Water Treatment

Last year was our first season on our IP35. Since the water tank is aluminium I do not add chlorine and use the filter from Walmart that Hayden recommended when filling. My problem is that I need to add something to keep the water fresh as the boat is not used every weekend. There were several small bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide on the boat when I purchased it and I have been told that some people add it to the water to keep it fresh. I haven't tried it yet since I had no idea of how much to add. Recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks Hayden. Did you bypass the hot water tank when you treated the lines?

I have flushed the fresh water lines three times since December 09 and frankly it's a PITA. Our experience is the odor returns with a vengeance when we leave the boat for over a month. Do IP users experience the smelly water issue because we filter the chlorine when filling our tank? My son, who is living on Charbonneau at the moment due to Hurricane Irene, is complaining about water stench and stated his water never smells like this even when his boat is closed up for several months. Could it be his chlorinated water kills the bacteria? If so, what about a small chlorinator mounted after the pump?..(if such a product exists)

Bill

s/v Charbonneau

Likewise, Hayden...Judy and I lived aboard from October 2010 to May 2011 and no stinky water because we were using the water regularly. The new fresh water pump should also simplify the procedure. Our old diaphragm pump couldn't handle any air in the lines. Consequently, while flushing the lines, we had to hold the hose end above pump height, fill the hose with a funnel and then get the end into the bucket without introducing an air bubble.(messy and pita) The new pump seems to be less affected by an air bubble...it just sucks it through.

Since this appears to be a repetitive requirement, a valve at both the fresh water and hot water tanks will make the task less painful and hopefully less messy too.

Thanks,

Bill

Two quick questions:

1. My water tank is plastic. I assume I can therefore run the Clorox/water mixture right through the tank and don't have to bypass it the way your procedure illustrates? (I'd still bypass the stainless steel hot water tank!)

2. What were the approximate proportions of out-of-the-bottle Clorox to water you used? (That is, how much Clorox did you put into the 5-gallon bucket in your picture?

Thanks as always,

Michael Luskin
"Turtleheart" IP27-146
Scarsdale, NY

Michael:
We use 1/2 cup of clorox per gallon of water, so you can put 2 1/2 cups into the five gallons of water. I really don't think it is that critical as you are simply trying to get the Clorox into the lines.
Hayden

Thanks for your help on this. I used one gallon of Clorox to 30 gallons of water, worked fine. My tap water now tastes better than bottled water!

Steps taken to clean cold water lines and 30-gallon plastic water tank:

1. Run all faucets and spray heads until lines and tank are empty. Don't forget the hand pump.
2. Fill water tank about half way with hose, then add one gallon Clorox with additional water until tank is full. Wear goggles!
3. Make sure chlorinated water is coming out of all faucets etc. (Easy to smell!) Close faucets and let chlorinated water stand In tank and lines for 45 minutes.
4. Open faucets, tape spray heads open, and pump hand pump until tank is empty.
5. Refill tank and prime all lines. Enjoy the clean water.