What do you add to your fresh water tanks?
- Thread starter Brian D
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Filter
I used to treat the water in the tank with various chemicals with greater or lesser degrees of success--depending on where I was when I took on water. Now I have a cylindrical filter with hose connections on each end that I use to filter the water as it goes into the tank. Got this idea from what RV'ers do. Water now always tastes great. This is a lot easier than trying to hook up a filter system on the boat to have filtered water at the tap.
I used to treat the water in the tank with various chemicals with greater or lesser degrees of success--depending on where I was when I took on water. Now I have a cylindrical filter with hose connections on each end that I use to filter the water as it goes into the tank. Got this idea from what RV'ers do. Water now always tastes great. This is a lot easier than trying to hook up a filter system on the boat to have filtered water at the tap.
Best and simplest solution...
Recommission the system once a year, or when the water starts to smell/taste funky. You'll find directions for doing that in the archives. Do NOT add ANY bleach to each fill, especially if you have an aluminum water tank. Bleach is use to recommission the system, but it only stays in the system a few hours and then is competely flushed out...not long enough to do any damage. Increasing the chlorine level in the water stored in the tank will shorten the life of the tank and the rubber parts in the water pump by 50% or more.
Recommission the system once a year, or when the water starts to smell/taste funky. You'll find directions for doing that in the archives. Do NOT add ANY bleach to each fill, especially if you have an aluminum water tank. Bleach is use to recommission the system, but it only stays in the system a few hours and then is competely flushed out...not long enough to do any damage. Increasing the chlorine level in the water stored in the tank will shorten the life of the tank and the rubber parts in the water pump by 50% or more.
At Commissioning...
...in April, I usually add about 4 oz to my 70 gal tank and ONLY at this time. This seems to be plenty to keep it fine. I top off each time we go out until October with no problems so it always dilutes and recycles the water. We drink bottled water and use it to make coffee, too. We use the boat's water just for cooking, showering and cleaning dishes.
...in April, I usually add about 4 oz to my 70 gal tank and ONLY at this time. This seems to be plenty to keep it fine. I top off each time we go out until October with no problems so it always dilutes and recycles the water. We drink bottled water and use it to make coffee, too. We use the boat's water just for cooking, showering and cleaning dishes.
Do an archive search on "recommissioning"
which will get you to Peggie's great entire story as to how to do that. Buy her book, too, it'll answer all the rest of your questions that you are bound to have.
which will get you to Peggie's great entire story as to how to do that. Buy her book, too, it'll answer all the rest of your questions that you are bound to have.
Hydrogen Peroxide
I use 1 oz. of store bought hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons of water. I never have an algie problem and the water is safe to use to wash whatever I need to wash. I use bottled water for drinking, but you can use your tank water for brushing teeth, etc. I have used this system for over 40 years both offshore and on my chrrent cruiser on the lake because it is not as corrosive as bleach and it keeps the water bacteria free - and no chlorine smell.
I use 1 oz. of store bought hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons of water. I never have an algie problem and the water is safe to use to wash whatever I need to wash. I use bottled water for drinking, but you can use your tank water for brushing teeth, etc. I have used this system for over 40 years both offshore and on my chrrent cruiser on the lake because it is not as corrosive as bleach and it keeps the water bacteria free - and no chlorine smell.
not sure on this
the old connie wagon guys dropped a silver dollar in their barrels or water to stave off bacteria. Might be some truth to it as most pre-filters have silver impregnated into them. As for Hydrogen Peroxide fromt he store...it's ok to use, but don't drink it. You need to buy the stuff off the net, without all the chemicals, if you plan to drink it. As for bleach...It works, but has it's own set of problems. Chlorine is the same stuff you use in a pool, so why not go to a pool place and find out what they sell for a small pool. Oh yeah, bleach eats the hell out of bronze and other things, so make sure it doesn't end up in the bilge. Or so I've been told.
the old connie wagon guys dropped a silver dollar in their barrels or water to stave off bacteria. Might be some truth to it as most pre-filters have silver impregnated into them. As for Hydrogen Peroxide fromt he store...it's ok to use, but don't drink it. You need to buy the stuff off the net, without all the chemicals, if you plan to drink it. As for bleach...It works, but has it's own set of problems. Chlorine is the same stuff you use in a pool, so why not go to a pool place and find out what they sell for a small pool. Oh yeah, bleach eats the hell out of bronze and other things, so make sure it doesn't end up in the bilge. Or so I've been told.
