Second holding tank?

[Keith J]

Hi All
We sail on a no discharge lake, and could use more holding tank capacity. Instead of replacing the original tank with a slightly larger one (that will fit in the comparment) can I add a second tank? The location of the second tank would be in an adjacent compartment maybe a foot or so lower. I was thinking the toilet could pump to the higher tank, which would flow to the lower tank by gravity, and then pumpout from the lower tank. Am I nuts, or is this do-able without a host of new problems?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It's likely to create at least as many problems as it solves...

What you propose is theoretically do-able...but practically more trouble than it's worth, 'cuz both tanks must be vented...both must be maintained for odor...rinsed out regularly to eliminate sludge....

If you have a manual toilet and flush it the way 90% of people do, you can DOUBLE the number of flushes your tank can hold by changing the way you flush...by learning how to use the dry mode to do more than just move the last bit of water out of the bowl.

Most people aren't aware that any manual toilet that's working anywhere near original factory specs can move bowl contents up to 6 linear feet or 4 vertical feet--somewhere in between in a combined linear/vertical installation. So they only use the wet mode except to clear the last of the water from the bowl...filling up their tanks with flush water. It rarely occurs to anyone to use a cup to add some water to the bowl ahead of solid waste...instead they pump a gallon or more water to rinse the bowl.

Soooo...upgrade to the largest tank that'll fit your space, learn to use the dry mode efficiently--AND teach your family how to do it...and you'll be amazed by how much more holding capacity you'll have!

 

[Gudenuph]

Try dry evacuation followed by a jet of water from a plastic syrup bottle with a flip top cap to remove any skid marks, then two flushing strokes of the pump. Don't try to clean the bowl by flushing alone.
Geohan

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Yuck!

Try dry evacuation followed by a jet of water from a plastic syrup bottle with a flip top cap to remove any skid marks, then two flushing strokes of the pump. Don't try to clean the bowl by flushing alone.
Geohan

You won't have to clean the bowl if you add a couple of cupfuls of water from the sink ahead of solids.

 

[Keith J]

Twin tanks

Thank you Peggy et al for you detailed replies - all these years I thought it was a fiber problem - no more crosswords, no more books, I promise, just a squirt bottle and pre potty priming!

 

[thomas.dargan]

Oh!

 

[thomas.dargan]

PEGGY,

Is Trident white better than black? It costs a little more, but shows dirt.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

They're the same...

Whether to go with black or white is just a matter of aesthetics...and budget.

You say it shows dirt... Are you confessing to substandard boatkeeping? :naughty:

 

[Stu Jackson]

PEGGY,

Is Trident white better than black? It costs a little more, but shows dirt.

Inside or outside? C'mon....:dance: