Holding tanks maintenance

[Silverado]

My new boat has been fitted with a holding tank in each loo. One of these (the forward tank) has been giving trouble and sometimes blocks resulting in a serious doo-doo problem. We come and go from our boat (which is based in the Med) and are wondering if any other yachty reading this has developed a regime for holding tank maintenance, especially for temporary lay-ups. At present we ensure that each tank is thoroughly flushed through before we leave the boat but this doesn't seem to be enough.

 

[catmandoo]

dont put paper in loo blocks up tank . put it in bucket under handash basin and dispose of it with normal rubbish . Doesnt take up much space and solves problem .

Dooo Dooos break up paper doesnt and clings together .

so Do Do the paper bin and dont get doo doo tank block

 

[syfuga]

I don't like this idea of putting it in the waste... sounds even smellier than the occasional crisis.

My holding tank is u/s, and the reason is that all the while it has had stuff pumped through it on the way to the outlet seacock. Using acid simply caused the welding to leak...

The seawater reacts with urine, I understand (does anyone know how to prevent this?) and produces limescale which forms a plaque in the holding tank, and when this drops off it blocks the exit pipe. Nice one!

Dehler fitted ours behind a cupboard in the heads and against a saloon bulkhead... impossible to get out.

Sympathies with you, been there twice this season..

 

[BigART]

Once a week, we pump out and put a cup of white vinegar into the pump and pump into the tank in 20 minute stages. Once every 6 months, we put some dilute muriatic acid (swimming pool Ph regulator - very nasty) in there and leave for a while. We never put paper down it, always in a little bin with a lid, never smells when dried out (too much detail?)

No probs yet.

 

[Viking]

I use the 'stuff' you use in chemial toilets. After its emptied, I flush thought with fresh water, then I add a dash of 'stuff' and add some fresh water. All ready for use next visit.

 

[Grehan]

Greek bin

We've always used a 'greek bin' in the loo for anything not actually produced by the human body itself. Mostly, one cannot smell it (supermarket plastic bag, plus lid on the bin, of course). When one can, it's time to empty . . . Don't like the idea of all that paper, etc etc, clogging up the pump, pipes, etc but most of all, don't lke the idea of having to clear it all out when it clogs.

 

[smb]

We use scented nappy sacks for our used paper. Normally bring them with us from the UK.

So far no nasty whiffs and the bag being relatively small means you have to change it fairly regularly.

At the statutory 3 sheets per visit one bag lasts the two of us a week, or 24 hours if we have guests.

Steve