Diesel in FW Tank !

[lockie]

Unfortunately, some time ago a small amount of diesel got into my FW keel tank. This has promoted algae growth and buggered up the pump rubber parts, and I'm desperate to clean out the residual. I've tried scrubbing, bleach, proprietary water conditioners, a squirt of detergent etc etc to no avail. Now I'm going to try a pressure cleaner, maybe with some degreaser/detergent (I guess it will have to be a non-foaming type).

If anyone else has suffered this problem and can help with advice based on their actual expereince, I'd be grateful.

lockie

[Jack Tar]

Are we talking water tank ? If so we use on initial disinfection a formula of citric acid and purogen. It kills everything. Then it is flushed with water and then serviced
(filled) Use caution and wear eye protection when needed.

[Ram]

About 19 years ago , I had just bought a new boat & mistook the water tank cap for diesel and put in about 10 gallons before I realized the mistake-I flushed it out several times with lots of Dawn dish soap then I also put in some purple power degreaser and then flushed it out- each time I did the flush I would fill the tank up all the way - this got most of it out it took a few months after that for me not to notice the taste/smell in the water, ever so slight as it was- I believe I went through a fresh water pump or at least the impeller also- i had plastic water tanks-

[delmarrey]

The only suggestion I have since your on the other side of here is ammonia based cleaner. That is what professionals use to clean kitchen hoods. Basically, the same thing as diesel.

Just make sure you have plenty of ventilation, and keep away from bleach, it makes ammonium chloride.

[foamcore]

What is the tank made of?

[Pete7]

and is there any chance the tank can be taken out, because commercial hot steam cleaning would be the choice if you could do it and its available in your location.

Pete

[lockie]

The tank is part of the keel, so it's fibreglass.

What's "purogen" in generic words? I'm in Oz so brand names might not work for me.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by lockie

The tank is part of the keel, so it's fibreglass.

What's "purogen" in generic words? I'm in Oz so brand names might not work for me.

solvent>>>> http://www.ecolink.com/pdfs/msds/purogen_msds.pdf

[GordMay]

Lemon Oil
Purogen is a Proprietary Organic (d-Limonene) Solvent
➥ http://www.ecolink.com/pdfs/msds/purogen_msds.pdf
➥ Limonene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[lockie]

Well, after all this time finally a happy ending.

After about 18 months of trying to get rid of algal growths in my fibreglass keel water tank, I have finally found the solution. It is a product (sold here in Oz) called Acquasafe, made by Davey (the pump people). It contains hydrogen peroxide and trace amounts of silver ions, and is designed for treating potable water in rainwater tanks, so is completely safe to ingest. No doubt there are equivalent products in other countries.

What a relief! I shock-dosed it with bleach a dozen or more times to no avail - after a week or so the water would be gooey again with algae and be undrinkable.

Still got that hint of fibreglass, but it's fiine for coffee or cooking and still ok to drink au naturel in a pinch.

Oh and $40 worth will treat 150 fills of my tank, so not exactly expensive!

cheers, lockie