Fresh Water Tank Ruined?

[captain ron]

I just removed my fresh water tank to clean it and rebuild the box it is in. It is stained from the iron that was in the water. I do not drink from this tank and will not use it for brushing my teeth any more. Do you think it will be ok for shower, dishes, toilet,laundry and general cleaning use? Or will it always distribute the iron from the stains to my water? I poured a gallon of bleach into it and filled it half way to try and slosh it around and clean it. How about using that CRL or whatever it's called to clean bathroom and kitchens with?

[TomC]

How about having El Monte Plastics, Ardemco, or such to make a plastic tank for you.  I have tanks that are 12 years old with no problems.  Tanks are not that expensive and properly mounted will last the lifetime of the bus.  Good Luck, TomC

[msheldon]

I would not put ANY chemical into the water you would not be comfortable drinking any amount of. Bleach is fine in trace amounts, it's used for sanitizing all sorts of food-grade equipment. However, CLR, etc are extremely caustic, and I would not be comfortable with even trace amounts in my water supply.

Why all the worry about some rust stains? I suspect that if they have any health significance at all, it will be far less than the chemicals you are contemplating. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

[Busted Knuckle]

Good question! Before trashing the tank I'd try a stronger bleach solution (just my personal preference about 3-4 gallons per tank your size) and after sloshing/mixing it good I'd let it soak over night! As far as being ok for the other uses I'd really think so, especially as the more you use it the more it'd dilute the "iron stains"! But then again what do I know about this subject?
 BK  

[kyle4501]

The old pipes in my house add plenty of iron to the water. I don't think it'd be a big deal at all.

If you use bottled water for drinking, & the 'fresh water' tank has no offensive odor - I don't see a problem.

[ChuckMC9]

I'll bet one TV dinner has more chemicals and bad bad things than you'd pick up from a month of use of the tank.

[DrivingMissLazy]

Many people take iron supplement, including my wife. What is the supposed problem?
Richard

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Ron,

Here are some break downs of iron from my filtration supplier everpure.com

iron

An element (Fe) often found dissolved in ground water (in the form of ferrous iron) in concentrations usually ranging from zero to 10 ppm (mg/L).  It is objectionable in water supplies because of the staining caused after oxidation and precipitation (as ferric hydroxide), because of tastes, and because of unsightly colors produced when iron reacts with tannins in beverages such as coffee and tea.



iron bacteria

Organisms which are capable of utilizing ferrous iron, either from the water or from steel pipe, in their metabolism and precipitating ferric hydroxide in their sheaths and gelatinous deposits.  These organisms tend to collect in pipe lines and tanks during periods of low flow and to break loose in slugs of turbid water to create staining, taste, and odor problems.

Are there any more containiments in your tank? I have more....

Nick-

[JohnEd]

Charlie,

Let me add my voice to the resounding din that suggests that you are being anal about this.  Iron in water is a problem all around the country but I don't think I have ever heard about it being a health issue.  If all you have is a stained tank...forget about it.  I don't think that would even have a taste after a few rinse tanks.  Just my humble "taster", er, opinion.

I carry bottled water filled from the tap at home only cause I don't know about the water on the road and I don't want to worry about it.

HTH,


John

[captain ron]

After tasting a small sample of this water a magnet flew out of my tool box and hit me in the head.

[JohnEd]

Sorry Charlie!

[FloridaCliff]

Ron,

I have a softener at the house to remove the Iron in the water.

On the input I have a set of those yarn filters to catch any sediment, they are a nice shade of Iron when I pull them once a month.

I first put them in a gallon bucket with a little Ironout. 

The iron almost dissolves before my eyes.  Check out the product at Walmart or favorite dept store.

Just rinse it out good......twice....The ppm will be nothing at that point.

CLR will not work....Calcium, Lime, Rust

My fresh water system does not run the site water through my tank, so I almost always have 100+ gallons
from the home tap.

From a discussion with a friend over a few beers,  I sent in a sample of my well, and two bottled water samples to the University of FLA.

My water was better in all categories and I got some essential minerals to boot. They check for metals and bacteria plus a zillion other things.  Every state has this service.  Never, ever trust the water or filter guys.  Too much of a vested interest in selling you something..

I use bottled water on the road if I run out of my own, but in my opinion its one of the great hypes of this era....To each his own...

Cliff

[Kristinsgrandpa]

If the stains bother you they can be removed with a product sold at Kmart etc.

It is called Whink Rust Stain Remover, it is poisionous so you would have to rinse your tank a couple of times. but it is water soluble so it would rinse easily.
Since your tank is out, a couple of bottles to slosh it with would work.
I keep it to remove rust stains from clothes.

Personally I would leave it as is, it won't hurt you.

Autopsies on Alzheimers victims found unusually large iron and aluminum deposits at the base of the brain, but they have no proof that it has any effect on the victims or the disease.

Ed

[captain ron]

Personally I would leave it as is, it won't hurt you.
autopsies on Alzheimers victims found unusually large iron and aluminum deposits at the base of the brain, but they have no proof that it has any effect on the victims or the disease.
Ed

I forgot what I was going to say 

[NewbeeMC9]

if your really worried, use it for the WVO tank and get a new one for water.


However being tough as nails and eating them for breakfast, i'm suprised your bothered.