Holding Tank yuk

Saguday said:
I agree in principle, but I don't know how to achieve this:

1. To flush water into the tank at reasonable pressure via the deck pump out I need to be near a water supply i'e. moored and near a shore tap

2. To run the macerator and have the seacock open I would need to be out at sea, preferably way out in open waters

I don't think Tollesbury or, say, Brightlingsea would be too pleased if I flushed the contents of our holding tank out into the harbour :disgust: I suppose I could rig a hose from the galley tap out and into the deck pump out out at sea but the cold water pressure isn't very high on the boat and I doubt it would be very effective.

This is where I was hoping there'd be a mobile tank cleaning service who'd be able to siphon it all out and clean the tank. There's some around for big industrial and agricultural type of tanks but can't find anyone who might do this for a yottie.
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Was driving behind a toilet rental servicing van yesterday and thought of your problem, it had a long suction hose for waste, and a clean water flushing tank on the back of a flat bed transit. I assume they are well used to flushing out **** and might agree to come down to you if you can get the boat close enough to the truck.
 
That's a thought. I'm not sure what they do for the 'collection' end though, I suspect they may have a lockable fitting rather than just an open hole such as you have with a seacock.

You can't remember their name can you? I'll make some enquiries.
 
I asked a similar question as the OP to the makers of Elsan Blue and this was their answer.

"Our Elsan Septic Care sachets would be the best product to use to resolve this issue. Adding one sachet to the tank, Together with some water and leaving for a period of time (ideally overnight, but the longer the better) Should clear the blockage. The effluent can then safely be disposed of overboard."

http://www.elsanseptictankcare.co.uk/septic-tank-care-multi-action
 
Just wondering how you know it is blocked? From what you say it was pumping out and the only problem is that the sensors still show it is not empty. Could the sensors just be stuck? This would be a far preferable situation but I presume you have double checked it is still full!
 
In my case it was the bow plunging deeper as the tank filled and the manual pump out was not reducing the weight forward. Tapping the stainless steel tank was not possible as it had been designed to fill the space at the forward end of the berths in the forward cabin. Removing the top plate confirmed it was not emptying.
 
Saguday said:
That's a thought. I'm not sure what they do for the 'collection' end though, I suspect they may have a lockable fitting rather than just an open hole such as you have with a seacock.

You can't remember their name can you? I'll make some enquiries.
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No, sorry. But a quick Google found EuroLoo in Chelmsford.
 
pmagowan said:
Just wondering how you know it is blocked? From what you say it was pumping out and the only problem is that the sensors still show it is not empty. Could the sensors just be stuck? This would be a far preferable situation but I presume you have double checked it is still full!
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It pumped out only for a short while then stopped, I am pretty sure there is still a load of poo and slop in there.
 
Mandarin331 said:
No, sorry. But a quick Google found EuroLoo in Chelmsford.
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Thanks, I've had a long chat with Euroloo and they think they can do something.

I'm going to send them a load of photo's and some measurements after I've been down this weekend.

We're hauling out end of next week for a scrub and bottom fettle so that might be an opportunity to see if they can do something.
 
Saguday said:
We're hauling out end of next week for a scrub and bottom fettle
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That might sort it out.:cool:
We have been using the holding tank for last few days in Tidemill and we left today and got craned out for a spray-off.
As it was in the slings things, of course, things drain off but one of the forward fittings kept 'draining' and just kept on and on even when it had been in the slings for a few minutes.
Blooming holding tank decided to empty itself - and the quayside likewise emptied itself of visitors. Liquid only thank goodness.
No idea how this has happened but the best guess is that a syphon effect was set up.
Or is this too much information ?
 
Saguday said:
It pumped out only for a short while then stopped, I am pretty sure there is still a load of poo and slop in there.
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Just a thought, but caustic soda (oven cleaner) is extremely good at turning organic matter into watery mush, and the end products are non-toxic (soap and glycerine, basically). Just make sure the tank isn't made out of anything it will attack.
 
This is a bit high risk but it worked for me on a charter boat that was blocked when we picked it up.
Plug all system vents. Open the outlet (while at sea). Flush the bowl.
Mine was manual so I was able to detect the pressure build up and the sudden relief.
Inspection of the bilge revealed that we got lucky :)
 
BlackwaterLad said:
This is a bit high risk but it worked for me on a charter boat that was blocked when we picked it up.
Plug all system vents. Open the outlet (while at sea). Flush the bowl.
Mine was manual so I was able to detect the pressure build up and the sudden relief.
Inspection of the bilge revealed that we got lucky :)
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Blackwater Lad, very apt name!
 
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