Tank Won't Fully Empty During Pumpout

H

hawkeyes01

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Joined
Jan 29, 2010
RO Number
31963
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51
We recently had a new tank and hoses installed. It is the same hose routing and tank location as before. When we pumpout now, I noticed that the tank empties fine until the tank level gets to the top of the pumpout hose (about 2" from the bottom of the tank). At that point, we seem to lose suction and nothing else will pumpout. It's not a huge deal capacity-wise, but I'd really like to pump it empty when it is going to sit for long periods.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any recommendations?

Thanks everyone.
 
If you think about it, that's how it works. If the tank outlet is in the side of the tank, once the liquid level gets below the top of the hose, it begins sucking air. Your old tank would have done the same thing if it had a side outlet.

If it bothers you, pump, refill with clean water, and pump again.

Hint: Dont use the same hose you use to fill your potable water tank. ;)
 
What do folks do in cold weather areas where water freezing in the tank would be an issue? Do you have to open the tank and manually pumpout the last few inches? Or is that not really an issue?
 
My Sealand travelers are somewhat different but I pump out and then dump a gallon of pink antifreeze in.

Niles
 
After pumping and rinsing a few times I flush a couple gallons of pink antifreeze through the head and into the tank for the winter. Never had issues.
eric
 
Freezing should not be an issue is the tank is mostly empty. Frozen water will expand up. My old boat was the same thing... Side discharge. Could never get the last inch or so. So flushed with lots of water. Also like to use the odor-loss stuff which helps to break down solid waste.
 
quote:
Originally posted by starfishkiller

After pumping and rinsing a few times I flush a couple gallons of pink antifreeze through the head and into the tank for the winter. Never had issues.
eric

Click to expand...


That's what I do, and I've never had a problem.
 
Thanks all - I'll just flush some water down when we pump and will use some antifreeze during winter layup. Appreciate all the feedback.
 
The problem with antifreeze is, it may kill any of the "natural" odor reducing products like K.O. and Odorlos.

I really don't think there would be a problem with 1 1/2" of sewage in the bottom of the tank. True, it will expand, but it will expand up. Just like ice cube trays in your refrigerator. As long as there's room for expansion, nothing will break.
 
To follow rawidman's comment one step farther, you "should" normally pump out your holding tank at the end of the season when winterizing anyway. The KO or Odorlos wouldn't be an issue until the spring when you recommission the boat. Then pump the anti-freeze out of the tank, fill it with clean fresh water, pump it out again then add your additives (KO or Odorlos) and you're good to go for the start of the boating season.
 
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