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Old 05-11-2015, 06:34 AM   #1
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Pool chlorine or Bleach -Which to you use for sanitizing your fresh water tank?

I have heard both are good for sanitizing fresh water tank. Is one better than the other ?
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Old 05-11-2015, 07:10 AM   #2
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As far as home bleach ( Clorox ) is concerned get the plain one for sanitizing. The ones now that are out there come in different scents and are hard to get rid of the smell and the some of the others don't sanitize just get rid of stains. You don't need a lot to sanitize just a couple of table spoons and let set for a day or so. It's all about contact time.
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Old 05-11-2015, 07:27 AM   #3
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I have heard both are good for sanitizing fresh water tank. Is one better than the other ?
John Stott
I've sanitized my fresh water system and tank twice, (once in '01 when my coach was new to me, and again in 2011).
I used unscented Clorox bleach both times.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:00 AM   #4
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Both are the same chemical, sodium hypochlorite. For the pool it can be as much as 10%, while Clorox used to be 5.25%, I believe 6% now, but doesn't specify on the bottle. I prefer the unscented. You will use so little just sanitize with whatever the DW buys.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:01 AM   #5
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I use only hydrogen peroxide as it does a great job, no after taste, no smell and dissipates withing 24 hours. 250 ml in 80 gallons.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:16 AM   #6
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X2 what TurtleKent wrote.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:28 AM   #7
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x3 on TurtleKent plus with bleach you only have one bottle of potentially damaging chemical to keep track of *and it is her job to do it*. ;-))
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:33 AM   #8
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As mentioned, they are the same (except for the concentration level).

I use Clorox in my pool from time to time, to supplement the salt water chlorine generator.
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:49 AM   #9
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Liquid bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is generally found at about 6% available chlorine (Clorox). Powder or tablet bleach typically used for pools (Calcium Hypochlorite) typically is about 70% available chlorine.
No reason you couldn't use either but considering you will only be treating a rather small RV tank and system, liquid bleach is more than strong enough to disinfect holding tank. Plus, calcium hypo is a inhalation hazard and not worth the extra trouble or expense.
Stick with unscented liquid bleach as mentioned in above post or consider using hydrogen peroxide. I like the idea of hydrogen peroxide but have always used bleach since I can get a gallon at dollar store for about a buck.


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Old 05-11-2015, 10:29 AM   #10
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Why do you have to sanitize the fresh water tank? Kay
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:40 AM   #11
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I use pool chlorine as I have a pool and chlorine on hand. Use about a teaspoon. Pour it into the end of the fill hose, hook it up to the spigot and fill.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:42 AM   #12
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We sanitize for two reasons.

Most water has a minimum level of impurities. If the unit sits a long time (months) it is possible for microbes to find enough dirt to grow on with a possible bad result.

When we winterize we use antifreeze that can lend a musty taste to the water. Running a light bleach solution through the system clears out the residue after draining and flushing.

I think you will find most of us do the same thing. Add the appropriate amount of bleach to the water fill. Put the HW plug back if winterized then run the faucets to clear the lines. After that use the water normally. IF worried about drinking water take a couple of jugs. The concentration will not be too high to use while the soak time will be more than the 4 hour recommended minimum. Adding more water as needed will further reduce the concentration back to the level already in your water source.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:51 AM   #13
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I use pool chlorine as I have a pool and chlorine on hand. Use about a teaspoon. Pour it into the end of the fill hose, hook it up to the spigot and fill.
That is the way I have been doing it for years.
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:34 AM   #14
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One minor advantage of using sodium hypochlorite over calcium hypochlorite is the resulting sodium compound is soluble in water while the calcium result precipitates out. Hardly relevant considering the small amounts involved.
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