holding tank fittings

[NYSail]

Hello allI pulled my holding tank (Todd 20 galon) due to a leak at the lower fitting last year. I hate that the fitting is at the bottom and would rather have them at the top with a tube going down internally for the draining. However, with my current set-up, I was wondering the best way to seal the fitting that will be under "water" so that it does not leak. Should I use Marine Tech or something else on it?ThanksGreg

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Use ONLY Teflon tape

Wrapping the threads with it will seal the connection. Don't use anything else on sanitation fittings...no sealants or pipe dope, only Teflon tape. Use as much as it takes to get a good seal.First make sure it IS the threaded hose fitting that's not sealing ...that the female "collar" in the tank hasn't cracked or the weld around it isn't leaking...which will happen if the the threaded fitting is over-tightened or a straight fitting was used where a 90 was needed, causing the hose coming out of the tank to put stress on the weld. If either has happened, you'll have to replace the tank...'cuz although it CAN be repaired by spinwelding in a new fitting, you won't find ANYone who'll work on a used waste tank.

 

[GuyT]

What about where the hose connects to the tank?

Hey Peggy, are there any additional preventive measures(other than clamps) to secure the hose to the fittings that are integral(molded) to the holding tank. Seems like hose clamps might need some help to make the seal leak-proof because of the really stiff thick hose that is available today.Would you advise any medium between the molded tank fitting and the hose?Your comments appreciated!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I've never seen integral hose fittings on any

tanks except metal. The female "collars" on some plastic tanks do protrude from the tank instead of being flush with the outside, but you couldn't get a hose onto one. So I'm not sure what kind of fitting you mean.As for securing hoses to any fitting...all connections should be double clamped, with screws on opposite sides of the hose--or at least 90 degrees apart if access makes 180 impossible.