Here's what we do
On our Hunter 340 we did a mix of things and it really made a difference. First, get in and clean out the tank. There is probably only a small access hole, so you are working with a stick with a rag hooked to the end. I was surprise at how much junk there was in the tank (shavings, bits of wire, etc). After that, flush with water and a little bleach, and rinse a couple times with clean water. I do this once a year. I agree with not adding bleach to drinking water. After the tank is clean... Fill the tank using a new hose designed for drinking water (not just a garden hose); to this add an RV type water filter. Taste the water before you put any into the tank. Wash dirt away from the fill opening. (When you put the hose away, screw the two ends togeather so you don't get who knows what crawling into the hose.) Use a water filter at the sink for drinking cooking water. We use a PUR brand filter with good results, but I am sure others work fine.
On our Hunter 340 we did a mix of things and it really made a difference. First, get in and clean out the tank. There is probably only a small access hole, so you are working with a stick with a rag hooked to the end. I was surprise at how much junk there was in the tank (shavings, bits of wire, etc). After that, flush with water and a little bleach, and rinse a couple times with clean water. I do this once a year. I agree with not adding bleach to drinking water. After the tank is clean... Fill the tank using a new hose designed for drinking water (not just a garden hose); to this add an RV type water filter. Taste the water before you put any into the tank. Wash dirt away from the fill opening. (When you put the hose away, screw the two ends togeather so you don't get who knows what crawling into the hose.) Use a water filter at the sink for drinking cooking water. We use a PUR brand filter with good results, but I am sure others work fine.
Chlorinated Supply Source........But.....
Interesting how many opinions their are on the adding of chlorine to a vessels water system. I have been adding chlorine (chlorox) to every my vessel I have owned since 1978. Many feel that water coming from county or city potable supplies are already chlorinated and thus disinfection is ongoing when transferred to the vessel. Chlorine will dissapate out of the system as a gas and is more of a "contact" disinfectant. You already knock out the chlorine when you fill the vessel with aerating water flow from the hose. Boat motion further helps to slosh the tanks and dissipate the chlorine out of the system faster. I am of the belief that when washing my face, rinsing after brushing teeth or even showering, that the extra capfull or tablespoon per 15 - 20 gallons added after filling will only safeguard me better from bacteria that may already be present in the system from stagnation during the weeks the boat is not used. Chlorination of potable systems either by hypochlorination or gas chlorination has been around for many decades. When I get a very, very slight smell of chlorine while washing I personnally feel safer. Sorry, water condition has priority over deteriorating rubber pump impellors! Thats my 2-cents on the subject. Bob
Interesting how many opinions their are on the adding of chlorine to a vessels water system. I have been adding chlorine (chlorox) to every my vessel I have owned since 1978. Many feel that water coming from county or city potable supplies are already chlorinated and thus disinfection is ongoing when transferred to the vessel. Chlorine will dissapate out of the system as a gas and is more of a "contact" disinfectant. You already knock out the chlorine when you fill the vessel with aerating water flow from the hose. Boat motion further helps to slosh the tanks and dissipate the chlorine out of the system faster. I am of the belief that when washing my face, rinsing after brushing teeth or even showering, that the extra capfull or tablespoon per 15 - 20 gallons added after filling will only safeguard me better from bacteria that may already be present in the system from stagnation during the weeks the boat is not used. Chlorination of potable systems either by hypochlorination or gas chlorination has been around for many decades. When I get a very, very slight smell of chlorine while washing I personnally feel safer. Sorry, water condition has priority over deteriorating rubber pump impellors! Thats my 2-cents on the subject. Bob
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