Cleaning the main holding tank...suggestions?

D

DLL

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Our main (black water) holding tank (plastic) has a "lid" that screws into it. I want to clean the sides of the holding tank well enough that I can cross check the gauges for accuracy.

One person on the dock said to unscrew it and pour bleach in it, mixed with water, maybe fill the tank and let it sit overnight. I am not sure that the bleach wouldn't cause its own problems. Anyone do this? The tank is about 43 gallons, based on measurements, etc.

Vinegar? Dawn soap?

How do you clean the side walls? Other than a long handled brush?

Putting the "lid" back in the top of the holding tank -- use teflon tape on the threads to prevent it from leaking or smelling?

Both toilets are Vacu-Flush.

Any suggestions appreciated.
EDIT: to add the words "Black Water" in the description of the holding tank. Sorry Vic.
 
fill with water from the deck drain, take boat for bumpy ride. pump tank and repeat until clean.

if gauge accuracy is all you require, you can do this at the dock by filling the tank(s) from the deck pump out port.
 
If you require a cleaner, use something without suds. Dishwasher soap or laundry detergent. If you're ever going to use an enzyme odor eater or cleaner; do NOT use the detergents.
 
Further to what Vic said, if you can add about 40 lbs. of ice cubes to the tank, then take it out for a bumpy ride, doing figure 8's, etc., that would be even better. And the ice will melt before long, turn to water, and can be pumped out. It'll "scrub" the inside of the tank.
 
Throw a bottle of calgon in with the ice. It will soften the crud on the sides of the tank and make the scrubbing effect of the ice cubes more efficient.
 
Leave it alone! Why bother cleaning the holding tank. After one or two cycle you won't see thru it again anyway...
 
quote:
Originally posted by DLL

Our main (black water) holding tank (plastic) has a "lid" that screws into it. I want to clean the sides of the holding tank well enough that I can cross check the gauges for accuracy.
Click to expand...


I used to wonder why anyone would want to clean their holding tank, but I installed a gauge that used glue on sensors and it doesn't work if a lot of "poop" is stuck to the inside walls of the tank.

The previous owners of the boat used mineral oil to make the manual head pump easier and I think that causes stuff to stick to the tank walls.

Anyway, I installed an access plate so I could clean it.

Water from a hose shot at the walls through a nozzle will get a lot of the crud loose. After that, a toilet brush and more water. You'll have to do this several times emptying the tank each time.

It was pointed out above, if you use an enzime or other "natural" odor treatment product, you can't use soap or chemicals.
 
Add a Camco Tornado. GeeBee has pix somewhere of his install. Inexpensive and works well.
 
I use a little clear sack of green beads that bubble and clean the toilet.
Would a couple of them clean out the tank? It is kinda like Alkaselzer for
the toilet with a cleaner in it.
 
Camco is the MFG name. Tornado is the product name. Readily available at RV places. Get the one with the external hookup. Access is easier and hence usage will be more likely.
 
Why do you need to clean it? Unless it is a problem, I would find something more rewarding to work on.
Jim
 
The gauge isn't accurate. Would like to clean the contacts, see how long it would work.

When we have guests we have to pump it ... just in case. I don't know if the gauge is still "workable" or not. It used to work part time, now it works when it wants to. Cleaning the sides might allow the contacts to work again.

Since there is a screw on access point about 4-5 inches across, i thought I could unscrew it, put a hose in that access portal and clean the area around the sensors. Then I hoped I would be able to see the level of contents to verify the gauge.
 
I also have a gauge that doesn't work but have never got around to it... It seems alot easier to replace the sensor with one of the ones that stick to the outside of the tank. Pump often and use the blue stuff and most issues go away.
Jim
 
quote:
Originally posted by 32carv

I also have a gauge that doesn't work but have never got around to it... It seems alot easier to replace the sensor with one of the ones that stick to the outside of the tank.
Click to expand...

You probably didn't read my post above, but the gauges with the external sensors won't work correctly with dirty tank walls. They think the level of the tank is up to the sensor, but it's reading the "poo" stuck to the tank walls.
 
My gauge, or indicator, doesn't work either.
Does anyone know of an inexpensive external one?
 
I use the Raritan external strip gauge sensor which uses strips. You can re-adjust the level even if it changes from crud on the side walls. There is a level screw for each tank next to each push button on the display. I have the 4 tank sensor unit, one on the waste tank, actually 2 on the waste tank one sensor goes to the PuraSan the other for the gauge, the other tank sensors monitor the 2 water tanks. I haven't seen much difference between brown tank walls and opaque walls on the Poly waste tank.
Bill
 
I got my tank sending unit working again by just adding a bottle of this "Unchloric Acid" to the tank. i purchased locally from a marine sanitation store in Seattle. Thedford which also makes a product for the same purpose also did the job , I'm not really high on Thedford but the product did work.

The unchloric acid was a no brainer for me, just mix with a gallon of warm water, dump in head and let sit for a day. You will want your holding tank semi full when using it so it can get in the tank and work, running the boat also helps move it around. The gauge then worked properly in a couple days time and has ever since now for 3 years. No stinky work or stinky on hands gives this product a thumbs up from me.
 
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