Fresh water tank cleaning!

[colyboy]

As the van has not been used for few months (family illnesses and now sorned) Just realised that I have had fresh water in the tank hanging around for months.

what’s the best way to clean the tank out and what with?

Don’t forget as it sorned and I have also torn a hamstring, I can’t drive up the road and slush the water around.

May be able to get to the local chemist or Tesco to buy something.

regards. Colyboy

 

[MisterB]

google search !! we use very weak (and i mean weak !!) milton, others will warn against it !!

 

[John Barrett]

google search !! we use very weak (and i mean weak !!) milton, others will warn against it !!

Agreed. I use Milton tablets. I replied to a similar question only the other day.
John

 

[Jo662]

Just for a laugh ?

 

[MisterB]

Just for a laugh ?

we are regular viewers (not subscribed as we dont want to encourage them !)

everything is so much trouble and they are becoming more and more negative about anything and everything.

we even watched one of their old ones last week, about a visit to Norwich, he made some awful jokey comments about Edith Cavell of which he should be ashamed of himself

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[rod_vw]

I always use Milton.

Add Milton, partly fill tank, drive about a bit to swill it around, pump some through the system and drain. If you are fussy, re-fill the tank and pump some of that through the system and drain again.

At the worst it will slightly taint the first tank full that you use but as it doesn't seem to do babies any harm when bottles are cleaned with it I'm sure it won't do us any harm.

Leaving a strong solution in the plastic parts of a camper system may cause deterioration over a long period but I can't see any other possible problems.

Milton is available in either liquid or tablet form, I always carry some tablets in the vehicle just in case I fill with water that I am not happy with.

Rod

 

[PeteH]

BE CAREFUL. Some tanks will react IF the solution is allowed to enter the Water Heater cylinder. Not all are chlorine resistant!.

 

[DBK]

I use these water purification tablets. They give the water a slight taste but I find that a useful way of knowing the purified water has reached the taps. There are several other brands but make sure you buy the big tablets. Mini ones only do a litre of water each. I would dissolve sufficient tablets for the tank capacity in warm water in a watering can. Drain the tank then add the watering can and then fill the tank. Run the taps until you can taste the water coming through. Leave for 24 hours, run the taps again to flush any rubbish out then drain and leave empty.

Amazon product ASIN B0862B9DZT
www.amazon.co.uk/Clean-Tabs-Water-Purifying-Tablets/dp/B0862B9DZT/

 

[John Barrett]

I see that the profiteers on Amazon are busy! These Milton tablets at Boots are £2.50 for 40.

https://www.boots.com/baby-child/babyfeeding/sterilising/Milton-Sterilising-Tablets-40pack-

These Milton tablets on Amazon are £8.94!
Amazon product ASIN B081LJC7X3
We use NIDO whole milk powder when out and about. Tesco: £3.95. Amazon: £14.00!!!!

 

[Newfie]

I use puri sol at the beginning of each season available here & other suppliers

Puri Sol Water Tank Cleaner

Advanced water tank cleaner that cleans and purifies water storage tanks killing micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses, & fungi, while eliminating tastes and odour, and removing biofilms.

www.sheridanmarine.com

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[the1andonly]

Where's all the home brewers? Sodium metabisulphite, plus additional citric acid for a more aggressive action. Should be ok with boilers.

 

[Wagoneer]

Nobody has mentioned "Puriclean" thus far. It used to come in powder form but latest seems to be tabs. A 400g size should do most water tanks with some left-over for next time. Halfords sell it, so it must be good but only in the 100g size.....at an inflated price !!!

Puriclean - Clean Tabs

Cleans and purifies all stored water systems in boats, caravans, motorhomes and coaches

www.cleantabs.co.uk

 

[sallylillian]

BE CAREFUL. Some tanks will react IF the solution is allowed to enter the Water Heater cylinder. Not all are chlorine resistant!.

Point well made, Alde tanks are susceptible.

 

[ambulancekidd]

For now I'd simply fill & empty it a few times, you'll be unable to clean it properly without going for a run to slosh it about.
You'd only have to do it all over again after lockdown.

