Custom flexible holding tank supplier?

C

ColinR

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Oct 2001
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www.victoriashadow.co.uk
Does anyone know a company that does flexible ones in custom sizes rather than off the shelf? I'd much prefer a rigid tek-tank type but just cant fit it in!

thanks

Colin
 
Flexible tanks are to be avoided for waste if at all possible. However, Vetus make a fairly wide range including a design that cures into a solid tank once installed.

However, I am almost sure that you will be able to fit a rigid tank in your boat - it is rare that you can't fit one, you just need to go through the various different options.

I suggest you talk to Tek Tanks as they may well already have made one for your design of boat. They have a mass of information on their site to help you through the different possibilities. The trend now is towards bukhead mounted above waterline tanks as the simplest and cleanest method. I have fitted two of these, one to a wooden 26footer and the other to a Bavaria. Both empty by gravity so no pumps or long pipe runs. Lee Sanitation is another supplier that specialises in this area.

In the unlikely event you can't find a solution from either of those then Google Flexible Waste Tanks and you will get lots of industrial suppliers who might be interested.

Hope this helps
 
I'd second that - plastic bags full of poo are not something you want on your boat, and TekTanks can build a solid one to fit in pretty much anywhere. Build a foam or cardboard mockup, and ideally take it over to them to discuss (although people do post them).

Tall thin tanks as high as possible are best, with the toilet pumping out into the top and usually falling straight out the (slightly hopper-shaped) bottom and into the outlet pipe. Close a valve at the bottom of the tank to keep it - no diverter valves or lengthy pipework. Unfortunately lack of space often precludes this ideal - Kindred Spirit's installation is the opposite in nearly every way. I don't trust it and haven't yet used it.

Only downside to TekTanks is price. My diesel tank, fitting a compound curve in the stern, was eye-wateringly expensive.

Pete
 
thanks for the reply. The difficulty I have with fitting a rigid one (which I agree is much preferable) is that without ripping out the internal joinery it needs to fit into a locker through the door which both means a small tank and very wasteful of space. I dont really see why using modern materials a flexible tank is so much inferior. If you think about the incredible strength of synthetic ropes for example. The design you mention means the tank is constantly in use, but I planned a diverter valve, more pipework but meaning the tanks would only rarely be used and I would not spend long periods at sea with poo sloshing about causing chafe as I would empty it. It would be much more efficient in terms of space. I am interested in the Vetus one you mentioned which cures into a shape. I didn't see it in the catalogue. Do you have any more info.

Out of interest, did you use a 1 1/2 inch or 2 inch pipe and seacock (outlet)for the setup you mention? Both Lee and Tektank recommend 2" for this.

thanks

Colin



Tranona said:
Flexible tanks are to be avoided for waste if at all possible. However, Vetus make a fairly wide range including a design that cures into a solid tank once installed.

However, I am almost sure that you will be able to fit a rigid tank in your boat - it is rare that you can't fit one, you just need to go through the various different options.

I suggest you talk to Tek Tanks as they may well already have made one for your design of boat. They have a mass of information on their site to help you through the different possibilities. The trend now is towards bukhead mounted above waterline tanks as the simplest and cleanest method. I have fitted two of these, one to a wooden 26footer and the other to a Bavaria. Both empty by gravity so no pumps or long pipe runs. Lee Sanitation is another supplier that specialises in this area.

In the unlikely event you can't find a solution from either of those then Google Flexible Waste Tanks and you will get lots of industrial suppliers who might be interested.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...
 
Have just checked the latest Vetus catalogue and the design I mentioned has disappeared. It was in the 2008 (I think) catalogue because it was one of the options I considered. However, I seem to recall it being very expensive - even more than a custom tank.

Both the tanks I have fitted are gravity systems. One on an old wooden boat is just bolted to a bulkhead and is 35 litres - more than enough for one person. The second in a Bavaria 37 is in a locker in the heads compartment. It is 60 litres and we had to take a non structural bulkhead out to fit it, but all the connections are easily accessible through doors. On that one the inlet is at the bottom with an internal stack pipe. On both there is an inspection hatch above the outlet for rodding. The outlets are 1 1/2" as the runs to the seacock are short. There is not room in the Bavaria to get an additional valve on the outlet.

In use everything goes through the tank and you just close the seacock when you want to hold. No pumps, no Y valves and a minimum of joints.

On boats like yours (I am assuming it is the Victoria in your profile) where the heads is in the middle of the boat, it is common to have the tank under the bunk in the forecabin if there is not room on a bulkhead or under the side deck behind the loo. That of course means a pumped system and you may find you can get an integrated system such as Vetus and Jabsco make into there.
 
My boat has a flexible water tank like most Sadler designs, and it's made by an outfit who used to make hovercraft skirts. Cant remember the name but Mike Lucas the Sadler broker will be able to tell you.

Flexible isnt a route I would recommend having experience a leaking poo tank on a Sunsail flotilla, and a leaking water tank on my boat. They have a limited life and are pretty expensive as well.

Might be cheaper to hire a cabinet maker to deal with the woodwork.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
Flexible isnt a route I would recommend having experience a leaking poo tank on a Sunsail flotilla, and a leaking water tank on my boat. They have a limited life and are pretty expensive as well.
Click to expand...

My freshwater tank is a flexible one, and although new this year the space it sits in always seems to be slightly damp. Damp with fresh water I can live with; less so with a toilet tank.

Pete
 
Bosun Higgs said:
My boat has a flexible water tank like most Sadler designs, and it's made by an outfit who used to make hovercraft skirts. Cant remember the name but Mike Lucas the Sadler broker will be able to tell you.

Flexible isnt a route I would recommend having experience a leaking poo tank on a Sunsail flotilla, and a leaking water tank on my boat. They have a limited life and are pretty expensive as well.

Might be cheaper to hire a cabinet maker to deal with the woodwork.
Click to expand...
I think you must mean Duratank. Is this the tank that leaks or was it a previous model?
I have a Plastimo flexible tank that needs replacing quite often and was considering having one made by Duratank.
 
holding tank

hi not sure where you are.
i have recently had a made to measure , 'my own design' by STANSA in ipswich, joe was great, very cheap fitted perfectly drew out what i needed sent through via e-mail, quick turnaround, my space was very limited behind bulkhead in heads on our westerly,
01473312186.
I have no connection just a very satisfied customer.
 
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