Is the marine tissue I have bought in the past at West Marine special? Does it breakdown faster or easier? Why can't I use the same bargain stuff I use at home for less than half the price? Tim
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Septic Tank stuff.
Tim: The stuff they sell at W/M is the same stuff that you use in a septic tank. You can test it in a glass of water. Place a piece of the paper in a glass of water. It should disolve in a short period of time.
Tim: The stuff they sell at W/M is the same stuff that you use in a septic tank. You can test it in a glass of water. Place a piece of the paper in a glass of water. It should disolve in a short period of time.
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Nothing special about marine/rv TP
"Marine/RV" toilet paper is just private label branding of very cheap flimsy institutional grade toilet paper at a much higher price than you can buy it without any “marine/RV” labeling. Nor is necessary to use toilet paper specifically labeled for septic use...that's just another excuse to mark up the price. Avoid the premium 2-ply brands like Charmin, White Cloud etc...they're impregnated with extra fibers for strength and creams for softness...so marine toilets, especially macerators, can't swallow 'em, and even if some does make it through the system, it won't break break up and dissolve for weeks. To find out whether any toilet paper is suitable for use aboard, tear off a sheet and put it in a glass of water overnight. If it's still an intact—or mostly intact--sheet in the morning, it's NOT suitable for use in any marine toilet...it doesn't dissolve fast enough and could clog your system. But if you stir the glass and all you see is "snow" and cloudy water, it's the same thing as "marine" toilet paper...and just fine for use in any system. But even the "right" kind of toilet paper can clog a marine toilet if too much is used at once, so boat owners have to learn to use it as sparingly as possible. In situations where a little isn't enough, it may be necessary to use a little--flush that...and use a little more, flush again--even several times (and by the way, that doesn't ONLY apply to toilet paper).
"Marine/RV" toilet paper is just private label branding of very cheap flimsy institutional grade toilet paper at a much higher price than you can buy it without any “marine/RV” labeling. Nor is necessary to use toilet paper specifically labeled for septic use...that's just another excuse to mark up the price. Avoid the premium 2-ply brands like Charmin, White Cloud etc...they're impregnated with extra fibers for strength and creams for softness...so marine toilets, especially macerators, can't swallow 'em, and even if some does make it through the system, it won't break break up and dissolve for weeks. To find out whether any toilet paper is suitable for use aboard, tear off a sheet and put it in a glass of water overnight. If it's still an intact—or mostly intact--sheet in the morning, it's NOT suitable for use in any marine toilet...it doesn't dissolve fast enough and could clog your system. But if you stir the glass and all you see is "snow" and cloudy water, it's the same thing as "marine" toilet paper...and just fine for use in any system. But even the "right" kind of toilet paper can clog a marine toilet if too much is used at once, so boat owners have to learn to use it as sparingly as possible. In situations where a little isn't enough, it may be necessary to use a little--flush that...and use a little more, flush again--even several times (and by the way, that doesn't ONLY apply to toilet paper).
J
Jim Rushing
It doesn't break down all that well, Peggy
When I changed out the holding tank last month, I took the old tank and dumped the water out. It was reasonably clean as it had been flushed out seversl times before I removed it. But you wouldn't believe the amount of paper fibers that came out. So when you pump out, the fibers stay on the bottom of the tank. Yes Peggy, Anita is using a special trash sack now.
When I changed out the holding tank last month, I took the old tank and dumped the water out. It was reasonably clean as it had been flushed out seversl times before I removed it. But you wouldn't believe the amount of paper fibers that came out. So when you pump out, the fibers stay on the bottom of the tank. Yes Peggy, Anita is using a special trash sack now.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
What kind of paper are you using., JIm...
'Cuz it sure sounds like you're using the "good stuff." The paper you should be using will just about dissolve in your hand if it gets wet and definitely dissolves completely overnight in water. Btw...you should be flushing out your tank several times a season.
'Cuz it sure sounds like you're using the "good stuff." The paper you should be using will just about dissolve in your hand if it gets wet and definitely dissolves completely overnight in water. Btw...you should be flushing out your tank several times a season.
T
Tim
TP Recommendations?
I tried the test on my plush home paper last night and it did not desolve well. Can anyone recommend a good, soft paper that breaks down well that is available at my local store? Tim
I tried the test on my plush home paper last night and it did not desolve well. Can anyone recommend a good, soft paper that breaks down well that is available at my local store? Tim
J
Jim Rushing
West Marine Stuff
Peggy, it is the correct stuff from West Marine. And I always have the tank flushed out at each pump out. Right now it looks like our pump out cycle has gone from every three visits to around six visits.
Peggy, it is the correct stuff from West Marine. And I always have the tank flushed out at each pump out. Right now it looks like our pump out cycle has gone from every three visits to around six visits.
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