Cleaning out Holding Tank

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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So Rob's post got me thinking about my own tank. Apparently prior owner let tank sit full alot and the walls of the tank are caked so bad that I can't tell how much liquid is there. The guage doesn't work well either but it's compounded by the fact that you can't tell how full by look. My old boat tank was pretty clean and you can see the liquid line in the tank.

So I have been reading online about how to clean the crud off the sides.

I have read Calgon. Tide. Fill with Ice. Use the Camco Tornado.

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40126-Tornado-Rotary-Rinser/dp/B000BUU5TU

What have other's tried and what works?
 
Is it really crud on the tank or is the tank just old and discolored?

If it is really crud your going to have to fill the tank with a heavy dose of the type of holding tank treatment that breaks up waste and let it sit for a day or two. Then pump it out and use something like the Camco Tornado to wash the walls of the tank down.
 
The tornado looks interesting. Does it get inserted through the pump out fitting or do you have to remove a hose on the tank?
Jim
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

...What have other's tried and what works?

Click to expand...


Depending on how your tank is vented, this may work. My Regal had no vent filter, but the vent hose to the holding tank was about 1.5 inches in diameter.

I pumped the tank then used calgon and filled the tank with water about 1/2 way, went for a ride and let it sit over night. I rode to the pump out station about a mile away making sure to move the boat around a lot to slop the holding tank once again. I pumped out once then took a length of garden hose and inserted it in the tank via the vent hose. I turned the water on full force and started the pump out process as I worked the garden hose around the inside of the holding tank as best I could. The holding tank was 12 gallons and I'll bet I sucked a good 36 to 48 gallons out of her before the water started to look clear. It was about 60 gallons and what was coming out of the tank was as clear as what was going in. I was surprised as to how much cleaner the inside of the boat smelled as well.

If you are not vented as I was, I would highly recommend the Tornado. In essense, I did the same thing on the cheap and did not have to cut into the tank. Had I kept the boat longer, I would have put one in.

I think GeeBee installed one. He may chime in.
 
I put a Tornado in my holding tank and it only lasted about 4 or 5 pump outs and it would no longer spin. I replaced that Tornado with a new one making sure I never let the tank fill to the point it would engulf the Tornado....same thing, after a few pump outs it didn't work once again.
 
I installed a 6" air tight tank inspection plate (a circle) to be able to actually put on rubber gloves and scrub the inside of my tank. However I have found that judicious use OrdorLOSS and flushing allowing the tank to get 3/4 full allows the tank to clean itself. Adding soaps and cleaners makes the tank lose it's balance keeping the odors to a minimum. As far as various type of tank level systems most other than those that use tank volume are generally the only that seems to be reliable.
A bright LED flashlight shining on the top of the opaque tank seems to work for checking the poop tanks level. My Raritan system works extremely well with the fresh water tanks, then again there is no residual on those tanks.
Bill
 
Not sure I like the idea of cutting a hole in the tank and scrubbing but it is probably the best way to clean it. Whole boat will stink I am sure, will need a respirator and some fans. Probably a good off season project but that may be the way to go.

What did you use to seal the hole? What was the plate?

I think that will allow me to clean the sensors and regularly scrub it out.
If I could replace the tank, I would but that is not a option!
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Not sure I like the idea of cutting a hole in the tank and scrubbing but it is probably the best way to clean it. Whole boat will stink I am sure, will need a respirator and some fans. Probably a good off season project but that may be the way to go.

What did you use to seal the hole? What was the plate?

I think that will allow me to clean the sensors and regularly scrub it out.
If I could replace the tank, I would but that is not a option!

Click to expand...
I guess my enzymes must be okay or in balance because I have little to no odor when I open the holding tank. It's also in the bilge so open a few hatches and the little bit of odor is gone. I really like OdorLOSS and can't say enough about the product when it comes to having a stink free holding tank.
Bill
 
Bill,
I agree, the odorloss is great and I use it. I don't have a smell issue. I have a crud issue.
Prior Owner must of let it get full, then he pumped but left the sludge on the sides and bottom and it solidified and does not break free. A good scrubbing would help.

I see this plate, did you used this or something cheaper?

http://www.downwindmarine.com/SeaBuilt-Tank-Access-Plates-p-91002326.html
 
Similar but mine unscrews. It has a rubber O ring. It reminds me of a deck inspection plate only I specifically bought it for a the holding tank.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Actually I like this one better with the clear lid

http://www.beckson.com/screwout.html

Click to expand...


