"Summerizing" Holding tanks

[GeorgeK]

Hi Peggie.

What are your recommendations for off-season shutting down holding tanks in hot/tropical climes? I'm sure the rinsing procedures are the same as for winterizing, but what else to do? Thanks.

 

[Steve Dion]

Geo:

Normally we rinse out our tank after each pumpout. Then we flush it with about a gallon of water and our "favorite" chemical (Odorlos for us).

During the summer months we may add an additional dose of chemicals in the warmer weather.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A whole new term: "summerizing"

What's wrong with the term, "extended layup?" Except for antifreeze, the season of the year makes no difference.

Thoroughly flush out the tank (see the archives for directions). Follow mfr's directions to prepare treatment device, water heater and any other equipment for extended layup.

 

[GeorgeK]

No problem with the terminology.

Of course we pump, rinse, rinse again with soapy water, and pump again. But would you recommend that when finished with that, the tank be left empty, filled with clean water, or filled with clean soapy water? Thanks.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'd leave it empty, but after rinsing out ALL that soapy water!

To flush out the tank, put several inches of water into it via the deck pumpout fitting, 'cuz that sends the water into the tank at the bottom to stir up any sludge and hold it in suspension so it can be pumped out. Repeat, repeat, repeat...till you're pumping out only CLEAN water. Then do it one more time to rinse out any overboard discharge pump and plumbing.

But first, I'd disconnect the toilet intake line from the thru-hull (close the seacock first) and stick it into a bucket of clean fresh water to which you've added a quart of distilled white vinegar (WHITE vinegar, not cider)...pump the whole bucketful all the way through the system. After an hour, pump another bucketful of clean fresh water ALL the way through the system. Now you're ready to decommission the tank.