[C320-list] Water Tank Gunk

[John Frost]

Instead of Clorox I use the RV water tank disinfectant sold at Wal-Mart.
Works well and smells good. I used to order something called "Sweet Water"
from West's. It cost a lot more. I also got a kick that something called
"Sweet Water", intended to be poured into your family drinking water, had to
be shipped by ground because it was too dangerous for air shipment. Go
figure.

Happy Sailing!

John
2007 C320MKII
Hull 1118
Guntersville, AL


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jane & Ken
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:24 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water Tank Gunk

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
>> 
> 
>