I'm new to holding tank pump out. Do holding tanks have an internal pipe/hose that connects the discharge fitting on the top of the tank to a location deep in the tank for complete removal of waste? Or is suction at pumpout stations sufficient to pull up all waste simply thru the fitting atthe top of the tank? Thanks for aswering such a basic question.
holding tank question
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You can have it either way.
Many basic setups have the tank intake either on the top or the side of the tank. The output will either be on the side (low) or bottom. The option is to have the output with a dip tube.
If you have a tank made, the mfg can usually accomodate most any configuration that you may want/need.
Ronco is a tank mfg that can customize most any configuration that you want.
Many basic setups have the tank intake either on the top or the side of the tank. The output will either be on the side (low) or bottom. The option is to have the output with a dip tube.
If you have a tank made, the mfg can usually accomodate most any configuration that you may want/need.
Ronco is a tank mfg that can customize most any configuration that you want.
The upside of a fitting at the bottom of the tank is that it will empty the tank and not leave material that the pickup tube can't reach. The downside is that if the hose or fitting fails the entire contents will dump inside your boat. The upside of the pick up tube from the tops is that this can't happen. The downside is that there will always be a certain amount that does not get pumped out. Chuck
Are pick up tubes sold with holding tank fittings or does one just add pcv pipe to the discharge fitting?
Chuck is right about cleaning the tank. I doubt that you are ever going to get all of "matter" out of the tank regardless unless you have a fitting on the bottom and it is sort of like a funnel.
We normally pump our tank and then rinse and pump 1 or two times more. If this does not get all of the "matter" at least it is diluted.
I always figure that it will only be an hour or so before it begins to be filled up again so who really cares?
We always replentish the chemicals as soon as the pump-out is complete. This give the chemicals a chance to start working on what is left in the tank ASAP.
We normally pump our tank and then rinse and pump 1 or two times more. If this does not get all of the "matter" at least it is diluted.
I always figure that it will only be an hour or so before it begins to be filled up again so who really cares?
We always replentish the chemicals as soon as the pump-out is complete. This give the chemicals a chance to start working on what is left in the tank ASAP.
The answer to your questions
However, the discharge fitting on most tanks--especially those that are factory installed--is at the bottom...the inlet fitting for the hose from the toilet is at the top. Occasionally an owner will plumb it backwards, which doesn't work very well.
Whether the discharge is at the top or on the bottom, the tank VENT is critical...'cuz it has two functions--it provides an escape for air in the tank displaced by incoming waste (otherwise the tank will become pressurized, with results you won't like at all!), and also is the source of air to replace contents as they're pumped out...otherwise the pumpout will pull a vacuum that prevents anything from being pulled out and can result in a cracked tank. So it's essential to make the sure the vent does not become blocked. The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and the vent line connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the vent line.
Marine toilets and holding tanks require ongoing maintenance...So since you're new at this, you might want to check out the link in my signature...it goes to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that should help you learn to operate and maintain your system to prevent 99% of problems instead of having to fix 'em.
If you're asking about a tank that's already installed...if the discharge fitting is on the top of the tank, there should be a pickup tube inside the tank that goes to the bottom. The tank cannot be pumped out unless the pickup tube is installed.
However, the discharge fitting on most tanks--especially those that are factory installed--is at the bottom...the inlet fitting for the hose from the toilet is at the top. Occasionally an owner will plumb it backwards, which doesn't work very well.
Whether the discharge is at the top or on the bottom, the tank VENT is critical...'cuz it has two functions--it provides an escape for air in the tank displaced by incoming waste (otherwise the tank will become pressurized, with results you won't like at all!), and also is the source of air to replace contents as they're pumped out...otherwise the pumpout will pull a vacuum that prevents anything from being pulled out and can result in a cracked tank. So it's essential to make the sure the vent does not become blocked. The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and the vent line connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the vent line.
Marine toilets and holding tanks require ongoing maintenance...So since you're new at this, you might want to check out the link in my signature...it goes to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that should help you learn to operate and maintain your system to prevent 99% of problems instead of having to fix 'em.
thanks for all the reponses
Peggy - I already have the "bible" and have read it numerous times. I highly recommend it for ALL boaters. I just wasn't sure about the pickup tube...I opened my tank this weekend and sure enough it was outfitted with a pick-up tube as all the fittings are on the top of the tank, also re-plumbed the air vent so that it was shorter, PO had a 20' hose that exited high on the transom, now it is 4' long and goes almost straight up to a thru hull high on the beam. Again thanks for everyones ideas!
Peggy - I already have the "bible" and have read it numerous times. I highly recommend it for ALL boaters. I just wasn't sure about the pickup tube...I opened my tank this weekend and sure enough it was outfitted with a pick-up tube as all the fittings are on the top of the tank, also re-plumbed the air vent so that it was shorter, PO had a 20' hose that exited high on the transom, now it is 4' long and goes almost straight up to a thru hull high on the beam. Again thanks for everyones ideas!
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