Gasket for freshwater tanks.

[Morten84]

What type of gasket can be used for the manholes in the freshwatertank? The manholecovers are 2'x 2'.
Can i just use sikaflex?

[a64pilot]

I know most hate silicone, but I think it's warrantied here, for this kind of thing, I like clear silicone.
That or cut gaskets out of thin rubber sheet, those ought to be re-useable.


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[Morten84]

Thanks, do you know what kind of silicone I should buy? I want to make sure im not using something that would contaminate the water, making it undrinkable. Searching online I cant seem to find any chemical gaskets for use on drinking water applications.

[a64pilot]

I'd go with plain ole GE silicone, not silicone II etc,. Same stuff they use to glue glass aquariums with. Silicone as it cures does sweat weak acetic acid, that's the vinegar smell, but it's harmelss, not posion.
Silicone is not to be used on the hull of the boat to waterproof hatches with etc. though, seems like it would be perfect for that, but apparently it leaves a very thin film that cannot be removed?
I've been warned strongly long ago to never use it for that and never have, so I cannot speak to what it actually does.

Your tanks are aluminum? Some kinds of the plastic that water tanks are made from, silicone will not stick to, for a plastic tank I'd cut my own rubber gasket.


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