|
|
03-11-2019, 14:01
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Warwick RI
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 1,873
|
Well that's disgusting
I knew when I purchased my boat I'd have to replace all of the fresh water hoses but, I just peeked inside of one of my water tanks and WOW. I wasn't expecting it to be clean but this is way beyond what I was expecting .
Is there any reasonable way to actually clean this while it is in place so it is potable again? Removing the tank isn't impossible but there is some cutting to do and I would really prefer to not have to remove the tank if I can avoid it.
__________________
-Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
-Molon Labe
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 15:04
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Fl
Boat: Wauquiez Hood 38
Posts: 1,187
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Pressure washer with 90 degree head.
__________________
Keth
Boat Vinyl Lettering and Graphics
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 15:10
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
|
Well that's disgusting
I’m going to assume that’s organic, and it’s a plastic tank?
I’d try several gallons of hydrogen peroxide, before I tried heavy bleach.
In an empty tank or as empty as you can get it, otherwise I assume you couldn’t get a high enough concentration.
I’ve never done this, but believe hydrogen peroxide to be a strong oxidizer and would work well on organic material.
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 15:19
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Warwick RI
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 1,873
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
I’m going to assume that’s organic, and it’s a plastic tank?
I’d try several gallons of hydrogen peroxide, before I tried heavy bleach.
In an empty tank or as empty as you can get it, otherwise I assume you couldn’t get a high enough concentration.
I’ve never done this, but believe hydrogen peroxide to be a strong oxidizer and would work well on organic material.
|
It is a plastic "gronco" tank and I am also assuming it is organic. I was thinking to wet vac out what standing water I could, treating with something and then flushing it down the line before I replace all the hoses.
__________________
-Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
-Molon Labe
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 15:27
|
#5
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: On the boat
Boat: Watkins 27
Posts: 25
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
If you can get your arm in there, try scrubbing the tank with one of the purple 220 grit wet sanding sponges from your basic hardware store. Rinse, sand, repeat. Had the same issue with our tank. Also replaced all the hoses and installed a two canister whole house under sink filter. Water looks and tastes great. Hope this helps, be safe!
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 16:22
|
#6
|
Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Between Caribbean and Canada
Boat: Murray 33-Chouette & Pape Steelmaid-44-Safara-both steel cutters
Posts: 8,594
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
There is an old saying along the lines of “Never walk behind your favorite restaurant.” Or more succinctly “Ignorance is bliss.”
If you had some bad toxins it might kill that stuff growing. So you know your water is safe for at least some living organisms.
Maybe I drank too much water out of free flowing streams growing up and it skewed my senses?
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 17:46
|
#7
|
Sponsoring Vendor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hollywood, Fl.
Boat: FP Athena 38' Poerava
Posts: 3,984
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Most people would be more than surprised what's actually in their fresh water tank/s.
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 18:12
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,060
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Cruisers Forum member Thinwater did tests of water system cleaners for Practical Sailor Magazine a few years ago (July 2015) As I recall he liked Puriclean best. I was importing it into the US at the time. My old company may still handle it.
https://www.cleantabs.co.uk/puriclean.php
I’m guessing your tank is a Ronco, not a Gronco. They make excellent tanks.
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 18:21
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,541
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
I would agree that a pressure washer would probably clean that quickly. Put in a big enough inspection plate to move the wand around.
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=47593
Once the grime is off, the standard bleach water tank treatment (1/4 cup household beach per 15 gallons of tank filled to the top for several hours) would sanitize it.
By the way, small pressure washers are now really cheap. I got this one. Small enough to store in a locker, uses only 2 gallons/min and runs fine off the inverter. Not powerful enough to clean a boat bottom but great for decks and bilges...and maybe water tanks.
https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-SPX20...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 18:23
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Warwick RI
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 1,873
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpeer
There is an old saying along the lines of “Never walk behind your favorite restaurant.” Or more succinctly “Ignorance is bliss.”
If you had some bad toxins it might kill that stuff growing. So you know your water is safe for at least some living organisms.
Maybe I drank too much water out of free flowing streams growing up and it skewed my senses?
|
Ya...…... I'd rather not live in a bliss that might wake me up at 0300 desperately trying to decide what end product is better to catch now and what end product is better to clean up later.
__________________
-Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
-Molon Labe
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 18:26
|
#11
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Warwick RI
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 1,873
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
I would agree that a pressure washer would probably clean that quickly. Put in an access port made for water tanks.
Once the grime is off, the standard bleach water tank treatment would sanitize it.
By the way, small pressure washers are now really cheap. I got this one. Small enough to store in a locker, uses only 2 gallons/min and runs fine off the inverter. Not powerful enough to clean a boat bottom but great for decks and bilges...and maybe water tanks.
https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-SPX20...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
|
I have two pressure washers, 1 is gas powered, the other is a surprisingly effective electric job.
Does anyone have a recommendation for an attachment that would be effective/useful for cleaning the inside of a tank?
__________________
-Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
-Molon Labe
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 18:51
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Noank, Ct. USA
Boat: Cape Dory 31
Posts: 3,177
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
I would just fill the tank with fresh water and add a cup of bleach. Give it a few days, empty it and do it again if still looking nasty.
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 19:03
|
#13
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Seville London Eastbourne
Posts: 13,406
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
I moved to stainless steel tanks and also the bladder type.
Lots of bleach, regular flushing and happiness ensues.
__________________
- Never test how deep the water is with both feet -
10% of conflicts are due to different opinions. 90% by the tone of voice.
Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 19:16
|
#14
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 81
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
The trick is to treat your drinking water and cooking water after it has left the tank. A Seagull IV is a popular but expensive choice. Other than that, just sanitize the tank and plumbing with bleach water and add a maintenance dose every fill up. Good luck!
|
|
|
03-11-2019, 19:32
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 405
|
Re: Well that's disgusting
The pipes from the city water to your house look about like that too btw.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
|
|
|