Airating a holding tank

[Ed]

I have read with interest about airation devices posted here recently. Obviously many types - the question I have is how does one go about installing one. Do I need to cut a hole into the tank? or is it easier than I think? Thnks for any info. It would be added to a holding tank on a 426 Hunter.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

There's only one type of aeration system

An air pump outside the tank and piping inside the tank--both of sufficient size and design to oxygenate the entire contents of the tank. Go to the Groco website (link below) and take a look at their "Sweetank" system. Especially look at the schematics for the piping inside the tank. I think most of your questions about how any aerator has to be installed if it's gonna work will be answered.However, IMO aeration only makes sense if you're in "no discharge" waters (99% of which are RI, several places in MA, the Great Lakes, and non-navigable inland lakes) where treatment devices aren't legal, or your boat is too small to have the power resources to support a treatment device...so boats have to have holding tanks big enough to be worth aerating. But in all other waters the use of treatment device means the holding tank is used so seldom, and for such a short time that it's not only not worth the effort, it prob'ly wouldn't be very effective because the aerator wouldn't run enough to accomplish anything.

 

[Don]

Hey Peggy...

I noticed in your previous reply to this posting that you did not include the Chesapeake Bay as a "no-discharge" zone. It is, isn't it? I'm operating under the impression that a treatment/discharge system will not work on bay. Given that -it seems like- 90% of all sailboats are located here on the bay, I was surprised that you did not include it.Am I missing something?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Chesapeake Bay is not

There are a couple of very small "no discharge" areas (see the chart provided by the MD DNR)...but Type I and II devices are legal everywhere else on the Bay. Btw, LI Sound is not "no discharge" either. Type I and II devices are also legal there.As I previously posted to someone else, the problem is one of perception--I'd guess that as high as 90% of the boating public doesn't even even know that treatment devices exist. All they know is, "it's illegal to flush the toilet directly overboard," and assume that means "no discharge"--holding tanks only. Most of 'em own boats that are too small to have the power resources to support a treatment device anyway, so that makes all US waters de facto "no discharge" for them...they just assume it is for all boats.

 

[Don]

WOW Peggy.

You've opened my eyes. I've operated for several years up here with the impression the entire bay was no discharge. I would have bet $$ on it before today. (I can't get the MDDNR map to upload, but will take your word for it.)BTW, I previuosly had a LectraSan on a power boat in NC, and it was great. Look for my questions 'cuz I'm gonna get one now!Thanks for your efforts keeping us straight here at HOW.