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We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the most common questions asked about caravan, motorhome and camper water tanks.
If you still have a question, please ask in the Comments at the end or contact us here. We’ll do our best to answer your question and add it to this list.
One comment. You’ll notice we recommend BioMagic WaterPure in many answers below. Yes, we get a tiny commission on sale (at no extra cost to you). However, it is far and away the best water cleaning and sanitising product we’ve ever used.
And we only recommend the best quality products. So we would not be recommending BioMagic if it didn’t perform.
For years now, there have been rumours of a link between aluminium and Alzheimer’s Disease. However, Dementia Australia state there is no proven link between aluminium and Alheimer’s Disease.
So yes, aluminium water tanks are safe.
The most important thing to remember is… do not use chlorine or a chlorine-based cleaner.
Chlorine eats aluminium. It reacts with (oxidises) aluminium and will cause pitting and scaling.
Most town water contains chlorine. This is why we don’t recommend using aluminium water tanks.
But if you already have an aluminium water tank, then your best solution is white vinegar and baking soda (bi-carb soda). First make sure the tank is at least a quarter full. Thoroughly mix a cup of baking soda with 2 litres of water and pour it into the tank.
Then pour about ½ litre of white vinegar in. The vinegar and baking soda will react and remove any build-up like scale or algae. Leave the filler lid off and don’t be alarmed if you see the mixture foaming and bubbling. This is normal.
Leave for a few hours then drain your tank. Fill with fresh water then drain and flush out until the water looks and tastes okay.
Note: This method works with all types of water tanks, poly, stainless steel and so on. It’s a safe and easy way to clean your tank without using nasty chemicals.
Related Questions
– How do I clean my caravan water tank?
– How to flush an RV water tank?
There are 2 simple ways to keep your water tank clean.
Step 1
Always use a food grade rated water hose to fill your tank and always check the water pipes before the tap. Both garden hoses and the wrong type of poly pipe can give your water a disgusting plastic taste.
And once you get this toxic mixture in your tank, it’s difficult to get rid of.
I wrote about this in detail – see the section on “Be Careful Where You Fill Up…”. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll never have to worry about a tankful of foul-tasting water.
Step 2
Always sanitise your water tank after each fill. The best product by far is BioMagic WaterPure. It’s completely taste-free, odourless and is a biological solution, rather than being full of nasty chemicals.
We’ve been using BioMagic for over 4 years, with no issues at all. It keeps our tanks clean and prevents any algae or pathogen growth in your water tank.
Related Questions
– How to fill an RV water tank with fresh water.
– Where to fill an RV water tank on the road.
– Where to refill an RV water tank.
If you sanitise the water every time it’s filled, you shouldn’t need to clean it. See “How do I keep my caravan, motorhome or camper water tank clean?” above.
Every time you fill it. All you have to do is add a tiny amount of BioMagic WaterPure. This way, you know your water is always sanitised and safe to drink.
BioMagic also prevents slime (algae) growth in your tank, which can be a sign of nasty pathogens breeding in your drinking water.
See “How often should you sanitise an RV water tank?” above.
And if you’re doing it for the first time, run some water through the taps… sink, shower and so on. This sanitises the water hoses and fittings. Ideally, let it sit for up to 24 hours to give the WaterPure a chance to kill any bacteria.
Related Question
– How do I sanitise my RV water tank without bleach?
Up to 12 months if you use a sanitiser like BioMagic WaterPure. If you want it to sit for longer, simply add more WaterPure at around the 12 month mark. It will then be okay to leave for another 12 months.
From a hygiene perspective, there’s a very good reason to keep your water tanks full… whether it’s a caravan, motorhome, camper or any other bulk water storage.
Pathogens can still breed in an empty water tank, even if it’s completely dry.
The easiest way to keep them at bay is to have a tank full of sanitised water, sloshing around and killing the microbes.
Related Question
– Should you travel with water in your RV?
We’ve written a detailed report on how to decide which is the most suitable water tank for your camping needs.
Related Questions
– Which type of camping water tank is best?
– What is the best material for a water tank?
Yes they can. The easiest way to fix a leaking poly water tank is with an epoxy kit like Dynagrip’s Plastic Tank Repair Kit.
While you can in theory plastic weld a poly tank, 9 times out of 10 you’ll be doing an emergency repair by the side of the road. So an epoxy-based repair kit is a more practical solution.
If the tank is cracked, drill either end of the crack if possible. This will stop the crack from growing.
Related Question
– How do I fix a leaking poly water tank?
Great, we welcome any questions! Either ask in the Comments below or or contact us here.
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