They look like little barnacles but are fairly soft and chalky. They have coated all sides and the baffles inside the water tank. They fell off of the front of the tank in this picture. They finally plugged the outlet of the tank and I could not get much water out. I asked about the floating things in the fresh water tank a few years ago and no one seemed to know what they were. I cut a cleanout hole to get the picture. I am curious if they are biological or some kind of mineral deposit.
What are these things in my water tank?
- Thread starter patrick
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The tank is in a 1991 Legend 37.5 and I first noticed a problem about 4 years ago but just elected to filter it for drinking.
The tank is in a 1991 Legend 37.5 and I first noticed a problem about 4 years ago but just elected to filter it for drinking.
Please post new photo of water tank
Patrick, the photo related to water tank problem seems unable to display. Could you try again? Thanks. P.S. Sometimes the tank's outlet lines experience a "calcium" build-up. (I'm not really sure what form of calcium this crud is, but you can get rid of it ((in the lines, that is))either by flexing the lines and sort of 'milking' it out, or ((better yet)) replacing the lines every now and then.
Patrick, the photo related to water tank problem seems unable to display. Could you try again? Thanks. P.S. Sometimes the tank's outlet lines experience a "calcium" build-up. (I'm not really sure what form of calcium this crud is, but you can get rid of it ((in the lines, that is))either by flexing the lines and sort of 'milking' it out, or ((better yet)) replacing the lines every now and then.
Try posting picture again
The picture will not display for me either. Hopefully by reposting it someone can give you accurate advice as to what you have. You might want to think about taking a sample to your local water authority to see if their lab could give you any help.
The picture will not display for me either. Hopefully by reposting it someone can give you accurate advice as to what you have. You might want to think about taking a sample to your local water authority to see if their lab could give you any help.
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
Grows in my fridge, gray, fuzzy... hmmm
Looks like mold. If so, clean your tanks with mild bleach and rinse several times.
Looks like mold. If so, clean your tanks with mild bleach and rinse several times.
Needs a good cleaning
A little bleach and concentrated Lysol (used separately, NOT mixed!) should get rid of the wee beasties. Wash out your system thoroughly and rinse with a a very weak mixture of water and bleach. Since the infestation has taken hold, you'll probably want to keep an eye open for future growth. It might be a good idea to put in a little bleach (weak) into the tank occasionally. But take some samples. They might contain a cure for some disease.
A little bleach and concentrated Lysol (used separately, NOT mixed!) should get rid of the wee beasties. Wash out your system thoroughly and rinse with a a very weak mixture of water and bleach. Since the infestation has taken hold, you'll probably want to keep an eye open for future growth. It might be a good idea to put in a little bleach (weak) into the tank occasionally. But take some samples. They might contain a cure for some disease.
It is definitely not mold but
You guys with bleach ideas may have answered my question. I would never never put bleach or lysol in an aluminum tank because both are corrosive to aluminum. This stuff may be from just such a reaction. It could be from the bleach in the city water. I strongly suspect that the holding tank leaks I hear about in aluminum tanks are due to putting bleach down the head. I always put oil and vinegar into my head. If this contains a cure, it won't help me cause I do not drink water from this tank. Samples are not a problem - I have a pint of this stuff already and I haven't even started cleaning it out. There may be a gallon before I am done. "Cleaning Stainless Steel and Aluminum For general cleaning, mild detergents or percarbonate-based cleaners are best for steel and aluminum. Bleach should be avoided because the high pH of a bleach solution can cause corrosion of aluminum and to a lessor degree of stainless steel. Do not clean aluminum shiny bright or use bleach to clean an aluminum brewpot because this removes the protective oxides and can result in a metallic taste."
You guys with bleach ideas may have answered my question. I would never never put bleach or lysol in an aluminum tank because both are corrosive to aluminum. This stuff may be from just such a reaction. It could be from the bleach in the city water. I strongly suspect that the holding tank leaks I hear about in aluminum tanks are due to putting bleach down the head. I always put oil and vinegar into my head. If this contains a cure, it won't help me cause I do not drink water from this tank. Samples are not a problem - I have a pint of this stuff already and I haven't even started cleaning it out. There may be a gallon before I am done. "Cleaning Stainless Steel and Aluminum For general cleaning, mild detergents or percarbonate-based cleaners are best for steel and aluminum. Bleach should be avoided because the high pH of a bleach solution can cause corrosion of aluminum and to a lessor degree of stainless steel. Do not clean aluminum shiny bright or use bleach to clean an aluminum brewpot because this removes the protective oxides and can result in a metallic taste."
tank beasts
Patrick, I think you've got it-your beasties look more like aluminum oxide stalactites-as water condensed on the top surface of the tank and formed drops, it corroded the aluminum. anyway, boat mold and fungus are rarely white
Patrick, I think you've got it-your beasties look more like aluminum oxide stalactites-as water condensed on the top surface of the tank and formed drops, it corroded the aluminum. anyway, boat mold and fungus are rarely white
More likely aluminum chloride
but it is on top, bottom, sides and is not uniform like I would expect of corrosion. Like I said, the things look like barnacles. I tried to post another picture but it didn't work.
but it is on top, bottom, sides and is not uniform like I would expect of corrosion. Like I said, the things look like barnacles. I tried to post another picture but it didn't work.
Response from Ezell Industries
This is the reply from the tank maker: Thank you for sharing the pictures of your problematic water tank. According to Mr. Ezell, owner of the comapny, you have a classic example of corrosion, aluminum oxide, caused by stagnent chlorinated water. There is nothing that you can do to prevent the situation,only slow it down by flushing your tank regularly. As far as correcting the problem in your present tank, there is no coating or quick fix. The best is to replace the tank. Let me know if we can be of further assistance. Regards, Linda Wiles Ezell Industries, Inc. 15030 Beach Road Perry, FL 32348
This is the reply from the tank maker: Thank you for sharing the pictures of your problematic water tank. According to Mr. Ezell, owner of the comapny, you have a classic example of corrosion, aluminum oxide, caused by stagnent chlorinated water. There is nothing that you can do to prevent the situation,only slow it down by flushing your tank regularly. As far as correcting the problem in your present tank, there is no coating or quick fix. The best is to replace the tank. Let me know if we can be of further assistance. Regards, Linda Wiles Ezell Industries, Inc. 15030 Beach Road Perry, FL 32348
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