last bit of "sludge" out of the bottom of a holding tank when getting it evacuated. It seems everytime I get it pumped out my holding tank guage says that there is still a little bit left. I only have a 17 gallon holding tank and I need ever bit of it I can get and I don't want to lose even a few gallons of sludge factor that seems to remain on the bottom. This is not a harden "cement" sludge that has permanently formed, because I have taken the time to pump the tank, fill with some water, pump the tank again and fill with some water, etc, etc, etc. After quite a few times it will eventually seem to be totally empty and the accuguage will read totally empty. After just one or 2 fill/empty cycles of my holding tank it seems that a "bottom sludge" has already been created and even after a complete pump out I seem to have a few gallons of sludge factor that seems to remain on the bottom. Other than washing out the holding tank thoroughly after each and every pumpout, do you know of a way or a product that will help me evacuate the last remnants of sludge from the bottom so I can always have maximum capacity? Would pumping out the boat and then putting 2 or 3 times the KO or Odorloss recommended with a few gallons of water and letting it sit over night help to break that sludge down into a more liquid form? And then pumping out the next day I would find it all comes out clean? Any other ideas? I feel I am overly filling the municipalities pumpout holding tank with just mostly water when I am trying to clean out the last remnants of sludge.
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Flushing is the only way...
Using extra K.O. or Odorlos won't help a bit, just cost you more. There is no way to get the last inch out of a tank, because once the level drops to the top of the tank discharge fitting the pumpout or macerator loses prime and starts pumping air. The only thing you can do is replace that inch of sludge or waste with clean water. Since dilution is 90% of the solution, you're actually helping the municipal sewage system by adding water. Actually, that inch is beneficial 'cuz it gives the holding tank treatment and the first flush after pumpout something to dissolve in instead of just becoming a puddle in the bottom. You lose the last inch--even more if the fittings are on the sides instead of on the top--at the top too...'cuz you can't completely fill a tank without overflowing it out the vent and/or the head discharge hose. But you're not really losing any capacity...a tank's size is always stated in USEABLE capacity...which is why using the outside dimensions will always result in a number that's 5-10% higher than the actual tank capacity. If you need to extend the capacity of your tank, learn to conserve flush water...'cuz it's mostly flush water that's filling up your tank.
Using extra K.O. or Odorlos won't help a bit, just cost you more. There is no way to get the last inch out of a tank, because once the level drops to the top of the tank discharge fitting the pumpout or macerator loses prime and starts pumping air. The only thing you can do is replace that inch of sludge or waste with clean water. Since dilution is 90% of the solution, you're actually helping the municipal sewage system by adding water. Actually, that inch is beneficial 'cuz it gives the holding tank treatment and the first flush after pumpout something to dissolve in instead of just becoming a puddle in the bottom. You lose the last inch--even more if the fittings are on the sides instead of on the top--at the top too...'cuz you can't completely fill a tank without overflowing it out the vent and/or the head discharge hose. But you're not really losing any capacity...a tank's size is always stated in USEABLE capacity...which is why using the outside dimensions will always result in a number that's 5-10% higher than the actual tank capacity. If you need to extend the capacity of your tank, learn to conserve flush water...'cuz it's mostly flush water that's filling up your tank.
A little bit of help
On our boat (H-376), the holding tank discharge line is on the inboard side of the tank. This irrelevant when pumping out, but makes a big differance when underway. Since the tank is on the port side, a heel to starboard will produce a much more complete evacuation of the tank using the macerator. Add a little roll to the boat and you can just wash the last little bit out, well better than when level at the pump out station. Just one more good reason to go sailing
Scott
On our boat (H-376), the holding tank discharge line is on the inboard side of the tank. This irrelevant when pumping out, but makes a big differance when underway. Since the tank is on the port side, a heel to starboard will produce a much more complete evacuation of the tank using the macerator. Add a little roll to the boat and you can just wash the last little bit out, well better than when level at the pump out station. Just one more good reason to go sailing
Scott- Status