cleaning out water tank

E

europhile

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I've noticed algae floating in my bathwater. How do I clean out the tank? I can't get access to it physically to scrub it was was wondering if there were any organic products I could chuck in to clean it.
 
If that's the same water your using to wash your teeth I think I'd do more than add some chemicals in the hope of clearing the system. My suggestion:

Turn off main cold feed to tank, run off all water- hot and cold. Examine tank- why is algae forming? Is the tank covered? Is the tank too big, are the draw off points suitably located? Try and establish a reason for this occurence.

Manually clean off the inside of the tank and use copious amounts of water and a sterilising solution like Milton. Flush through the system (filling and draining several times) until all traces of dirt and disinfectant are gone).

When the job is complete monitor your cistern over a few weeks/ months- you should not have a reoccurence of the problem- if you do there is a fault with the installation that's allowing stagnation to occur.
 
Thanks for that. I've only just got a lid for the tank. I can't manually clean the tank as I'm in an apartment and the space is too restricted to get into. I'll try the Milton thing.
 
Also you might want to insulate the tank to prevent it warming up and creating ideal conditions for algae growth. Is your tank fibreglass and fitted in a cupboard as opposed to an attic space? Try and use a mirror and torch to examine the condition of the tank.
 
europhile said:
In a cupboard, yes.
Click to expand...
I know the type of installation you're referring to, the lack of a cover was probably to blame. This would allow dust (especially saw dust) to enter the tank and provide the ideal conditions for algae growth. The tank isn't too big so a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the installation should do the job.
 
Think as well about going for a pressurised system. Once there is no light getting into the water and the desinfectant can't get out of it there shouldn't survive any single cellular organisms.
 
Europhile,

Please note on bumping up posts which applies especially to those with a 34 minute gap between them!

Sueellen.
 
Noted, Sueellen.

It only seems to be from the bath taps and not the wash-hand basin. Does this mean anything?
 
Seems strange, but perhaps your bath taps get less use so the dirt is inclined to accumulate on the pipe walls? Have you looked at the WC cisterns, are they fouled up also?
 
This could be true. Bath is used twice a day; washhand basin, all day. I'll have a look at the WC cistern (singular). Thank you.
 
What do you mean exactly by "algae"? In the botanic circels these are plants, green apperance due to chlorophyll/photosyntheses ......
 
"More seaweedy and frondy"

Which might come about if a dead bird was in the water for long enuf.
 
It has been suggested that I should take a tip from Enniscrone and charge the public for the facility of my seaweed baths.
 
Perhaps; you could also complement the experience with a face mask of honey and rolled oats. Personally, I'd prefer a clean tank!
 
It's back again - two years later! Could it be something to do with the cold weather?
 
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