I've read Peggy's recommendation on running white vinegar through the head. I have an aluminum waste tank. Will the vinegar eat my aluminum tank? BTW, the aluminum tank was replaced just before I purchased the boat 2 years ago.
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Replace The Tank
Glen, I would replace the tank with a plastic one. Aluminum is a questionable choice of materials for a holding tank. It's a matter of WHEN not IF it will begin leaking. We replaced ours before it began leaking into the bildge. This is also a good time to replace the hoses if they haven't already. A link is included to Ronco. They were very helpful in suppling what we needed with regard to the tank. Jeff
Glen, I would replace the tank with a plastic one. Aluminum is a questionable choice of materials for a holding tank. It's a matter of WHEN not IF it will begin leaking. We replaced ours before it began leaking into the bildge. This is also a good time to replace the hoses if they haven't already. A link is included to Ronco. They were very helpful in suppling what we needed with regard to the tank. Jeff
Replace the tank
You have a couple of years before it starts leaking at the welds. But it will because the welds are not pure aluminum. Just schedule the project for your off season. You can probably order a Ronco tank that will go in the exact space and sometime you can actually find a larger tank to fit. It is a future project.
You have a couple of years before it starts leaking at the welds. But it will because the welds are not pure aluminum. Just schedule the project for your off season. You can probably order a Ronco tank that will go in the exact space and sometime you can actually find a larger tank to fit. It is a future project.
Glen..We had an aluminum tank in our last boat.
We used vinegar as recommnded. What we also did do was to go to the pump out each time we were leaving the boat and flushed it with fresh water several times. It was 5 years old when we sold her and still do'n fine.
We used vinegar as recommnded. What we also did do was to go to the pump out each time we were leaving the boat and flushed it with fresh water several times. It was 5 years old when we sold her and still do'n fine.
Gas tank sealers?
I wonder how some of the gas tank sealing systems would work to help prevent the breakdown of the aluminum tanks. I'm talking about Renu and POR 15. Eastwood also has a system that is supposed to work well. POR15 is probably the best for gas tanks. May not be worth the hassle over putting in a plastic tank, though. http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1467/.f
I wonder how some of the gas tank sealing systems would work to help prevent the breakdown of the aluminum tanks. I'm talking about Renu and POR 15. Eastwood also has a system that is supposed to work well. POR15 is probably the best for gas tanks. May not be worth the hassle over putting in a plastic tank, though. http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1467/.f
Vinagar won't harm the tank
But it won't slow down the damage caused by urine either. Sooner or later you will have to replace it, 'cuz on average any metal--even 316 stainless--tank will start to leak at a seam or a fitting within 2-5 years and turn into a collander in about 10. When it does start to leak, it won't be a catastrophic failure, just some slight weeping that Marine Tex should stop long enough to get you through the rest of the season. I'd wait till that happens before replacing it. Or, if you have to replace hoses before it starts to leak, do it then, 'cuz rehosing is the worst part of the job.
But it won't slow down the damage caused by urine either. Sooner or later you will have to replace it, 'cuz on average any metal--even 316 stainless--tank will start to leak at a seam or a fitting within 2-5 years and turn into a collander in about 10. When it does start to leak, it won't be a catastrophic failure, just some slight weeping that Marine Tex should stop long enough to get you through the rest of the season. I'd wait till that happens before replacing it. Or, if you have to replace hoses before it starts to leak, do it then, 'cuz rehosing is the worst part of the job.
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