Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Dwayne on February 18, 2013, 10:19:31 pm

Title: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Dwayne on February 18, 2013, 10:19:31 pm
I hate the bleach in the hose maneuver and have several pair of spotted pants to prove it.  Has anyone tried a package of granular pool shock in the hose?
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Dan Stansel on February 18, 2013, 11:21:19 pm
Use Hydrogen  Peroxide to sanitizie your tanks.  Works great and no bleach.  Kills odors and buy in gal jug at Target or Lowes or Walmart.  Just about a cup in each tank will work then drain and refill.  Tks DAN
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: drcscruggs on February 19, 2013, 08:44:24 am
FWIW,
Hydrogen peroxide does not have near the sanitation as chlorine.  It does have some nice properties with cleaning and does kill anaerobic (does not like oxygen) bacteria (which can be stinky).  It does not have any affect on aerobic (likes oxygen) bacteria.  So, if you were using for potable water, I would stick with chlorine as that is what is going to be ingested (no live bacteria).  If you get a good result with peroxide with regard to smells for the black/grey water tanks, great! I may try the peroxide on my holding tanks as it may be helpful.  Do not recommend for potable water. 
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: nitehawk on February 19, 2013, 09:43:38 am
Use one of those pair of spotted pants!! ;D :P
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: gam on February 19, 2013, 10:49:11 am
I use hydrogen peroxide in my well. A 16 oz bottle of 3% every 30 to 40 days and the sulfur smell is gone. I use regular Clorox in the fresh water tank of the foretravel. No scented or lemon fresh.But you don't need much . A gallon of Clorox will treat 3800 gallons of clear water. I use a teaspoon for every 10 gallons of water added to the fresh water tank and let it set for 30 mins.If the water looks cloudy I double the Clorox. I use a monoject syringe to put the Clorox into the end of the hose. No muss no fuss.Gam
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 19, 2013, 02:01:04 pm
Hydrogen Peroxide in a high concentration can be a way of disinfecting a water tank depending on what is in the tank.  A nasty pair of rubber sandals can be magically cleaned by soaking them in a HP solution with foam coming from every nook and cranny as the HP eats the organic matter. Besides the sources from the above posts, all the hydroponic grow stores have it in gallon containers in a 30% concentration at very reasonable prices. Just don't spill it on yourself, get it in the eyes or breathe it. In less than 24 hours, the H2O2 being a little unstable, loses one oxygen molecule and becomes just plain old water (H2O). The lost oxygen molecule just leaves the liquid as oxygen.

Sounds great, right? The down side is that you need a high concentration to do the job. HP is not nearly as effective as chlorine/clorox in killing bacteria in water so the best solution may be to use it in the gray/black water tanks to kill the smell but use the chlorine/clorox in the water tank and use an activated charcoal filter before the shower/sink to get rid of it. I don't shower in hot water with high concentration of chlorine.

Pierce
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Keith and Joyce on February 19, 2013, 05:28:45 pm
2% Tincture of Iodine can be used at 12 drops per gallon.  Let stand for at least 1 hour.  You can drink it as is but it smells like a hospital.  Bleach is the best way to go I believe as it's what I use.  I mix it with a gallon of water and put a funnel into the hose, turn on the fill pump and off it goes.

Keith
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: jerrett on February 19, 2013, 06:30:56 pm
To get the bleach into the storage tank I use a utiltiy water pump from Harber Freight (see website below).  I take a large storage bin and put about 5 gallon of water in it and then add the bleach.  Hook a hose from the pump to the fresh water inlet, turn on the pump and throw the fill switch.  In a minute or so the pump will transfer the bleach water into the fresh water tank.

Search results for: '12 volt pump' (http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=12+volt+pump)
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Ron & Connie Sedgley on February 20, 2013, 06:07:28 pm
I use the whole MH water filter [filter removed] to add chlorine to my water tank.  I take out the filter and add the prescribed amount of chlorine that I'm going to use.  Put the top back on, connect potable water supply and MH feed hose,  then add water to the tank.
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on February 20, 2013, 10:02:08 pm
I use the whole MH water filter [filter removed] to add chlorine to my water tank.  I take out the filter and add the prescribed amount of chlorine that I'm going to use.  Put the top back on, connect potable water supply and MH feed hose,  then add water to the tank.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Good one!

Pierce
Title: Re: Sanitizing tanks
Post by: John Haygarth on February 20, 2013, 10:27:27 pm
If I want to add bleach I just pour some into my hose end then connect it to the inlet and turn on. Simple and fast.
John H