Not sure if those are airtight...and you really want it to be airtight.

Dave a few years ago I had a similar problem on the Formula. I just took a donor hose and cut the end off and shoved it down into the tank through the pump out port. I worked it all around and each time I sensed the tank was getting full I just pumped it out and repeated the cycle until I was only getting clean water out of the tank. It made a huge difference.

It took about an hour and a half at the Wantagh pump out station but it was midday during the week and nobody else was there.

HTH

Jeff
 
Dave,

Removing the sensor is very easy and will allow you to get a hose down there to clean the tank. Kill one bird with 2 stones!!
 
Ding Ding Ding. Gary wins, will give that a try. Sounds like you been there done that!
I need to really be able to scrub the sides, at least the front. Besides grossing me out, I can't see a thing.

Be nice to have the magnet thing you use in fish tanks, where the handle goes on the outside and it connects to a brush via a magnet on the insides. Move it up an down and around to clean!
 
Dave,

While the sensor is out, I dropped around 30lbs of ice in there along with water, took it for an aggressive ride, then pumped out. It really worked.
 
On our owners club forum, we've been seeing lots of recommendations for a product called Zaal Noflex Digestor, which is said to release sludge build-up so it can simply be removed during normal pump outs. One anecdote is one user who put a couple teaspoons full in his bowl and let it sit overnight; the discoloration that was previously there disappeared and the bottom of his bowl is completely white again.

I just ordered some from LFS Marine (I just ran out of KO, so thought this might be a useful time to try this stuff), but as yet have no first-hand experience. There's another site, too, marinesan or something like that, I think. The trick on the websites is to use alternate shipping; the default options often cost more than the product.

The description says it's NOT an enzyme or bacterial additive, but rather that it's "chemicals" that dissolve existing anaerobic bacteria so that aerobic action can work. And the residue is baking soda. (That suggests to me good ventilation is still necessary, and an enzyme or aerobic bacteria additive may still be useful in some cases?)

Practical Sailor evaluated it once, gave it good marks. Google will turn up an MSDS; the stuff is not without it's issues.

OTOH, if it works as advertised, there's no particularly physical labor involved.

-Chris
 
wait hold on.. I spent a very intimate weekend with my holding tank and its sensors. I pumped out . poured a gallon of bleach tru the deck fitting .... let it sit over nite and pumped out . I let it sit another day with more bleach and ill tell u it was odorless to work on. Access to the sensor sucked. ur not sticking anyting tru the sensor opening . Its roughly the diameter of a sharpie. most holding tanks have access hatches. Don't mistake the relief plug for an access hatch.( sealand tanks ) U can always pull a hose out of the tank for access . But anyway . More then one guy that works on thses things said bleach the snot out it . I used to use cascade but was told that makes more nitrogen in the tank and that's bad. So anyway the sensors on the seland are simple magnets. Leave it to me to have a defective magnet. It is no longer magnetized ... is that even possible ?

Rob
 
"I spent a very intimate weekend with my holding tank and its sensors"

that sounds gross!

Ok, I am going to examine mine closer, for me it's more cosmetic as I want the tank to look cleaner so I can see in.
The guage not working doesn't bother me as I know these things don't work well to begin with. Mine actually does work somewhat.

Not sure if I have Sealand or how big any of the openings are.

Only issue I see with bleach is it will kill the good stuff in the tank which rids the smell.
So if you don't pump out and get it all out it may smell over time.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

"I spent a very intimate weekend with my holding tank and its sensors"

that sounds gross!

Ok, I am going to examine mine closer, for me it's more cosmetic as I want the tank to look cleaner so I can see in.
The guage not working doesn't bother me as I know these things don't work well to begin with. Mine actually does work somewhat.

Not sure if I have Sealand or how big any of the openings are.

Only issue I see with bleach is it will kill the good stuff in the tank which rids the smell.
So if you don't pump out and get it all out it may smell over time.

Click to expand...
Also if you have Aluminum tanks Bleach is a big NoNo!
I'd only use bleach as a very last resort. I once cleaned my holding tank through it's inspection port using a lower pressure power washer one I could change the angle of the head.
Bill
 
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