Have just realised our van wont be used for 3 months, and wonder if we should empty the water tank, or put something in to stop it going "off"?

I dont think, if we try to empty it, that all the water will drain out, leaving just a bit in the bottom to become yucky.

What do others do to keep their water tanks clean?

I leave our tank at least half full when in storage.
The day before we depart I then drain, refill, and drain again.  
I then refill once more ready for our trip..
That way it gets a goog flush and if you use a good quality 'Food Grade" hose you shouldn't experience any foul tasting water.
Cheers, ozjohn.

   I keep the tanks full when the van is idle at home then mt and flush & refill a few days  before takeoff.
We have never had algae in 30yrs vanning. 

We make sure the water tanks are full when we park at home. Then just a week or so before the next trip we empty the tanks, give a flush of the tanks and all lines, then refill the tanks.

If the last fill of the water tanks on the road was with water that was not to our liking/taste but OK for washing etc, then at home we would empty, flush, and then refill.

We use food grade hose for filling the tanks.

Slightly off the topic of water tanks but nonetheless on food grade hoses, I have found that my food grade hoses (a couple of different types) do impart a taste to the water when hooked up to a water tap and the water is allowed to sit in the hose for while. I have eliminated the tap water itself as being the cause. Is this normal? I have a normal plastic (food grade) hose plus a roll-up flat one.

Yes I think that taste from the hose itself might be common, I blamed it on the hot sunshine warming the hose while it had water in it. Just flush through and its fine.

Gerty Dancer wrote:

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Yes I think that taste from the hose itself might be common, I blamed it on the hot sunshine warming the hose while it had water in it. Just flush through and its fine.

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Ditto.
ozjohn

 

Hi all
When I'm not using the van for a while I fill the tanks.   This limits the airspace in the tank, thus reducing the likelyhood of bugs and bacteria from developing in the tank.

When we are setting of again I drain the tanks and refill them.

Don't use garden hoses to fill your tanks.   They taint the water, use a food safe hose.   Another source of contamination is the filler hose.   Many caravans have clear inlet hoses.   These are exposed to the light and subsequently allow slime to develop in the hose.   Replace them with food safe black hose.

At least once a year I flush the tanks out with "TankKleen".    Just follow the instructions on the container.

I also pour in two table spoons of vanilla extract (NOT Essence) in the tank as well.   It seens to keep the water sweet.

You must try and keep well when travelling.   Clean water is the first step.

If you want to give the tank a good flush out you need to half fill and empty it several times. Alternately you remove the drain plug on the way home and let the last 5 - 8 litres of water to be forced out buy centrifugal on corners and bends. I use the latter method after our big trip each year. I then immediately fill the tank whilst the van is being unloaded. With having the tank full of water and a minuscule amount of air, we have not had any bad taste in the water.

PeterD and Ozjohn.....you both might be able to help me regarding water tank..... My caravan..water.is terrible.....I flushed the tank when we got it new.....several times....went away 2 days later...water in sink was yellow..........got home emptied tank again.......flushed it 4 more times....water was fresh...went away again.next day......water was tainted...plastic taste....all hose from tank on this new van are black.... I've heard Bi-carb suppose to be good.....how the hell you get in tank...I have trouble getting hose in it?? Dave

mix the bicarb in a watering can and tip in cheers blaze

We ensure that water tanks are full when you park at home. Then just a week before the next trip to empty the tanks, give a color of the tanks and all lines, then refill the tank. Do not use garden hoses to fill their tanks. Staining the water, use a hose for safe food. Another source of contamination is the fill hose. Many caravans have clear hoses input.