Extend waste tank capacity?

quote:
you should still get 4 days out of your system.
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I agree - but check out his tag line.

quote:
My drinking friends have a boating problem
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Maybe the problem is too much liquid fun. Certainly cant ask the guy to cut down on the festivities!

Personally, I would opt for one larger tank. Adding extra tanks, valves, etc. adds more headaches.
 
From the EPA website...

quote:
EPA regulations on NDZs1 define both waterbodies that are NDZs by their geographical nature (thus States do not have to seek a NDZ designation) and waterbodies that can be designated by States and EPA. The waterbodies that are NDZs by their geographical nature are freshwater lakes, freshwater reservoirs, or other freshwater impoundments whose entrance points and exit points are too shallow to support traffic by the regulated vessels (those vessels with installed toilets)2.
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You can read the entire text here.

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/vsdarticle.html
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

if you are not in an NDZ, go for the the Hold n Treat, it's seems like it's the best of both world...

for liquids, VF really use very little water... for solids, you need to add a little water and hold the pedal a little longer but you should still get 4 days out of your system.

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We could probably get 4 days if we are not drinking beer but there hasnt been a weekend without it yet!
 
quote:
Originally posted by jrekemeyer

From the EPA website...

quote:
EPA regulations on NDZs1 define both waterbodies that are NDZs by their geographical nature (thus States do not have to seek a NDZ designation) and waterbodies that can be designated by States and EPA. The waterbodies that are NDZs by their geographical nature are freshwater lakes, freshwater reservoirs, or other freshwater impoundments whose entrance points and exit points are too shallow to support traffic by the regulated vessels (those vessels with installed toilets)2.
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You can read the entire text here.

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/vsdarticle.html

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Thanks for the link. I think Lake Conroe would fall under the NDZ regulation. I had to pay $15 for one of those clean water stickers.
 
Lake Conroe, Texas is holding tank only:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/42FR59776.pdf

However, I agree with Pascal:

1) With a VacuFlush toilet, you shouldn't fill an 18 gallon tank all that quickly, although they advertise that it'll flush with a pint of water, if you double it to a quart per flush - an 18 gallon tank should still be good for between 70 and 75 flushes before needing to be pumped out. Do two people use the toilet that much in a weekend? The average person uses the toilet 5 times per day, most of which is liquid.

2) The tank should be pumped out every week anyway, especially in the summer time. Putting it off for longer periods just contributes to hose permeation, sludge buildup in the tank, and other problems that will eventually result in a stinky boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vic Willman

Lake Conroe, Texas is holding tank only:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/42FR59776.pdf

However, I agree with Pascal:

1) With a VacuFlush toilet, you shouldn't fill an 18 gallon tank all that quickly, although they advertise that it'll flush with a pint of water, if you double it to a quart per flush - an 18 gallon tank should still be good for between 70 and 75 flushes before needing to be pumped out. Do two people use the toilet that much in a weekend? The average person uses the toilet 5 times per day, most of which is liquid.

2) The tank should be pumped out every week anyway, especially in the summer time. Putting it off for longer periods just contributes to hose permeation, sludge buildup in the tank, and other problems that will eventually result in a stinky boat.

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Sealand's website states 53 flushes for a 20 gal tank. Thanks for the link
 
Ah, I see SeaLand is revising their claims upward for water usage - works out to 1½ quarts per flush. For years, they claimed it would flush with a pint of water. Not everyone agreed...
 
Who's the poor engineer that had to measure this stuff? He must have POd his boss that day.
 
This thread makes me feel really good about the Vacuflush system with the 40 gallon holding tank on my 33' Trojan.

They just don't build 'em like they used to...

RWS
 
Looks to me like they're figuring way too high for a conventional marine toilet - they're figuring more than a gallon per flush! My experience has been that, on average, it's between 2 and 3 quarts per flush.
 
Go into the aft cabin and remove the long thin cabinet on the port side. This will give you access to the holding tank.

The door has removable hinges so it just pops off. I think 8 screws hold the plastic compartment in place. Once you have access, replacing the tank with a larger model does not look that bad.
 
quote:
Originally posted by ChillPill

Go into the aft cabin and remove the long thin cabinet on the port side. This will give you access to the holding tank.

The door has removable hinges so it just pops off. I think 8 screws hold the plastic compartment in place. Once you have access, replacing the tank with a larger model does not look that bad.

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oh yeah your right! it doesnt look so bad now. Thanks!
 
Maybe it doesn't look bad, but wait till you start pulling the hoses off the holding tank. Boy, will it smell bad. After purchasing my current boat I replaced all the lines, valves, and tank associated with the waste system. Probably one of the nastiest jobs I have ever had to do on a boat.

A suggestion: go to the pump out facility and pump the head. Fill with water and pump again. Do that at least twice. Then when you are ready to pull the tank, have strips of duct tape ready on the wall next to you. When you pull the hoses, hold your breath and start taping up the ends of the hose and tank openings real good. Then get the hell out to let the air clear. Trust me, it works.
 
I did what John did which was to replace everything in my waste system as well as the grey water system components and hoses. The boat was 13 years old and the original waste components all stunk. The broker was nice enough to leave the old holding tank full and who knows for how long! My original aluminum tank was also permeated and leaking. My odors were so bad after the tank was pulled that area of the bilge was cleaned and repainted to kill the odors. With the 45 gallon Poly tank we get at least 100 plus flushes. I agree about pumping out at least every other week and rinsing the system after pump out. I don't want to be changing hoses again anytime soon! Regards Bill
 
Sounds like great advice. I am still torn about moving forward since I have a tendency to upgrade boats every few years. I think I will hold off for now. Thanks everyone!
 
This was a great thread to read! I especially like the conclusion - buy a new boat!! That's what I need to do becuse my holding tank is well below 18 gallons!
 
The 2inch tear in my vinyl seat on my previous boat was enough to make me trade in for the one I have now. :-)
 
quote:
Originally posted by Portland

This was a great thread to read! I especially like the conclusion - buy a new boat!! That's what I need to do becuse my holding tank is well below 18 gallons!

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Oh Crap! - I have a 100Gal holding tank - I guess I will never get a new boat
 
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