Noel
Southern Oregon
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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I have a 4 year old Thetford fresh water tank SANITIZER kit. Never used it. We use household bleach. Never been sick.
My question is: Anyone out there use this Thetford product and what did you think?
There is no bleach in this product. It has Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. The MSDS does not tell me much, other than no chronic effects noted.
Thetford literature says bacteria such as staph, E-coli, Listeria, etc can live on the walls of tank and in supply hoses, etc.
So.......what do you think ?
Noel
2003 National Dolphin LX 6335, W22, 8.1L
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Chlorine is chlorine, whether it comes from sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or ammonium chloride.
How much would that kit cost if you were to replace it? How much does a gallon of bleach cost? How many applications can you get from each of them?
Bleach has a lot of uses around the house. Can this kit be uesed for anything but sanitizing an RV water tank?
IMO, it is an unnecessary added expense. Bleach does the job just fine.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
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MountainAir05
New Mexico
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I think you answered your own question. As others stated chlorine is chlorine. Just another way to get you to purchase something.
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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I have never sanitised a water tank. If you fill the tank from a municipal water source, you've already done that as most chlorinate the water anyway.
If you feel it's improtant to you just add a small amount of bleach. If you can smell it in the water, you've added to much.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
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mlts22
Austin, Texas
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Joined: 11/15/2010
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Bleach is bleach. I like running it through once and letting it soak through ever faucet (hot and cold) for a few hours, then rinse and run a baking soda solution through, After rinsing that out, I'm good to go for camping, because the residual chlorine in municipal water will take care of the bugs.
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workhardplayharder
Treasure Coast Florida
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Joined: 09/02/2009
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I just keep the tank full from my city water. If I haven't used the RV in a month or so I drain and refill the tank. I have not ever had an issue with bad water.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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SOME cities chlorinate ALL the water that goes into the system. Some municipalities chlorinate weekly. If you live in one of those, your water may not be completely sterile when you fill your tank.
For those who have a well, with NO chlorination, it might be a good idea to sanitize your RV system monthly.
IMO, all RV water systems should be sanitized at least every spring before the camping season begins. After all, it has been sitting empty all winter, who knows what is going on in there!
But, if your system has been doing fine on your schedule, continue doing what works for you.
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J-Rooster
Port Orchard, Wa. / Lake Havasu City, Az.
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I don't use chlorine in my tank!
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Kiwi_too
Western, WA
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Joined: 05/13/2003
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I use chlorine to dewinterize not for drinking.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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If you do decide to sanitize your water tank using municipal water just be sure NOT to use a hose type water filter. Those RV add on filters are designed to remove the chlorine and most other chemicals from your water before it gets to your tank. This means that you would not be adding the chlorine that comes from your municipal water source.
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