How big should it be...

[mdrifter]

What do you think should be the minimum practical size for a holding tank? I've been told that for two people 50L! Mechanical pumps using about 1L per stroke - 4L per flush...Electric motor uses about 2.5L per flush...but can draw an awful amount of current as it macerates as well. If is's fitted on our small yacht it will be mechanically driven by trusty Par/Jabsco! Any thoughts on gravity draining for Holding Tank mounted above the water-line. Any experience of using RM 25L buffer tank wrap around the toilet bowl type as opposed to bulk-head mounting?
What about porta-potti practicality V bucket V plastic bag! And just where are the pump-out sites?

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[snowleopard]

we have the benefit of hollow keels which we use as holding tanks. they are about 50 gal and last about a week each for 2 people living aboard.

re. emptying, our bilge pump has a t-valve which allows them to suck from tank or bilge. discharge is below w/l.

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[kgi]

And theres the big question where are the pump out sites? even in the states they insist on holding tanks, yet there are still few pumpout stations, gravity tanks are all right in principal, but the standard tank only takes 11/2 inch hose so some of the larger matter in the tank will not go down the pipe (owing to the fitting coming out of the tank is only about an inch bore) easiest method is toilet pumps into tank, discharge hose to teevalve one side of valve goes to pump and then overboard the other side of valve goes to pump out fitting on deck, PS not all pump out station nozzles are the same either..........keith

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[tr7v8]

They've finally come up with an ISO standard for pump out nozzels so to a certain extent that should resolve that problem.

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Draco 2500

 

[colvic]

We opted for a built-in glass fibre job beneath the sole in the bow. It holds about 50gallon and has the fresh water tank for toilet flushing on top of it so the weight ratio is kept very much the same.

We use a Jabsco diaphragm pump to discharge below the water line and its all worked well for four years.

Phil

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