Anyway to see through plastic tanks?

[njlarry]

Back in the 80's when I charted new O'Days I remember that I could sight the tank levels for water and holding just by looking at the level revealed thru the sides. Now my old tanks are too "frosted" to sight the levels.
Before I go through the hassel of installing electronic level gauges, is there any way of "polishing" the sides to make them transparent again?
The Admiral thanks you.

 

[Allan12210]

Back in the 80's when I charted new O'Days I remember that I could sight the tank levels for water and holding just by looking at the level revealed thru the sides. Now my old tanks are too "frosted" to sight the levels.
Before I go through the hassel of installing electronic level gauges, is there any way of "polishing" the sides to make them transparent again?
The Admiral thanks you.

I have a rechargeable handheld spotlight (1 million candlepower). By placing it on top of the tank, I can see the contents through the side. Works on my fuel tank as well.

There is no way to "polish" the plastic that I am aware of.

You could try to make an external sight glass with a couple of Male Run push on Tees (one on the lower tank outlet and one on the vent) connected with a clear plastic tube. I'd only try this on the fresh water tanks.

http://www.bimba.com/Products-and-C...l-Tee-Push-to-Connect-Fittings-/Male-Run-Tee/

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

No, you can't polish polyethylene...it's a translucent plastic, not transparent.

Bit the bullet and install a tank level monitor system...tt's not THAT much of a hassle to install a SCAD system...you have a choice of a single tank system or others that can take as many as 8 tanks...and all the senders go on the OUTSIDE of the tank. Scad Tank Monitors (scroll to bottom of page for info on multi-tank systems). SCAD is actually a private label brand name for the Profile tank level monitors. You can read ALL about them here: Profile Tank Monitors

 

[Dave602]

I have the multiple SCAD unit with outside sensor on my holding tank, it uses the sending unit for the fuel tank and one of their drop in sensors in my fresh water. Love it.

 

[njlarry]

Thanks all. Allen I haven't had any luck with the light method as I can't get the light on the side-no clearance, and the top access is too far from the tank end. Would have been the ideal answer.
Peggy, I was afraid you might say that. Given the high cost of a three tank system, it will likely wait till next year. Adding a shower sump will come first. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[tartansailboat]

I know this may sound silly but we have and use a holding tank and use fresh water to flush the toilet, much less odor that way. We keep a gallon jug of fresh water to flush and whenever we empty the jug I make a pencil mark on a piece of tape on the toilet cover. When I get to about half of the tank volume, time to pump. Not elegant but very reliable, pretty cheap too.