I have never emptied my tanks between trips. As long as no light is getting to the water it should be OK. Rainwater tanks do not normally get emptied at home.

Hewy54 wrote:

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As long as no light is getting to the water it should be OK. Rainwater tanks do not normally get emptied at home.

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Bugs need food and warmth to grow rapidly. Many will happily grow in the dark.

In regard to water in RV tanks, compared to water tanks at home, temperature is the big difference. The water in RV tanks can get quite warm.

We don't usually drain our tanks between trips, but we do add chlorine at every fill to kill bugs that might grow in the tanks or filters and we do flush 5 - 10 litres of that chlorinated water through the filters if they have not been used for more than a few days before consuming the water. The fine filters collect the bugs and the food they live on and they can breed there, especially in warmer weather. Silver in the filter will reduce that tendency. Don't have any fears about adding extra chlorine to your tanks. A good quality carbon filter after the pump and before the tap will remove any that does not break down naturally.

Cheers,

Peter

I've often talked about doing it. But never yet got round to.

I DO Always though.
Fill diesel/Petrol tanks EVERY night b4 parking veh when travelling.
Rather than in Morning b4 departure.
No matter where we are.
if fuel avail.

No AIr space = No/less condensation = less water in tanks over time.
Always a good thing.
Plus. if an early start or night time emergency.
You good to go.
I learnt early on that one.
Pregnancy run at 6 on a Sunday morn 1966) No Juice in tank or avail.
(I'll do it in Morning.)
Stole mates Landy to get to baby ward with 10 mins to spare.

3 kids. all Started at 2 min interval pains.
longest to drop.
1 hr 23mins. first pain to drop
(Bloody breeding machine) But great mum.

dishlicker wrote:

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Thanks pete & marg  and others for your replies i will now add chlorine to the tank. And just how much ????

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Depends on the strength....

We use liquid swimming pool chlorine (NOT granular which is different) because it is the strongest (12g/L active sodium hypochlorite) and cheapest, but the easiest to get is probably cheap household bleach which is usually about 6g/L active. At this strength add 10ml per 100 litres of water, more if the water is suspect or if it has not been used for a while. 3X is generally not noticeable.

Make sure you buy bleach without any colour or perfume added. Generally cheaper is best.

 

Cheers,

Peter

 

Ron-D wrote:

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Iam probably wrong but I  don't like the idea of adding chlorine ,bleach or any chemicals to our drinking water, I just keep the tank filled with fresh water ,and drain and refill it every month..

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The water you fill it with is chlorinated, as is 99.9% of all town water supplies in Australia.

That chlorine breaks down naturally and disappears within a few days and the protection it provided reduces. That said, mostly people don't have any problem, but adding some extra protection is a simple thing to do.

Cheers,

Peter