My fresh water smells bad. I figure that the tanks need a good cleaning. What is the best way to deal with cleaning and maintaining fresh water tanks?
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First buy a filter
The first suggestion is to purchase a $18.00 filter at Wall Mart in the RV car section. Flush your tank and re-fill with filtered water. Then add a cup of Bleach. Now for those who swear that this will eat the aluminum tank, it will- but not in our lifetime, if you are not heavy-handed with the bleach. We are looking to kill any organic matter in the water, not bleach your clothes. If you can aquire clorine dioxide, omit the bleach. Ian
The first suggestion is to purchase a $18.00 filter at Wall Mart in the RV car section. Flush your tank and re-fill with filtered water. Then add a cup of Bleach. Now for those who swear that this will eat the aluminum tank, it will- but not in our lifetime, if you are not heavy-handed with the bleach. We are looking to kill any organic matter in the water, not bleach your clothes. If you can aquire clorine dioxide, omit the bleach. Ian
Hot Water Flush
I like the bleach idea. What do you think about this idea? Fill the tanks with really hot water (not boiling) and then run it through the system. Or, fill the water tanks with hot water with bleach, take the boat out for a sail and then use a wet vac drain the tanks. Finally fill with more hot water without bleach and the wet vac a last time.
I like the bleach idea. What do you think about this idea? Fill the tanks with really hot water (not boiling) and then run it through the system. Or, fill the water tanks with hot water with bleach, take the boat out for a sail and then use a wet vac drain the tanks. Finally fill with more hot water without bleach and the wet vac a last time.
Check out Peggy Hall's book
Nick, I would recommend buying Peggy Hall's book. It includes anything plumbing related, including how to commission your fresh water tank. I followed her recommendations and have no problems with the systems. (Also you can purchase the book from the chandlery here and help support the forum) Jim
Nick, I would recommend buying Peggy Hall's book. It includes anything plumbing related, including how to commission your fresh water tank. I followed her recommendations and have no problems with the systems. (Also you can purchase the book from the chandlery here and help support the forum) Jim
Smell
I second the purchase of Peggy Hall's book. Also, if the odor is just out of your hot water faucet, could be the hot water tank.
I second the purchase of Peggy Hall's book. Also, if the odor is just out of your hot water faucet, could be the hot water tank.
I had that problem
I bought a new (to me) boat this past ummer and the hot water was really foul. I put some bleach in. It took a few days, but all of a sudden the smell was gone - but then the water smelled like bleach - I guess I used too much. Eventually, the bleach smell went away (chlorine dissapates over time) and the hot water worked great and smelled almost as good as me after a shower.
I bought a new (to me) boat this past ummer and the hot water was really foul. I put some bleach in. It took a few days, but all of a sudden the smell was gone - but then the water smelled like bleach - I guess I used too much. Eventually, the bleach smell went away (chlorine dissapates over time) and the hot water worked great and smelled almost as good as me after a shower.
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