Peggie, I can't find the answers in the archives....so forgive if this is a recent repeat...I am changing out the holding tank on my H30T..The boat is on the hard, and new to me, so no history on the tank contents...how do I do this to avoid a real mess?
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Very carefully!
Unless you can be sure the tank is empty and bone dry, one thing is certain: you can't cut up the tank to get it out...it's gonna have to come out intact if you don't want to dump sewage into your bilge. You should be able to remove the inlet and vent hose without much risk...just have a deep disposable aluminum pan or a garbage bag under 'em to catch any spill. Put threaded plugs--which you can get from the plumbing dept of any hardware store--into those fittings. The only one you really have to worry about is the discharge hose at the bottom. Disconnect from the deck pumpout fitting first, 'cuz that end of the hose is above the tank. Keep it high while you cut it off AT the level of the top of the tank...then hammer a bung (plug)into it and duct tape it tightly to the side of the tank. Now you can remove the tank without risk of a major spill. Or...you could get the yard to pump it out with a shop vac. You'll still risk a spill when you remove the discharge fitting, but small enough that you should be able to catch it in a garbage bag or disposable aluminum pan. Or, you could get lucky...the tank could be empty and dry. I wouldn't count on it.
Unless you can be sure the tank is empty and bone dry, one thing is certain: you can't cut up the tank to get it out...it's gonna have to come out intact if you don't want to dump sewage into your bilge. You should be able to remove the inlet and vent hose without much risk...just have a deep disposable aluminum pan or a garbage bag under 'em to catch any spill. Put threaded plugs--which you can get from the plumbing dept of any hardware store--into those fittings. The only one you really have to worry about is the discharge hose at the bottom. Disconnect from the deck pumpout fitting first, 'cuz that end of the hose is above the tank. Keep it high while you cut it off AT the level of the top of the tank...then hammer a bung (plug)into it and duct tape it tightly to the side of the tank. Now you can remove the tank without risk of a major spill. Or...you could get the yard to pump it out with a shop vac. You'll still risk a spill when you remove the discharge fitting, but small enough that you should be able to catch it in a garbage bag or disposable aluminum pan. Or, you could get lucky...the tank could be empty and dry. I wouldn't count on it.
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