Sanitize fresh water tank?

[Mandy Two]

I have a 2011 EXCEL 33 Foot GKS and am wondering how to sanitize the fresh water tank. There is no direct input to the fresh water tank.

[JBARJ]

I also would like to know. I look forward to the response.

[RickO]

to both of you.

I'm not an Excel owner but I think you're asking how to get the bleach (or other disinfectant) into the tank with only a hose connection.

If your rig has an in line sediment filter, you can remove the cartridge and put the proper amount of diluted bleach in there... then run the hose to get it into the tank. I've heard that others sometimes even just disconnect the hose from the CG connection... pour the bleach into the hose... reconnect and fill.

Best of luck and sorry if I misread your question.

Rick

[94-Newmar]

As RickO mentioned, I have no other way to add bleach either so I just pour the measured amount into the hose before I hook it up to bib. Piece-o-cake!

[gdbontly]

I posted this thread a few months ago on how I introduce bleach into my fresh tank. I've since replaced the big HD bucket with a 1-gallon jug. I put some bleach in the jug, fill with water, then suck it into the fresh tank.

How to sanatize fresh tank if you don't have a gravity water fill (2010+ Models)

[BSmith01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdbontly I posted this thread a few months ago on how I introduce bleach into my fresh tank. I've since replaced the big HD bucket with a 1-gallon jug. I put some bleach in the jug, fill with water, then suck it into the fresh tank. How to sanatize fresh tank if you don't have a gravity water fill (2010+ Models)

I have a couple of questions for you. I know from reading that you use a water softner, are you sanitizing just water or soft water? Myself I put soft water in my tank and buy drinking water, so I don't worry about putting bleach in unless I am not going to use the water for a period of time. Second I still have the older style for filling my water tank, where is the over flow for your style?

[enjoyrv]

You could also get one of these hand winterizing pump kits from Camping World for about $12 if you don't mind spending the money.

Camco Mfg Inc - Plastic Winterizing Hand Pump Kit - Winterizing - Camping World

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSmith01 I have a couple of questions for you. I know from reading that you use a water softner, are you sanitizing just water or soft water? Myself I put soft water in my tank and buy drinking water, so I don't worry about putting bleach in unless I am not going to use the water for a period of time. Second I still have the older style for filling my water tank, where is the over flow for your style?

I've gravitated towards using my fresh water tank almost exclusively (as opposed to hooking directly up to city water). Each time I fill the fresh tank, I introduce approximately 1/4 cup of bleach and fill the tank through a filter, and then through the softener. I don't know if I'm using the correct amount of bleach, but with that small amount (added to 64 gallons of water), we can neither taste nor smell bleach from the faucet. We use the water in the fresh tank for almost everything, including cooking and making coffee. We purchase bottled water for straight water drinking.

The overflow for the fresh tank is underneath the coach, right next to the fresh tank dump tube.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdbontly Each time I fill the fresh tank, I introduce approximately 1/4 cup of bleach and fill the tank through a filter, and then through the softener. I don't know if I'm using the correct amount of bleach, but with that small amount (added to 64 gallons of water), we can neither taste nor smell bleach from the faucet.

From my research on using bleach,
Multiply 64 gallons of tank capacity by 0.13 (liters of tank capacity by 1.0); the result is the ounces (milliliters) of bleach needed to sanitize the tank. 8.32 ounces

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Each time I fill the fresh tank, I introduce approximately 1/4 cup of bleach and fill the tank through a filter, and then through the softener. I don't know if I'm using the correct amount of bleach, but with that small amount (added to 64 gallons of water),

You are using enough to sanitize 80-90 gallons...

.625 to .75 mL per gallon according to the CDC.. 60mL = 1/4 cup.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna From my research on using bleach, Multiply 64 gallons of tank capacity by 0.13 (liters of tank capacity by 1.0); the result is the ounces (milliliters) of bleach needed to sanitize the tank. 8.32 ounces

That would be 1 cup.. about 5x as much as needed for 64 Gallons for everyday use.. But it is good for the 1-2 times a year full sanitize.

CDC Natural Disasters | Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach after an Emergency

CDC - Hygiene and Handwashing - Water-related Emergencies and Outbreaks - Healthy Water

CDC - Personal Preparation and Storage of Safe Water - Safe Drinking Water - Water-related Emergencies and Outbreaks - Healthy Water

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl That would be 1 cup.. about 5x as much as needed for 64 Gallons for everyday use.. But it is good for the 1-2 times a year full sanitize. CDC Natural Disasters | Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach after an Emergency CDC - Hygiene and Handwashing - Water-related Emergencies and Outbreaks - Healthy Water CDC - Personal Preparation and Storage of Safe Water - Safe Drinking Water - Water-related Emergencies and Outbreaks - Healthy Water

The last link in your post says to use 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of clear water. 64 gallons times 1/8 = 8 teaspoons. Google tells me that there's 48 tsps to one cup. If this is correct, 48 divided by 8 = 6, or 1/6 cup. I'm actually using a little less than a quarter cup (I don't usually fill it all the way, cuz I don't want to spill it!). So it looks like I'm pretty close, assuming my calculations are all correct. Thanks for this information!

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdbontly The last link in your post says to use 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of clear water. 64 gallons times 1/8 = 8 teaspoons. Google tells me that there's 48 tsps to one cup. If this is correct, 48 divided by 8 = 6, or 1/6 cup. I'm actually using a little less than a quarter cup (I don't usually fill it all the way, cuz I don't want to spill it!). So it looks like I'm pretty close, assuming my calculations are all correct. Thanks for this information!

Ya.. pretty close.. I think your 1/4 cup is good to 80 gallons or so.. You could cut back a little, but not a 'need to'.