Cleaning Water Tanks

[adventureduo]

I searched but didn't find anything.

When we bought our used Horizon, Mario had mentioned something about draining it,
then i guess filling it with fresh water and some vinegar to clean it?

How do you guys clean/maintaint your poly tanks?

I've had the same water in it (the last few gallons) for 3 months now. I'd like to clean it before we head out on the next trip.

 

[findleywarren]

Wtr tank

In the marine corps we used 1 cap of bleach to 1/3 a canteen of water, swish around and let dry. For my 5 gal jugs I use 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gal of wtr swish and dry. Last time I did a 20 gal RV tank, I put in 1 gal bleach, filled completely full and let sit for 1 hr. Drained the tank and completedly filled rinsing twice then let completly dry. Hope this helps

 

[ckkone]

This is for RV but should apply as well:

http://rvbasics.com/techtips/sanitizing-your-rv-fresh-water-system.html

 

[Cabrito]

In the marine corps we used 1 cap of bleach to 1/3 a canteen of water, swish around and let dry. For my 5 gal jugs I use 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gal of wtr swish and dry. Last time I did a 20 gal RV tank, I put in 1 gal bleach, filled completely full and let sit for 1 hr. Drained the tank and completedly filled rinsing twice then let completly dry. Hope this helps

That sounds like a lot of bleach - You must really have to rinse. I also use bleach in my water containers but just not that much. I use less than one cap for a 5 gal container, but now I am wondering if I use enough.

 

[Rockcrawler]

The instructions for my FWC were 2 Tablespoons bleach, fill the tank, drive around for a bit and drain. Then refill it with fresh water, drive around a bit and drain. Seems to be working okay so far!

 

[elcoyote]

I searched but didn't find anything.

When we bought our used Horizon, Mario had mentioned something about draining it,
then i guess filling it with fresh water and some vinegar to clean it?

How do you guys clean/maintaint your poly tanks?

I've had the same water in it (the last few gallons) for 3 months now. I'd like to clean it before we head out on the next trip.

Here's what we do to maintain our tanks and remove funky tastes:
Drain tank
Replace plug
Pour in 1 gallon of White Vinegar
Refill tank with with water, agitating the water with the hose pressure
Drain tank
Rinse & let air dry
You're good to go

 

[ntsqd]

Might search how Camelback recommends cleaning their bladders. I don't recall the details, but I do recall thinking that it would render a clean bladder without risking bleach impingement in polymer drinking water containers.
Whether it's practical on that scale is something I don't know at all.

 

[kjp1969]

We have an RV with a 4 gallon tank. I use bleach and water and then I run the pump to make sure the solution fills all the hoses and pipes and water heater. I let it sit for several hours before draining it, and then run a bunch of water through it to rinse it out.
Kevin

 

[adventureduo]

Here's what we do to maintain our tanks and remove funky tastes:
Drain tank
Replace plug
Pour in 1 gallon of White Vinegar
Refill tank with with water, agitating the water with the hose pressure
Drain tank
Rinse & let air dry
You're good to go

That's what i was looking for. Perfect! Thanks Mario.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Don't use a regular garden hosepipe to fill. Horrendous flavour.

 

[Robert Bills]

Use regular household bleach. 1/2 cup to 5 gal. is fine. Let it sit overnight if you have the time, drain, rinse well. After the bleach, you can add a bit of baking soda to the water in your tank, let that sit overnight and then rinse well again. The baking soda will "sweeten" your tank.

I agree with the tip to avoid filling with a garden hose if you are sensitive to the taste of the water. There are fresh water supply hoses available at RV supply stores that don't introduce a rubber or vinyl taste. You can spot these easily because they are almost always white.

 

[Rezarf <><]

You can spot these easily because they are almost always white.

I always wondered why they were white. thanks

Drew

 

[Rexsname]

I would also reccommend an in-line filter for you fill hose. We get ours at either Walmart or Camping World (about $11) and they last us about 6 months. Keep in mind that we have three people living in our 35' 5th wheel for months at a time so filling a 5 gallon tank should last you a couple of years at least.

X2 on the white hoses, no taste.

REX

 

[Rockcrawler]

Some of the white hoses are also antimicrobial...