Bilge Hose for Fresh Water Tank Fill ?

[Triton318]

I'm close in my refit where I need to place a hose between the deck fill fitting and the water tank">fresh water tank. I was planning to use that white, corrugated polyethylene bilge hose (the kind with molded in cuffs every 12 inches for hose clamps) because it's reasonably priced. I was trying to think of a reason why this wouldn't be a good application for this particular type of hose, but can't come up with anything. Can you?

Thanks.

[S/V Illusion]

over time these type hoses get brittle and develop cracks along the corrugations which are almost undetectable. Cheap isn't always the "best" buy.

[peghall]

Shields or Trident #148 is rated for potable water (and sanitation too), and isn't expensive. All hoses dry out and become brittle over time...useful lifespan averages 10 years...which averages about to about $.50/ft or less for the life of the hose.

[James S]

I'm not a fan of corrugated type hose...seems like lots of extra places for stuff to accumulate/breed.

[Triton318]

Thanks for the replies -- just the kind of information I was looking for. I think I'll use something other than the corrugated hose.

[hellosailor]

Jay, there are all sorts of plastics and the ones that don't say "food grade" or "USDA approved" or something similar on them may actually leak odd chemicals and plasticizers into your water. Think of genuine potable water hose as an investment in "organic food". PVCs especially are prone to leaking plasticizers as they age if they are not cured or mixed properly, and that can be nasty stuff.

[sdowney717]

If you ever drink from a plastic garden hose in the summer, you can taste the plastic smell in the water. Polyethylene plastic though is good for food and water

2 High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.

Read more: Which Plastics Are Safe? | Care2 Healthy Living

4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles.
OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.

Read more: Which Plastics Are Safe? | Care2 Healthy Living

although it might crack after a long long time.