[C320-list] Water Tank Gunk

[Jane & Ken]

For eighteen (18) years I have always added a table spoon of clorox to each tank everytime we filled--when we recently sold the boat there was no problem with either of the tanks.  We have never had an issue with screens or smells or anything---The key is prevention rather than cure.  Ken

--- On Fri, 6/15/12, Gary Magnuson <gary.magnuson at frontier.com> wrote:


From: Gary Magnuson <gary.magnuson at frontier.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water Tank Gunk
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Date: Friday, June 15, 2012, 10:05 PM


Thanks Brad, now I don't feel so alone!!!
Gary

On 6/15/2012 10:02 PM, Brad Kuether wrote:
> In the owners manual it talks about how to "shock" the tanks with clorine/water solution, and then sweeten it with vinegar.
> 
> I left the mixture in for half a day, and then pumped it out.  I had to clean the screen  A LOT while pumping water through the system.  (10-12 times)
> 
> I just kept moving water through until it became really light.  I suspect there is more in there but its good for now.
> 
> Its a huge pain, but you have to do it....  Otherwise you will continue to clog, see black stuff in the screen, and have skanky water.
> 
> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
> "Independence"
> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
> Middle River, MD
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Magnuson" <gary.magnuson at frontier.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:16 PM
> Subject: [C320-list] Water Tank Gunk
> 
> 
>> When I flushed the RV antifreeze from my water tanks last week, it took several cycles of adding some water, pumping down, then strainer cleaning to remove black sludge from both the bow and stern tanks.  The anti freeze in the bilge, also looked like a science project, with small white cultures floating around.  Both tanks now have a pint of Clorox and full to the brim, while she sits in her slip for a week or so.  When we get back, I will flush and rinse to get the chlorine smell out.   Anyone had similar experience or different solutions?  Some one suggested flushing with Hydrogen Peroxide, instead of Clorox.   I have considered using a solution of algicide from my pool chemicals, but not sure if it would be safe to brush teeth with later, or hazardous to the marine life since it has the warning on the label. The pool calls for two oz:10,000 gal of water.   In the storage areas under the seats in the main saloon, we managed to spray
 them with Superclean and it removed all the mildew very easily. The area around the batteries and holding tank is another story. I feel like a pressure washer would be easier.   Any suggestions for closing the boat in the fall, and spraying the storage surfaces with something like Lysol to stop the growth all together??
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Gary Magnuson
>> Bayfield, WI.
>> Time A Weigh
>> 1995 320 # 205
>> -- Gary Magnuson _/) PO Box 55 Hudson, IL 61748
>> 
> 
>