What to Use to Clean Water Tanks ?

[rebel heart]

One thing Peggy points out that's important:

Other than aluminum tanks, which are not approved for drinking water storage, bleach in these concentrations (and durations) will not harm the tanks or plumbing.

Aluminum tanks are common; my boat has one. Just because the other guy is using bleach doesn't mean you should, if you have aluminum. Hydrogen peroxide works just as well, doesn't have the odor, and won't harm your aluminum.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Kefaa

thinwater - The filter you reference removes chlorine. You want that in there until you are ready to drink. It will reduce the chance of stuff growing. Look for a filter to remove all particles (http://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/waterfilter.html) is an example.

But my home marina is on well water! No chlorine. So this may not be great advise for others.

I go through water quickly since my tank (polyethylene) is only 27 gallons. A few days in general. It has a large central inspection port so cleaning it out with a hose is very easy. I cannot for the life of me understand any tank without a large accessible clean out.

I do fill-up with chorinated water every no and then, without the filter. I'm sure that helps. If I have a problem, I would treat with low levels of chloramine. Less taste, few by-product reaction, more effective. Most cities, I understand, have now gone to chloramine.

[GordMay]

Common household laundry bleach (UN-scented), used to whiten and disinfect laundry, is typically either 5.25 percent (“regular strength”) or 6 percent sodium hypochlorite (“ultra strength”).

Use ordinary household bleach (5.25% available chlorine).
For each gallon of clear water to be treated add five (5) to eight (8) drops of bleach. (about 1/8 teaspoon)
For muddy or mossy water use 15 to 20 drops of bleach per gallon of water.
Then stir well and allow to stand for thirty minutes. At the end of that time the water should have a slight chlorinous taste; if not, add more chlorine.

To use chlorine bleach for general surface area disinfection, use a fresh mixture of 1 – 3 tablespoons of household bleach with one gallon of cool water Apply to surfaces. Leave wet for 2 minutes, then rinse and air dry.

More Information
➥ Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water | Safewater | Water | US EPA

[rivonia]

Interested in the comment about sediment - in Almerimar (Spain) the water is of good quality. We have a water filter before our cold water tap which we use to fill the kettle, but each time the kettle boils there is a white sediment at the bottom (not noticeable if you drink tea or coffee with milk). Any ideas to prevent this - could there be a lot of sediment in the water tanks waiting to block up the water system??

[Georgiegirl]

Limescale?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by rivonia

Interested in the comment about sediment - in Almerimar (Spain) the water is of good quality. We have a water filter before our cold water tap which we use to fill the kettle, but each time the kettle boils there is a white sediment at the bottom (not noticeable if you drink tea or coffee with milk). Any ideas to prevent this - could there be a lot of sediment in the water tanks waiting to block up the water system??

... which become less soluble as the temperature rises. This is harmless and there is no prevention, other than rinsing the kettle every time, which may help.

Is there sediment in your tank? Could be, but not necessarily related.

Is the tank aluminum? That could also be an issue.