SS Water Tanks

[LastDance]

I have stainless steel water tanks on our new boat and don't want to put chlorine bleach in them. I've been told H2O2 will get the job done. Does anyone know the proper dosage level for hydrogen peroxide?

[w32honu]

Not sure about hydrogen peroxide.........

Just curious, is there a reason not to use a mild solution of chlorine in SS tanks??

[zeehag]

vinegar works better. chlorine will mask any6thing growing, whereas vinegar will change its environment and make it go away. with either, you must rinse out the tanks after the cleaning.

[atoll]

1/2 a bottle of whiskey works well

[GordMay]

Any compound capable of donating free chlorine ions (like chlorine bleach) to an aqueous (water-based) solution has the potential for causing failure (chloride stress corrosion) in stainless steels.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by atoll

1/2 a bottle of whiskey works well

What do you drink when that's gone?

[LastDance]

see Gord's note

I understand that the bleach will form a mild hydrochloric acid that will ultimately corrode the tank

[colemj]

If you only intend to shock the tank, clean it out and refill with non-chlorine water, using bleach will be just fine.

If you want to add a preventative, additives containing halogens like chlorine or iodine are not ideal for aluminum or stainless. Hydrogen peroxide works well if the water is turned over constantly. H2O2 will provide a toxic environment for microorganisms for a short period of time before converting into water.

Try to find 12% solutions. Add a pint to every 40 gallons of water. If you can only get the 3% solutions found in drugstores, use 2 pints - there won't be any harm to you or the tanks. Let it sit in the tank for a day and it will have done its job and converted itself into water.

Mark

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by colemj

If you only intend to shock the tank, clean it out and refill with non-chlorine water, using bleach will be just fine ...

... Try to find 12% solutions (of Hydrogen Peroxide). Add a pint to every 40 gallons of water. If you can only get the 3% solutions found in drugstores, use 2 pints - there won't be any harm to you or the tanks. Let it sit in the tank for a day and it will have done its job and converted itself into water.
Mark

Hydrogen peroxide is generally produced and distributed in number of different grades and concentrations; commonly known 3% and 6% H2O2, and 35% Technical Grade Hydrogen Peroxide. 35% Hydrogen peroxide is extremely corrosive and a strong oxidizer, which can cause severe burns. I've never seen 12% peroxide.

[DeepFrz]

What do you drink when that's gone?

Probably the other 1/2.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I've never seen 12% peroxide.

Let me google that for you

Amazon.com: Hydrogen Peroxide 12% 16 Ounces: Health & Personal Care

It is common in the cosmetics industry (hairdressers, etc). Or one could easily dilute 35% solutions.

Not often one catches Gord sleeping at the google button...

Mark

[hellosailor]

LastDance, there's a non-chemical alternative that might be worth your while if you have adequate power, or are frequently tied to shore power.

install a UV-C light in the tank, or in the line coming out of it. UV-C is commonly used in water purification and air circulation systems and available as sealed units to install in tanks and pipes. It is highly energetic UV light which basically destroys any kind of living organism down to the viral level. With no chemical residue.

[sailorchic34]

You can also get hydrogen peroxide at a beauty supply store. You would want to get 20, 30 or 40 vol peroxide in the Clear, Not the Cream. 20Vol is 6%, 30Vol is 9% and 40vol is 12 %. Price is not bad at $4-$5 a quart. Clear is basic straight peroxide. the Cream as oils etc, that is great for hair but not so good for water tanks. Don't ask me how I know

Peroxide is a lovely disinfectant, used lots in Bio-Pharm and industrial applications too.

[sdowney717]

anyone use ozone treatment to clean the water in a boat tank?
use a UV light to kill bacteria and generate ozone.
Ozone Water Treatment Systems

[capnorv]

So Gord,
Does this mean that any boat that's been filled from domestic (US) municipal water supplies and has stainless steel tanks is suspect or am I misreading something? My previous boats have been ss, but current is glassed in. It would be good to know for future referance though, and my hot water is stainless.