other metal stuff. Luck with it!
Hi Glenn: I have an older boat that the air, shower and ice chests drains into the bilge. I've tried several products and they all seem to be just odor maskers. I just do a fresh water flush to the bilge before I close it up for the week and that seems to help, however, I don't have an algae problem. Unless Peggie has some product in mind, you might try pulling the bilge pump out and cleaning the sump out with a little clorox to kill any bacteria and then flush it out before putting the pump back in. Clorox does horrible things to the impellers and other metal stuff. Luck with it!
A weekly dose of Raritan C.P.
It's a bio-enzymatic cleaning product that destroys odor on contact and "eats" hair, body oils, soap scum, molds, fungi and algae (although that's not what's in your sump...algae can't grow without light) etc. A few oz down the shower drain will keep your sump clean, slime free and sweet smelling. An annual or semi-annual cleaning with detergent wouldn't hurt either...but do NOT use bleach, chlorine or any product containing chlorine...it's highly destructive to hoses and the rubber parts in the sump pump. Btw (before anyone asks)...C.P. would also work in a bilge, but you'd need a gallon a week in an area that large to do any good, making it way too expensive to use as a means having a clean odor-free bilge without doing any actual work.
It's a bio-enzymatic cleaning product that destroys odor on contact and "eats" hair, body oils, soap scum, molds, fungi and algae (although that's not what's in your sump...algae can't grow without light) etc. A few oz down the shower drain will keep your sump clean, slime free and sweet smelling. An annual or semi-annual cleaning with detergent wouldn't hurt either...but do NOT use bleach, chlorine or any product containing chlorine...it's highly destructive to hoses and the rubber parts in the sump pump. Btw (before anyone asks)...C.P. would also work in a bilge, but you'd need a gallon a week in an area that large to do any good, making it way too expensive to use as a means having a clean odor-free bilge without doing any actual work.
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