Water tanks on CTs

I simply keep mine full as a goog with tap water when its not in use (no air allowed in there - mind you, Adelaide water does have about 30ppm of chlorine in it - that might count for something :-o). Never had an odour issue. I change it to rainwater just before I do a trip.

Hi Nigel,

Only use bi-carb for cleaning/odour removal, not as an additive to your drinking water. Perhaps I've been fortunate as I've never had an odour/taste problem in eight years.

I fill with Sydney tap water prior my trip, top up where I need to. What I have done is fit a drain tap to the tank and always open it and leave it open whilst on the homeward leg. Saves towing excess weight.

Because I always forget to close it, its left open until I go to refill for the next trip. Maybe that has helped, I really don't know.

If you don't currently have a problem do nothing. If you do there are tank cleaner/deodorisers available from marine chandlers like Bias Boating or Whitworths. You can purchase online or by phone. The products they sell may very well be bi-carb under another name.

Ian

Nigel, you haven't been specific as to the type of tank at all. Stainless are impervious to light so algae don't grow there and usually don't provide taste taints. Plastics can provide tastes and it is probably best to put some bicarb into water and slosh it around before you go away and then empty it of course.

Fill it with the best water you can and it should be ok then.

Bicarb is sometimes used for cleaning things like teeth in tooth paste, or as an anti-acid component in stock feed called a buffer but not the taste of choice in your tank. Medicinally it is in alkilinizers too, good defence against some kidney stones taken periodically.

HAPPY

i just drain all the water out of it so it dries out between trips so nothing grows in there

G'day Nigel
No need to add it before you go - what would you want to drink it for? Good for baking but drinking it - I think not!
Unless you are getting some horrible taste in the water I reckon it's best to do nothing.
Between trips I usually empty the tank. I doubt there's a correct answer as to whether empty or full is better. But my logic is that, being a plastic tank, the longer the water sits in there the greater the chance it will get tainted. Just my theory mind you - I have no evidence. However so far so good - water comes out nice and sweet - or at least as sweet as it goes in.
Cheers from the Moose

Hello Nigel.

I read recently 1 - 2 Oz to 60 litres of water. Store Then dump & refill on departure.
Regards: Grant.