Our 1976 Hunter 30 is going back together at light speed. The one thing I elected not to change was the Water Tank. I am a bit concerned after looking at the inlets and outlets on the tank that there may be some corrosion inside. Is there any chemical cleaner that I can put in to flush the tank and clear out any possible corrosion. The tank seems solid enough and there are no leaks?
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Are you going to drink the water?
We never drink the water from the tank. This is used to wash dishes and hands. A little bleach keeps everything ok. We drink from bottled water kept in the cool box.
We never drink the water from the tank. This is used to wash dishes and hands. A little bleach keeps everything ok. We drink from bottled water kept in the cool box.
Corrosion leaks are likely
On a 30 year old boat in salt water, it is unlikely that the aluminum fresh water tank will not be leaking, or close to it. If you are seeing symptoms, and have access this maybde the time for a new tank. David Lady Lillie
On a 30 year old boat in salt water, it is unlikely that the aluminum fresh water tank will not be leaking, or close to it. If you are seeing symptoms, and have access this maybde the time for a new tank. David Lady Lillie
Ian,
a little bleach is what causes the corrosion in the first place. Have you been reading that idiotic comissioning proceedure again? If you have an aluminum tank do not put any clorox bleach in it - any means any. Peroxide maybe and other oxygenating acidic bleaches might be ok. My solution is to get a plastic tank - then you can comission it any way you want.
a little bleach is what causes the corrosion in the first place. Have you been reading that idiotic comissioning proceedure again? If you have an aluminum tank do not put any clorox bleach in it - any means any. Peroxide maybe and other oxygenating acidic bleaches might be ok. My solution is to get a plastic tank - then you can comission it any way you want.
Don't look!
Once you cut a cleanout port and look inside you will quit using water for anything! It will be ugly in there. I don't think it is dangerous but it sure looks like it is. It is just the nature of aluminum and water after many years. The advice so far is what I have learned also. One, if you clean it then you will probably make it leak. Two, the best option is to replace with plastic. Three, while considering it make sure you have a filter in front of your house water pump. That stuff will flake off and eventually ruin an expensive pump. Four, the fix will be expensive, time-consuming, and lots of fun.
Once you cut a cleanout port and look inside you will quit using water for anything! It will be ugly in there. I don't think it is dangerous but it sure looks like it is. It is just the nature of aluminum and water after many years. The advice so far is what I have learned also. One, if you clean it then you will probably make it leak. Two, the best option is to replace with plastic. Three, while considering it make sure you have a filter in front of your house water pump. That stuff will flake off and eventually ruin an expensive pump. Four, the fix will be expensive, time-consuming, and lots of fun.
Alternate Method
Alternate and less costly method is to cut clean-outs in each section of baffled tanks. Acid wash the interior and repair any bad pitting from corrosion with epoxy. Paint interior of tank with a two part epoxy coating designed for potable water service. Serveral good coatings are on the market for commercial use, recently read about one, Macropoxy 646, which is used on railway cars transporting potable water. I'll be doing mine when I complete my current projects.
Alternate and less costly method is to cut clean-outs in each section of baffled tanks. Acid wash the interior and repair any bad pitting from corrosion with epoxy. Paint interior of tank with a two part epoxy coating designed for potable water service. Serveral good coatings are on the market for commercial use, recently read about one, Macropoxy 646, which is used on railway cars transporting potable water. I'll be doing mine when I complete my current projects.
Ok, the tank is outta here!
Ok, the aluminum tank is in the trash bin, new one ordered, no sense skimping now!
Ok, the aluminum tank is in the trash bin, new one ordered, no sense skimping now!
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