Holding tank inspection and replacement

[Edward O'Connor- Jaguar]

I have read that a number of Hunter owners have experienced holding tank leaks and that these tanks are made out of aluminum. I recently purchased a 9 year old Lengend 43 which in the heat of summer had some head odor. I've pulled the tank which seems to be OK. I will have it pressure checked if I decide to re-install it. I'll also replace the 9 year old hoses while I've got it apart with the best white hosing. Is aluminum o-k as a holding tank. Should I be neutralizing the tank to prevent deterioration of the tank or will going to fresh water flushing protect the tank. If not could anyone recommend a tank builder to replace the tank with a sutiable material.Unfortunately the space for the tank is quite limited so the custom aluminum construction fits very well and holds 35 gallons. It appears that the previous owner had a mascerator problem and that some spillage occurred into the holding tank area. I'll need to neutralize and disinfect the well are now that the tank is out. What would be the best solution to use?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

As long as you have the tank out,

Now would be a good time to replace it...'cuz if it's not leaking now, it soon will be...I've yet to see any aluminum tank last much longer than 10 years. There's no way to "neutralize" the corrosive effects of urine, so you don't want to replace it with another metal tank...even stainless doesn't last much longer than aluminum. Your best source for a plastic tank is Ronco Plastics (link below)...they make TOP quality plastic tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from.However, on a boat the size of yours, and in your waters, a much better solution would a Lectra/San (CG Certified Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard). Check it out on the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com If the boat has more than one toilet, put the Lectra/San on the most-used toilet and the other one on a tank that you'd only have to use on the rare occasions that you'd visit "no discharge" waters...which on the whole east coast are mostly limited to RI and some MA waters...the Lectra/San is legal everywhere else. And it will allow you to replace your existing tank with a much smaller one. New hose: SeaLand OdorSafe. It's expensive, but it's also "bulletproof" against odor permeation.Spill cleanup: Don't use any bleach or chemical cleaners. Buy a bottle of Raritan K.O. holding tank treatment...it's a live bacteria product that "eats" odor-causing spores. Put it in a sprayer bottle and LIBERALLY saturate the site. Let it dry, leaving that area open so that plenty of fresh air can circulate for at least 24 hours. If you insist on also "disinfecting" the site (which is really unnecessary because freezing weather has already done it for you), do it AFTER you treat with K.O.