Holding tank

[Rum_Pirate]

The holding tank on my Corsair F-27 catamaran is translucent and can see that it is approximately 2/3 full.

It has been this full for +/-six(6) years and in the tropics. I just bought this F-27.

The holding tank definitely needs to be emptied and cleaned.

There are NO pump out facilities here. ☹

It will have to be emptied and cleaned manually. ?

Am considering undoing each inlet and outlet and taping them all off (both tank and hose ends) with say duct tape and then removing the tank, disposing of contents, disinfecting it and replacing.
Also removing the hoses in the boat and it probably best to replace them.

1. Will the contents stink after six(6) years ? ?​

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2. Should I replace the through hull fitting ?​

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3. What is the best procedure for doing this tank clean out etc?​

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4. What is the best procedure for cleaning the toilet bowl?​

 

[geem]

Is there no pump out to sea option on the tank?

 

[MoodySabre]

If there is a through hull fitting then presumably it is for emptying - a gravity or pumped outlet.

If there has been an air vent then it probably won't smell too but it may be solid.

You could just put a hose down it and attach that to a pump.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Is there no pump out to sea option on the tank?

Want to takeout toilet and clean, replace through hull fitting etc while on the hard. Simplier to do it all at once, plus I don't trust the 'usably' of the existing pipes etc.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

If there is a through hull fitting then presumably it is for emptying - a gravity or pumped outlet.

If there has been an air vent then it probably won't smell too but it may be solid.

You could just put a hose down it and attach that to a pump.

Glad to hear that it is unlikely to smell. It is liquid as I was able to shake it.

 

[geem]

Want to takeout toilet and clean, replace through hull fitting etc while on the hard. Simplier to do it all at once, plus I don't trust the 'usably' of the existing pipes etc.

eeew.... Nasty job. Good luck with that one.
My experience is that it will stink worse than ever. I refurbished my tank after not using it for about 4 years. Just taking the access lid of was enough to make you want to vomit. The whole boat stank and neighbouring boat weren't too happy either. There was hardly anything in it either

 

[vyv_cox]

I cannot imagine that Duck tape will hold back a significant head(!) of sewage and it is not something I would want to risk. Can you not decant it via the skin fitting and seacock into a container below the boat?

 

[KevinV]

It's on a trailer isn't it? I'd just park it over a handy street drain, and empty it. It's either going to smell like compost, or like the bottom of a pond - both quite survivable outdoors, not such a joy in the confines of a hot cabin.
Refill the whole system with a bit of bleach in the water, leave to stand for a day or two, then drain again - should make working on it a whole lot more pleasant.

 

[michael_w]

Oh stop being such a wuss! Once you've worked with septic tanks and restaurant drainage systems you'll get inured to pongs!

 

[geem]

Oh stop being such a wuss! Once you've worked with septic tanks and restaurant drainage systems you'll get inured to pongs!

I bet your great (smelly) company?

 

[KevinV]

Oh stop being such a wuss! Once you've worked with septic tanks and restaurant drainage systems you'll get inured to pongs!

Oh yes, there's nothing quite like a grease trap!

 

[Bristolfashion]

It's on a trailer isn't it? I'd just park it over a handy street drain, and empty it. It's either going to smell like compost, or like the bottom of a pond - both quite survivable outdoors, not such a joy in the confines of a hot cabin.
Refill the whole system with a bit of bleach in the water, leave to stand for a day or two, then drain again - should make working on it a whole lot more pleasant.

Nooooo! Don't put sewage and bleach down the street drain - this will probably drain into the local watercourse.

 

[KevinV]

Nooooo! Don't put sewage and bleach down the street drain - this will probably drain into the local watercourse.

6 year old sludge isn't going to resemble raw sewage in the slightest - fair comment on the bleach, though I had meant a weak solution

 

[Minerva]

6 year old sludge isn't going to resemble raw sewage in the slightest - fair comment on the bleach, though I had meant a weak solution

no, it won’t. It’ll have gone black & septic for a start!

 

[KevinV]

no, it won’t. It’ll have gone black & septic for a start!

It's been there 6 years, there's nothing nastier than pond muck there any more, more likely something akin to Tomorite

 

[Poecheng]

Whatever you do, please video it - for instructional purposes here, of course

 

[Momac]

If the tank contents are liquid can you gain access to extract the contents using a vacuum pump of the type used for oil extraction or a small electric pump.
Presumably the tank will be easier to remove if it is almost empty.

 

[Momac]

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4. What is the best procedure for cleaning the toilet bowl?​

I suggest the following or whatever acid based bleach is available locally .

 

[vyv_cox]

Oh stop being such a wuss! Once you've worked with septic tanks and restaurant drainage systems you'll get inured to pongs!

If I had access to my desktop computer where my photos are (currently away) I would post a pic of my wife inside our septic tank digging out sludge and passing it up to me in a bucket.

I have friend who, while waiting for his PhD results, worked as a sewerman in Birkenhead. He loved it.

 

[Momac]

If I had access to my desktop computer where my photos are (currently away) I would post a pic of my wife inside our septic tank digging out sludge and passing it up to me in a bucket.

I see you did the right thing by giving your wife the easier part of the job