Peggy when I recently pulled my holding tank to see if was leaking (it wasn't), I noticed that the deck pumpout hose terminated at a side fitting. Thinking the fitting went to an internal hose or pipe which travelled to the bottom of the tank, I tried to remove it for inspection and found there was no hose or pipe. To put it another way, the deck pumpout hose terminates at the top side of the tank. My question is - is this typical and also, if so, how does it manage to remove waste from the entire tank when we pump out? thanks Don
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No tube
Spencer thanks for the reply but if it's there, it's invisible and without physical form, shape or feel
Spencer thanks for the reply but if it's there, it's invisible and without physical form, shape or feel
If it's not there, you need to install one.
The tank CAN be pumped out without it, but it's a real challenge. That the discharge fitting is on the side of the tank also makes installing the pickup tube a challenge. It would be a lot easier to do if the fitting were on the top. I don't suppose you have enough clearance above the tank to make that possible? If not, you're gonna have to find a shop that can put a 90 degree bend into a piece of PVC pipe without reducing the radius. The OD (outer diameter) of the pipe should fit tightly into the ID (inner diameter) of the thread-barb tank fitting...so it can be cemented into it. The pipe should be long enough to touch the bottom of the tank, then cut at a 25-30 degree angle. Meanwhile, to empty your tank so you can work on it...fit an extension wand onto a shop vac. This might be job (both the tube and the pumpout) worth paying a yard to do.
The tank CAN be pumped out without it, but it's a real challenge. That the discharge fitting is on the side of the tank also makes installing the pickup tube a challenge. It would be a lot easier to do if the fitting were on the top. I don't suppose you have enough clearance above the tank to make that possible? If not, you're gonna have to find a shop that can put a 90 degree bend into a piece of PVC pipe without reducing the radius. The OD (outer diameter) of the pipe should fit tightly into the ID (inner diameter) of the thread-barb tank fitting...so it can be cemented into it. The pipe should be long enough to touch the bottom of the tank, then cut at a 25-30 degree angle. Meanwhile, to empty your tank so you can work on it...fit an extension wand onto a shop vac. This might be job (both the tube and the pumpout) worth paying a yard to do.
Thanks for reply Peggy
sounds like I have another fun winter project... I wonder how many other tanks were installed without the proper pipe lead
sounds like I have another fun winter project... I wonder how many other tanks were installed without the proper pipe lead
What's the make.
Don, what is the make and model of your boat? Let's put the blame where it belongs and make it public. To have a holding tank that will not empty completely is asking for problems.
Don, what is the make and model of your boat? Let's put the blame where it belongs and make it public. To have a holding tank that will not empty completely is asking for problems.
Another question...
What's the tank made of? If it's metal and/or the pickup tube was metal, it's very possible that it corroded through and fell off. That happens a lot.
What's the tank made of? If it's metal and/or the pickup tube was metal, it's very possible that it corroded through and fell off. That happens a lot.
Peggy - No remnants of any piping inside
Peggy In answer to your question, it is an aluminum tank which I know is not ideal in this use but it is lined and appears to be in good condition and flush water is fresh, not salt water. When I removed the tank, I cleaned it as thoroughly as possible. In the process, I had to move it from side to side and invert it a few times to drain the contents. At no time did I hear or could see anything inside resembling the remnants of a pipe and the outlet to which the deck pumpout hose it connected had nothing attached, i.e., it was a clean fitting inside the tank and therefore apparently never had anything attached. A mystery to be sure...which is why I am certain there was never an internal hose attached. Parenthetically, the tank was still at least half full after we did our "final" end-of-season pumpout which is likely indicative of this problem.
Peggy In answer to your question, it is an aluminum tank which I know is not ideal in this use but it is lined and appears to be in good condition and flush water is fresh, not salt water. When I removed the tank, I cleaned it as thoroughly as possible. In the process, I had to move it from side to side and invert it a few times to drain the contents. At no time did I hear or could see anything inside resembling the remnants of a pipe and the outlet to which the deck pumpout hose it connected had nothing attached, i.e., it was a clean fitting inside the tank and therefore apparently never had anything attached. A mystery to be sure...which is why I am certain there was never an internal hose attached. Parenthetically, the tank was still at least half full after we did our "final" end-of-season pumpout which is likely indicative of this problem.
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