Community Forums

Destination Unknown · 05-08-2020, 04:51 AM

What could be used to Sterilized the fresh tank and system which is kind to environment and inexpensive way.

**Spdracr39** · 05-08-2020, 05:04 AM

Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide. There are more expensive rv specific treatments but they work exactly the same as the cheap methods. Google for the procedure.

Chargerman · 05-08-2020, 06:27 AM

2 ounces of bleach for every 15 gallons of holding tank capacity is the norm. B sure to run it through all faucets and let it sit for a fee hours prior to dumping the tank and flushing the system. I run some through my fill hose too.

Isaac-1 · 05-08-2020, 05:30 PM

Bleach works well, unless you have a known Giardia or Cryptosporidium contamination, in which case bleach will still work, but you will need to expand the treatment time out to a couple of days, or alternatively use something like Purogene.

miwok · 05-08-2020, 09:32 PM

This winter I got a couple bottles of Purogene and lemon Juice, but do not cook or drink much of the water.
But showering and shaving or other uses seemed fine. I have a filter from the PO for coffee maker, but do not drink that stuff! Haha

NorthernDriv · 05-09-2020, 10:17 AM

Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide.

Ray,IN · 05-09-2020, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdracr39

Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide. There are more expensive rv specific treatments but they work exactly the same as the cheap methods. Google for the procedure.

To sterilize with H2 O2, the minimum concentration is 3% for a minimum of 150 minutes according to the CDC.
How many bottles are required to completely fill your fresh water tank, water heater, and plumbing lines? If the fresh tank is not filled completely, how are the remaining surfaces sanitized?

Solo_RV_Guy · 05-09-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

To sterilize with H2 O2, the minimum concentration is 3% for a minimum of 150 minutes according to the CDC.
How many bottles are required to completely fill your fresh water tank, water heater, and plumbing lines? If the fresh tank is not filled completely, how are the remaining surfaces sanitized?

Purchase a higher concentration and dilute on site? I think Amazon limits sellers to 12% but I found one that said "read the container label, Amazon limits us to listing no greater than 12%". The pic of the label showed 35%.

Chlorine is probably easier for most RVers to buy, handle and store because they're familiar with it.

The concept of *sterilizing* the fresh tank is probably a fallacy because the tap water used to rinse and fill it is not sterile. A more attainable goal is "sanitary" and that can be achieved with the chemicals under discussion.

Ray,IN · 05-09-2020, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

Purchase a higher concentration and dilute on site? I think Amazon limits sellers to 12% but I found one that said "read the container label, Amazon limits us to listing no greater than 12%". The pic of the label showed 35%.

Chlorine is probably easier for most RVers to buy, handle and store because they're familiar with it.

The concept of *sterilizing* the fresh tank is probably a fallacy because the tap water used to rinse and fill it is not sterile. A more attainable goal is "sanitary" and that can be achieved with the chemicals under discussion.

Yes, higher concentrations are available, 35% is the highest one may purchase without a license. All concentrations over 35% require a license, as it becomes unstable in warmer temperatures. We used 65% in our plating room, it had to be refrigerated to remain stable.
The price rises as the percentage increases.

That makes Chlorine the lowest cost and most widely available. I use Sodium Dichlor personally. It is is a dry granular substance @ 62% Chlorine. It is not for everyone to use, as it is classed as a hazardous chemical.
I bought 1lb. of it 10 years ago, and still have about 4 oz remaining in an airtight jar. One tsp per 100G purifies drinking water and sanitizes the fresh water system, and has no aftertaste like bleach. The way I sanitize my RV's fresh water tank, at page bottom

Ray,IN · 05-09-2020, 10:37 PM

I forgot to add, 1/2 tsp of Sodium Dichlor per 100G purifies drinking water, and leaves no aftertaste.

twogypsies · 05-09-2020, 10:41 PM

I can see sanitizing once a season if you don't use the RV much. However, we full-timed for 16 yr and traveled the country. We got our water from many different sources. We had a good filter coming in and a good filter at the kitchen sink. We drank and cooked from our tank water and never sanitized it. It was refreshed constantly.

Isaac-1 · 05-10-2020, 10:44 AM

Personally I would not routinely drink water that has been treated with Sodium Dichlor as it leaves behind Cyanuric acid in the water after it breaks down.

p.s. with common bleach, after the Chlorine reacts and off gases all that is left behind is salt water

Destination Unknown · 05-10-2020, 12:40 PM

Thanks all

We lhave lived in the Rv for past 11 years and as a fellow member said, they never have Sterilized the tank as it is used all the time. But for past few years ( not this year because of restrictions) we spend 6 months in Australia.

So this is why we think the tank should be Sterilized. We have bought a couple of litres of sterilising fluid and run that through the system, and leave it in the tank awhile.
Will connect to city water in the meantime.