Cleaning my skanky fresh water tank

[Trainrick]

I have what I believe to be a 30 or 40 gallon fresh water tank mounted in the rear of my RV under the bed which has a disturbing amount of some unidentified black substance adhering to the sides of said tank. Does anyone have an effective method for cleaning these tanks? Thanks, Rick

 

[rm.w/aview]

For the exterior Clorox Cleaner in the spray bottle, for the interior dilute 3/4 cup bleach in 3 gallons of water and pour into fresh tank, then fill tank. Let this set as long as you're able, I'll let mine set for a few days, then run your fixtures to sanitize them as well. If you're going to be mobile during this cleaning the driving will provide a good sloshing/agitation to help as well.

 

[Sunny1]

I have what I believe to be a 30 or 40 gallon fresh water tank mounted in the rear of my RV under the bed which has a disturbing amount of some unidentified black substance adhering to the sides of said tank. Does anyone have an effective method for cleaning these tanks? Thanks, Rick

You can also cut a hole in the top of the tank and mount a deck plate big enough to get your hand into the tank and scrub.  Then follow with the bleach treatment.  Be sure to seal the deck plate mounts well.

 

[Trainrick]

I like the idea of scrubbing followed by the bleach treatment. I'm going to have to figure out the best way to fasten/seal an access cover.

 

[Sunny1]

I like the idea of scrubbing followed by the bleach treatment. I'm going to have to figure out the best way to fasten/seal an access cover.

I had good luck sealing a deck plate with butyl tape on the bottom mount.  Not butyl putty tape, but the butyl tape used in marine applications.  It's also good for glazing, as it stays sticky indefinitely and handles vibration and movement well. I also sealed my fantastic fan install in my trailers with it, and it's wonderful stuff.  I've never seen it in stores.  You have to buy it online.  It's usually gray.  If it's a tan color, it's butyl putty tape, and that will crack and harden.  Good luck!

 

[Dutch Marc]

What work for black water tanks is ice cubes to agitate and make the "stuff" come loose

For the exterior Clorox Cleaner in the spray bottle, for the interior dilute 3/4 cup bleach in 3 gallons of water and pour into fresh tank, then fill tank. Let this set as long as you're able, I'll let mine set for a few days, then run your fixtures to sanitize them as well. If you're going to be mobile during this cleaning the driving will provide a good sloshing/agitation to help as well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[rm.w/aview]

For the black tank I've read others suggesting ice as well but haven't tried it, makes me think of a drink call Poop-On-The-Rocks. To agitate and make the stuff come loose, of course better to avoid the build up with the use of water, I use 1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap and 1/4 cup Borax Detergent Booster diluted in a gallon of water then flushed. I'll fill the black tank 1/2 - 2/3 full then drive to my next camp knowing that there will be either a dump station there or one en route. The driving creates the agitation, the Borax creates the oxygenation, & the Dawn works its cleaning magic to keep the black tank squeaky clean. Usually this all takes place when I'm visiting a State Park that has dump stations, and usually mid week to give me more alone time with my black tank at the dump station. I create this cocktail when it comes to mind that it could be beneficial at the time as part of the maintenance plan. Happy Trails!

 

[routeforty]

If you go to the RV.net forum site and click on the truck camper forum, then click on the truck camper university sticky, then scroll down to the plumbing and fresh water thread, then click on "add water tank access port" it will take you to netboy's site. Then scroll down past all his other projects and he has pictures and directions how he put one in his fresh water tank. I would post a link to it but I don't know how(unless someone else links it you'll have to do it the hard way-click and scroll )  Gary

 

[Trainrick]

Thanks Gary. I'll go check that out now. Rick

 

[Trainrick]

Well done Gary, that Netboy page is full of great ideas. The water tank access port is just what I was looking for. Thanks a lot, Rick