porridge

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 21:09

ThreadID: 50648 Views:2313 Replies:4 FollowUps:4

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Member - Phillip S (WA)

I have a 59 litre aluminium water tank fitted to the rear of my troopy...anyway I removed the hose so as to fit a small 12v pump and the last of the water started to run out so I left it to do something else and when I came back it had emptied and on the driveway was this milky residue that looked like porridge....does anyone know what it is.....cheers Phil

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Reply By: Member - John - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 21:22

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 21:22

Phillip, think you will find it is common in aluminium water tanks, some think it is harmful, others think it is not......

John and Jan

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AnswerID: 267081

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:35

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:35

I stopped drinking the water some time ago....just use it for washing up and washing hands etc...I use them green "healthy, food quality" jerries for my drinking water now....but I was not prepared for this, the tank has been there since 99 and so it's holding o.k. but the stupid tap was right underneath, anyway I swapped today for one of those "whale" 12volt inline pumps, now I don't have to reach underneath to wash my hands....swing and extend the laundry arm outlet, pull the switch and wash the hands....I had to put a small "retic" tap to regulate the flow as the pump works really good. So I guess as long as I keep the tank full....should be no more "porridge"

FollowupID: 529474

Reply By: Chris VK2UW - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 21:23

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 21:23

It sounds like Calcium to me, we use to get in the hot water tank in the caravan and it would eat the tank out in about 12 to 18mths.

AnswerID: 267082

Reply By: Shaker - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:01

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:01

It is probably just sediment, have you ever looked into the water tank of a Cafe Bar?

AnswerID: 267100

Reply By: traveller2 - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 12:24

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 12:24

"Hard" or bore water will quite often 'eat' the aluminium away causing the white powder/sludge, we used to get it a lot with aluminium billies.
Since changing over to stainless billies it has reduced heaps but still occurs but only because of the minerals in the water building up not corrosion of the billies as with the ally ones.

AnswerID: 267168

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 14:49

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 14:49

Might have to replace with a stainless steel tank in the future...there are certain grades of SS too arn't there?...I'd better find out and not get stung!!!

FollowupID: 529578