How to best sanitize water tanks?

[NickTheoBennett]

Greetings, I just bought a 1980 Winnebago Itasca Sun Cruiser, and it has been sitting unused for a good while.&nbsp; I was wondering how I should go about cleaning/sanitizing my fresh water tank?&nbsp; I can just rinse it a few times with clean water, but I don't know what sanitizing chemicals would be safe to use or what ones might linger in the tanks and slowly poison me. <br><br>Suggestions?<br>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>What worked for me -- my M / H had a 35 gal. tank -- I filled it then poured a qt. of Clorox bleach in it -- let it sit for a day then drained it - filled it about 10 times -- then checked the smell and taste - maybe 12 times total of refilling and draining <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR><BR>There must be an E-Z'er way - the more experienced will chime in soon -- but -- that worked for me <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR></P><P>PS - The first draining - the water was a nice crimson color <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>

 

[Nemo]

Bleach would be my reccomendation as well, add it, if you can get in there stir it around for a while.. if not then let it set and drain, then refill.. personally I would do that a few times, but that should take care of most things which would be an issue<br><br>&lt;edited for typos&gt;<br>

<p>What worked for me -- my M / H had a 35 gal. tank -- I filled it then poured a qt. of Clorox bleach in it -- let it sit for a day then drained it - filled it about 10 times -- then checked the smell and taste - maybe 12 times total of refilling and draining <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br><br>There must be an E-Z'er way - the more experienced will chime in soon -- but -- that worked for me <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br></p><p>PS - The first draining - the water was a nice crimson color <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"></p>

 

[Ricekila]

I did take it to fill the propain and gas tanks - people look at you funny when an R / V is weaving all over the place <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>And I did run the sink and the shower for a while too <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br>

 

[Trout]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Sparky1, nice chart.&nbsp; I think the question was about the tanks and lines themselves, not just the water.&nbsp; There might be minerals built up and these could contain bacteria and the like.&nbsp; I think the first suggestion would be the more prudent one.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Clorine and stainless steel don't get along, but&nbsp; I don't think the concentrations nor the length of time would have any noticeable affect.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Ricekila]

As far as any minerals - you might run CLR through the system - But - It could kill you -- let us know <IMG src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br><A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_Lime_Rust" target=_blank>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_Lime_Rust</A><br>