I have Peggie's book on order that discusses all this I'm sure, and I'm probably getting the cart before the horse - trying to design my system without having read the book, but here goes. I am ordering a Ronco replacement holding tank. I've had several discussions about the best location for the outlet. One school of thought is to put it at the bottom of the tank, with a 180 degree u (like the pea trap under a sink) going below the bottom of the tank to facilitate draining. Disadvantages: Waste will always sit in the U, and I have to drill holes to accommodate the U. The other school of thought is to put the drain outlet at the top of the tank, with a dip tube going into the tank to pick up the waste. Any recommendations for which way?
holding tank design
- Thread starter Sherry
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Went with dip tube
I followed Peggie's advice and put a diptube outlet at the top of mine. Sure, I might lose a nominal amount of tank capacity to that last little bit at the bottom, but seeing that I went from a 13 gal tank to a 25 gal tank, I didn't think I'd notice. What would be really slick is to see if Ronco has a tank with a small recess at the bottom that you could position the dip tube over. Bottom line, top discharge with dip tube means no waste sitting in the lines, which is the major source of odor permeation. T J
I followed Peggie's advice and put a diptube outlet at the top of mine. Sure, I might lose a nominal amount of tank capacity to that last little bit at the bottom, but seeing that I went from a 13 gal tank to a 25 gal tank, I didn't think I'd notice. What would be really slick is to see if Ronco has a tank with a small recess at the bottom that you could position the dip tube over. Bottom line, top discharge with dip tube means no waste sitting in the lines, which is the major source of odor permeation. T J
Go with top fitting and pickup tube
You actually don't lose any tank capacity, because the pumout loses suction when the level drops to the top of a fitting at the bottom of the tank OR when it drops below the diptube. Either way, you're gonna leave about an inch in the tank. P-trap in the pumpout line is just a place where waste can sit...sludge can collect. It causes more problems than it solves. Btw...when you order your tank, be sure spec a 1" vent.
You actually don't lose any tank capacity, because the pumout loses suction when the level drops to the top of a fitting at the bottom of the tank OR when it drops below the diptube. Either way, you're gonna leave about an inch in the tank. P-trap in the pumpout line is just a place where waste can sit...sludge can collect. It causes more problems than it solves. Btw...when you order your tank, be sure spec a 1" vent.
Go with the pickup tube
I would also go with the hole on the top surface and use a pickup tube. I just have this thing about having a hole on the bottom of a tank. If it ever gets a leak, or if I have to work on it, there is always potential for the stuff to leak out. As long as there are no seams, or holes, or connections, of any kind below the liquid line, I feel a lot safer.
I would also go with the hole on the top surface and use a pickup tube. I just have this thing about having a hole on the bottom of a tank. If it ever gets a leak, or if I have to work on it, there is always potential for the stuff to leak out. As long as there are no seams, or holes, or connections, of any kind below the liquid line, I feel a lot safer.
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