 

[M-J]

Puriclean is effective and easy to use

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[Wagoneer]

For now I'd simply fill & empty it a few times, you'll be unable to clean it properly without going for a run to slosh it about.
You'd only have to do it all over again after lockdown.

Sloshing it around may help to PARTIALLY clean the fresh water tank but the "chemical products" mentioned above, help decontaminate the tank, boiler and pipes by a prolonged contact period (say 12 hours) with the surfaces of the complete water system. Helps remove bacteria, biofilm, algae and fungi.....according to the manufacturers blurb.

Initially, dose the fresh water tank. Pump the water around the entire system until water exits from the taps. Top up the fresh water tank to the brim, adding a bit more chemical additive, as necessary. Wait for the prescribed period then flush with clean water. Drain the system until next trip

 

[bobandjanie]

The best thing to use is citric acid, very easy to use and doesn't leave a taste.
? Bob.

 

[WillH]

I just use ordinary household bleach, diluted. Fill the tank and system, leave for a few hours, then flush through with fresh water.

 

[Nixdorfer]

The best thing to use is citric acid, very easy to use and doesn't leave a taste.
? Bob.

Got a bag of that a while ago after reading something on here, sounded less chemicals than the Puriclean we used last time.

Will be giving it a try after lockdown, need to do a search as can't remember the dosage though

 

[theapples]

I use Elsan Freshwater Tank Cleaner. I use it once or twice a year (Depending on van use) and so far have not been ill or come across any other problems. We are happy to drink the water straight from the tank.

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[vanphil]

Citric acid is the way, it's recommended by Truma for their stainless steel boilers. I use it twice a year and it doesn't leave an aftertaste.

 

[Nixdorfer]

How do you use it on yours, what sort of quantities etc.

 

[vanphil]

Cup of citric acid dissolved before adding to my fresh water tank with about 50 litres in. Pump through the system including the hot side, leave overnight and flush with about 100litres of clean water. Citric acid is also great for descaling the kettle.

 

[DBK]

The best thing to use is citric acid, very easy to use and doesn't leave a taste.
? Bob.

Be very careful if you have a Webasto diesel water heater. Webasto used to recommend citric acid for descaling but stopped when folk left it in too long and ended up with holes in the boiler - very expensive. They now recommend vinegar. That said, I use it but I leave it in only for a short period then very thoroughly flush the system. I judge the time by how long the same mixture takes to descale the kettle!

 

[bobandjanie]

Never had a webasto heater, and never had a problem with truma, but its probably the same if left in too long, ? I wonder how long they left it in there. ?

We normally put it in, pump it though the boiler, then heat the water at max 60° once it's hot turn it off, leave it overnight, flush out next morning, leaving it in the waste tank a while before emptying. ? Bob.

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[aria]

OP - have you drained the tank down? No point in leaving any level in there.

A member of another group got some info direct from Truma around citric acid.

“Head office have confirmed the use of citric acid and the ratio they recommend is 1 tablespoon of citric acid to 1 litre of water”.

I’ve used this method for the tank and boiler for the last 4 years. Having said that, we don’t drink the tank water apart from the kettle or cooking.

 

[7735]

Whatever you use DO NOT USE ANYTHING CONTAINING BLEACH including Milton it will cause serious corrosion in a stainless steel boiler. I have learnt from experience and a £1200 bill.

spongy

 

[footscray188c]

Zip hydra boil units are cleaned using citric acid and they are stainless.

 

[Landy Andy]

Was told to use citric acid by Truma earlier this year in February. I got food grade stuff from Amazon and was surprised by how much crap it got out. Citric acid is edible so won’t damage you or your MoHo system.

 

[orcadian]

Cup of citric acid dissolved before adding to my fresh water tank with about 50 litres in. Pump through the system including the hot side, leave overnight and flush with about 100litres of clean water. Citric acid is also great for descaling the kettle.

I also use this citric acid solution in the water system though left it for less than an hour before flushing as it can easily descale the kettle in this time. Amazing the amount of limescale this removes! (We spent last winter in the Algarve where the water is very hard).

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