Published on: 16/09/2021 Updated on: 30/09/2025
Sanitizing freshwater tanks: with Tanker Clean from Mafra!
Tanks with stagnant water, especially in high temperatures, can be a source of bacterial and fungal growth, which we may find in the water used aboard our boat. Mafra has created Tanker Clean, the product that can sanitize freshwater tanks and on-board water systems, eliminating any microorganisms. Let's find out with Carlo Luongo how to use Tanker Clean at its best!
Managing our boat's water system is an issue that should not be underestimated. Especially in summer, it is not uncommon to hear statements such as "I've had the boat sitting idle for 10 days and now the autoclave water smells funny" or "I accidentally put gasoline in the water boarding cap." High temperatures greatly increase the rate of bacterial, fungal and algae growth inside the tanks, with all the risks involved. On the other hand, there are no temperatures that hold in case of human error, but once the damage is caused, the important thing is to fix it as quickly as possible.
A common mistake is to treat only the water inside the tank, leaving out the pipes of the entire water system. The consequence is that even if we replace the water with "clean water" we will continue to smell the stench from the showers and sinks, without eliminating the risk of infection. A risk that is greatly increased when we consider that sometimes water on board is used for cooking, washing fruit, and much more. Sanitizing freshwater tanks is therefore an essential procedure! Mafra has developed Tanker Clean precisely for this reason!
Watch the video of Carlo Luongo!
Find out how to sanitize freshwater tanks with Tanker Clean
Literally "tank cleaner." Tanker Clean is Mafra 's product designed to clean and sanitize water tanks both for routine maintenance and after winter storage. But that's not all! As Carlo Luongo shows in his video tutorial, if used correctly, Tanker Clean can be used to clean the entire water line of our boat. Thanks to its special active ingredient, it easily eliminates bacteria, fungi and algae that form in drinking water tanks.
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How to apply Tanker Clean and sanitize tanks and water pipes
The application of Tanker Clean-available in 1-liter format-is really simple and requires very little effort.
Insert the product inside the tank
The product is concentrated, so it should be placed inside the tank at a dilution of 0.5 percent, if we have never carried out a treatment of this type or there has been a need to start from scratch. Example: in case of a 200-liter tank-as in Carlo Luongo 's video-we will have to use the entire 1-liter bottle.
Note on dilutions: the exact concentrations are indicated on the bottle, depending on whether you want to do an initial deep treatment (0.5 percent), a periodic routine maintenance treatment (0.1 percent) or a treatment to prevent proliferation during winter storage (0.2 percent).
Allow the product to act
Wait between 10 and 12 hours. During this time, the product will counteract the proliferation of pathogens and eliminate algae and all forms of dirt.
Apply the product to the water pipes
After this minimum time has elapsed we will have peace of mind that Tanker Clean has acted properly inside the tanks. We must not neglect the water pipes that connect the tank to the various utilities! Again, the application is very simple: just leave all the taps open at the same time, letting the water flow and then emptying the tank. In this way, the product will, accomplice the turbulence dl flow, "wash" the inside of the pipes, eliminating dirt and pathogens.
Enjoy the result
Fill the tank with clean water and use the water normally.
Some important pointers:
- Water treated with Tanker Clean is not potable or usable!
- If, in using the water immediately following the treatment, you smell a disinfectant-like odor, this is perfectly normal. It will be sufficient to run the water a little longer for all the Tanker Clean residue in the pipes to be removed.
- In case a preventive treatment is given for winter storage, before launching it will then be necessary to empty the tank and wash it again before using it.
Final recommendations:
- If you are concerned that the batteries may be discharged by using the autoclave for the time it takes to empty the tank, attach the dock cable before the process or take advantage of the alternator while keeping the engine running.
- In case of accidental spillage of gasoline or diesel fuel, it will be necessary first to empty the tank of water. After that, it is advisable to carry out at least two or three cleaning cycles with Tanker Clean to thoroughly clean the tank. To minimize damage in this case, it is advisable to empty the tank directly by unhooking the hoses and thus preventing fuel from circulating in the system, or to use only one source (e.g., the external shower) to the exclusion of the others.
Applies Tanker Clean to sanitize water tanks.
Discover Tanker Clean in 1000ml format
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