cleaning water tank?

[earlee]

Any ideas on the best way to clean an under seat copper water tank that hasn't been cleaned in over 50 years? I was wondering about all the funny coloured stuff that must be in the tank and how to clean it out? Do I add bleach and just give it a good flush, or replace the tank or just not worry as long as I drink a jailbarjuice to kill the germs!

[52chevygirl]

We just went to the camping shop and purchased some water tank cleaner... Might only be for a plastic tank though but I don't know for sure..
It worked well, now I have to get the hoses to fill the tank when we are actually camping somewhere!!!
Deb

[Roehm3108]

Hi Earlee
Have you tried a CLR solution?? You can get that at any hardware. When all else fails, fill the tank full of Coca Cola!!!!!! Might sound stupid, but I remember cleaning the old pennies and cent pieces with Coke, it works wonders.
If that fails, rip the tank out and give it to me - PLEASE ;D ;D ;D
Ray

[Deleted]

Hi Earlee

I have had a similar problem with a galvo tank mounted over my sink. water turns rust colour after a few days .
This topic was touched on a week or so ago. might have been under "gravity fed tanks" thread. If CLR doesnt do the job Jailbar suggested getting a new tank made up out of stainless steel. Never rust or corrode and the water will stay clean forever.

HTH

Reddo

[belinda]

I'm involved with the school canteen and we've recently bought a meat slicer. This meant we had to learn:
a) how to use the thing without chopping our fingers off, and
b) how to clean it without giving everyone salmonella.

We found lots of great information about cleaning things to a hygenic standard (and keeping them that way) on various government websites - health departments, NSW Food Authority etc. Try putting some key words into Google and trawling around.

Let us know how you get on

With our van we still haven't got the over-the-sink tank working, but when we do I think we'll use the tank water for washing up and keep drinking water in a separate plastic drink cooler that's easy to scrub out.

cheers

Belinda

[earlee]

thanks all for the ideas and suggestions about cleaning the tank. I will probably end up trying most of them, but for the temporary moment I will keep the drinking water separate.
Will let you know the results.
earlee.

[belinda]

From Keith Winser's "On The Trail" 1953 p. 97

"We fell to discussing water in caravans. One gallon weighs ten pounds. On going a long distance he maintained it was bad practice to overload the van with more than ten gallons of water. This weighs nearly a hundredweight and a great amount it is too, considering how the caravan builder cuts down on pounds and even ounces in the weight of fittings to save the drag on the car and tyres."

"This led to much argument on the best place to carry such a load of water. It did become clear, however that a tank just about the axle, in a cradle well baffled, was the best solution. Centre of gravity must be kept low and it couldn't be dropped lower than that. Another good thing to remember is that the tank can be shifted closer to the rear to lighten the load on the draw bar. Thus a tank can balance a van that is heavy on."

"Speaking of tanks I have found the worst drawback in the flat axle tank is that it is often impossible to empty them with the van on a slight side lean. The answer is not to have a flat bottomed tank but one that is permanently sloped to the hoseline."

"Tanks should always be completely emptied after each trip. Slime and stagnant water in a tank that can never be properly cleaned out are not conducive to good health."