I thought I dodged this bullet, but I guess not.
After a couple of tries with a snake, spraying water, cycling the pump out valve on and off, I got a nice wooosh of pumping out (fast, like it should). I then put the garden hose in and it took a minute of freshwater. Pumped out with a wooosh again, and filled again. Third time was the charm, as it started pumping fast when "clunk", it then slowed to a drip. There must be something in there.
I left it, used it a few times, and last week the pump out boat came by and pumped again. This time it was coming out with only about 1/4 of the capacity of the 1 1/2" hose (visable through the clear inspection section of the pump out fitting). Ok, still pumping out, slowly, but it's evacuating the tank. So I pumped for 10 min and figured that was enough to get me through the weekend.
Now, Friday, I go to pump out again, and nothing comes out. The pump out is pumping, but nothing it coming out. There is no suction at the vent (which I confirmed is clear) and the pump out created such a vacuum, that when I shut the valve, I literally had to pry the hose off, hearing the air suck in the hose.
There has to be something in there that is creating the blockage. I think it is either in the hose, or right at the fitting in the tank.
So I guess I am at the point of just saying "F" it, and changing the tank out (and the 4' of hose going to the deck fitting). For a couple of reasons. First, obviously is the clog. Next, the tank is aluminium, which I understand will eventually corrode. And last, the tank has no level indicator.
So my question is, which is the best brand holding tank (this is a small tank, only 18 gallons) and how do I ensure the fittings locations match the existing tank? Can they be ordered to my specs?
Thanks for the ongoing help with this crap (pun intended)