Recommissioning head and holding tank

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A 12-15% dilution of muriatic (hydrocloric) acid --available from most hardware stores--will clean all that stuff out of your hoses. Flush all the way to the tank in the dry mode. Follow witth at least a quart of clean fresh water after45-60 minutes. If the buildup is heavy, a second or even a third "dose" may be needed. If you flush with sea water, you'll also want to clean out your toilet intake line and the channel in the rim of the bowl. To do this, disconnect your toilet intake line from the thru-hull and stick it into a bucket of the same 12-15% dilution of muriatic acid. Flush it through the toilet...follow with clean fresh water after 45-60 minutes. You could actually combine both jobs by starting with the intake line and flushing that dose all the way through to the tank. Just don't be stingy with the acid and follow ALL safe use and handling instructions.

--Peggie

 

[Richard19068]

A 12-15% dilution of muriatic (hydrocloric) acid --available from most hardware stores--will clean all that stuff out of your hoses. Flush all the way to the tank in the dry mode. Follow witth at least a quart of clean fresh water after45-60 minutes. If the buildup is heavy, a second or even a third "dose" may be needed. If you flush with sea water, you'll also want to clean out your toilet intake line and the channel in the rim of the bowl. To do this, disconnect your toilet intake line from the thru-hull and stick it into a bucket of the same 12-15% dilution of muriatic acid. Flush it through the toilet...follow with clean fresh water after 45-60 minutes. You could actually combine both jobs by starting with the intake line and flushing that dose all the way through to the tank. Just don't be stingy with the acid and follow ALL safe use and handling instructions.

--Peggie

@Peggie Hall HeadMistress First, thanks for being such a great source of information for so many years.

I have a couple of questions:
I am confused about Muriatic Acid strengths and dilutions. if I get a bottle of muriatic acid that says it is "Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) 20% Baume (31.45%)" how much of that do I mix into a gallon of water to get your 12-15% dilution?

Also, you said "don't be stingy" but approximately how much of this dilution should be pumped through? A quart, half gallon, gallon...?

I plan on running this through my head sink through a garden y-valve that I have installed to select using fresh water through the head sink or sea water via a thru hull (thanks for that suggestion). Any problems doing that?

Can I discharge this into the Pacific (past the three mile limit of course) or should I pump it out at a local pump a head facility?

Thanks again!

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Muriatic acid doesn't harm the seals and valves?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Nope...doesn't hurt a thing...it's what yards use.

--Peggie

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

@Peggie Hall HeadMistress First, thanks for being such a great source of information for so many years.

I have a couple of questions:
I am confused about Muriatic Acid strengths and dilutions. if I get a bottle of muriatic acid that says it is "Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) 20% Baume (31.45%)" how much of that do I mix into a gallon of water to get your 12-15% dilution?

You don't put it in a gallon of water. Use the whole bottle making sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for mixing with water. Consider the "strength" on the bottle to be "full" strength. Use enough water to reduce the strength by 12-15%, giving you 85-92% strength.
Also, you said "don't be stingy" but approximately how much of this dilution should be pumped through? A quart, half gallon, gallon...?

I plan on running this through my head sink through a garden y-valve that I have installed to select using fresh water through the head sink or sea water via a thru hull (thanks for that suggestion). Any problems doing that?

I'd bypass the sink.

Can I discharge this into the Pacific (past the three mile limit of course) or should I pump it out at a local pump a head facility?

You don't have to be outside 3 miles to discharge the solution as long as there's nothing else in the tank. However because perception is 90% of reality for most people, you might want to do it discreetly.

Thanks again!

 

[Richard19068]

I am confused about Muriatic Acid strengths and dilutions. if I get a bottle of muriatic acid that says it is "Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) 20% Baume (31.45%)" how much of that do I mix into a gallon of water to get your 12-15% dilution?

You don't put it in a gallon of water. Use the whole bottle making sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for mixing with water. Consider the "strength" on the bottle to be "full" strength. Use enough water to reduce the strength by 12-15%, giving you 85-92% strength.
Also, you said "don't be stingy" but approximately how much of this dilution should be pumped through? A quart, half gallon, gallon...?

Sorry, I very much appreciate the answer but guess I'm thick about this.

I take the whole gallon of the 20% Baume (31.45%) acid and dilute it to "85-92% strength"? So that's a gallon of full strength acid with about 16 ounces of water which would then result in a solution that is 89% of what the original acid was? That's what you mean between "85-92%?

i.e. 128+16=144 ounces. 128/144=88.9%?

And then use the whole 144 ounces?

I just don't want to assume here because this is potent stuff, as you know.

Thanks again!

 

[Project_Mayhem]

A 12-15% dilution of muriatic (hydrocloric) acid --available from most hardware stores--will clean all that stuff out of your hoses. Flush all the way to the tank in the dry mode. Follow witth at least a quart of clean fresh water after45-60 minutes. If the buildup is heavy, a second or even a third "dose" may be needed. If you flush with sea water, you'll also want to clean out your toilet intake line and the channel in the rim of the bowl. To do this, disconnect your toilet intake line from the thru-hull and stick it into a bucket of the same 12-15% dilution of muriatic acid. Flush it through the toilet...follow with clean fresh water after 45-60 minutes. You could actually combine both jobs by starting with the intake line and flushing that dose all the way through to the tank. Just don't be stingy with the acid and follow ALL safe use and handling instructions.

--Peggie

I'm very surprised that this doesnt harm anything but happy to hear of a solution to clean out the tanks and lines. Is this recommended as periodic maintenance or just as needed? I have your book but haven't need to figure out where I put it. Is this info listed in it?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Most hardware stores sell muriatic /hydrochloric acid in quart or liter bottles...I've never seen in gallons. It's used as needed to solve a problem--i.e.mineral buildup in sanitation plumbing.

Buildup on holding tank walls requires a different approach. Human waste is full of animal fats...that's what builds up on holding tank walls and clogs internal tank monitor sensors. A strong solution of detergent (Dawn Ultra is good for this...a good engine degreaser is even better) is needed to dissolve it with help from a power washer or a scrub brush.Some people claim that lots of ice cubes and tacking a lot will replace manual or powered labor, but the ice melts to fast to accomplish anything.

---Peggie