Shower tray (grey water) sump-cleaner

[Anonymous]

Is there anything I can pour into a bilge that acts as a shower tray sump to keep it clean of all the usual muck, including hair, etc.? Something that will not cause an unaccetable impact on the environment. Thanks.

 

[eyehavit]

You have to say this word slowly: flocculants.
Extensively used in the mineral processing industry to settle fine unwanted particles. Also in the swimming pool industry.
Use google to find an organisation that can give you specific advice.

 

[charles_reed]

Shower trays

You have my sympathy - few jobs are as distasteful as cleaning out the shower tray.

If, as often happened on old boats, your shower drains into the bilge, yours is a problem which no number of additives will solve. You'll have to mould a shower-tray to catch the offerings and then pump that directly overboard. (I use a small bilge electric pump into a Y in the washbasin drain).

I've found the only way to clean my (separate) shower tray is to sponge out all the water then clean out the solids by hand and use oxalic acid to remove any staining. To reduce smell I've found a light application of Toilet Dick works a treat.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Shower trays

Thanks, I hear what you say. I was rather hoping that there might be some chemical answer - though I wouldn't put environmentally unfriendly chemicals down there. A pressure washer with a lance might be helpful and would break it all up having dislodged it. Has anyone tried anything like that?

 

[scarlett]

Maybe you could do what I do. Strip an'dip off the swim platform using environmentally ok shower gel that works in salty water. Then have a second rinse in fresh water using the stern shower. Saves water and cleaning! It was a job gettting wife to do it though.

 

[[2574]]

Really surprising that Nauticat design the boats this way don't you think? Mine's the same - and it's just impossible to get at the bilge to clean it out.

rob

 

[Anonymous]

Rob, Yes, it surprised me. At the moment we are OK - perhaps because we do all our washing on board and flush the water through the same sump - but sooner or later that bilge pump is going to pack up or need cleaning out. I'll have to employ a dwarf and hold him by the ankles to get to the pump! I can't think why the designed it that way. David

 

[pvb]

Toilet Dick?

Guardian spellchecker?

 

[rusland]

Re: Shower trays

I have the same problem with my Nauticat 331. I would like to find a detailed solution to this problem and perhaps publish the result in Cat-a-log, the newsletter of Naticat Association. I think a combination of washable filter mat in the shower outlet (I presently use 2 filter mats under the grill in the shower outlet), together with an additional bilge pump. A small diameter outlet pipe to a Y branch in the wash hand basin on the lines suggested by Charles_Reed seems best. Volume of discharge will be small and the flow back after pump switches off should be minimal - might need to use reducers and 12mm pipe. The bilge pump should be smallest available without a strum box, in order to get down flush with the bilge base and really empty the bilge. and in order not to push water up into the wash hand basin. Or, maybe use a bilge pump identical to the main bilge pump with reducers, in order to always have a spare main pump on board. I dont like the idea of chemicals - I also think there is risk of damaging the main bilge pump - better to find a way to pump out after each use.

 

[Anonymous]

Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

I like the idea of using filter material - what type do you use? I hope that any chemicals wouldn't damage my bilge pump - I have the large Jabsco with separate motor, exposed drive belt and Bakelite surge suppressor (don't remember the model) which I have stripped down and rebuilt. There isn't anything in there that looks as though it would be harmed by acids and alkalies of the sorts of strength that I would use. It will be interesting to see what your post to the Nauticat Yahoo group brings forth.

Thinking aloud, Puriclean Water tank cleaner did a brilliant job on my water tank last year - it bubbled and hissed the tank clean in 12 hours and all sorts of grot came out, so this was not a cosmetic job. I think I'll give it a try. Nothing to lose and it is intended to be discharged into harbours and marinas so presumably there isn't a huge environmental issue.

 

[rusland]

Re: Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

I got this reply today from discussion I raised seperately on a nauticat forum

QUOTE
On my 38, I installed a shower sump in the bilge area just outside
the aft
head door. This is a regular shower sump from West Marine. I was able
to
connect to the fitting at the bottom of the shower pan. Water is
pumped out
to the sink drain in the head. This is a great system that keeps all
shower
water out of the bilge. Total cost was about US$100.00 and a few
hours
labor.

Scott

SF bay
NC38-177
UNQUOTE

I think this is the way to go. If you look up the West marine site you will find a sealed self contained unit 12" x 9" x 6" for $ 150. I would stay away from the chemicals, anyway they dont solve the problem, only the symptoms, and you will be doing it forever.

HUGH

 

[rusland]

Re: Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

Sorry, I did not answer part of your question - I was given the filter pads and dont know where they originated - they are wire wool about 100mm x 100 mm x 30mm thick. It looks like they are standard replacement filter pads from some apparatus. They dont deteriorate with washing. Sorry I cant be more specific.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

Hugh, thanks for that. I will look into that and consider asking Tek Tanks for a price - they might be competitive and would make a custom tank. Trouble is I have two showers feeding into the same bilge/sump and our main shower is aft where there isn't any bilge available. We use the forward shower only for discharging the washing 'machine' and that doesn't seem to be such a problem (at the moment). David

 

[rusland]

Re: Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

Hello David,

A bit more progress - I'v found that Jabsco make a range of 'Shower Drain Kits' that are similar but slightly shorter in one dimension. They are available in 12v or 24 v, and in single inlet port and in multiple. I think the Jabsco 12v single port is for me ! HUGH

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Shower sumps - would Puriclean clean?

Thanks, Hugh, but I have decided against fitting an extra tank; it is too difficult to fit one to our main shower so it's a bit pointless. I'll just have to find a way to clean the existing installation. Think I will use that water tank cleaner, I'm sure it's harmless.