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01-12-2022, 09:49
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#31
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,122
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to plug my book, Sam! Its title "Get Rid of Boat Odors" (my publisher's idea) is a bit misleading...'cuz although it does deal with every source of odor on a boat and how to cure, or better yet PREVENT 'em, it's actually a comprehensive "marine toilets and sanitation systems 101" manual that explains the laws, describes all the types of systems and how they work, and will help you learn how to operate and maintain your system to prevent 99% of problems instead of having to cure 'em. 'Cuz you get to do any preventive maintenance on your terms when it's convenient...the need to cure a problem never happens when it is! And btw, the instructions for recommissioning the fresh water system are in it.
There's a link to it on Amazon in my signature (just click on the title)...available in both print and e-book.
--Peggie
__________________
© 2025 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author: "NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
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02-12-2022, 15:33
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#32
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Schuylerville, NY
Boat: Wellcraft portofino 43’
Posts: 461
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
We're in upstate NY where winter temps sometimes go to -15 to -20f so winterizing is necessary. Last winter the water tank was removed and checked. The boat is now 25 years old. For many years we've used pink in the lines but a few years ago we decided to try just blowing them out. The tank was clean after many years, no visible material of any kind seen on the inside, and the lines appeared clean. Now in the spring we aren't flushing the tank then still tasting pink for the first month with two to three tanks of water at 100 gallons per filling. For the first filling, we add about 3/4 cup of bleach. At that concentration it can be tasted so we drink bottled water until the tank is emptied which usually takes a couple of weeks since it's early in the season. Showers, washing dishes, etc is ok at that concentration and it doesn't seem to bother the aluminum water heater tank.
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02-12-2022, 16:11
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#33
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 28
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Im following this thread and have shocked my water tank per Peggy's instructions TWICE. But the water filter (screen) before the pump is getting clogged with white gooey snot. I clean it and it loads up again. I dont have viewing access to the inside of the tank. Should I just keep flushing and cleaning till it goes away? What would cause this? Its totally gross looking. Thoughts?
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03-12-2022, 01:20
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#34
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Brisbane
Boat: S&S 40
Posts: 1,045
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by desodave
I empty my fresh water system before the worst of winter sets in here in BC. Temperatures here have been down to -15 deg C although water temps remain +7-8 deg C at a nearby weather buoy ... the boat stays in the water. I've been tempted to leave water in the system but am concerned about protracted power outages from a winter storm.
Is it necessary to shock the tank(s) every year when commissioning again in the Spring? I have been doing that ... using 1 1/2 cups of bleach in a full 80 USG plastic tank (inc water heater), let it sit overnight, then drain. However, it usually takes 3 fill/drain cycles to get rid of the bleach taste and requires running the water pump excessively imo to drain each time.
The new to us boat has 2 plastic tanks (100 USG total) so longer draining times and pump use. Thanks for any input.
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That is a lot of chlorine...maybe 1/2 a cup?
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03-12-2022, 08:01
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#35
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southern Maine
Boat: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Posts: 3,373
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tigue
Im following this thread and have shocked my water tank per Peggy's instructions TWICE. But the water filter (screen) before the pump is getting clogged with white gooey snot... What would cause this?
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Do you have an aluminum tank? If so, that would be Aluminum Oxide. Basically, rust. There is always some debate/discussion about how badly bleach (Chlorine) will corrode Aluminum. I'll defer to Peggy's wisdom on how much is too much, or how long you can leave it in there, before that becomes a problem.
Aluminum will "rust" on it's own anyway, and flushing an aluminum tank will always release some AL2O3, which will get caught in the screens at the filter and/or the taps. It's very typical on a system which hasn't been used in a long time to have to clean them out a few times when re-commissioning.
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03-12-2022, 08:10
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#36
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Good question
Boat: Rafiki 37
Posts: 14,637
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tigue
Im following this thread and have shocked my water tank per Peggy's instructions TWICE. But the water filter (screen) before the pump is getting clogged with white gooey snot. I clean it and it loads up again. I dont have viewing access to the inside of the tank. Should I just keep flushing and cleaning till it goes away? What would cause this? Its totally gross looking. Thoughts?
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We get this after the shock. We have a stainless water tank. I’ve always assumed it was some of the organic goo that is being released in the shocking process. After a couple of flushes it usually stops.
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03-12-2022, 08:21
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#37
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,122
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
I suggest you read the instructions in post #3.
--Peggie
__________________
© 2025 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author: "NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
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03-12-2022, 08:26
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#38
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,967
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
I've seen a tank full of gooey white stuff once. It was a plastic tank, commissioned late in the spring and it had a slightly too weak mix of antifreeze in it. So when the weather warmed up, a whole bunch of gross white-ish sludgy stuff grew. It was kind of a pain for the owner to get it all cleaned out before bleach shocking the system.
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03-12-2022, 15:10
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#39
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 1
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
I had the same concerns as you about the excessive use of my water pump to empty my tanks. It happens when the boat is laid up for winter and the tanks need to be drained, and in the spring when shocking the system prior to launch. A friend suggested using a transfer pump, which can be purchased inexpensively on Amazon or at Harbor Freight. The water moves quickly and saves wear and tear on your pressurized system.
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03-12-2022, 19:15
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#40
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,122
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
No matter what type of pump you use, it's important that the system remains pressurized to keep the bleach solution in the line and drains via the faucets. The directions I posted in post #3 begin with, "Although most people think only in terms of the tank, the plumbing is actually the source of most foul water, because the molds, mildew, fungi and bacteria which cause it thrive in damp dark places, not under water."
--Peggie
__________________
© 2025 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author: "NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
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04-12-2022, 08:53
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#41
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 339
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
I couldn't find those specs that says 1 qt per 50 gals (.5%) but know the local municipal spec where I live is 1ppm as posted already. 1 gal per 1 million to keep it bacterial free has been the standard for decades so I doubt they go by the 1 qt per 50 gals for shocking.
I reached out to a friend of mine who is a retired environmental VP of a major electronic mfg corp with 25k employees. He has a cottage in the Abacos (Lubbers QTR) with 2500 and 900 gal cisterns to collect rainwater so I asked him what he does...2 cups when he arrives to shock and 1 cup monthly to maintain...for about 20 yrs without a problem. He said 1 qt per 50 will definitely disinfect but flush thoroughly.
Can someone post where that 1 qt to 50 spec is? Searching the posted info goes nowhere without the agency name.
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04-12-2022, 14:33
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#42
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,122
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
32 oz (1 qt) bleach /50gal tank capacity is my simplification of the original instruction to mix multiples of 4 oz (1/2 cup) in 5 gal. water as many times as is needed to fill the tank. It assumes that you have the math skills to arrive at the correct percentage for tanks smaller than 50 gals or are smart enough to know that a 90 gal tank wouldn't need quite two quarts.
--Peggie
__________________
© 2025 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author: "NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
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05-12-2022, 10:27
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#43
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 339
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by peghall
32 oz (1 qt) bleach /50gal tank capacity is my simplification of the original instruction to mix multiples of 4 oz (1/2 cup) in 5 gal. water as many times as is needed to fill the tank. It assumes that you have the math skills to arrive at the correct percentage for tanks smaller than 50 gals or are smart enough to know that a 90 gal tank wouldn't need quite two quarts.
--Peggie
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Thank you for the math but the source of your quoted spec of 4 oz per 5 gals is? There has to be more to the story at that concentration.
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05-12-2022, 11:09
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#44
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,122
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
I found these instructions in the owners manual for 1985 boat I bought in 1989, saved them and have included them in both my books. They begin:
"The following recommendations conform to section 10.8 in the A-1 192 code covering electrical, plumbing, and heating of recreational vehicles. The solution is approved and recommended by competent health officials. It may be used in a new system a used one that has not been used for a period of time, or one that may have been contaminated."
If you need more than that, you'll have to find it yourself.
--Peggie
__________________
© 2025 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author: "NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
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05-12-2022, 11:09
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#45
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Good question
Boat: Rafiki 37
Posts: 14,637
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Re: Shocking water tanks after emptying for winter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BBill
Thank you for the math but the source of your quoted spec of 4 oz per 5 gals is? There has to be more to the story at that concentration.
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You got me searching, and I can't find Peggy's source either. I've been following Peggy's recommendation these past many seasons (more or less following... not anal about the measurement), but now I'm beginning to doubt. All the sources I find indicate a lot less.
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